Minority Aging Research Study (MARS)
MARS studies ageing and risk factors for cognitive decline in minority ethnic groups in the United States of America. The study recruits participants who self identify as African American, are aged at least 65 years and have no diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease from Chicago, Illinois and its surrounding area. In 2004, 80 participants enrolled in the study. As of 2024, the study includes over 800 participants. As part of the study, participants are given the option to consent to brain donation after death, resulting in 73 autopsies of donated brains as of 2024.
Study design
Cohort, Cohort - open
Number of participants at first data collection
845 (participants as of 2024)
Recruitment is ongoing
Age at first data collection
≥ 65 years (participants)
Participant year of birth
Varied (participants)
Participant sex
All
Representative sample at baseline?
No
Sample features
Country
Year of first data collection
2004
Primary Institutions
Rush University Medical Center (Rush)
Profile paper DOI
Funders
Illinois Department of Public Health
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Ongoing?
Yes
Data types collected
- Computer, paper or task testing (e.g. cognitive testing, theory of mind doll task, attention computer tasks)
- Interview – face-to-face
- Passive electronic data collection (e.g. screen time, scroll speed)
- Physical or biological assessment (e.g. blood, saliva, gait, grip strength, anthropometry)
- Secondary data
- Self-report questionnaire – paper or computer assisted
- Wearable devices
- None
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Existing research data
- Healthcare data
Engagement
Keywords
