Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Project Summary: Overall The overarching goal of the Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (OADRC) is twofold: 1) to focus on early detection of change in order to define mechanisms supporting healthy brain aging and the transition to MCI and early dementia, with an emphasis on multiple etiology dementias, including both AD and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), 2) to facilitate developing effective therapies to prevent or limit these transitions and strategies to support patients and caregivers living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), including in diverse and historically under-represented research populations. To achieve these objectives, eight cores and a Research Education Component are organized to catalyze and sustain innovative research and discovery in ADRD. The OADRC provides the necessary materials to support research through well-characterized research participants, biological specimens, brain tissue, data provision and analytics. The OADRC focuses on specific areas of emphasis: (a) Preclinical dementia and disease progression emphasizing high risk populations of particular relevance to Oregon, including the oldest old, Black/African American, and rural/isolated older adults, all of whom may experience high barriers to healthcare access and thus are at elevated risk for ADRD, including VCID; (b) Markers of meaningful change captured through studies of peripheral biomarkers, neuroimaging and continuous in-home behavioral and activity monitoring, including known biological drivers of ADRD-pathology such as sleep; (c) Neuropathology of brain aging and mixed etiology, including vascular dementia; (d) Novel testing of novel treatments and caregiver support strategies, and (e) Provide venues and mechanisms for education and training of new scientists, as well as bidirectional engagement with key stakeholders. To attain these goals and objectives, the OADRC Specific Aims are to: 1. Catalyze and sustain innovative research and discovery in ADRD through an organizational infrastructure supporting a rich collaborative environment composed of leading edge technologies and methods, multi-disciplinary scientists, empowered research volunteers, and an inspired community of lay and professional stakeholders with a commitment towards enhancing diversity across our research, clinical, and educational pillars; 2. Focus the innovation and discovery infrastructure of the center toward the five specific areas of emphasis mentioned above; 3. Share the necessary materials to support the science through well-characterized research participants, biological specimens, brain tissue, data provision and analytics, 4. Contribute to the national research commons relevant to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, 5. Provide venues and mechanisms for education and training of new scientists, as well as bidirectional engagement with key stakeholders such as members of the lay community, clinicians, patients and family members to address the challenges of dementia, particularly among diverse and historically under- represented populations.