The Department of Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center serves as a rich site for multidisciplinary neurological research, with particular focus on the aging nervous system and Alzheimer?s disease and Related Dementias (AD and ADRD). This proposal seeks to continue funding for positions for 20 preclinical students participating in the Brief Research in Aging and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences (BRAIN) program each summer. For the BRAIN program, we have developed a comprehensive approach to develop a formal research program for predoctoral students early in developing careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research. The work is collaboratively approached through brief but intensive mentored summer research training experiences for these students. The research training provides opportunities in basic, behavioral and clinical research through ongoing research in the fields of basic neuroscience, neuropathology, neurogenetics, neuropsychology, epidemiology, and clinical trials, with a focus on Alzheimer?s disease and Related Dementias, aging-related motor neuron disease, stroke, and epilepsy, as well as neurologic clinical trials treating patients with these disorders. Methods for inclusion of biological and cognitive markers of neurological disease progression, such as cerebral amyloid and tau, structural brain imaging, as well as assessment of memory, executive function, and other cognitive domains are embedded within the training curriculum. In addition, a comprehensive structured research education curriculum is delivered over the course of the intense research experience, with topics including good clinical practice, basic research methodologies, introductions to abstract authorship and poster presentations, and introduction of statistical concepts and approach to analyses, as well as epidemiologic and pathophysiologic reviews of the most common neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer?s disease. Our institution has the strongest track record of developing academic neurologists of anywhere worldwide, and this short-term, intense program builds upon this wealth of resources through hands-on introductions to neurological research, comprehensive review of principles of research, and thus assures the best opportunity for these students to develop research careers in the field of disorders of the aging nervous system including Alzheimer?s disease.

Public Health Relevance

The Brief Research in Interdisciplinary Neurosciences (BRAIN) program offers a rich summer research opportunity at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University for predoctoral candidates interested in research in the field of aging, particularly among neurologic disorders including neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer disease and related disorders, movement disorders, and motor neuron diseases. This program provides an ideal environment for dozens of students to pursue careers in research studying diseases often without cure or even effective treatments, and thus pose a significant public health burden. As such, efforts to enhance research in these fields could lead to significant discoveries to decrease the social and economic costs of illness associated with these disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
NRSA Short -Term Research Training (T35)
Project #
5T35AG044303-08
Application #
9940980
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAG1)
Program Officer
Wagster, Molly V
Project Start
2013-05-01
Project End
2023-04-30
Budget Start
2020-05-01
Budget End
2021-04-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
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