Healthy Aging and Dementia Biomarkers in older adults
Official title: Healthy Aging and Senile Dementia
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11333388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study follows aging adults to find early brain changes that predict Alzheimer's disease so future patients can benefit from earlier detection and care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 1997 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $6,374,287 |
| NIH project number | 2P01AG003991-41 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older, including those at risk for or with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, who can participate in long-term follow-up assessments and biomarker testing.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without risk factors or who are unable to participate in longitudinal biomarker testing may see limited personal benefit.
What this research studies
The Healthy Aging and Senile Dementia (HASD) study tracks middle-aged and older adults over time with a thorough set of biological, clinical, and cognitive tests to spot the first brain changes tied to Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear. It uses MRI, PET imaging, spinal fluid tests, and blood biomarkers, alongside genetics, to build a richly described picture of aging and dementia. The project compares participants with the general population and a clinical memory center to see how findings apply in real-world settings. The renewal strengthens the Biomarker Cohort to understand which factors signal imminent AD and how they generalize across diverse groups. This could pave the way for earlier diagnosis, better risk stratification, and more timely interventions for at-risk individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to earlier detection of Alzheimer’s risk and inform future prevention and treatment strategies for aging individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Prior cohorts have shown that biomarker and imaging profiles can predict cognitive decline, though this renewal aims to improve generalizability across populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morris, John — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Morris, John
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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.