Alzheimer’s disease affects 56 million people worldwide and will strike nearly 7 million Americans over age 85 by 2030. Yet we don’t know why some people stay mentally sharp well into their 90s while others lose their memories and independence. A global research collaboration spanning the United States and six European countries has united to crack this puzzle, tracking over 100,000 people across decades to identify what protects the brain versus what puts it at risk. Our goal: discover which health choices and conditions in middle age determine who will thrive cognitively in their final decades. This knowledge could help families worldwide prevent or delay this devastating disease.
The Cross-Cohort Collaboration brings together 13 studies spanning the United States and Europe, including diverse populations that have been overlooked in Alzheimer’s research: African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American communities, as well as European ancestry participants. Our team has published 166 scientific papers revealing that inflammation levels, kidney function, diet quality, and even neighborhood environments measured in middle age, can predict Alzheimer’s risk 30-40 years later. We are now completing four critical analyses that will inform prevention strategies and address stark health disparities.
