MIDUS biomarkers for aging and dementia risk
Project 3 -- MIDUS Biomarker Project
This project collects repeated blood tests, cognitive checks, and health measures from adults 21 and older to track biological signs linked to aging and Alzheimer’s risk.
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-11174409 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give blood and other biological samples, complete a brief cognitive screen (MoCA) and a hearing test, and provide information about your health and life experiences. The team plans repeated visits for over 1,200 adults drawn from national MIDUS samples, combining measures of inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal markers, and new Alzheimer’s-related markers like amyloid, tau, and neurofilament light. Researchers will link these biological measures to socioeconomic and psychosocial histories to see how life stressors and resources relate to changes in biology and everyday functioning over time. Participation helps build a long-term picture of how social and biological factors together shape aging and dementia risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who can provide blood samples, complete cognitive and hearing tests, and participate in follow-up visits are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under age 21 or anyone unable or unwilling to give samples or attend follow-up visits would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve early detection of biological signs of cognitive decline and clarify how social factors influence dementia risk, guiding prevention and support strategies.
How similar studies have performed: The MIDUS biomarker program is long-running and has produced hundreds of publications linking social factors to biological aging, and this project extends those established methods by adding dementia-related markers.
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.