Project 2
The Depression, Inflammation, Biological Age and Cognitive Function Project seeks to better understand the ways that depression and related factors influence biological risk for cognitive aging and risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).
Overview
There are many risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). These include aspects of mental health and well-being, such as depression and various stressors. In turn, such factors are linked with biological changes that are associated with aging and which can be determined from blood, such as inflammation and evidence of accelerated biological aging (e.g., “DNA methylation age”, and telomere length).
Because these factors typically have not been investigated at the same time and over extended time periods, it is unclear how they combine to increase risk. This study will investigate the unique, cumulative, and interactive impact of depression, inflammation, and age-related biological factors on risk for cognitive decline and ADRD.
Another goal of this study is to help determine the reasons for disparities in ADRD risk that appear to exist by race and gender. For example, this study will examine the relevance of perceived discrimination, lifetime adversity, and socioeconomic status and how they relate to risk factors for ADRD (including depression and inflammation), as well as what factors appear to be linked with resilience and health.
This Project, part of a renewal of the Einstein Aging Study (EAS; NIA P01 AG003949), will follow 767 diverse participants aged 60+ (dementia free at baseline) for up to 5 annual waves of data collection. Each wave will include a two week “burst” of daily and ecological momentary assessments to examine psychosocial and behavioral factors as they are experienced, as well as an in-depth determination of cognitive function and depression. Blood draws will capture inflammatory levels and enable classification of biological aging indicators. In addition to information about depression and stress, we will collect information about individual characteristics that may be linked with resilience and well-being.
This detailed assessment at multiple time-points, and the use of more nuanced and integrative models than in past research, will enable us to greatly clarify the effects of depression, inflammation, and biological age on individual risk for cognitive decline and mild cognitive decline, which itself is a risk factor for ADRD. Ultimately, this project will help discover ways to reduce risk of cognitive aging and dementia that can be better tailored to individuals.
To view the full abstract and further project details from NIH RePORTER, click here.