Biomarkers of Cognitive Decline in Normal Adults (BIOCARD Cohort)
Official title: Biomarkers of Cognitive Decline Among Normal Individuals: The BIOCARD Cohort
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11422400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-running study follows people who started out cognitively healthy to identify early brain changes that may signal future Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2009 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $4,753,674 |
| NIH project number | 2U19AG033655-16A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who are cognitively normal at enrollment and may have a family history of dementia, with willingness to participate in long-term follow-up and biomarker collection.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who are not interested in long-term follow-up or biomarker testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you are curious about how Alzheimer’s disease starts long before symptoms appear, this project tracks hundreds of individuals over many years, collecting cognitive tests, brain scans, and biological samples like blood and spinal fluid. Researchers look for biomarkers that might predict who will develop memory problems, using data from people enrolled since 1995 and re-enrolled at Johns Hopkins. The study’s goal is to map the preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s and understand how early changes relate to eventual decline. Participation would involve ongoing follow-up visits and imaging, with careful privacy protections and a focus on advancing early detection and prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potential benefits include earlier detection of Alzheimer’s changes and insights that could lead to preventative strategies or treatments for future patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cohorts studying preclinical Alzheimer’s have identified biomarker patterns that correlate with later cognitive decline, supporting this approach's potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Albert, Marilyn S. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Albert, Marilyn S.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.