iMAP Barcelona
The international Mind, Activities and urban Places in Barcelona study (iMAP Barcelona study): Building the evidence base on the relationships between environment, active living and cognitive health
- Duration
- 2019-2022
- Coordinator
- Ester Cerin (ACU. Melbourne). iMAP Barcelona: Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- Funded by
- Australian Research Council & Australian Catholic University (ACURF18)
The overarching aim of this study is to examine the extent to which, how, and for whom aspects of the urban environment influence brain health and cognitive health in 600 mid-aged and older (50-79 years) community dwellers living in Barcelona, Spain. Specifically, we will examine:
- The associations of physical and social attributes of the participants’ neighbourhood environment and other activity locations with changes in cognitive function and brain health.
- The extent to which these changes are explained by lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, sedentary time, quality of sleep, social and cognitive activities.
- The extent to which the observed associations depend on personality traits and genetic predisposition to dementia.
This prospective observational study will collect longitudinal data through a 7-day objective assessment of mobility behaviours and lifestyle activities. A subsample of 200 participants will be subsequently invited to undertake Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scans to further assess brain health parameters. This will be repeated two years after.
Our Team
Principal Investigator (IP)
- Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen Research Professor, Director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative, and Director of the Air pollution and Urban Environment Programme
ISGlobal Team
- Glòria Carrasco Research Technician
- Marta Cirach GIS Technician
- Beatriz García Fernández Field Technician
- Sergio Baraibar Field Technician
- Andrea Labrado Research Technician
- Albert Berron Research Technician
Other projects
See Past ProjectsPASTA - Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approaches
CHAI
Cardiovascular Health effects of Air pollution in Andhra Pradesh, India
BlueHealth
ESAIRE
Engaging Citizens in Science: Promoting the Viability of Participatory Sensing for Monitoring Air and Environmental Quality
BiblioLab Ciencia - Ciudad Saludable
Climate Change Challenge. Big Data for the City
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EARLY-ADAPT
Signs of Early Adaptation to Climate Change
ACTIVID
Impact of the health crisis due to COVID-19 on Physical Activity and Mental Health in Spain
REMEDHY
Researching Environments that Magnify Health Everyday
CalTraS
Calor, Trabajo y Salud
ELHNA
Exposures to light pollution and heat, and neurodevelopment in adolescents
ONES
Fine Particle Matter, Fetal Growth, and Neurodevelopment: Examining Critical Windows of Susceptibility
RECETAS
Re-imagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces
The European Urban Burden of Disease Project
ALIA
Las ciudades y la salud