The Neurocognitive Study for the Aging-Expanded
Description: The Neurocognitive Study for the Aging-Expanded (NEUROAGE-e) will generate cutting-edge research in cognitive aging. The study of cognitive aging is concerned with age-related changes in the basic processes of learning and memory, as well as the complex higher order processes of language, reasoning, and executive functioning. Pathological aging associated with the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a rising epidemic with a prevalence of 35.6 million worldwide and an estimated cost of over 470 billion Euros annually. Despite significant efforts to understand the disease and the factors that contribute to the development of dementia and AD, the exact contribution of risk factors (alone or in combination) has not been fully delineated. NEUROAGE-e will expand our successful large cohort study on aging and will address the aforementioned challenge through a multimodal approach. It will integrate neuropsychological, lifestyle, and biological data using state of the art computational methods to quantitatively assess the exact contribution of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors to cognitive decline. First, we will implement systematic data collection from carefully selected large cohorts, as well as design and develop an optimized computational framework for multimodal and longitudinal data analysis. We will identify patterns of correlation among different markers within and between cohorts across time, and develop subject-specific predictive models for the onset and rate of cognitive decline. Second, we will implement a theory-driven and evidence-based comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation program to improve cognitive abilities and neurobehavioral functioning in older adults at risk for dementia. Ultimately, the results of NEUROAGE-e could inform the future development of cognitive intervention models that could potentially delay the onset of clinical symptoms. The above can be accomplished through the close collaboration and combined expertise of an interdisciplinary team of scientists.
Amount: €149,700
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: Excellence Hubs
Start date: 2019-04-02
Investigator: Fofi Constantinidou
Institution: University of Cyprus
Funded outputs count: 1
Funder award ID: EXCELLENCE/1216/0404
OpenAlex ID: G5597312892