Nevalainen N, Riklund K, Andersson M, Axelsson J, Ögren M, Lövdén M, Lindenberger U, Bäckman L, Nyberg L
Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Brain Res. 2015 Jul 1;1612:83-103. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.09.010. Epub 2014 Sep 17.
Cognitive decline is a characteristic feature of normal human aging. Previous work has demonstrated marked interindividual variability in onset and rate of decline. Such variability has been linked to factors such as maintenance of functional and structural brain integrity, genetics, and lifestyle. Still, few, if any, studies have combined a longitudinal design with repeated multimodal imaging and a comprehensive assessment of cognition as well as genetic and lifestyle factors. The present paper introduces the Cognition, Brain, and Aging (COBRA) study, in which cognitive performance and brain structure and function are measured in a cohort of 181 older adults aged 64 to 68 years at baseline. Participants will be followed longitudinally over a 10-year period, resulting in a total of three equally spaced measurement occasions. The measurement protocol at each occasion comprises a comprehensive set of behavioral and imaging measures. Cognitive performance is evaluated via computerized testing of working memory, episodic memory, perceptual speed, motor speed, implicit sequence learning, and vocabulary. Brain imaging is performed using positron emission tomography with [(11)C]-raclopride to assess dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for assessment of white and gray-matter integrity and cerebrovascular perfusion, and functional MRI maps brain activation during rest and active task conditions. Lifestyle descriptives are collected, and blood samples are obtained and stored for future evaluation. Here, we present selected results from the baseline assessment along with a discussion of sample characteristics and methodological considerations that determined the design of the study. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Memory & Aging.
认知衰退是正常人类衰老的一个特征。先前的研究表明，在认知衰退的起始和速度方面存在显著的个体差异。这种差异与诸如维持大脑功能和结构完整性、遗传因素以及生活方式等因素有关。然而，很少有研究（如果有的话）将纵向设计与重复的多模态成像以及对认知、遗传和生活方式因素的全面评估结合起来。本文介绍了认知、大脑与衰老（COBRA）研究，该研究在181名64至68岁的老年人队列中测量了基线时的认知表现、大脑结构和功能。参与者将在10年期间接受纵向跟踪，总共进行三次等间隔的测量。每次测量方案都包括一套全面的行为和成像测量。认知表现通过对工作记忆、情景记忆、感知速度、运动速度、内隐序列学习和词汇的计算机化测试来评估。使用正电子发射断层扫描结合[(11)C]-雷氯必利来评估多巴胺D2/D3受体的可用性，从而进行脑成像。结构磁共振成像（MRI）用于评估白质和灰质的完整性以及脑血管灌注，功能MRI则绘制静息和主动任务状态下的大脑激活图。收集生活方式描述信息，并采集血样并储存以备将来评估。在此，我们展示了基线评估的部分结果，并讨论了决定该研究设计的样本特征和方法学考虑因素。本文是名为“SI：记忆与衰老”的特刊的一部分。
