Washington University (WU) has extensive history of making connections through research. The Aging Adult Brain Connectome (AABC) is a continuation of the very important LifeSpan Human Connectome Project which began at WU in 2010. Because of on-going volunteer support, the successful collaboration of experts in brain health and aging, and the dedicated leadership of WU faculty and staff, the National Institutes of Health funded the continuation of the Connectome project through AABC in 2022.
AABC volunteers from across all regions of St. Louis will help us explore the connections between lifestyle, the biology of aging, nutrition, environment, culture, activity, sleep, information processing, and many more factors that impact brain health. The WU AABC research team recognizes that volunteers are the key to success! We want to identify, address, and reduce barriers so that all individuals who are interested and eligible can make a volunteer connection through research. Please let us know of your interest!
Flexible Scheduling
Some volunteers prefer to complete their study visit over one day while others break the visit into several days due to preference and/or scheduling. Late afternoon, evening, and weekend visits may be possible depending on MRI scanner availability
Transportation
Let us know if transportation is a barrier to your participation. The WU AABC research team may be able to schedule cab transportation to the research center if you live within the service area.
Study Visit Meals
Breakfast will be provided for participants who complete the research blood collection (which requires nothing to drink or eat except water or black coffee beginning the prior evening). If your study visit extends over the lunch break, our team will arrange for a noon meal. Snacks and drinks will be made available through the visit to keep you comfortable.
We are very appreciative of all the returning Connectome legacy and new volunteers who give of their time to support the AABC project!
Contact a coordinator
If you want to know more about AABC, don’t hesitate to reach out. Coordinators at Washington University are more than happy to answer your questions.
Eric Raines, EMT-P
Clinical Research Coordinator II
- Phone: 314-747-5477
- Email: eric.raines@wustl.edu
Site leader
Beau M. Ances, MD, PhD, MSc
Daniel J. Brennan Professor of Neurology
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
- Email: bances@nospam.wustl.edu
Beau Ances is a principal investigator for AABC, and leads the team at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He is a neurologist who sees patients for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Ances has been a Professor of Neurology at WUSM for eleven years. He has written or co-written more than 200 academic papers concerning neurology
Ances has research interests in HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), HIV associated peripheral neuropathy, neuroAIDS, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), neurodegenerative diseases, mild cognitive impairment, aging, cognitive function, paraneoplastic disorders, post concussive syndrome, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Directions
AABC at Washington University takes place at the School of Medicine campus. If you are taking public transportation or being dropped off, you can go directly to the Mallinckrodt East Imaging Building at 4525 Scott Ave. Give your coordinator a call when you arrive so we can let you into the building.
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, East Building
Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Radiology
- Physical Address: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology East Building, Scott Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Mailing Address:
4525 Scott Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
If you plan to drive yourself, please park in one of the two volunteer parking spots in front of the Institute for Public Health at 600 S. Taylor Ave, just across the street.
These parking spots are labeled “Reserved for Radiology Research Patients Only”.
When you arrive, give your coordinator a call. We will meet you at your car to give you a research permit sign to place in your car window.
