The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) is a prospective epidemiologic study conducted in four U.S. communities. ARIC is designed to investigate the etiology and natural history of atherosclerosis, the etiology of clinical atherosclerotic diseases, and variation in cardiovascular risk factors, medical care and disease by race, gender, location, and date. Since 2011 a large ancillary study, the ARIC Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS) has been assessing neurocognitive status and adjudicating possible cases of dementia.

Four ARIC field centers each randomly selected and recruited a cohort sample of approximately 4,000 individuals aged 45-64 from a defined population in their community. A total of 15,792 participants received an extensive baseline examination (visit 1, 1987-1989), including medical, social, and demographic data collection. Subsequent examinations occurred in 1990-92 (visit 2), 1993-95 (visit 3), 1996-98 (visit 4), 2011-2013 (visit 5) and 2016-2017 (visit 6). Visit 7 (2018-2019) is currently in progress. Follow-up occurs annually (semi-annually since 2012) by telephone to maintain contact with participants and to assess health status of the cohort.

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries USA
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 10,000 to 19,999
Ages 40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures
Funtional rating Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical
Biological samples Cardiovascular|Hearing and vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)|Positron emission tomography (PET) – amyloid
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Informal support|Martial status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Current Sample Sizes 10,000 to 19,999

age at recruitment 45-64
last updated
recruitment period 1987-1989
estimated current sample size number value 7,400
cohort acronym ARIC
start date 1987-1989
pi Jacqueline Wright
website http://www2.cscc.unc.edu/aric/
contact details ARIC Study Coordinating Center:
PI: Dr. David Couper; Project Director: Ms. Kim Ring
Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center
Department of Biostatistics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
123 W. Franklin Street, Suite 450
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
abstract  ARIC is designed to investigate the etiology and natural history of atherosclerosis, the etiology of clinical atherosclerotic diseases, and variation in cardiovascular risk factors, medical care and disease by race, gender, location, and date.
funders  National Institutes of Health (NIH)
contact email PI email: [email protected]; Contact email: [email protected]; [email protected]
contact phone number 919-962-3229; 919-962-3096
estimated current sample size 5,000 to 9,999
sample sizes 15,792