Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Epidemiologic Study of Neural Reserve and Neurobiology of Aging
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11616280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2001 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,628,894 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AG017917-21A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11616280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who participate in the Rush MAP cohort and are willing to contribute clinical and brain data, with consent for autopsy or post-mortem analyses where applicable.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without the specific brain-pathology combinations studied or those not experiencing cognitive decline may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
The Rush Memory and Aging Project tracks participants over time, examining many brain pathologies and their combined effects on cognitive decline. Researchers look beyond classic Alzheimer’s pathology to identify non-genomic risk factors and molecular clues that contribute to resilience against dementia. The study uses brain autopsies, cognitive assessments, and molecular data to map how different pathways relate to aging and cognitive health, with an eye toward therapies that boost resilience. Results could point to new targets, like druggable proteins, to help people maintain thinking skills even if brain changes occur.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to new strategies that strengthen brain resilience and protect thinking abilities in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked resilience factors and multi-omic signals to cognitive aging, with promising directions for therapy, but translating to clinical treatments remains ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bennett, David Alan — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bennett, David Alan
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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.