Early Markers of Cognitive Change and Alzheimer s Disease
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Alzheimer Disease |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 60 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/17/2018 |
| Start Date: | March 19, 2003 |
| End Date: | January 2, 2015 |
Early Markers of Cognitive Change and Alzheimer's Disease: A Propsective Study of the Effects of Aging on Cognition and Brain Pathology
Background:
- The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is a long-term study of human aging. To
see how the brain changes with age, researchers will study BLSA participants who are at least
60 years old. In particular, researchers are looking for early markers of possible
Alzheimer's disease and other conditions that cause memory loss. To do so, they will give
tests of memory and brain function, and stay in close contact with participants.
Objectives:
- To study cognitive changes that occur in normal aging and in people who develop memory
problems.
Eligibility:
- Individuals at least 60 years of age who are participating in the BLSA.
Design:
- There are three parts to this study. These study procedures will be done under the usual
BLSA guidelines.
- Participants will take paper and pencil tests. The tests measure skills such as
language, attention, memory, and problem solving. They will also ask questions about
emotions and feelings.
- Participants will give the name and phone number of a person who knows them well and
sees them often. Researchers will ask this person to fill out questionnaires on the
effects of aging on the participant. These questions will monitor the participant's
memory and ability to function independently.
- Participants will have regular phone calls between study visits. These calls will help
to keep their information up to date.
- Participants will continue on this study for as long as they are able to participate.
- The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is a long-term study of human aging. To
see how the brain changes with age, researchers will study BLSA participants who are at least
60 years old. In particular, researchers are looking for early markers of possible
Alzheimer's disease and other conditions that cause memory loss. To do so, they will give
tests of memory and brain function, and stay in close contact with participants.
Objectives:
- To study cognitive changes that occur in normal aging and in people who develop memory
problems.
Eligibility:
- Individuals at least 60 years of age who are participating in the BLSA.
Design:
- There are three parts to this study. These study procedures will be done under the usual
BLSA guidelines.
- Participants will take paper and pencil tests. The tests measure skills such as
language, attention, memory, and problem solving. They will also ask questions about
emotions and feelings.
- Participants will give the name and phone number of a person who knows them well and
sees them often. Researchers will ask this person to fill out questionnaires on the
effects of aging on the participant. These questions will monitor the participant's
memory and ability to function independently.
- Participants will have regular phone calls between study visits. These calls will help
to keep their information up to date.
- Participants will continue on this study for as long as they are able to participate.
Since the early 1960 s cognitive testing has been performed in conjunction with BLSA visits.
Prior to the mid-1980 s, the primary focus of these investigations was the natural history of
age associated changes in memory and other cognitive functions. While a portion of the work
of the Cognition Section still involves descriptive studies of cross-sectional and
longitudinal effects of age on specific cognitive abilities, the cognitive testing program
was refocused in the mid-1980 s to investigate early predictors of cognitive change,
including risk and protective factors for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer s disease. In
collaboration with Dr. Claudia Kawas, and more recently Dr. Richard O Brien of the Johns
Hopkins Department of Neurology, the research program of the Cognition Section was expanded
to ascertain incident cases of cognitive impairment and dementia, including home visit
assessments for inactive participants. In addition, an autopsy program in collaboration with
the Alzheimer s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Johns Hopkins University was initiated.
This collaboration has yielded a number of important findings including information on the
incidence of Alzheimer s disease, and demonstrations that use of hormone replacement therapy
in postmenopausal women and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in older adults6
are associated with reductions in the risk for Alzheimer s disease in our community-dwelling
BLSA participant sample.
Prior to the mid-1980 s, the primary focus of these investigations was the natural history of
age associated changes in memory and other cognitive functions. While a portion of the work
of the Cognition Section still involves descriptive studies of cross-sectional and
longitudinal effects of age on specific cognitive abilities, the cognitive testing program
was refocused in the mid-1980 s to investigate early predictors of cognitive change,
including risk and protective factors for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer s disease. In
collaboration with Dr. Claudia Kawas, and more recently Dr. Richard O Brien of the Johns
Hopkins Department of Neurology, the research program of the Cognition Section was expanded
to ascertain incident cases of cognitive impairment and dementia, including home visit
assessments for inactive participants. In addition, an autopsy program in collaboration with
the Alzheimer s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Johns Hopkins University was initiated.
This collaboration has yielded a number of important findings including information on the
incidence of Alzheimer s disease, and demonstrations that use of hormone replacement therapy
in postmenopausal women and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in older adults6
are associated with reductions in the risk for Alzheimer s disease in our community-dwelling
BLSA participant sample.
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
All BLSA participants 60 years of age and older are included and will receive cognitive
evaluations on their BLSA visits.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Participants who are younger than 60 years old are excluded. Specialized testing procedures
are adopted in the case of hearing or visual impairments
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