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Genetically Informed Studies of Social Connectedness and Health

Award Number: R01AG078361
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/15/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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Genetically Informed Studies of Social Connectedness and Health - PROJECT ABSTRACT: Adversity is a ubiquitous human experience associated with increased risk for poor health outcomes, including Alzheimer’s disease (and related dementias; AD/ADRD) and accelerated biological aging. Although the research linking adversity to cognitive functioning and aging is robust and growing, much of the current evidence is correlational, leaving questions of causation largely untested. Behavior genetic methods provide powerful tools to evaluate putatively causal associations by accounting for genetic and shared environmental confounds. In this competitive revision application, we expand the scope and scientific impact of an ongoing NIH-funded R01 study (#AG078361-01) with a new set of aims studying adversity, cognition and biological aging using behavior genetic methods. Data collection in the parent project—which includes a large sample of twins from the Washington State Twin Registry (WSTR; final target N = 1,782; 891 twin pairs)—is ongoing and the goals of this project are to leverage existing data in the WSTR to address the following aims: Aim 1a-1b: Using cotwin control design modeling, test whether the associations between adversity and both cognitive functioning and biological aging are consistent with causal associations. After accounting for shared genetics and environmental influences, we hypothesize that twins who experience greater trauma, stress, and adversity will also exhibit poorer cognitive function and more rapid biological aging. Aim 2a-2b: Test whether adversity is associated with unhealthy behaviors, as well as whether unhealthy behaviors are associated with poorer cognition and accelerated aging, consistent with a causal association. We hypothesize that twins with more adversity within twin pairs will have more unhealthy behaviors, which will be associated with poorer cognitive functioning and faster biological aging. Exploratory Aim 2c: Test which health behaviors explain associations between adversity, cognition functioning, and biological aging. We will achieve these aims by combining WSTR assessments and data collection in the parent grant with support from new investigators with extensive expertise in the study of trauma, stress, and adversity. The associations between adversity and accelerated cognitive and biological aging are of significant public health importance, but the field needs to move beyond correlational research alone. When realized, the aims of this project will allow us to test whether a range of adverse experiences contribute to future health in a manner that may be consistent with a causal influence. This work will provide key evidence for future interventions that might slow biological aging and delay the onset of AD/ADRD.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $298,374 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Aging Research	000	4	3/2/2026	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$298,374
														Subtotal = $298,374

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $1,120,261 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Aging Research	000	4	4/11/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,028,812
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Aging Research	001	4	6/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$91,449
														Subtotal = $1,120,261

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $1,138,955 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Aging Research	000	3	5/7/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,138,955
														Subtotal = $1,138,955

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $893,530 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Aging Research	001	2	5/23/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$893,530
2023	2022	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	888 N EUCLID AVE RM 510	TUCSON	AZ	85719	PIMA	USA	Aging Research	000	1	2/8/2023	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $893,530

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $918,251 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	888 N EUCLID AVE RM 510	TUCSON	AZ	85719	PIMA	USA	Aging Research	000	1	8/10/2022	NEW	$918,251
														Subtotal = $918,251

Grand Total All Awards = $4,369,371

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Genetically Informed Studies of Social Connectedness and Health

Award Number: R01AG078361

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/15/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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