Paths to better brain, mood, and thinking health
Integrative Pathways to Cognitive, Affective, and Brain Health
This project follows adults across decades to find clues that help protect memory, thinking, and emotional health as people age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174248 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll be re-contacted as part of the MIDUS national samples to repeat cognitive tests measuring memory, speed, fluency, reasoning, and executive function for about 4,000 adults. A smaller group of roughly 450 participants will be invited for brain scans and psychophysiological testing focused on emotional processing and brain aging. Researchers will combine these new measures with decades of past behavioral, social, psychological, and biological data, including genetic markers like APOE and amyloid-related measures, to look for early warning signs before symptoms appear. By repeating tests and imaging over time, they aim to spot patterns that predict who may develop memory problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged roughly 25 to 95 from the MIDUS national samples, especially middle-aged and older adults and those with risk markers such as APOE ε4 or amyloid indicators, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People under 25, those not part of the MIDUS cohorts, or those unwilling or unable to complete cognitive testing or brain imaging visits are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify early signs that predict memory decline and point to ways to prevent or delay dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Longitudinal cohort studies (for example AD-focused cohorts) have successfully identified biomarkers and risk factors, and this project applies those methods with unusually long-term and broad life-course 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.