Chunk #52 — Online Methods — Genome-wide survival association study datasets — (4) Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE)
At each clinic exam, participants receive questionnaires, physical examinations and laboratory testing; between examinations they remain under surveillance (regardless of whether or not they live in the vicinity) via physician referrals, record linkage and annual telephone health history updates. Methods used for dementia screening and follow-up have been previously described57,62. Briefly, surviving cohort members who attended biennial examination cycles 14 and 15 (May 1975-November 1979) were administered a standardized neuropsychological test battery to establish a dementia-free cohort. Beginning at examination cycle 17 (1982), the MMSE was administered biennially to the cohort. A MMSE score below the education-specific cutoff score,a decline of 3 or more points on subsequent administrations, a decline of more than 5 points compared with any previous examination, or a physician or family referral prompted further in-depth testing. The Offspring cohort that was enrolled in 1971 has undergone 8 re-examinations, one approximately every 4 years. Starting at the 2nd Offspring examination, participants were questioned regarding any subjective memory complaints and since the 5th Offspring examination participants have been administered the MMSE at each visit. In addition concurrent with
