Pilot Projects
The UK-ADC supports one to three pilot studies annually for basic or clinical biomedical, translational, epidemiological, caregiving, educational or behavioral research.
The annual announcement for pilot funding includes a description of data available through the National Alzheimer’s Disease Coordinating Center. Use of this resource is strongly encouraged.
This funding mechanism is intended to allow an investigator the opportunity to develop preliminary data sufficient to provide the basis for an application for independent research support. Pilot grants are designed for postdoctoral or junior faculty level investigators, but may be awarded to a more senior investigator who has experience in areas other than AD research, and who wants to work in the AD research field or who wants to try a new hypothesis, method, or approach that is not an extension of ongoing AD research. Pilot studies are typically limited to a nonrenewable single year of support. If described and well justified, two years of support may be requested.
Budget
Investigators may request direct costs up to $25,000 per year for pilot projects. Duration of pilot projects is for 1 year. Non–UK investigators and sites must identify a UK collaborator and submit the proposal as a subcontract to UK.
UK-ADC Pilot Projects 2000-2012
2000-2001
Oxidized Lipoproteins in Neurodegeneration
Mark S. Kindy, PhD, Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, SBCoA
Evaluation of Amyloid Vaccination in Aβ Transgenic Mice and the Cellular Basis of Immunological Protection
Subbarao Bondada, PhD, Microbiology & Immunology, SBCoA
2001-2002
DNA Repair Defects in AD
Guo-Min Li, PhD, Pathology
Determination of the Redox State of the Calcium- and Cysteine-Dependent Protease, Calpain in AD
Rodney Guttmann, PhD, Physiology & the Gerontology PhD Program, SBCoA
HFE Mutations and Transferrin Receptor Genotype are Synergistic Risk Factors for AD and Increased Cerebral Iron Levels: Validation in a New Study Population
Joseph Pulliam, MD, Pathology
2003-2004
Chaperone Proteins and the Metabolism of Aβ Oligomers and Polymers
Harry LeVine, PhD, Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry & SBCoA
Factors Associated with Caregivers’ Preventive Health Behaviors
Becky Fields, PhD, College of Nursing
Regional Mitochondrial Dysfunction in AD
Patrick Sullivan, PhD, Anatomy & Neurobiology
2004-2005
Brain Imaging of Visual Memory for Dynamic 3-D Objects
Yang, Jiang, PhD, Behavioral Science
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Episodic Memory in Early AD
Brian Gold, PhD, Anatomy & Neurobiology
2005-2006
No pilots funded
2006-2007
Cell Type Specific Transcriptional Profiling in AD
Eric Blalock, PhD, Biomed & Mol Pharmacology
A Pilot Study to Determine which Specific CNS Micro RNAS (MiRNAS) may be Relevant
Peter T. Nelson, MD, PhD, Path & Lab Med
2007-2008
Regulation of ß-Secretase in Alzheimer’s Disease and Normal Aging
M. Paul Murphy, PhD, Molecular & Cell Biochemistry
Validation of an MRI Based Predictive Model for Pre-Symptomatic AD/MCI
Himachandra Chebrolu, B., PhD, Biomed Engineering
2008-2009
Behavioral and Physiological Effects of a Power Training Exercise Program in People with MCI
Charlotte Peterson, PhD, College of Health Science
Anne Harrison, RT, PhD, College of Health Science
Targeted Inhibition of Astrocytic NFAT Activity in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Christopher Norris, PhD, Biomed & Mol Pharmacology
2009-2010
Compensatory Gene Expression Changes in Nondemented Individuals with AD Neuropathology
Elizabeth Head, PhD, Biomed & Mol Pharmacology
Eric Blalock, PhD, Biomed & Mol Pharmacology
Exploring the Role of Prion Protein in AD
Glenn Telling, PhD, Microbio, Immuno & Mol Genetics
2010-2011
Use of Phage Display to Develop Biofluid PIB Binding as a Biomarker for AD
Harry Levine, III, PhD, Mol & Cellular Biochemistry
Rodney Guttmann, PhD, Physiology & Gerontology
A Pilot Study of the NY University Caregiver Intervention
Sonja Feist-Price, PhD, Special Ed & Rehab Counseling
2011-2012
Aperio ScanScope Data Analyzed to Test Key Hypotheses about the Natural History of Amyloid Plaques
Janna H. Neltner, MD, Pathology
Musical Participation and Cognitive Reserve in AD
Lori F. Gooding, PhD, School of Music