# Penn State Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function

> **NIH NIH P30** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 2024 · $1

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY - OVERALL
The goal of the Penn State Roybal Center is to develop and test novel interventions to improve adherence to
behavior change and enhance cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Prospective observational
studies indicate that physical activity is one of the most promising strategies for preventing Alzheimer’s
Disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). Unfortunately, most middle-aged and older adults are not
engaging in the recommended level of physical activity. One of the major barriers to a large national trial to
validate physical activity as a strategy for preventing AD/ADRD is the limited rate of adherence to behavior
change following a physical activity intervention. To address that limitation, the Penn State Roybal Center will
accelerate the translation of basic discoveries about motivation and adherence to behavior change into
principle-driven scalable and potent interventions that can be successfully implemented in the real world to
improve physical activity adherence and enhance cognitive function. Our team of experts in aging, behavioral
science, computer science, engineering, medicine, and physical activity will pursue four specific aims. First, we
will conduct three clinical trials to develop principle-driven scalable and potent behavioral interventions that
engage targeted mechanisms of adherence to behavior change following the end of an intervention, improve
adherence dynamics, and enhance cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Interventions will
leverage consumer and wearable technology and integrate generative artificial intelligence with predictive
modeling to deliver precision interventions. The trials span NIH Stages 1 and 3 and are integrated by a process
model of adherence dynamics. Second, we will activate a scientific community applying experimental medicine
methods to engage targeted mechanisms of adherence to behavior change and enhance cognitive function.
Third, we will accelerate knowledge translation by disseminating findings via a multi-pronged strategy that
targets the public, scientists, industry, and policymakers. Finally, we will facilitate translational research to
prevent AD/ADRD by managing a pilot program, supporting regulatory compliance in clinical trials, and
engaging with an External Advisory Committee and the Roybal Coordinating Center. These aims will be
pursued through an Administrative Core and a Behavioral Intervention Core. The Center will advance the field
by (1) developing a flexible method for transparent and controllable artificial intelligence content generation that
will reduce delays for intervention adaptation and accelerate scaling and providing access to that method via a
web app that can be integrated with existing messaging interventions, (2) establishing evidence-based
strategies for engaging targeted mechanisms of adherence to behavior change, (3) elucidating the processes
that influence adherence and cognitive function following an inter...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10875158
- **Project number:** 1P30AG086637-01
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID E. CONROY
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-15 → 2024-08-16

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10875158

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10875158, Penn State Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function (1P30AG086637-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10875158. Licensed CC0.

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