Minority Aging Research Study
The goal of the proposed project is to conduct an epidemiologic longitudinal study to identify risk factors for change in cognitive function in older African Americans
Overview
- Acronym
- MARS
- Investigators
-
- Contacts
-
General Design
- Study design
- Cohort
- Start - End Year
- 2004 -
- General Information on Follow Up (profile, frequency)
-
Annual follow-up
- Recruitment Target
-
- Individuals
- Number of Participants
- 950
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 950
- Supplementary information about number of participants
-
blood collected and stored on most participants, goal is for 100 brain autopsies
Access
Availability of data and biosamples
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | |
| Other |
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Marker Paper
Barnes LL, Shah RC, Aggarwal NT, Bennett DA, Schneider JA. The Minority Aging Research Study: Ongoing Efforts to Obtain Brain Donation in African Americans without dementia. Current Alzheimer’s Research. 2012; 9:736-747.
PUBMED 22471868Supplementary Information
The Minority Aging Research Study (MARS), a longitudinal clinical-pathologic study of aging and risk factors for cognitive decline, enrolls older African Americans free of dementia, and performs annual uniform, structured, clinical evaluations that include a detailed assessment of risk factors, neurological examination, donation of a blood sample for genetic testing, and comprehensive neuropsychological testing. To be eligible, potential participants have to be 65 years or older, no prior diagnosis of dementia, not taking medications typically prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease, and selfidentify as African Americans using questions from the 1990 U.S. Census. The specific question is: With which group do you most closely identify yourself? White; Black, Negro, African-American; Native American, Indian; Eskimo; Aleut; Asian or Pacific Island. They are then asked whether they are of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin (yes/no). The study is funded by the National Institute on Aging and was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Rush University Medical Center.
Data/Bio-specimen Access: To apply for access to RADC data/tissue, please enter an electronic request at our website: https://www.radc.rush.edu/res/ext/home.htm.
Timeline
Populations
African American participants 65 and older. Participants must be 65 years or older, no prior diagnosis of dementia, not taking medications typically prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease, and self identify as African Americans using questions from the 1990 U.S. Census
Selection Criteria
- Minimum age
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65
- Countries
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- United States of America
- Territory
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Chicagoland area
- Ethnic Origin
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- African American
- Health Status
-
- Not demented at baseline
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
Sample Size
- Number of Participants
- 650
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 650
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | MARS - Baseline |
|
|
2004 | 2013 |
| 1 | MARS - Annual Follow-up visit |
|
|
2005 | 2013 |
African American participants 65 years and older with an informant who agree to be a part of the NACC study and who complete a supplementary battery of MARS cognitive tests and risk factor assessment.
Selection Criteria
- Minimum age
-
65
- Countries
-
- United States of America
- Territory
-
Chicagoland area
- Ethnic Origin
-
- African American
- Health Status
-
- Not demented at baseline
- Other Criteria
-
Donation of brain, spinal cord, muscle, nerve tissue upon death is not necessary for enrollment. Blood sample donation is voluntary as well.
Sources of Recruitment
- General Population
-
- Volunteer enrolment
Sample Size
- Number of Participants
- 300
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 300
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Data sources | Data sources - Biosamples | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | UDS/MARS - Baseline |
|
|
2009 (March) | 2013 (December) |
| 1 | UDS/MARS - Annual Follow-up visit |
|
|
2010 (March) | 2013 (December) |
Participating Studies
| Acronym | Name | Study design | Countries |
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Harmonization Initiatives Included
| Acronym | Name |
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Datasets
| Name | Data Collection Events | Variables |
|---|
Areas of Information Collected
- Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
- Death
- Lifestyle and behaviours
- Physical measures and assessments
- Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
- Laboratory measures
- Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
- Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
- Diseases
- Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
- Symptoms and signs
- Preschool, school and work life
- Medication and supplements
- Social environment and relationships
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Physical environment
- Health and community care services utilization
- Administrative information
Variables Content Summary
Areas of Information Collected
Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event
Networks
| Acronym | Name | Harmonization Initiatives | Individual Studies |
|---|