Alzheimer Disease Research Center

University Of Pittsburgh At Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Overall Abstract: The University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (PITT-ADRC) has shown a clear scientific evolution over the past four decades. Since our inception, we have advanced the areas of ADRD neuropsychiatry, genetics, natural history of AD, validation of clinical criteria, and clinico-pathological correlations. Further, we have pioneered the development of both fluid and imaging biomarkers for the development of AD pathology, which have transformed AD research. We have used a multidisciplinary approach to better understand the transition from normal cognition to dementia, have explored the biology of AD with psychosis, and have made and contributed to new insights in genetics. These achievements and investment in junior investigators have allowed the PITT-ADRC to develop areas of excellence, which form the foundation of our Center. These are reflected in our cores, and most notably in the number of large and diverse studies we support in these areas, locally, nationally, and internationally. The PITT-ADRC is committed to remain at the forefront of scientific efforts to understand the pathological processes involved in the etiology of AD and structural and social determinants of health that modify those pathological processes, making the PITT-ADRC a center that works from “Neighborhoods to Neurons”. Along with this innovative research conducted by the PITT-ADRC, we are dedicated to developing strong training programs to promote the careers of young investigators and to create strong ties with the community through a variety of partnership programs, with special emphasis on groups historically excluded from research. The PITT-ADRC is highly committed to leverage the strengths of the network of Centers to provide large numbers of samples and standardized clinical data collection from our participants. The PITT-ADRC has modernized our methodology to improve the accessibility of our database to researchers, and it has been a key player in multiple studies that advanced the understanding of ADRD. Therefore, we provide an excellent environment that enhances cutting-edge research by bringing together a multidisciplinary team of investigators to study AD and other dementias, and to improve health care delivery. The methodology proposed in this application will lead us to the creation of a unique and well-characterized cohort of participants across the clinical spectrum of cognitive disorders assessed with state of the art clinical and biomarker methods. This will allow us to test multiple scientific hypotheses and to examine the short- and long-term public health outcomes of the pathophysiology of cognitive disorders in the adult. The PITT-ADRC will be at the center of the new era of AD research that will require a wealth of clinical and biological data, highly sophisticated fluid and imaging biomarker methodologies, close inter-relationship among centers and institutions, creation and optimization of human resources, and enhanced communication with patients and families.