2023 Updates:
- BOSS-NCAS: The 18-year follow-up examination phase is scheduled to begin early 2024.
2022 Updates:
- Grant approved for next round of the newly revised Beaver Dam Offspring Neurocognitive Study (BOSS-NCAS), with Dr. Natascha Merten taking over as principal investigator.
2021 Updates:
- BOSS: The 10-year follow-up examination phase concluded in September 2017.
- EHLS: The 21-year follow-up examination phase concluded in 2016.
- The researchers are currently analyzing the data that were collected in both the EHLS and BOSS and publishing the findings.
- A study funded in late 2020 by the National Institute of Aging, is using previously collected BOSS data to determine if sensory and motor changes are good markers of pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease.
- Grant applications to re-examine the BOSS participants are in preparation.
Beaver Dam Dog Study
BOSS participants who identified as pet owners in previous phases of the study are currently being contacted and invited to participate in the Beaver Dam Dog Study. This ancillary study, led by Freya Mowat, BVSc. Ph.D. DECVO DAVCO, an Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at UW-Madison, is investigating aging of the brain and senses (vision, hearing, sense of smell) in dogs, how the environment affects healthy dog aging, and comparing dog and human health and risk factors for aging. This study was awarded “Man’s Best Friend” research award.
BOSS participants who choose to participate in this study, will be asked to complete a web-based or mailed questionnaire on the health, lifestyle, and environment of one dog that lives in their home. Some participants will be given the option to bring their dog to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine for an evaluation. Questions about this study should be directed to: dogaging@vetmed.wisc.edu or phone(608) 264-2668.
