The Framingham Heart Study Brain Aging Program (FHS-BAP), established with a $26.56 million NIH grant, builds on the pioneering work of the Framingham Heart Study to advance our understanding of brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Led by Dr. Lindsay Farrer and Dr. Rhoda Au, the program focuses on dementia surveillance, brain donation, and key research areas including vascular and inflammatory contributors to AD, genetic vulnerabilities, and immune function. With nearly 70 years of data, the FHS-BAP embraces a multi-generational, interdisciplinary approach to brain health and precision medicine, fostering collaboration and supporting early-stage investigators to improve health outcomes for future generations.
We manage and share a wide range of curated data from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) to support Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research. Our data spans from simple demographic and self-reporting information to complex multi-omic, genetic, and digital datasets, including recent additions like voice, image, and digital pen data. We work closely with FHS-BAP cores, contract staff, and external collaborators to ensure high-quality data collection, auditing, and sharing. By facilitating access to both legacy data (e.g., demographics, lab biomarkers, neuroimaging) and emerging clinical and digital markers, we aim to enhance AD-related research and foster collaboration within the research community.
We are proud to be featured in Boston University's Research on Tap series, spotlighting the enduring legacy and ongoing impact of the Framingham Heart Study. This landmark longitudinal study — now spanning 78 years, three generations, more than 15,000 participants, and over 2 million biosamples — has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of cardiovascular disease and […]
The Framingham Heart Study, led by Boston University, has been reshaping how the world understands heart disease, brain aging, and human health for over 78 years — and a major new feature in BU's The Brink highlights just how profound that impact has been. The article spotlights 10 of the study's most groundbreaking contributions to […]
Our own Dr. Rhoda Au is at the forefront of a major shift in how Alzheimer's disease may one day be detected — earlier, more accurately, and right from a smartphone. A study published in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (Volume 13, January 2026), co-authored by Dr. Au, examines how digital technologies are […]
Join the Framingham Heart Study Brain Aging Program (FHS-BAP) for upcoming seminars, symposia, and community events advancing brain health and Alzheimer's research. Connect with leading researchers and explore the latest in dementia science, genetics, and brain aging.