Overview
The purpose of this observational study is to better understand the relationship between stroke risk factors and brain MRI measures in the Native American population.
Participants will undergo:
- Carotid ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Cognitive testing
Description
Researchers' central hypothesis is that Native Americans (NAs) suffer from chronic psychological stress (PS) and inter-generational trauma related to historical loss (HL) which are manifested as inflammatory proteomic changes, leading to atherosclerotic vessel wall injury, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The researchers present a study to determine if MRI brain health metrics such as structural and functional connections, cerebral blood flow measures, brain morphometry are correlated with cardiovascular risk factors, atherosclerotic disease burden, blood inflammatory proteins, and scores on the Oneida cultural nutritional programs.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 55-90
- Receiving healthcare though the Oneida Comprehensive Health Division
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not Native American
- Contraindications to MRI scans