Director's Message

Dear Mayo Clinic Study of Aging participants,

Thanks to each of you, we have been able to make significant contributions to the field of aging and cognitive impairment.

We are continually assessing the trajectories of cognitive function, including memory and thinking over the age span. We are also evaluating the role of biomarkers — that is, markers in the brain, blood or spinal fluid that give signals about underlying biologic developments.

Our ultimate goals are to develop a profile of cognitive aging and to develop interventions where disease processes arise. The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging is the only study in the country that is able to do this, because of three things: You and your involvement with this study, the Mayo Clinic medical record system, and our investigational staff.

Let me take this opportunity to thank you, once again, for your willingness to continue to participate in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. This is a unique study worldwide and can only be conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota. It directly depends upon your generosity with your time and effort.

Please remain safe and healthy, and we look forward to seeing you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Ronald C. Petersen, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Mayo Clinic Study of Aging