Overview and findings from the rush Memory and Aging Project

Abstract

The Memory and Aging Project is a longitudinal, epidemiologic clinical-pathologic cohort study of common chronic conditions of aging with an emphasis on decline in cognitive and motor function and risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this manuscript, we first summarize the study design and methods. Then, we present data on: (1) the relation of motor function to cognition, disability, and death; (2) the relation of risk factors to cognitive and motor outcomes, disability and death; (3) the relation of neuropathologic indices to cognitive outcomes; (4) the relation of risk factors to neuropathologic indices; and (5) additional study findings. The findings are discussed and contextualized.

Figures

Fig. (1)

Major locations of Memory and Aging Project participants in Northeastern Illinois.* *Alden of Waterford, Aurora; Beacon Hill, Lombard; Bethlehem Woods, La Grange Park; Clare Oaks Retirement Community, Bartlett; Covenant Village, Northbrook; Elgin Housing Authority, Elgin; Fairview Village, Downer's Grove; Frances Manor, Des Plaines; Franciscan Village, Lemont; Friendship Village, Schaumburg; Garden House, Calumet City; Green Castle, Arlington Heights; Holland Home, South Holland; King-Bruwaert House, Burr Ridge; Kingston Manor, Chicago; Lawrence Manor, Matteson; Luther Village, Arlington Heights; Marian Village, Homer Glen; Mayslake Village, Oak Brook; Peace Village, Palos Park; Renaissance, Hillside; Victorian Village, Tinley Park; St. Andrew's Manor, Phoenix; St. Paul Home, Chicago; The Breakers of Edgewater, Chicago; The Birches, Clarendon Hills; The Holmstad, Batavia; The Imperial, Chicago; The Mills, Oak Park; The Moorings, Arlington Heights; The Oaks, Oak Park; Trinity United Church Of Christ, Chicago; Victory Lakes, Lindenhurst; Village Woods, Crete; Washington Jane Smith, Chicago; Windsor Park Manor, Carol Stream; Wyndemere, Wheaton.

Fig. (2)

Overall study design of the Rush Memory and Aging Project* *Through November, 2011, the baseline evaluation was completed on 1,489 persons. There have been 343 cases of incident MCI and 250 cases of incident dementia, and 424 autopsies.

Fig. (3)

Overview of clinical pathologic relationships reported in the Rush Memory and Aging Project through November 2010.