2004 New Investigator Research Grant

Normal cell function creates a byproduct called a free radical, a form of oxygen that can attack cell structures. This free-radical damage, or oxidative stress, is usually prevented by the body’s natural defenses, which include the use of antioxidant vitamins. These defenses appear to decline with age, and oxidative stress may contribute to the damage of cells in Alzheimer’s disease.

Signs of oxidative stress in the body can be detected in the blood, but there has been little research on an association between measurable “markers” of oxidative stress and the rate of decline in memory and thinking skills. An evaluation of this possible association may contribute to a better under-standing of how oxidative stress contributes to cognitive decline and whether such markers are a valid means for early diagnosis and intervention.

Zoe Arvanitakis, M.D., and colleagues will measure markers of oxidative stress in the blood of people with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and no cognitive impairment. MCI, a disorder generally defined as a measurable decline in memory with no other dementia symptoms, may be an early indication of Alzheimer’s or a risk factor for developing the disease. The research team will test the hypothesis that elevated markers of oxidative stress will be associated with MCI and precede the development of Alzheimer’s.

The investigators will use frozen blood samples from participants in the Religious Orders Study, an ongoing, long-term study of dementia and normal aging among communities of nuns, monks, and priests. Previous findings from this study have helped researchers identify risk factors for dementia and characterize disease progression.