# CARDIA Year 35 Brain MRI Renewal

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $1,444,766

## Abstract

CARDIA Y35 Brain MRI Renewal Ancillary Study Abstract
Many studies have established strong relationships between cerebrovascular disease (CEVD), morphological
and physiological brain changes, including stroke, and cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer
disease and related disorders (ADRD). New physiological and functional MRI (fMRI) methods allow non-
invasive measurement of regional cerebral blood flow, vascular reactivity and physiological brain connectivity.
These techniques provide the means to evaluate the morphology, pathophysiology, and brain dysfunction
related to CEVD and ADRD.
The CARDIA Year 25 and Year 30 Brain MRI Substudies were designed to incorporate state-of-the-art MRI
technology into the relatively younger population of CARDIA in order to determine MRI correlates of CVD risk
factors and detect early CEVD. These studies documented early MRI changes of CEVD with strong
correlations to CVD risk factors, particularly hypertension. The CARDIA Year 35 MRI Ancillary Study is
intended to extend these earlier studies into the late middle age population of CARDIA.
Most biomarkers of CEVD and ADRD are weakly expressed until approximately age 55, when they begin their
precipitous rise to the steep slope evident in the 6th and 7th decades of life. Correspondingly, subclinical
disease becomes clinically evident, reflected by increasing physiological changes and cognitive deficits.
However, confounding the effects of CEVD are age, lifestyle, and co-morbidities, including ADRD. CARDIA,
with its lengthy and rich historical data, is well-positioned to dissect the intricacies of CEVD and putative
relationship to ADRD in the transition from middle age to seniority, starting at ages with few comorbidities and
low medication use.
Approximately 1044 participants will be enrolled in the Ancillary Study from the four participating Field Centers.
MRI participants will be recruited from previous CARDIA Brain MRI participants and receive brain MRI scans
and cognitive testing as defined for Y25 and Y30. Computer analysis of MRI data will be reported
quantitatively by anatomic regions-of-interest.
The primary objectives are to: 1) enhance statistical power to better document previously described and newly
defined associations between demographic measures, risk factors and brain MRI findings, 2) define MRI
parameters most strongly associated with clinical events and cognitive changes, and 3) identify early MRI
biomarker patterns that inform disease pathophysiology and progression at an individual level.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10017840
- **Project number:** 5R01AG062819-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert Nick BRYAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,444,766
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-15 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10017840

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10017840, CARDIA Year 35 Brain MRI Renewal (5R01AG062819-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10017840. Licensed CC0.

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