This is an application for a K01 Research Career Development Award. The goal of the proposed project is to provide the candidate with advanced skills needed to establish an independent research program examining the relationship between vision loss and cognitive decline in older individuals. To facilitate this long-term goal the candidate will: (1) characterize the longitudinal relationship between objective measures of visual function and cognition in older adults, (2) determine the relationship between vision loss and brain volume and cortical thickness in older adults, and the role brain volume and thickness may play in the vision-cognition relationship, and (3) assess the association between vision loss and participation in cognitively stimulating activities, exploring this participation as a mediator of the vision-cognition relationship. The candidate proposes a comprehensive training plan, combining formal coursework, meetings and tutorials overseen by her mentors, participation in applied training experiences, and involvement in seminars and workshops. Specific training goals include: (1) receive training in the neuropsychological and clinical assessment of older individuals, (2) develop neuroimaging analyses skills, (3) receive training in the neuroscience of vision, (4) gain advanced knowledge of mediation and experimental study design and analyses, and (5) continued training in the responsible conduct of research. The training plan will be executed in coordination with the set of research activities, mentioned above, that are based on preliminary data collected by the applicant. The preliminary data show that reduced visual functioning is associated cross-sectionally with: (1) lower executive function, memory, and language test scores, and (2) reduced gray and white matter volumes, in the visual cortex and frontal lobes. The candidate will expand on these findings, using longitudinal data from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA) who are 60 years and older.
The aim of the project is to test the `sensory loss consequence hypothesis', using a multi-domain approach to examine the vision-cognition relationship. The primary hypotheses to be examined are that: (1) reduced visual function is associated with greater declines in executive function, memory, and language test scores, and an increased risk of incident dementia, (2) reduced visual function is associated with reduced brain volume and thickness in regions of interest within the frontal cortex and visual pathways, which mediate the vision-cognition relationship, and (3) age-related vision loss is associated with a reduction in the frequency and variety of participation in cognitively stimulating activities, which also influences the vision-cognition relationship in older adults. Results from this research will be used to develop a subsequent R01 research proposal that will facilitate the candidate's transition to an independent researcher.

Public Health Relevance

The aim of this study is to characterize the longitudinal relationship between vision and cognition, as well as to examine factors that may affect this relationship in older adults. This research will impact public health by improving our understanding of the relationship between vision loss and neurocognitive outcomes in advanced age, and lays the groundwork for developing interventions that protect cognition in older adults with vision loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01AG052640-04
Application #
9902272
Study Section
Neuroscience of Aging Review Committee (NIA)
Program Officer
St Hillaire-Clarke, Coryse
Project Start
2017-03-01
Project End
2022-02-28
Budget Start
2020-04-01
Budget End
2021-02-28
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21205
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Zheng, D Diane; Swenor, Bonnielin K; Christ, Sharon L et al. (2018) Longitudinal Associations Between Visual Impairment and Cognitive Functioning: The Salisbury Eye Evaluation Study. JAMA Ophthalmol 136:989-995
Swenor, Bonnielin K; Wang, Jiangxia; Varadaraj, Varshini et al. (2018) Vision Impairment and Cognitive Outcomes in Older Adults: The Health ABC Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci :
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Christ, Sharon L; Zheng, D Diane; Swenor, Bonnielin K et al. (2014) Longitudinal relationships among visual acuity, daily functional status, and mortality: the Salisbury Eye Evaluation Study. JAMA Ophthalmol 132:1400-6