WORCESTER, MASS. — ​UMass Medical School is looking to enroll nearly 300 Worcester-area seniors in an Alzheimer’s study.

The goal is to help researchers understand how one's diet may help combat the disease.

Dr. John Haran says grant money will be used for the two year study.

Researchers will look at how bacteria, viruses, and fungi present in the gastrointestinal tract influences cognitive function.

The study will look at people with and without Alzheimer’s, and some who live in nursing homes and others who live at home.

"Part of this is we're trying to understand what the composition is and how to move it, and then the future of this would be to come up with an intervention we could then treat somebody with Alzheimer’s to improve their outcomes," said Dr. Haran.

The National Institute on Aging awarded the school with a four year grant worth $3.3 million for the research.

If you are interested in participating in the study, you can call 508-925-0348 or email umass.emresearch@gmail.com.