Rongjun Yu, PhD | Hong Kong Baptist University; Yi Huang, PhD; Bobo Hi Po Lau, PhD, Vincent Chung Tong Mok, MD
Competition Sponsor: Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
Award Year: 2024
Near centenarians and centenarians seem to be able to delay dementia pathologic changes. They are an informative and unique cohort to better understand the protective factors conferring resistance to age-related cognitive declines. However, the neural mechanisms of exceptional longevity in this valuable cohort are not well understood. We leverage the new 3T MRI facility and the existing centenarian cohort in Hong Kong to conduct multimodal brain imaging in a geographically
representative sample of individuals who are above 95 years old. Thirty dementia free ( near ) centenarians , thirty (near)centenarians with dementia, and thirty dementia free younger participants (65-95 years old) will be recruited. Structural m agnetic resonance imaging (MRI and resting state fMRI 15 mins in total) will be conducted. We will employ advanced brain network analysis to map the distinct neural connectivity patterns present in dementia free (near)centenarians . By conducting regres sion analysis, we will pinpoint the specific features of the brain connectome that correlate with cognitive abilities in adults of extreme old age . Our goal is to establish Asia’s inaugural brain imaging centenarian dataset and utiliz e cutting edge methods in human connectome research. Our approach
can reveal longevity related brain network signatures and identify the neural features that protect old adults from age related cognitive deterioration. Our findings may inform us of the theories of successful ag ing and models of neuroprotection from dementia.