Early life determinants of successful cognitive and brain aging (IDA-BRAIN)

There are marked individual differences in cognitive status, brain function and wellbeing in aging.

It is increasingly recognized that early life characteristics account for a substantial part of the individual differences in cognition, brain function and well-being in older age.

Identification of how early factors may impact human brain and cognition throughout the lifespan has remained challenging, due to a scarcity of longitudinal studies spanning from childhood to older age.

In the proposed research project, we aim to shed light on early life predictors of cognitive performance, brain structure/function, wellbeing, and health in older age.

To do so, We will utilize an existing population-representative longitudinal birth cohort study (Individual Development and Adaptation, IDA) that started in 1965.

Now, when these participants have reached their mid-60’s/early 70’s, it opens up for addressing important questions about ageing in a life-span perspective.

The present research project partitions cognitive, educational, socio-emotional, and health determinants and their effect on late late-life cognition, brain function, and medical and socio-emotional wellbeing across 57-years. and would provide some of the longest-term multidomain measurements to date.

Generating new knowledge on this issue is critical, as it may help to personalize the focus of intervention and prevention strategies.