World-famous study of nuns returns to U

Nearly 20 years after the world-famous "Nun Study" left the University of Minnesota, the landmark Alzheimer's disease project has come home.

The study, which began with a small group of nuns in Mankato, was started in 1986 to explore how lifestyle and personality traits affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

But Dr. David Snowdon, the lead scientist, took the project with him when he left for the University of Kentucky in 1990.

Since then, he has published reams of data, including a book called "Aging With Grace," based on his study of nearly 700 nuns from the School Sisters of Notre Dame, which includes the Mankato order.

All the volunteers agreed to donate their brains to science, leaving what scientists call a "one-of-a-kind resource" for the study of brain diseases in the elderly. Last fall, when Snowdon decided to retire, the University of Minnesota bid for the right to house the collection -- and won.

The goal, says U spokeswoman Mary Koppel, is to preserve it for future study. The nuns were chosen because scientists saw them as a relatively homogenous group, with similar backgrounds, lifestyles (not smoking or drinking) and life experiences.

Among other things, the research has shown that poor linguistic ability in early life is associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. It also found that nuns who expressed more "positive emotions" lived significantly longer than others.

Koppel said two other universities, including Kentucky, wanted the collection, but the religious order -- which had final say -- chose the University of Minnesota.

"Even though it's coming home ... it will still be accessible to the whole world," she said.

MAURA LERNER