Precision Aging Network to Release Extensive Dataset on Cognitive Ageing

The University of Arizona-led Precision Aging Network has announced a significant milestone in cognitive decline research. In December 2025, the initiative will release its first comprehensive dataset focusing on normal cognitive ageing. This U.S.-wide collaborative effort aims to enhance understanding of healthy ageing through the collection, storage, and analysis of participant data, adhering to the FAIR principles—findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.

The upcoming release encompasses 300 terabytes of data, marking the first four years of findings from the Precision Aging Network. This valuable resource will be made publicly accessible to scientists across the nation through the National Institute on Aging’s repository. Alongside the data release, a dedicated researcher portal and website will be launched to facilitate global access to the information.

Funded by a substantial $60 million grant from the National Institute of Health, the Precision Aging Network seeks to map and measure how the healthy brain ages. Unlike many large-scale studies that focus primarily on pathological ageing, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, this network emphasizes the subtle, everyday changes in attention and memory experienced by individuals as they age.

By gathering data from healthy adults nationwide before the onset of diseases, researchers aim to identify biological, behavioral, and lifestyle factors that contribute to resilience and longevity. The public data archive promises unprecedented access to information that could reshape the understanding of memory and brain health throughout the human lifespan.

Empowering Global Research

Researchers around the world will have the opportunity to explore the dataset, apply machine-learning models, and connect insights with other datasets. This integration of information could lead to groundbreaking discoveries about how both environmental and biological factors influence brain development and health.

The data launch will be hosted through CyVerse, a secure and scalable cloud platform designed to manage the complex dataset generated by the Precision Aging Network. Researchers utilize 40 different workflows across their research cores to manage and exchange data. Additionally, there will be dedicated pathways for storing raw data for investigators, enhancing the collaborative potential of this research.

CyVerse’s artificial intelligence-driven search tools will enable researchers to swiftly identify patterns across various data types, thereby accelerating hypothesis generation and fostering research collaboration. As Dr. Tim Sandle, Editor-at-Large for Digital Journal’s science news, noted, the network is poised to bridge the gap between data and discovery.

“The next step is going to be a raw data release, which is slightly more complicated than the type of data that we are releasing in November, but we are already ready,” Dr. Sandle stated. “We have all the pieces in place.”

Through this initiative, the Precision Aging Network is establishing a foundation for healthier ageing that could benefit generations to come. With its focus on understanding the nuances of normal cognitive ageing, the network is positioned to transform the landscape of cognitive health research.