The Role of Brain Arousal Systems in Cognitive and Physical Decline in Normal Aging

There are two parts involved in this study:

Part #1- Paperwork, Computer-based cognitive tests, Physical function test, EEG recording

• Potential participants will be pre-screened at the time of their initial phone call to be sure they fit the guidelines for this research study.
• Participants will be given this Informed Consent document. This Informed Consent will be reviewed in a private location; participants will be given as much time as participants need to consider enrolling in the study. Participants may want to discuss the information with friends or family. Participants may ask questions at any time during the study visit.
• If participants choose to sign this form, and agree to participate, participants will be further screened for inclusion/exclusion factors related to the MRI scanning. All women under the age of 62 will be given a pregnancy test, based on a urine sample.
• Investigators will review a detailed Medical History form with participants, asking questions about participants and participants family's medical history.
• Investigators will ask participants to complete a brief physical activity questionnaire asking questions about participants daily level of physical activity.
• Participants will be asked to complete several computer tasks meant to measure participants cognitive abilities (like memory and attention), which takes about 30 minutes.
• Participants will also be asked to complete a short physical performance battery (SPPB), that looks at participants ability to sit and stand, walk a short distance, and balance, which takes about 30 minutes.
• Participants will also be asked to participate in an EEG recording session. An EEG cap, selected for participants head size, will be placed on participants head. The cap contains small electrodes that record participants brains electrical activity. During this part of the study, participants will sit in a comfortable chair while watching pictures on a computer screen, listening to sounds through headphones, or resting. This will take about 1 hour.
• Participants will also be asked to undergo a cold pressor test (CPT) and/or sham stimulation. CPT involves immersing either participants hand or foot in cold water for about one minute. Sham stimulation involved immersing either the hand or foot in room temperature water for about one minute.
• Finally, participants will be transported by someone involved with this study (by passenger van or golf cart) to the McKnight Brain Institute MRI Center. Or, if participants prefer, the next portion of the visit can be scheduled for another day.

Part #2- MRI Scan

The following procedures will take place at the Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center at the McKnight Brain Institute- for the MRI brain scan, and can be done on the same day as Part #1, or on a different day for participants scheduling convenience.