Minority Aging Research Study
The goal of the proposed project is to conduct an epidemiologic longitudinal study to identify risk factors for change in cognitive function in older African Americans
- Start Year
- 2004
- Supplementary Information
-
The Minority Aging Research Study (MARS), a longitudinal clinical-pathologic study of aging and risk factors for cognitive decline, enrolls older African Americans free of dementia, and performs annual uniform, structured, clinical evaluations that include a detailed assessment of risk factors, neurological examination, donation of a blood sample for genetic testing, and comprehensive neuropsychological testing. To be eligible, potential participants have to be 65 years or older, no prior diagnosis of dementia, not taking medications typically prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease, and selfidentify as African Americans using questions from the 1990 U.S. Census. The specific question is: With which group do you most closely identify yourself? White; Black, Negro, African-American; Native American, Indian; Eskimo; Aleut; Asian or Pacific Island. They are then asked whether they are of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin (yes/no). The study is funded by the National Institute on Aging and was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Rush University Medical Center.
Data/Bio-specimen Access: To apply for access to RADC data/tissue, please enter an electronic request at our website: https://www.radc.rush.edu/res/ext/home.htm.
| Investigators | Contacts |
|---|---|
|
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Design
- Study design
- Cohort
- Follow Up
-
Annual follow-up
Marker Paper
Barnes LL, Shah RC, Aggarwal NT, Bennett DA, Schneider JA. The Minority Aging Research Study: Ongoing Efforts to Obtain Brain Donation in African Americans without dementia. Current Alzheimer’s Research. 2012; 9:736-747.
PUBMED 22471868
Recruitment
- Recruitment Target
-
- Individuals
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 950
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 950
- Supplementary Information
-
blood collected and stored on most participants, goal is for 100 brain autopsies
Access
Availability of data and biosamples
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | |
| Other |
Timeline
Populations
African American participants 65 and older. Participants must be 65 years or older, no prior diagnosis of dementia, not taking medications typically prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease, and self identify as African Americans using questions from the 1990 U.S. Census
Selection Criteria
- Minimum age
-
65
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
-
Chicagoland area
- Ethnic Origin
-
- African American
- Health Status
-
- Not demented at baseline
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- General population
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 650
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 650
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
MARS - Baseline
|
Baseline data collection event contains cognitive measures, medical history questions, blood pressure, neuro exam, and a visit by the clinician. ... |
2004 | 2013 |
| 1 |
MARS - Annual Follow-up visit
|
The window for the annual follow up visit is 9 – 16 months from previous visit. Annual follow up data collection event contains cognitive ... |
2005 | 2013 |
African American participants 65 years and older with an informant who agree to be a part of the NACC study and who complete a supplementary battery of MARS cognitive tests and risk factor assessment.
Selection Criteria
- Minimum age
-
65
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
-
Chicagoland area
- Ethnic Origin
-
- African American
- Health Status
-
- Not demented at baseline
- Other Criteria
-
Donation of brain, spinal cord, muscle, nerve tissue upon death is not necessary for enrollment. Blood sample donation is voluntary as well.
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- General population
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 300
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 300
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
UDS/MARS - Baseline
|
Baseline data collection event contains cognitive measures, medical history questions, blood pressure, neuro exam, and a visit by the clinician. ... |
2009-03 | 2013-12 |
| 1 |
UDS/MARS - Annual Follow-up visit
|
The window for the annual follow up visit is 9 – 16 months from previous visit. Annual follow up data collection event contains cognitive ... |
2010-03 | 2013-12 |
Classifications
- Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
- Lifestyle and behaviours
- Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
- Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
- Diseases
- Symptoms and signs
- Medication and supplements
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Health and community care services utilization
- Death
- Physical measures and assessments
- Laboratory measures
- Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
- Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
- Preschool, school and work life
- Social environment and relationships
- Physical environment
- Administrative information
- Cognitive functioning
- Personality
- Psychological distress and emotions
- Other psychological measures and assessments
- Life events
- Beliefs and values
- Perception of health
- Quality of life
- Life course development
- Functional limitations
- Other perception of health, quality of life and functional limitation-related information
Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
Lifestyle and behaviours
Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
Diseases
Symptoms and signs
Medication and supplements
Non-pharmacological interventions
Health and community care services utilization
Death
Physical measures and assessments
Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
Preschool, school and work life
Social environment and relationships
Physical environment
Administrative information
Cognitive functioning
Personality
Psychological distress and emotions
Life events
Beliefs and values
Quality of life
Functional limitations