How aging eyes relate to Alzheimer’s and brain aging
Aging eyes and aging brains in studying alzheimer''s disease: Modern ophthalmic data collection in the adult changes in thought (ACT) study
We will collect non-invasive eye tests and retinal images from older adults in the ACT cohort to learn how changes in the eye relate to Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11419893 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have gentle, non-invasive vision tests and retinal photos taken and allow researchers to link those results with decades of your ACT study records, cognitive testing, and available autopsy data. The project combines new eye imaging and visual function measures with extensive past eye clinical data from the long-running ACT cohort. The team is expanding the eye-focused group as the parent ACT cohort grows, and they are especially looking at blood vessel disease and vision loss as possible links to dementia. Your participation would help researchers look for eye signs that might predict or reflect brain changes related to Alzheimer’s.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults who are part of (or eligible for) the ACT cohort, able to attend Washington University study visits, and willing to have non-invasive eye testing and retinal imaging are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment or those with advanced dementia should not expect direct medical benefit from participating in this observational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors use simple eye exams or images to detect Alzheimer’s risk earlier and better understand vision-related contributions to dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller prior studies have reported links between retinal changes and dementia risk, but this large, long-term cohort with extensive autopsy data aims to provide more definitive evidence.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Cecilia Sungmin — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Cecilia Sungmin
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.