The Cache County Study on Memory in Aging: Factors affecting risk of Alzheimer's disease and its progression after onset

Abstract

The Cache County Study on Memory in Aging is a longitudinal, population-based study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. Initiated in 1995 and extending to 2013, the study has followed over 5,000 elderly residents of Cache County, Utah (USA) for over twelve years. Achieving a 90% participation rate at enrolment, and spawning two ancillary projects, the study has contributed to the literature on genetic, psychosocial and environmental risk factors for AD, late-life cognitive decline, and the clinical progression of dementia after its onset. This paper describes the major study contributions to the literature on AD and dementia.

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the contributions of all of the investigators and staff of the Cache County Study, Lifespan Stressors and Alzheimer's Disease Study, and the Dementia Progression Study. We especially appreciate each of the principal investigators of the Cache County Study, John C.S. Breitner, MD, MPH, and Kathleen A. Welsh-Bohmer, PhD, ABCN, for their leadership, scientific direction and friendship over the years.

Declaration of interest: The Cache County studies are supported by National Institute on Aging (USA) grants R01AG11380, R01AG031272, and R01AG21136. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.