Why thinking and memory change with age
Neural and Biochemical Mechanisms of Cognitive Aging
Researchers are tracking older adults with brain scans and memory tests to learn why some people keep their memory even when Alzheimer's-related changes are present.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11197586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll be followed over time with regular memory tests and brain imaging that can detect amyloid and tau proteins linked to Alzheimer's. The team selects older adults who have had three or more visits in the Berkeley Aging Cohort and compares people who stay high-performing (resilient) or have less brain pathology than expected (resistant). Imaging includes PET scans to look for amyloid and tau, along with clinical and cognitive testing across visits. The goal is to find biological and behavioral features that explain why some people age successfully despite Alzheimer-related brain changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults (typically community-dwelling seniors) willing to undergo repeated cognitive testing and brain imaging and who can attend multiple visits at the Berkeley site.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, younger adults, or those unwilling/unable to travel for imaging and follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to protect memory or identify people who might benefit from earlier monitoring or prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies using PET imaging have linked amyloid and tau to memory decline, but focusing on why some people remain unaffected despite pathology is a newer and growing area of research.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jagust, William J. — University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
- Study coordinator: Jagust, William J.
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.