# Incident Vascular Brain Injury, Probable Alzheimer's Disease, and Cognitive Change in Elderly American Indians

> **NIH NIH K01** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $125,611

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
A workshop convened in 2013 by National Institute of Aging and the National Institute of Neurological Diseases
and Stroke prioritized research on cognitive impairment of multiple etiologies, contributions of vascular brain
injury (VBI) to neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and disparities involving race, ethnicity,
socioeconomics, and rural residence. VBI is a leading cause of accelerated brain aging and a major risk factor
for stroke, cognitive decline, depression, and probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, few studies have
evaluated VBI, cognitive impairment, and AD in American Indians (AIs), who bear a heavy burden of risk factors
for these conditions. This exclusion is unfortunate, since the distinctive history, risk profiles, environmental
stressors, social environments, and healthcare systems of AIs likely result in patterns of disease that differ
substantially from other populations. Our research team has conducted the only cohort study to date of covert
VBI in AIs. In 2010-2013, Cerebrovascular Disease and its Consequences in American Indians study completed
standardized clinical examinations, neuropsychological testing, and cranial MRI on more than 1,000 AIs aged
64-95 years from 10 tribes in 3 states. In 2016, we began re-examination of surviving participants using the same
protocols, augmented by assessment for probable AD. However, the particular grant mechanism from the
National Institute on Aging that provides funding for this follow-up examination is limited to data collection, with
no resources allocated for analysis. In this proposal, we will capitalize on the accumulated longitudinal data
to apply sophisticated imaging and analysis methods to quantify and evaluate associations for incident VBI,
neurodegeneration, and changes in cognitive status in this elderly minority population. Our Specific Aims are
to: (1) establish normative and diagnostic standards for mild cognitive impairment and dementia in elderly AIs,
and evaluate associations and determinants for incident VBI, cerebral atrophy, cognitive decline, and probable
AD; (2) conduct cluster analyses to identify novel neuroimaging profiles that predict subgroups of elderly AIs at
highest risk for cerebral atrophy, cognitive decline, and probable AD; and (3) complete a rigorous career
development plan that will position the applicant as an independent investigator and leader in innovative
neuroepidemiology research with minority populations. This proposal leverages a timely opportunity to generate
the first population-based estimates of and address novel scientific questions on VBI and cognitive impairment
in AIs, a minority population with pervasive health disparities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9894705
- **Project number:** 5K01AG057821-03
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Astrid M Suchy-Dicey
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $125,611
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9894705

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9894705, Incident Vascular Brain Injury, Probable Alzheimer's Disease, and Cognitive Change in Elderly American Indians (5K01AG057821-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9894705. Licensed CC0.

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