# BIOLOGICAL FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEUROBEHAVIORAL AGING

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 1989 · $166,140

## Abstract

To improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms
responsible for age-related ani gender-related differences in the
performance of cognitive and psychomotor tasks, biological factors
known to alter neural function will be measured and correlated with
performance.  Psychomotor tests known to be affect by age and
gender will be administered to 100 healthy men and women ranging
in age from 40 to 70+ years.  The neurobehavioral battery will
include measures of verbal memory and learning, motor speed and
sensory-motor performance besides mood and personality profile.
In addition, questionnaires for demographic information, medical
history, hobbies and life long training history and a neurological
examination will be assessed.  We hypothesize that early,
asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease as indicated by the presence
of risk factors are biological markers of altered cerebrovascular
function modulates neuropsychological performance.  Risk factors
for cerebrovascular disease, namely height/weight, blood pressure,
heart disease (EKG), diabetes mellitus (fasting blood glucose)
hyperlipidemia (e.g., cholesterol, LDL, HDL2, HDL3), alcohol and
cigarette use will be measured.  Cerebrovascular function will be
quantitated with carotid flow studies using a Doppler Volume Flow
Meter.  The quantity and composition of atherosclerotic plaque in
the carotid arteries will be quantitated with duplex scanning.
White matter changes in the central nervous system believed to be
secondary to cerebrovascular disease in normal aging will be
visualized by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.
Electrophysiologic correlates of cerebral atherosclerosis will be
determined with quantitative electroencephalography using power
spectral analysis to be correlated with the other cerebrovascular
measures and neurobehavioral performance.  A second hypothesis is
that age-related gender differences in motor speed (simple reaction
time and finger tapping) are due in part to differences in physical
activity.  In the past physical activity has usually been obtained
by self-report.  We propose to accurately measure maximal aerobic
capacity (VO2 max) and correlate the results with measures of motor
speed.  The third hypothesis is that alterations in peripheral
sensory receptors (vibration, thermal perception thresholds) in
the fingertips is an important mechanism responsible for age-
related gender differences in sensory-motor performance (Purdue
Pegboard).  Using this approach we hope to determine the important
mechanisms responsible for age-related and gender-related
differences in verbal memory and learning, motor speed and sensory-
motor-performance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3120142
- **Project number:** 1R01AG008494-01
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FTMTDMBR29C7
- **Principal Investigator:** MARGIT L BLEECKER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $166,140
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1989-07-01 → 1992-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3120142

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3120142, BIOLOGICAL FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEUROBEHAVIORAL AGING (1R01AG008494-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3120142. Licensed CC0.

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