# Digital biomarkers of Alzheimers-related brain health and function

> **NIH NIH R21** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 2020 · $373,158

## Abstract

The purpose of the supplement request is to expand research infrastructure and capacity to examine early life
factors that contribute to successful cognitive aging and optimally prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related
dementias (ADRD). The contribution of the supplemental funding request will be two-fold: (a) to develop a
centralized data platform that will offer unified access to the harmonized data across three life-span cohorts of
black and white men and women who were originally recruited as children and have been followed for over 40
years to a critical window of midlife; and (b) to test the use of digital pen and voice recordings as digital
biomarkers cognitive performance which may differentiate healthy cognitive aging from high risk of ADRD,
remotely, and with minimal participant burden.
The U.S. population >65 years is estimated to double by 2050, and with nearly 20 million men and women >85
years. The use of life-course approaches to identify early life factors that influence health and disease has
yielded valuable, new information on chronic disease risk, yet relatively attention has been devoted to
determining factors that could be protective, contributing to healthy or “successful” aging. Maintaining optimal
health and cognitive performance throughout the aging process is critical to minimizing healthcare costs, and
the devastating impact of ADRD on individuals and families. Healthy vasculature is essential for successful
brain aging. The 3 studies included in this request for supplemental funding (Bogalusa Heart Study [BHS,
Louisiana], NHLBI Growth and Health Study [NGHS, Ohio], Princeton Lipid Research Study [PLRS, Ohio])
enrolled black and white children and adolescents who have continued follow-up up for more than 40 years.
Each cohort individually constitutes a valuable, under-utilized resource that could advance the science of
ADRD prevention. Collectively, the supplemental funding will help to efficiently leverage decades of NIH
investment and increase representation of African Americans in ADRD prevention research. Specifically, as
part of the R21 phase of our existing award, we have cataloged and consolidate biorepositories, created
detailed documentation for each cohort, and built harmonized data files to enhance utility of existing data and
biospecimens to launch life-course studies of healthy aging. Supplement funding will be used to develop a
centralized data platform that will lower barriers to investigators interested in using the harmonized data to
understand the childhood, adolescent, and young adult factors that influences ADRD brain health. In the, R33
phase, we will add digital pen and voice recordings to our neuropsychological assessments to be tested as
part of a “virtual” clinic visit, for remotely assessing aging-related factors in dispersed longitudinal
epidemiologic cohorts. These activities will serve to enhance a unique scientific resource that will facilitate valid
life-course approaches to define the ide...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10123902
- **Project number:** 3R21AG057983-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **Principal Investigator:** Lydia Bazzano
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $373,158
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-08-15 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123902

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123902, Digital biomarkers of Alzheimers-related brain health and function (3R21AG057983-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123902. Licensed CC0.

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