Abstract
The ongoing 1000 brains study (1000BRAINS) is an epidemiological and neuroscientific investigation of structural and functional variability in the human brain during aging. The two recruitment sources are the 10-year follow-up cohort of the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) Study, and the HNR MultiGeneration Study cohort, which comprises spouses and offspring of HNR subjects. The HNR is a longitudinal epidemiological investigation of cardiovascular risk factors, with a comprehensive collection of clinical, laboratory, socioeconomic, and environmental data from population-based subjects aged 45–75 years on inclusion. HNR subjects underwent detailed assessments in 2000, 2006, and 2011, and completed annual postal questionnaires on health status. 1000BRAINS accesses these HNR data and applies a separate protocol comprising: neuropsychological tests of attention, memory, executive functions and language; examination of motor skills; ratings of personality, life quality, mood and daily activities; analysis of laboratory and genetic data; and state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 3 Tesla) of the brain. The latter includes (i) 3D-T1- and 3D-T2-weighted scans for structural analyses and myelin mapping; (ii) three diffusion imaging sequences optimized for diffusion tensor imaging, high-angular resolution diffusion imaging for detailed fiber tracking and for diffusion kurtosis imaging; (iii) resting-state and task-based functional MRI; and (iv) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and MR angiography for the detection of vascular lesions and the mapping of white matter lesions. The unique design of 1000BRAINS allows: (i) comprehensive investigation of various influences including genetics, environment and health status on variability in brain structure and function during aging; and (ii) identification of the impact of selected influencing factors on specific cognitive subsystems and their anatomical correlates.
Highlights
The process of aging varies widely between individuals, in relation to cognitive abilities, motor skills, and changes in brain structure and function
71% of Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) subjects have been willing to participate in 1000BRAINS, while a further 7% were undecided at the time of first contact
23% of all HNR 10-year follow up subjects have been included in 1000BRAINS
Summary
The process of aging varies widely between individuals, in relation to cognitive abilities, motor skills, and changes in brain structure and function (for review e.g., Stern, 2009, 2012; Bartrés-Faz and Arenaza-Urquijo, 2011). In addition to a decline in the integrity of the musculoskeletal system, central motor control and execution are adversely affected by aging, leading to a decrease in the capacity to plan and coordinate complex movements (for review e.g., Krampe, 2002; Seidler et al, 2010). This in turn increases the risk of falls (for review e.g., Bloem et al, 2003)
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