Investigating cognitive resilience in centenarians and their families

Phenotyping and Biospecimen Core

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · NIH-10907585

This study is looking for amazing older adults who are 100 years or older and still have sharp minds, along with their children and partners, to help us learn more about what keeps their brains healthy as they age, by doing yearly brain tests and blood tests to check for signs of Alzheimer's.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorBOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10907585 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on identifying centenarians who exhibit exceptional cognitive abilities, known as cognitive superagers, along with their offspring and spouses. Participants will undergo annual neuropsychological testing and provide blood samples to analyze biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to understand the factors contributing to cognitive resilience and resistance to cognitive impairment in older adults. Additionally, neuroimaging and post-mortem studies will be conducted among willing participants to gather further insights.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include centenarians aged 100-110 years, their offspring, and spouses of the offspring.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 100 years or do not have a familial connection to the centenarians being studied may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and potentially preventing Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline in older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in studying cognitive resilience in older populations, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

BOSTON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.