# Defining rates of cognitive aging in adults with and without dementia using the CODA cohort

> **NIH NIH R03** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $319,000

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this application is to identify a rate of normative cognitive aging (i.e., cognitive aging
in individuals without a neurocognitive disorder), and determine how much quicker cognitive aging is among
individuals living with Alzheimer disease or related dementias (AD/ADRD). Using data from the Children of the
Depression (CODA) cohort of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we will first identify a latent variable
estimate of general cognitive performance (Aim 1). Afterwards, we will identify the pace of normative cognitive
aging in standard deviations per year (SD/year), both unadjusted and adjusted for known covariables that
influence cognition (e.g., age, sex, race and ethnicity, education; Aim 2). Finally, we will use Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data linked to the HRS to identify participants who receive a dementia
diagnosis during follow-up, and determine how much faster cognitive aging is among individuals living with
AD/ADRD (Aim 3). In line with PAR-23-179, this proposal will also develop the career for early-stage
investigator, Dr. Kunicki, and will serve as a basis for future NIH grant proposals.
Significance: Cognitive ability declines with age, and tends to aging quicker later in life. Whereas
neurocognitive disorders such AD/ADRD are known to increase the rate of cognitive aging, there is no well-
established reference of normative cognitive aging. Lacking this reference pace makes it difficult for
researchers to evaluate the results of their studies (i.e., determining if a cohort is declining at a normal or
quicker than usual pace). Moreover, we will estimate how much quicker cognitive aging is among individuals
living with AD/ADRD.
Approach: We will use data from the CODA cohort of the HRS, which is comprised of over 2,000 participants
aged 68-74 at baseline with 22 years of follow-up data available. Using the HRS cognitive measures, we will
identify a latent variable of cognitive aging, and use the latent variable to identify the pace of normative
cognitive aging in SD/year. Then, using CMS data, we will identify participants who received a dementia
diagnosis during follow-up and determine how much faster cognitive aging is among individuals living with
AD/ADRD. Sensitivity analyses will also examine the pace of normative cognitive aging by different cognitive
domains.
Innovation: This study is innovative because it addresses a major gap in the literature in cognitive aging by
identifying a pace of normative cognitive aging and among individuals living with AD/DARD. These paces will
be useful for researchers to use as reference points to interpret results of clinical trials to slow cognitive aging.
Despite a lack of normative cognitive aging rates being a well-known issue in the field of aging, this study will
be the first to identify a nationally representative rate of cognitive aging among older adults.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10947431
- **Project number:** 1R03AG088764-01
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Zachary Kunicki
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $319,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10947431

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10947431, Defining rates of cognitive aging in adults with and without dementia using the CODA cohort (1R03AG088764-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10947431. Licensed CC0.

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