Summary/Abstract Research Education Component (REC) Program A major research focus of the BU ADRC is to conduct cutting edge research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD related dementias (ADRD), including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with special attention to identifying the differences and similarities between groups, leveraging the BU ADRC's data-rich environment featuring access to world-class cohorts such as the Framingham Heart Study, the DIAGNOSE CTE Study, next-generation digital and biomarker datasets, as well as diverse and inclusive research populations found in the BU ADRC's Hope Study. The REC will use the unique expertise of the BU ADRC and affiliated faculty to provide advanced research training as it relates to common themes of neurodegeneration in AD/ADRD and related investigative treatments. The REC program goals are: (1) to maintain 4 postdoctoral/early-career trainees for 2-year terms among 3 different tracks: (a) a basic science track; (b) a clinical science track; and (c) a data management and biostatistics track; (2) to ensure at least half of REC trainees are underrepresented groups and (3) to enable trainees to transition to independence. The scientific and research training of the REC will be focused on (1) AD, including its pathology, pathophysiology, risk factors, genetics, biomarkers, clinical symptoms, and behavioral manifestations, and (2) common and distinct themes related to neurodegeneration, including how pathology, pathophysiology, risk factors, genetics, biomarkers, clinical symptoms, and behavioral manifestations of AD compare and contrast to other ADRD. The BU ADRC REC is committed to developing a diverse cohort of independent AD/ADRD researchers from advanced trainees and early-career faculty, savvy in working across rich cohort studies to unlock central mechanisms in the detection and treatment of dementia. We will achieve this objective, and serve the other Cores in this application, by providing didactic and practical training in essential basic and translational research and clinical fundamentals of AD/ADRD, training in research fundamentals and critical professional skills, with an emphasis on the responsible conduct of research with animal and human subjects, and diverse and vulnerable populations, and high quality, individualized, detailed mentorship to prepare a diverse cohort of trainees for independent investigator status in AD/ADRD research.
The Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement (ORE) Core of Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) will pursue three main aims: (1) to outreach to, engage with, and inform Boston communities regarding Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD related disorders (ADRD) through traditional and novel initiatives, (2) to facilitate the recruitment and retention of participants in the ADRC Clinical Core (CC) cohort, research registry, and affiliated research projects, and (3) to collaborate with the Research Education Component (REC) in developing innovative print materials, courses, workshops, and programs for healthcare professionals, REC and other trainees, and the public that will lead to new participant referrals to our center, enhance expert and lay knowledge of AD/ADRD, and can be used in other ADRCs. By providing participants who can participate in the CC cohort and ADRC affiliated studies, the ORE core facilitates National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) milestones related to Translational & Clinical Research; and Biomarkers & Diagnosis. The ORE core also ensures adequate numbers of Black participants enroll in our CC cohort and affiliated local and national studies, addressing NAPA milestone, Population Studies, Precision Medicine & Health Disparities. The ORE Core team will continue to collaborate with our Data Management and Statistics (DMS) core to characterize and track participants, and help the Clinical, Genetic, Biomarker, and Neuropathology cores by creating materials to explain research procedures including lumbar punctures, PET scans, genetic tests, and brain donation. To achieve NAPA goals, Expand Supports for People with AD and Their Families, and Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement, the ORE core partners with local organizations including our BU ADRC Community Action Council, the Massachusetts ADRC, the Alzheimer's Association of MA/NH, the Boston VA, the Bedford VA, the Concussion Legacy Foundation, the City of Boston, and other groups. To enroll participants, we will use innovative programs: recruitment coordinators as Navigators; aiding recruitment while educating with Student Ambassadors; educating, retaining, and guiding participants into research with our AgeWISE program; educating and recruiting participants with our 7 Steps Talks; and our books. Additional outreach, recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies include our key partnerships, website, social media, brochures, newsletters, talks, memory screenings, clinic recruitment, seminars, participation at community events, “Thank You” retention brunch, and disclosure of genetic and biomarker information. Referrals to our center are generated by our ADRC Lecture Series and other professional education talks, CTE Conference, as well as relevant research and review papers. We will work with the DMS core to evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment efforts and alter our efforts accordingly.
