# Research Network for the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP)

> **NIH NIH R24** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $383,287

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 The Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) was designed by the HRS in consultation with
several of its international sister studies to provide a flexible but comparable instrument for measuring cognitive
function among older adults around the world. This application seeks to establish a research network to
support the continued harmonization of the HCAP studies. Our first priority will be harmonization among the
nine studies currently funded to conduct the HCAP, with our second priority advising the additional studies
developing plans to do so. Planned harmonization activities span the full life-course of such studies from
sample design, to content and administration of the protocol, to statistical harmonization of data collected, to
diagnostic algorithms, to covariates for epidemiological research, including biomarkers and genetics. While
achieving harmonization in established studies requires active participation of senior leadership, we also aim to
develop younger scholars through their participation and exchanges among the studies.
 Building an international network of studies of Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related
Dementias (AD/ADRD) within an existing network of population-based longitudinal studies of aging creates
unique research opportunities to exploit cross-country variation in key life-course factors that likely affect
cognitive function and the risk for AD, such as educational attainment, wealth, retirement policies, diet, and the
prevalence and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. However, cross-country variations also raise unique
challenges for maintaining the harmonization of tests and measures necessary for good comparative research.
Our proposed international network will directly address these harmonization challenges. In addition to the
exchange of information through meetings and other forms of communication, the network will support pilot
projects that conduct analysis aimed at answering important questions for how to better harmonize the studies
to one another and to other studies around the world.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176339
- **Project number:** 5R24AG065182-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** KENNETH M LANGA
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $383,287
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-15 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176339

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176339, Research Network for the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) (5R24AG065182-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176339. Licensed CC0.

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