Elucidating Neurobiological and Exposomic Mechanisms of Human Brain Circuit Resilience to Aging and Tauopathies: An AI-driven modeling approach

Our brains change as we age, but some people maintain better cognitive function than others despite similar biological challenges. This remarkable ability, called brain resilience, remains poorly understood. Our project will develop an innovative artificial intelligence framework called AI-BRAD (AI-based Brain Resilience in Aging and Dementia) to uncover the complex mechanisms that allow some brains to better withstand aging and Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing brain scans and biological data from over 22,600 individuals, we'll create computational models that can predict how well someone's brain might resist age-related decline or the protein accumulations (tau tangles) associated with Alzheimer's disease. What makes our approach groundbreaking is its ability to connect multiple scales - from tiny molecular processes to whole-brain networks - and to identify protective factors that span biological, lifestyle, and environmental domains. The project will track how brain resilience evolves over time in healthy aging and across different stages of Alzheimer's disease. Our multidisciplinary team combines expertise in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, aging, and Alzheimer's research to tackle this complex problem from multiple angles. The insights gained could transform how we understand brain aging and lead to more personalized approaches for maintaining brain health. By identifying modifiable factors that enhance resilience, our research may ultimately help develop targeted interventions that could delay cognitive decline and reduce the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease on individuals, families, and society.