Midlife influences on brain health and Alzheimer's risk
Integrative Pathways to Health and Illness
Following thousands of U.S. adults over time to track how midlife experiences, biomarkers, and genes relate to memory and brain aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174383 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows more than 5,200 U.S. adults in the long-running MIDUS study using repeated surveys, daily diaries, biomarker collection, genomics, and neuroscience measures. Participants answer questions about their social life, stress, and health, provide blood or saliva for laboratory tests and genetic analysis, and take part in cognitive and brain-related assessments. The U19 coordinates four linked projects (Survey, Daily Diary, Biomarkers, Genomics) supported by cores that manage administration, lab quality control, and statistical analysis. An associated U01 focuses specifically on midlife signals that may predict Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older, particularly those in midlife or older who are willing to complete questionnaires, daily diaries, and provide biological samples, are the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for advanced dementia are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this observational study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify midlife signs and biological pathways that help predict or prevent Alzheimer's and related dementias earlier in life.
How similar studies have performed: Other long-term cohort studies have linked midlife social and biological factors to later cognitive decline, and MIDUS expands that work with deeper biomarker and genomic data.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryff, Carol D. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Ryff, Carol D.
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.