Rationale
Longitudinal studies with multiple time-points are needed to track the trajectories of structural and functional changes in the brain’s neuronal tissue, their connections, and how these changes vary across different brain regions and between individuals. Furthermore, genes and environmental factors interact in forming our brains and mental capacities, and there is increasing recognition of the importance of developmental processes for later cognitive functions and behavioural patterns. Longitudinal studies that allow for direct examination of these relationships across the adult lifespan are, however, lacking.
Objectives
The main objective of the project is to provide a better understanding of the brain correlates and determinants of change in memory function throughout life. The project follows almost 1000 participants with longitudinal cognitive and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. The fifth wave of data collection was finished in the beginning of 2024, yielding up to five examinations over 17 years.
The secondary objectives of the projects are:
- To gain insight into changes in brain maturation associated with healthy aging throughout adulthood, and how such changes are related to variations in cognitive function, with a special focus on episodic memory.
- To explore how specific gene variants interact with neurocognitive development in normal aging. Understanding factors that mediate age-related changes in the brain and cognition will provide (1) increased understanding of healthy brain development and (2) deeper insights into brain development occurring under the influence of age-related pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Additionally, we aim to map several different factors that can influence the relationship between the brain and memory, such as nutrition, exercise and sleep. We do this by examining a large sample of healthy participants aged 20 to 90 years. The participants undergo neuropsychological tests, including cognitive tasks, and MRI of the brain.
Key publications (including previous data collection waves)
Status of the project
This is an ongoing longitudinal research project, for which we are currently in the fifth wave of recruiting. In this wave we also invite family and close relations of previous participants.
Funding
The project (fifth wave of data collection) has received funding from the Norwegian Research Council under grant nr. 325415 "Lifespan Memory Imaging Redux – Can Change in Activity Reconfigurations Be an Early Marker of Future Memory Decline?".