Dr. Elissa Wilker's long term career goal is to become an independent investigator capable of leading studies on environmental impacts and brain activity. The objective of this research proposal is to elucidate the impact of traffic pollution o brain structure and cognitive function in a population that includes individuals with mild memory complaints or early dementia. During the mentored (K99) phase of this award, the applicant will gain expertise conducting studies of the chronic effects of air pollution on cognitive decline and small vessel disease, as assessed by neuroimaging. She will also receive training in the areas of neuroepidemiology, neuroscience and dementia, advanced statistical methodology and exposure assessment. Dr. Murray Mittleman will serve as the Primary Mentor for this award and will oversee all aspects of Dr. Wilker's training. Dr. Mittleman has a unique expertise in environmental epidemiology, biological mechanisms, and statistical methods that will make him an ideal coordinator for the mentorship team. He also has extensive mentorship experience and will provide primary support for career development. In addition, Dr. Wilker will be co-mentored by Dr. Deborah Blacker and Dr. Anand Viswanathan in order to receive specific training in neuroepidemiology, neuroimaging methodologies and their clinical interpretation. Dr. Wilker will also have support in environmental-and neuro-statistical methods as well as environmental exposure assessment. During the independent phase (R00) phase of this award, the applicant will investigate associations between traffic exposures and novel neuroimaging measures of cortical morphology and amyloid deposition. The proposed research uses detailed individual-level estimates of long term exposure to traffic pollution and state of the art neuroimaging to study the effects of traffic on the brain in a population with mild cognitive impairment. This work will provide a first step in developing a comprehensive approach to identify environmental risk factors of structural changes in the brain and declines in cognitive function. The findings from this program of research will elucidate understanding the underlying vascular and non-vascular mechanisms of air pollution effects on the brain in a population at risk for further cognitive decline and dementia.

Public Health Relevance

The environmental risk factors that contribute to cognitive decline are not well understood. Traffic pollution has been associated with cognitive performance in older populations, but never before among individuals with cognitive impairment. In this study, the candidate will examine associations between long-term exposure to traffic pollution and measures of brain structure and cognitive function. The findings from this program of research will help in understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of air pollution on the brain.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Transition Award (R00)
Project #
5R00ES022243-04
Application #
9189606
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Hollander, Jonathan
Project Start
2015-12-03
Project End
2018-11-30
Budget Start
2016-12-01
Budget End
2017-11-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Li, Wenyuan; Dorans, Kirsten S; Wilker, Elissa H et al. (2018) Ambient air pollution, adipokines, and glucose homeostasis: The Framingham Heart Study. Environ Int 111:14-22
Dorans, Kirsten S; Wilker, Elissa H; Li, Wenyuan et al. (2017) Residential proximity to major roads, exposure to fine particulate matter and aortic calcium: the Framingham Heart Study, a cohort study. BMJ Open 7:e013455
Li, Wenyuan; Dorans, Kirsten S; Wilker, Elissa H et al. (2017) Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation: The Framingham Heart Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 37:1793-1800
Li, Wenyuan; Dorans, Kirsten S; Wilker, Elissa H et al. (2017) Residential Proximity to Major Roadways, Fine Particulate Matter, and Hepatic Steatosis: The Framingham Heart Study. Am J Epidemiol 186:857-865
Wilker, Elissa H; Martinez-Ramirez, Sergi; Kloog, Itai et al. (2016) Fine Particulate Matter, Residential Proximity to Major Roads, and Markers of Small Vessel Disease in a Memory Study Population. J Alzheimers Dis 53:1315-23
Dorans, Kirsten S; Wilker, Elissa H; Li, Wenyuan et al. (2016) Residential Proximity to Major Roads, Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, and Coronary Artery Calcium: The Framingham Heart Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 36:1679-85
Wilker, Elissa H; Preis, Sarah R; Beiser, Alexa S et al. (2015) Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, residential proximity to major roads and measures of brain structure. Stroke 46:1161-6
Wilker, Elissa H; Ljungman, Petter L; Rice, Mary B et al. (2014) Relation of long-term exposure to air pollution to brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and reactive hyperemia. Am J Cardiol 113:2057-63