Merrill Elias, PhD, MPH The Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS) of aging, cardiovascular disease and risk factors for lower cognitive performance and cognitive impairment began at Syracuse University in 1975 (Merrill F. Elias (“Pete”) (PI). Merrill transferred his research grant to the University of Maine (Orono) when he joined the faculty as Professor of Psychology in read more Update from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS)