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The Nun Study: risk factors for pathology and clinical-pathologic correlations
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612-3805, USA. jmortime@health.usf.edu
Current Alzheimer Research
|April 5, 2012
Summary
The Nun Study reveals Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology can exist without dementia. Early life linguistic markers and brain infarcts influence cognitive decline and AD progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
Background:
- The Nun Study is a unique cohort study of elderly nuns.
- It investigates neuropathology and its relation to cognitive decline and dementia.
- Brain donation allows for systematic neuropathologic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand the role of Alzheimer and vascular pathology in dementia.
- To identify early biomarkers for neuropathology.
- To explore factors influencing cognitive status in late life.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal follow-up of a well-defined cohort.
- Systematic neuropathologic examination of donated brains.
- Correlation of clinical outcomes with neuropathologic findings.
Main Results:
- Alzheimer neuropathology (AD) was present in about one-third of non-demented participants.
- Brain infarcts increased dementia risk when combined with Alzheimer pathology.
- Early life idea density in essays correlated with late-life cognitive outcomes and AD severity.
- Apolipoprotein E-e4's effect on dementia was mediated by Alzheimer, not vascular, pathology.
Conclusions:
- Neuropathologic Alzheimer's disease does not always equate to clinical dementia.
- Vascular factors and early life linguistic markers significantly impact cognitive health and dementia risk.
- Further research into early life predictors and combined pathologies is warranted.
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