Brain imaging support for centenarian superagers
Neuroimaging Core
Using advanced MRI scans to see what helps some people's memory stay strong into their 100s.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190877 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, the team will collect MRI brain scans at one of three centers (Boston, New York City, or Los Angeles) using the same advanced 3T scanners so results can be compared. They use fast, high-resolution scan sequences that are designed to be tolerable for people in their 100s and then store and analyze images in a central core. The researchers focus on brain structure and how different regions connect and change over time to identify features linked to preserved thinking and memory. Findings will help pinpoint brain-reserve patterns common to "superagers" that could guide future ways to protect cognition.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people around 100 years old who have unusually preserved memory and are able to undergo an MRI scan.
Not a fit: People with severe cognitive impairment who cannot tolerate MRI or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal brain features that protect memory and guide future tests or treatments to help preserve thinking as people age.
How similar studies have performed: Related neuroimaging studies have linked specific brain networks to preserved cognition, but focusing on centenarian "superagers" is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bookheimer, Susan Y — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Bookheimer, Susan Y
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 below.