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Study Description

The primary objective of the MRI study was to establish baseline measures of brain morphology and cognitive function in the Offspring cohort.

The study comprised of two components:

  1. Brain MRI scan
  2. 50 minute neuropsychological test battery that also included measures of physical functioning

The "no CVA" brain scan dataset for the Offspring cohortrefers to measures of total and lobar brain volumes, hippocampal volumes and white matter hyperintensity volumes obtained through an automated post-processing program.

The "qualitative brain MRI" dataset for the Offspring cohortrefers to the categorical measure of presence or absence of infarct (>3mm) on the brain MRI scan. In addition, number of infarcts is also provided. The designations L1 and L2 refer to initial and subsequent MRI scans obtained between 1999 to 2005 and 2005 to 2008 in the same individual.

The "MRI battery" dataset for the Offspring cohortincludes summary scores for each test from the neuropsychological test battery administered to Offspring cohort.

In 1948, researchers recruited men and women from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, beginning the first round of extensive physical examinations and lifestyle interviews that would later be analyzed for common patterns related to CVD development.

Initially, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,209 men and women from the Framingham area who were between the ages of 28 and 62 years. Beginning in 1971, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,124 men and women, who were either offspring of the original cohort or spouses of those offspring. In 2002, 4,095 third generation participants (men and women) were enrolled.

During each clinic exam cycle, the participants undergo a detailed examination including physical examination, medical history, laboratory testing, and electrocardiogram. Over the years, other tests (that may not be performed at every exam cycle) have included pulmonary function, lifestyle, physical function, cognitive function questionnaires, and various noninvasive cardiovascular tests including echocardiograms. The content of each exam cycle differs for Original, Offspring and Generation 3 cohorts and can be found in the Exam Cycle Protocol Manuals.

Authorized Access
Publicly Available Data
Study Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion criteria included any survivor of the Offspring cohort.

Exclusion criteria for the brain MRI scan included those who could not undergo MRI due to claustrophobia, presence of a pacemaker or any other source of metal in their body.

There are separate variables in the dataset that permit one to exclude persons with dementia, stroke or other neurological disease that could affect interpretation of MRI brain volume or white matter hyperintensity volume data.

Study History

From 1999 - 2005, the MRI, Genetics and Cognitive Precursors of AD and Dementia study invited all Offspring cohort who attended Exam Cycle 7 for a baseline brain MRI scan and neuropsychological testing. Repeat testing is currently underway.

The Generation 1 (or Original) cohort Exam 1 took place between 1948 and 1953. Biennial exams have continued to the present. Exam 29 took place between 2006 and 2007. Exam 30 began in 2008.

The Generation 2 (or Offspring) cohort Exam 1 took place between 1971 and 1975. This cohort on average has been examined every three to four years. However, there was an eight year gap between Exam 1 and Exam 2 and a seven year gap between Exam 7 and Exam 8. Exam 8 took place between 2005 and 2008.

The Generation 3 cohort Exam 1 took place between 2002 and 2005. Exam 2 began in 2008.

The New Offspring Spouse cohort Exam 1 took place between 2003 and 2005. Exam 2 began in 2008.

Selected Publications
Diseases/Traits Related to Study (MeSH terms)
Authorized Data Access Requests
Study Attribution
  • Principal Investigator
    • Philip A. Wolf, MD. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
  • Co-Investigator, Leader Neurogenetics Core FHS
    • Sudha Seshadri, MD. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
  • Co-Investigators
    • Alexa Beiser, PhD. Boston University School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
    • Anita DeStefano, PhD. Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
    • Rhoda Au, PhD. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
  • Funding Source
    • Grant #AG16496. National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.