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Midlife Vascular Pulsatility Study
By joining, you will help us learn how changes in blood vessels as we age might affect the brain. This could help us find new ways to prevent memory and thinking problems.
Volunteers Needed!
Over three years, there will be 1–2 visits per year, totaling about 3–4.5 hours annually
In-person at two locations on UD’s campus in Newark, DE
$50-75 in compensation per year
What’s Involved
- Participants fill out simple questionnaires
- Blood vessel checks
- Memory and thinking tests
- MRI scan of the brain
- Short physical fitness tests
- A blood draw
Basic Eligibility
- Men and women between the ages of 50-64
- Body mass index (BMI) below 40
- *Complete eligibility list below
Time Required
Participants will complete 1–2 in‑person visits each year, which take about 3–4.5 hours in total. These visits occur at the start of the study and again at 1‑, 2‑, and 3‑year follow‑ups.
Location
All visits will occur at the UD’s Center for Biomedical and Brain Imaging (CBBI) or UD’s Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Health Sciences Complex in Newark, DE.
Compensation
Participants will be compensated $50-75 annually for completing the testing.
Get Started!
To join this study, start by completing a short intake questionnaire through the Brain Health Registry. A team member will contact you to schedule a 45-minute phone assessment. After registering, you’ll receive notifications about studies you may be eligible for. For details and to sign up, visit our Brain Health Registry page.
Your privacy matters to us. We keep all information for the Brain Health Registry and research studies confidential and secure. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw anytime.
Study Eligibility Details
To join this study, you need to be a part of the Brain Health Registry. To learn more and join, visit our Brain Health Registry page.
Study Inclusion Criteria
- Age 50-64 years
- Body mass index (BMI) <40 kg/m2
Study Exclusion Criteria
- Chronic clinical diseases (e.g., coronary artery, peripheral artery, or cerebrovascular diseases, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis)
- Neurological or autoimmune conditions affecting cognition (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or large vessel infarct)
- Major psychiatric disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression within past two years)
- Current medication use likely to affect CNS function (e.g. long active benzodiazepines)
- Concussion within last 2 years and ≥ 3 lifetime concussions
- Substance abuse or dependence based on self-report
- Heavy alcohol consumption (defined by the CDC and USDA as ≥8 drinks/week for women and ≥15 drinks/week for men)
- Claustrophobia, metal implants, pacemaker or other factors affecting feasibility and/or safety of MRI scanning at any time point during the study
- Recent major change in health status within 6 months prior to enrollment (i.e., surgery, significant infection or illness)
- Current smoking within the past 3 months