A new wearables study will track adults for a year to assess whether device data can predict changes in cognitive health.
The remote study will look for biometric predictors of cognitive decline over the course of a year.
Recruitment began across North America in early 2026, with researchers aiming to enrol 200 adults from each decade of life between the ages of 40 and 89.
The Technology for Aging Health – Digital Approaches study, known as TAH-DA, is being conducted by the Neuroscape research centre at UCSF in collaboration with Samsung.
Joaquin A. Anguera of Neuroscape said: “With this rich dataset, we will be able to determine which passive, biometric measures are associated with cognitive assessments, as well as test the effects of our evidence-based, digital interventions in boosting cognitive function in adults across their lifespans.
“Unlike traditional neuroscience studies, which often use highly controlled, simplified stimuli and static laboratory environments, modern approaches look to study human cognition in real-world contexts and in real-time.”
Participants will receive a Galaxy Watch to record health measurements during the day and while they sleep, as well as a Galaxy Tab A9 for cognitive assessments and exercises.
Researchers hope the data can be used to develop algorithms and digital biomarker technology to track and predict changes in brain health over time.
Participants will wear the watch for one year.
The device will measure heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, sleep, step counts and body composition.
It will also collect electrocardiogram data, known as ECG, which records the heart’s electrical activity.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis, or BIA, will be used to measure body composition.
Researchers will compare the measurements with surveys, digital cognitive assessments and interventions developed by Neuroscape.
Mobile phones and wearables can capture detailed information about users’ habits and behaviour, including subtle changes in their routines.
Researchers at Samsung and UCSF hope this information can support the development of technology for tracking changes in cognitive function.
Adam Gazzaley, executive director of Neuroscape, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Samsung on this research project, which combines its wearable technology and tablets with our software to study cognition in the real world.
“This academic-industry partnership is driving the most technologically ambitious remote trial we’ve ever attempted and will generate a unique perspective on human ageing.”
The remote study will use Neuroscape’s Nexus clinical trials platform to manage online enrolment, consent, diagnostic assessments and digital interventions.
Participants will also have access to an artificial intelligence chatbot and a virtual assistant through Helpsquad. Didit.me will support identity verification during enrolment.
After enrolling, participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group and sent a Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Tab A9.
During the intervention phase, participants will complete cognitively challenging games designed by Neuroscape.
Researchers said the games had previously shown positive effects on cognitive abilities that decline with age.
Participants will complete custom-built digital cognitive assessments at three points: before the study, after completing the intervention and nine months later.
Praveen Raja, vice president of digital health at Samsung Research America, said: “We are happy to have Neuroscape’s digital interventions combined with our technology to enhance the digital health ecosystem and create new approaches to well-being.
“Using biometric data from our Galaxy Watch, we are excited to support the identification of behavioural and physiological predictors of cognitive decline, while looking toward digital interventions for improving cognition.”
Theodore Zanto of Neuroscape said: “With this new study, we hope to raise the bar for remote trials.
“Building off our past work, we continue to push the bounds of neurotechnology, looking to create neuroscience-based predictors of cognition across the adult lifespan, as well as new digital treatments.”
