Understanding why some centenarians resist Alzheimer's disease
Resilience/Resistance to Alzheimer's Disease in Centenarians and Offspring (RADCO)
This study is looking at why some people who live to be 100 years old can stay sharp and clear-minded, especially those who don't seem to get Alzheimer's, and it's for older adults and their families who want to understand how to keep their brains healthy as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10907575 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the factors that allow some centenarians to maintain cognitive function despite aging, particularly focusing on those who show resilience or resistance to Alzheimer's disease. By studying a large group of cognitively intact centenarians and their offspring, the research employs advanced neuroimaging, biomarker analysis, and neuropathological assessments to identify protective biological factors. Participants will undergo comprehensive evaluations to help uncover the underlying mechanisms that contribute to cognitive resilience, with the goal of translating these findings into potential therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include centenarians who are cognitively intact and their offspring, as well as spouses of the offspring.
Not a fit: Patients who are not centenarians or do not have a family history of cognitive resilience may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or delaying Alzheimer's disease in the general population.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cognitive resilience in aging populations, but this study aims to explore novel aspects of resilience in centenarians.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perls, Thomas T — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Perls, Thomas T
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.