Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) study: Study protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Prospective, population-based, aging, and cognition studies are an important approach to understand normal and pathological aging processes. Methods: This is a longitudinal, community-based cohort study (n = 10,000) in rural India, with long-term follow-up for comprehensive evaluation of risk and protective factors associated with cognitive changes during aging. All participants will undergo comprehensive clinical, neurocognitive, and biochemical assessments. Genotyping using genome-wide association studies will be done for all participants. Whole genome sequencing and brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) will be done in a subset. Results: This study will generate a rich database of clinical, neurocognitive, biochemical, neuroimaging, and genetic data that can help identify risk and protective factors for dementia and other related disorders. Discussion: This longitudinal study is first of its kind, involving comprehensive evaluations, spanning phenotype to genotype, in a rural Indian cohort, and has major public health implications.