Core G: Biomarker Core

University Of California-Irvine, Irvine CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY– BIOMARKER CORE (CORE G) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD Related Disorders (ADRD) are devastating, progressive diseases that affect more than 6 million Americans and this number is expected to rise to almost 14 million in the next three decades. The costs of these diseases are immense, both on personal and financial levels. Our National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease sets us on a path with several concrete goals and strategies to address AD/ADRD. In particular, one goal we must achieve is the early diagnosis. If we can detect the disease early, even before symptoms have started, efforts to slow or even halt disease may be more effective and can lead to many more years with a high quality of life. A key to this early detection is to develop biomarkers for brain disease – ways in which, through testing of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF – collectively known as biofluids), brain scans, or even cognitive testing – we can detect and efficiently monitor disease and assess treatment. The goal of the UCI ADRC Biomarker Core is to help researchers here and across the globe in collecting and analyzing data from existing measures and by developing novel measures that accelerate discovery in AD/ADRD research across special populations. The UCI ADRC Biomarker Core is set to provide state-of-the-art biomarker data and analyses and we will apply these to both existing data in our ADRC and to new data we are collecting. We will collect not only traditional biomarkers (blood, CSF for amyloid beta and tau, structural MRI scans, PET scans, etc.), but develop novel biomarkers as well. Our researchers have several innovative potential MRI and cognitive / behavioral biomarkers that the Core will be assisting with that have the potential to advance our overall goal of effectively determining disease etiology, measuring progression, and assessing effectiveness of treatment. In addition, we know that addressing AD/ADRD is a monumental challenge and that our final goal will only happen through collaborative team science and over the course of academic generations. Part of our mission in the UCI ADRC Biomarker Core is therefore to share data and techniques with the research community. As big a part, however, is to share our knowledge and expertise with the next generation of clinicians and researchers, providing them with training and mentorship needed to rise to this challenge.