What is brain aging?
Doctors recommend that we should watch what we eat, exercise a couple of times a week, pay attention to our stress levels, spend time in social, physical activities and get a good night’s sleep. Why? These lifestyle choices affect our overall health and could be especially important for successful brain aging.
We are using a combination of brain imaging, genetics, memory and thinking tests, and surveys to evaluate the unique pathways between the brain and:
- Stress and inflammation
- Lifestyle factors such as physical and social activity, sleep, and nutrition
- Hormonal changes associated with menopause in women
- Factors that may protect us from memory changes at older ages
We are looking for adults 36 years of age and older to help us understand what factors are beneficial for your brain.
New volunteers
New volunteers are eligible to participate if you:
- Are 36 years of age or older
- Are fluent in English
- Are able to travel to the study site
- Are generally in good physical health
- Are able to complete brain imaging, e.g., do not have metal or other devices in your body that are incompatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Have normal memory and thinking for your age, e.g., no history of a neurologic condition such as Alzheimers disease and related dementias
Human Connectome Project volunteers
Legacy volunteers who previously participated in the LifeSpan Human Connectome Project are encouraged to continue their participation in AABC. The research team will conduct a brief safety screening to ensure there are no changes in medical condition or metal/devices in your body that are incompatible with MRI.
If you are unsure if you are eligible to join, contact a coordinator at the nearest AABC location.
Sites
What will be asked of you during a study visit?
Participants are asked to complete 1 to 3 in-person study visits at their nearest AABC site. These visits are about two years apart. You will be followed by phone and/or email in the years between in-person visits.
Each in-person visit will include:
| Two MRI scans What is an MRI and what can I expect? | About 1 hour each |
| Blood and urine specimen collection | No more than 15 minutes |
| Cognitive and memory testing PDF: Memory and Thinking Tests FAQ | 2.5 hours |
| Questionnaires | About 1 hour total |
| Wearing an Actiwatch and keeping a short diary to record activity and sleep PDF: Activity and Sleep FAQ | For 7 days |
| Recording all food and drink using an online portal PDF: 24-Hour Food Recall FAQ | For a 24-hour period |
| For some female participants: Wearing a device that monitors hot flashes PDF: Hot Flash Monitoring FAQ | For 3 days |
Interested?
If you want to join AABC, fill out our contact form to let us know you’re interested.
AABC participants will receive:
- Volunteers will be paid for their time (up to $450) for completion of all study procedures. Females <60 who complete hot flash monitoring will receive an extra $50.
- Volunteers may be eligible for travel reimbursement (mileage or local transportation).
- Participation will help us understand the aging brain which may lead to new treatments for some diseases.
- Volunteers will receive updates on research finding on brain aging.
