SBCoA Research
Our Research Studies
Sanders-Brown Center on Aging basic and clinical scientists work together to improve the health of the elderly in Kentucky and beyond through research dedicated to understanding the aging process and age-related brain diseases. Major foci of the Center are basic and applied research in Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Our overall emphasis is to more effectively bridge the gap between basic research and clinical studies by facilitating translational efforts. We also carefully characterize transitions across the spectrum of cognitive impairment (normal/ preclinical AD/ MCI/ dementia), with focus on definition of early disease.
Faculty Areas of Research Interest
Detailed information about our research studies/grants can be found on faculty homepages. Go to SBCoA Faculty and click on a name.
| 1. | Genetics, SNP, microRNA: | Estus, Lovell, Nelson |
| 2. | Acute Injuries (stroke, TBI): | Blonder, Jicha, Pettigrew, Scheff, Schmitt, Van Eldik |
| 3. | Emotion: | Blonder, Caban-Holt, Danner, Schmitt |
| 4. | Normal Aging: | Caban-Holt, Head, Jicha, Nelson, Norris, Scheff, Schmitt |
| 5. | Neuropathology: | Head, Nelson, Scheff |
| 6. | Amyloid structure/function: | Butterfield, Head, LeVine, Murphy |
| 7. | Tau Disorders: | Gold, Jicha, Lovell, Nelson, Schmitt |
| 8. | Neuroinflammation: | Norris, Van Eldik, Wilcock |
| 9. | Oxidative Stress: | Butterfield, LeVine, Lovell, Murphy, Van Eldik |
| 10. | Vascular: | Jicha, Lovell, Nelson, Schmitt, Wilcock |
| 11. | Synapse, Neuron Function: | Norris, Ryou, Scheff |
| 12. | Prevention: | Butterfield, Caban-Holt, Jicha, Lovell, Schmitt, Wilcock |
| 13. | Biomarkers (imaging, CSF): | Gold, Head, Jiang, LeVine, Lovell, Smith, Van Eldik |
| 14. | Therapeutics: | Head, LeVine, Van Eldik |
| 15. | Clinical Trials: | Cooper, Jicha |
| 16. | Outreach, special populations: | Danner, Head, Jicha, Schmitt, Smith |
Multi-Investigator Studies/Grants
UK-Alzheimer’s Disease Center
(1 P30 AG028383) Linda J. Van Eldik, Ph.D., PI
The UK-ADC serves as the focal point for all AD-related activities at UK by providing an environment and core resources to catalyze research, outreach, education and clinical programs. The major goal of this project is to build on the existing broad-based AD program to gain an understanding of pathogenic mechanisms in AD with the eventual goal of prevention and treatment of the disease.
The UK-ADC operates the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Clinic, the Minority Gateway Satellite Clinic, and the Telemedicine Cognitive Clinic to diagnose and care for individuals with cognitive problems. Approximately 80,000 Kentuckians and more than 5 million people nationally have AD.
Beta Amyloid and Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer's Disease
Program Project Grant (PPG)
(P01 AG05119-22) Linda J. Van Eldik, Ph.D., PI
Our PPG has been in existence for 22 years. It has four projects and three cores working in a cohesive fashion to test the hypothesis that oxidative insults play a central role in the pathogenesis of AD.
| Cores and Projects | PI |
|---|---|
| Core A: Administrative | Linda Van Eldik |
| Core B: Beta Amyloid | M. Paul Murphy |
| Core C: Animal Core | Daret St. Clair |
| Project 1: Beta Amyloid-Induced RNA oxidation as a mediator of AD Pathogenesis | Mark Lovell |
| Project 2: Brain protein oxidation in AD, MCI, and PCAD: Roles of AB and PIN1 | D. Allan Butterfield |
| Project 3: AB and rage interactions in Alzheimer's Disease | Harry LeVine |
| Project 4: AB and NADPH oxidase in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's Disease | Annadora Bruce-Keller |
Stroke Program
L. Creed Pettigrew, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Commonwealth Center of Excellence in Stroke
Current research includes clinical trials of experimental stroke therapy, preclinical studies of factors affecting blood flow to the brain, research on the relationship of stroke to Alzheimer's disease and cognitive change, and studies of the effects of right and left hemisphere stroke on language, communication, and marital interaction.
Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease by Vitamin E and Selenium
(5R01-AG192341-02) PI: Frederick A. Schmitt, Ph.D.
A prevention trial for the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease by use of Vitamin E or selenium, alone or in combination.
Aging Of Frontal Structure & Function in Down Syndrome and Dementia
(1R01HD064993) Co-PIs: Elizabeth Head, Ph.D. & Frederick A. Schmitt, Ph.D.
The study will identify new ways in which to detect AD in adults with Down syndrome (DS) by monitoring changes in cognitive function, measuring brain changes by magnetic resonance imaging and profiling patterns of proteins in the plasma. In parallel, autopsy studies of brain samples will help us to understand how noninvasive cognitive, imaging and blood measures reflect the development of AD in DS. Treatments for AD in DS will be more effective if the disease is detected early and identifying biomarkers will greatly facilitate the development of therapeutics. Link to NIH abstract.