Research
FHS-BAP is engaging a diverse community of new and experienced scientists to leverage the wealth of information collected from FHS participants over the course of their adult life span. A primary goal is to identify risk factors, mechanisms and therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of AD and related dementias.
Current Research Projects
FHS-BAP has launched these interrelated projects to research vascular and inflammatory contributors to AD:
Genomic, physiological, and environmental predictors of AD risk, resilience, and resistance. Project 1, Co-leaders: Lindsay A. Farrer, PhD and Jesse Mez, MD, MS
Characterizing the interaction of genetic vulnerabilities and chronic peripheral inflammation for AD risk. Project 2, Co-leaders: Wendy Qiu, MD, PhD and Xiaoling Zhang, PhD
Role of classical complement pathway underling glial phenotypes and multiple pathologies in Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular disease. Project 3, Co-leaders: Thor Stein, MD, PhD and Gyungah R. Jun, PhD
A unifying theme across all the current research projects is the identification of alternative AD pathways that are not specific to amyloid, particularly at the presymptomatic/preclinical stage where amyloid is most likely to be diffuse and not nearly as significantly correlated with cognition. Elucidation of these pathways will require analyses of a vast array of data, and the Data Core will be essential to provide project investigators with well-documented and harmonized data.
The Boston University Framingham Heart Study Brain Aging Program focus is on genetic, genomic, biomarker, epidemiological, behavioral, brain imaging, ethical, health systems, or other research in Alzheimer’s disease related disorders, and brain aging. Pilot grants are for projects that are likely to lead to a new research direction for brain aging and AD and to future, larger funded research projects.
Related Projects Involving FHS Participants
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Jesse Mez
Smartphone Studies: Rhoda Au, Preeti Sunderaraman
PET and Digital Biomarker Study: Rhoda Au, Preeti Sunderaraman
Parkinson’s Disease (PD): Sarah O’Shea