The Religious Orders Study (ROS) and the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP), collectively known as ROSMAP,

 The Religious Orders Study (ROS) and the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP), collectively known as ROSMAP, are two longitudinal clinical-pathologic cohort studies aimed at understanding aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both studies are conducted by the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Religious Orders Study (ROS): Initiated in 1994, ROS enrolls Catholic nuns, priests, and brothers aged 65 and older from across the United States. Participants without known dementia agree to annual medical and psychological evaluations and consent to brain donation after death. To date, approximately 1,200 individuals have enrolled, with around 580 currently alive. Yearly blood draws are also conducted, resulting in the storage of serum, plasma, and cells. citeturn0search0

Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP): Launched in 1997, MAP recruits older individuals from about 40 continuous care retirement communities and senior subsidized housing facilities around the Chicago metropolitan area. Similar to ROS, participants without known dementia undergo detailed annual clinical evaluations and agree to donate their brain, spinal cord, and muscle tissues after death. Over 1,600 older adults have enrolled, with approximately 1,000 currently alive. Yearly blood draws are also part of the study protocol. citeturn0search0

Study Objectives and Methodology: Both ROS and MAP aim to identify risk factors for cognitive decline and incident AD dementia, among other health outcomes. Participants undergo annual detailed clinical evaluations, including cognitive performance testing, self-reported assessments, and medication inspections to document medical conditions. A decision tree designed to mimic expert clinical judgment is implemented by computer to inform several clinical diagnoses, including dementia and AD. citeturn0search0

Contributions to Alzheimer's Disease Research: ROSMAP has significantly advanced the understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly AD. The studies have provided insights into the relation of neurobiology to clinical AD, neurobiologic pathways linking risk factors to clinical AD, non-cognitive AD phenotypes including motor function and decision making, and the development of novel drug discovery platforms. citeturn0search1

In summary, ROSMAP serves as a valuable resource for the aging and dementia research community, offering a wealth of data and findings that can be leveraged for future studies.