Long-term brain MRI tracking of aging in Vietnam-era twins
The VETSA Longitudinal MRI Twin Study of Aging (VETSA MRI 4)
Researchers are following Vietnam-era twin volunteers with repeated brain MRIs, memory tests, and health checks in their late 60s and 70s to track early brain changes linked to mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11374777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would come for in-person visits that include detailed memory and health interviews, blood and other biomarker collection, and high-resolution brain MRI scans done over time. The project follows participants who were studied in midlife so researchers can compare earlier and later brain changes. Because participants are twins, the team can separate genetic from lifestyle influences on brain aging. Visits focus on detecting the transition from pre-symptomatic changes to mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Vietnam-era male twin volunteers now in their late 60s to late 70s who can travel to La Jolla and complete MRI scans and in-person cognitive and health assessments.
Not a fit: People under about 60, those seeking an immediate treatment, or anyone who cannot safely undergo MRI (for example, due to certain implants) are unlikely to receive direct medical benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help identify brain changes that appear years before dementia so at-risk people can be monitored earlier and targeted in future prevention efforts.
How similar studies have performed: Previous longitudinal MRI and twin studies have linked midlife brain changes and genetics to later cognitive decline, but this approach is observational and aims to improve prediction rather than provide a therapy.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elman, Jeremy a — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Elman, Jeremy a
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.