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Honolulu-Asia Aging Study (HAAS) The primary goal of HAAS is to provide
data on the pathogenesis and etiologies of dementia and cognitive impairment.
Secondary goals include research on Parkinson’s disease, stroke, other
neurologic conditions (such as cortical Lewy body disease), sleep apnea,
diabetes, longevity and genetic epidemiology. Currently there are 1,500 men in
the cohort. The HAAS has the special opportunity to examine the impacts of
Japanese cultural and genetic factors on dementia, and to use a wealth of
prospectively collected information in a search for dementia-related risk
factors. Additionally, the HAAS study design includes acquisition of
standardized anatomic/pathologic information from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
and from autopsy. In 1999, the collaborators conducted Exam 6 to ascertain more
dementia cases as well as disease status since the first NIA-sponsored
examination in 1991-1993. The Exam 6 finished in March 1999, and consensus
sessions to confirm dementia diagnoses will continue through December 2000. Also
in March 1999, a new sleep study was initiated to ascertain episodes of sleep
apnea using NHLBI methods and procedures to allow comparisons with other ongoing
studies. The autopsy acquisition protocol for neuropathology will continue for 5
more years with grant funding to maintain specimen collection, analysis, and
reporting. The current contract is due to end in June 2001.
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