# Vietnamese Insights into Cognitive Aging Program (VIP)

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2024 · $1,460,054

## Abstract

Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial minority group in the U.S and yet there is a dearth of research
on their cognitive aging and risks for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). This is especially
true for Vietnamese Americans, the largest Southeast Asian group in the U.S. Vietnamese Americans suffer
disproportionately from early life adversity and trauma, depression, and low socioeconomic status (SES), all of
which may increase risk for cognitive impairment and development of dementia. The specific sociocultural
context of this group (i.e., high exposure to trauma, post-traumatic stress, diverse acculturation and
immigration patterns) provides a unique opportunity to examine how early life factors and sociocultural diversity
impact cognitive outcomes. In this R01 application, Vietnamese Insights into Cognitive Aging Program (VIP),
we will develop an unprecedented longitudinal study of older Vietnamese Americans to begin addressing the
dearth of cognitive aging research in this population. The overall goal is to obtain preliminary estimates of mild
cognitive impairment and dementia in the community and identify ADRD risk and resilience factors in this
understudied group. Using the NIA health disparities research framework as a model, we propose the
following: Aim 1: Characterize longitudinal cognitive function and ADRD risk in a community-based cohort of
540 older Vietnamese aged 65+ living in Northern California. Aim 2a: Examine the role of adversity and trauma
on ADRD risk in older Vietnamese. Aim 2b: Evaluate the influence of current sociocontextual factors on ADRD
risk in older Vietnamese. Aim 3: Determine the role of cardiovascular disease and health risk factors on
cognition in older Vietnamese. In the process of studying these important risk and protective factors, we will
engage a population that is severely missing from aging research and contribute to theory on the role of
adversity, trauma, and sociocultural diversity on dementia risk. This study will leverage an older Vietnamese
population with which we already have strong community partnerships to create an unmatched longitudinal
study. Findings will lead to a better understanding of cognitive aging and mechanisms of disease in this
understudied group but also have broader implications for advancing our knowledge of the sociocultural and
early life contributions to cognitive aging in other populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10771981
- **Project number:** 5R01AG067541-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** OANH L MEYER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,460,054
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-02-15 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10771981

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10771981, Vietnamese Insights into Cognitive Aging Program (VIP) (5R01AG067541-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10771981. Licensed CC0.

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