# Multisensory, Motor, and Biomarker Changes in Aging and Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH RF1** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2020 · $1,898,437

## Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other causes of cognitive impairment are growing public health problems with
the aging of the large baby boom generation and there is a shortage of workers and facilities to meet the future
care needs of those with AD and other dementias. AD-related brain changes may occur years or decades
before the onset of symptoms and, therefore, it is important to identify, in midlife, people at high risk for AD to
provide ample opportunity to intervene when it may be possible to delay the onset of clinically significant
symptoms and loss of independence. Longitudinal studies have shown that sensory (hearing, vision, olfaction)
and motor impairments are associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, or AD. This
project is to study the impact of aging changes in sensory function (hearing, olfaction, vision, and taste) and
motor function on the 10-yr risk of pre-clinical AD in middle-aged adults. The Beaver Dam Offspring Study is a
longitudinal cohort study of sensory and cognitive aging in the adult offspring of the population-based
Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study cohort. Data from participants (N=1536, mean age 49 years) who have
stored serum samples from the baseline (2005-2008), 5-yr follow-up (2010-2013) and 10-yr follow-up (2015-
2017) examinations will be included. Stored samples from the three time points will be assayed for serum
amyloid β40 and β42 (Aβ40, Aβ42), serum total tau (TT) and neurofilament light chain (NfL); biomarkers of
Alzheimer’s pathology, neuronal injury and neurodegeneration.
Least squares multiple linear regression models and longitudinal linear mixed effects models will be used to
determine if sensory and motor function and other traditional risk factors for AD and dementia are associated
with levels of Aβ, TT and NfL at baseline and 10-year change, respectively, in these serum biomarkers. The
biomarkers, Aβ, TT and NfL, and thickness of the macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) will be
applied to a modification of the NIA-Alzheimer’s Association AT(N) framework to identify preclinical Alzheimer’s
and non-Alzheimer’s neuropathology in midlife. Using this modified framework and traditional cognitive
outcomes we will determine if sensory and motor changes in aging contribute to 10-year risk prediction models
for biologically and functionally defined preclinical AD. The best prediction model results will be extended to
create clinically useful risk scores. Risk scores for asymptomatic middle-aged people which are based on
practical test batteries will be useful in clinical and research settings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9943788
- **Project number:** 1RF1AG066837-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Natascha Merten
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,898,437
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9943788

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9943788, Multisensory, Motor, and Biomarker Changes in Aging and Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease (1RF1AG066837-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9943788. Licensed CC0.

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