To improve the quality of life for older adults through translational research and education of health professionals and the public.
Ongoing and Future Initiatives:
To build a competitive Alzheimer’s Disease Program at MUSC. The Center on Aging continues to support the Alzheimer's disease program at MUSC, with support to faculty, students, and clinical practive and data bases. A proposal will be developed in the next 6 months to develop a full fledged incorporated Center for memory disorders and Alzheimer's disease at MUSC, with offices and patient services localized close to the campus, and with the development of a state of the art brain bank at MUSC. Our future aim is to become competitive for program grants on Alzheimer's disease at NIA, both in terms of basic science and clinical research projects. In order to do that, we have realized the importance of developing a neuropathology core here at MUSC.
To develop and submit a pre- and post-graduate program on biology of aging and age-related disease at MUSC. As part of the strategic plan for Healthy Aging at MUSC (see www.musc.edu/strategic planning), one of the major goals was to build a better research program on healthy aging and age-related disease at MUSC. One of the corner stones for such a development is without a doubt a graduate training program. We now have the critical mass of faculty interested in Aging related topics here at MUSC. Therefore, this is one of the most important future projects in our Center
To work with the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine to implement the clinical aspects of geriatric education for all health professional students. In the summer of 2005, Dr. William Moran joined us from Wake Forest University, to become the Division Chief for General Medicine and Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Moran is a recognized authority in the field of geriatrics research and has added an important program here at MUSC, both regarding research and education. It is our hopes that we will now be able to develop a comprehensive training program for all health professionals here at MUSC together with Dr. Moran
To develop and implement senior mentor programs for the other colleges. The Center on Aging has already worked with the College of Health Professions to develop their senior mentor program, and will continue to develop further programs at all colleges eventually.
To develop a junior faculty pilot grant program at MUSC in aging. Together with the South east chapter of AFAR, we will develop a junior faculty pilot grant program, which will be implemented in the fall of 2006. It is estimated that the income from our book project (The Circle, see above) will be used to generate pilot grant funds to be handed out to 2-4 recipients per year.
Develop a state-wide Center on Aging in South Carolina. The Center on Aging meets with the USC Geriatrics Group (Dr. Paul Eleazer) in the end of June, 2006, to discuss a state-wide center on Aging. The basis for this project is a Lottery Proposal from USC entitled "The South Carolina Center for Older Adult Independence" which was submitted to the Lottery board in 2005. This unique center combines medicinal, public health, social work, and engineering resources to address the needs of older adults with a focus on promoting independence. Center Goals: To develop new methods and technologies to foster independence for older adults. The deans for both schools will be present at the meeting to discuss the possibility of developing this initiative into a statewide effort.
Grants and Awards
Aging Research Day The CoA has organized 3 Aging Research Days to date, with the last conference held April 7, 2006, on the USS Yorktown. These events have been completely funded (Predix Pharmaceuticals, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Nikon, Clear Mountain Water, Bank of America, Harris Teeter, MUSC Printing Services and Bamboo Spa Salon) and have grown each year, this year to encompass more than 50 abstracts and 10 speakers on clinical, social, and basic science aspects of aging.
Seminar Series on Aging We have invited over 20 prominent scientists over the last 3 years, who are experts in the field of aging and age-related disease. Made possible by a private donation from Dr. R. Marks
Senior Mentor Program Grant from Duke Foundation, $410,000, Dr. Bachman is PI, funded December 2004. This program was launched in January 2006 for all first year medical students.
Program Project Grant This collaborative work between 4 different departments at MUSC was made possible by the administrative funds provided by the Center on Aging and was funded in September of 2005 for 5 years.
Alzheimer’s Disease Educational Outreach for African Americans Bachman/Forti received a gift from Janssen to provide training on Alzheimer's disease to more than 800 African Americans in South Carolina in 2004.
Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver/Provider Educational and Resource Needs Assessment Planning Grant (Forti/Bergmann) grant from the Fullerton Foundation
Parkinson’s Disease Primer (Bergman, Hinson/Forti) grant funded by the Fullerton Foundation
Recruitment of Dr. Mark Kindy (1/2 recruitment costs paid for by Center on Aging), who is the director for the Neuroscience Institute and works on stroke and Alzheimer models.
Recruitment of Dr. Kumar Sambamurti who plays a crucial role in the Alzheimer Program.
Fundraising in the field of Aging and Neurosciences (> 5million, Bordeau). This was made possible by funds from the Center on Aging and from the Neuroscience Institute. The building at 26 Bee St. has played a major role in hosting luncheons and other fundraising events for both of these Centers.
Lottery Proposal on Movement Disorders (2002, Kindy, funded)
Lottery Proposal on Memory Therapeutics (2004 Booze USC, Granholm MUSC, submitted but not funded)
Glaxo Research $250,000 was gifted to the Center on Aging Alzheimer Program in 2004 for implementation of the clinical core of an Alzheimer Research Center.
Grant from Predix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2004-2005; $240,000 including full indirect cost recovery of 46% for collaborative studies with the company). Please note that this type of company based grant is very difficult to obtain in a traditional department as we can project our work in the context of its relevance to age related diseases. This grant was made possible by collaboration between Dr. Mintzer in the Alzheimer Program and Dr. Granholm and Dr. Sambamurti in Dept. of Neurosciences.
Grant from Axonyx Corporation (2004-2006, $562,000 including full indirect cost recovery of 46%) Please note that this type of company based grant is very difficult to obtain in a traditional department as we can project our work in the context of its relevance to age related diseases.
The Dr. Richard Marks Education grant: Dr. Marks is a retired faculty member from MUSC and an active participant in our Center on Aging activities. In 2005, he gifted the Center with a grant to hire a full-time education coordinator, Deronda Corbin. Further, he also serves as a Senior Mentor for two medical students in our education program. We are grateful to Dr. Marks for these extraordinary contributions to our Center.
The Circle: Sally Smith is an author and local artist in Charleston, who has become well known for her artwork and wonderful children's books. She is very active in the support group for Alzheimer's disease, as her mother was diagnosed with this disease a few years ago. In the spring of 2005, Sally approached the Center on Aging with the gift of a wonderful manuscript about her mother. This manuscript has now been developed into a novel and resource book, which is sold through the Center on Aging. Initially, we had three book signing parties in May of 2006 and sold more than 100 books. The income from this book will be used entirely for research on neurodegenerative disease.
Bridge Grant: The Center on Aging received a bridge grant in 2005 from Dean Jerry Reves, College of Medicine for pilot studies leading to the Program project Grant.
Collaborations
Between different departments, College of Medicine:
Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Research Program (IWHR, PI Brady, Co-PI
Granholm, submitted in 2005) made possible because of collaboration between
the Women's Center in Psychiatry and Center on Aging.
The Program Project Grant on Dopamine (PI Granholm, Co-PI Middaugh) has initiated collaboration between faculty working on drugs of abuse (Psychiatry and Neurosciences) and those working on aging (Ophthalmology and Neuroscience). This is unique in the country and will hopefully lead to powerful insights into the long-term effects of drug abuse during the teenage years.
Inter-College:
Movement Analysis lab: A collaboration has been initiated with the Movement
Analysis Lab lead by Dr. Jim Krause at CHP. The collaboration will lead to
mentorship (Dr. Granholm will serve as a co-mentor for Dr. Tasos Karakostas
in the Dept. Rehabilitation Sciences) and hopefully development of a novel
analysis instrument for movement analysis in animal models of neurodegenerative
disease. Dr. Karakostas received a pilot grant for junior faculty from the
Center on Aging to initiate the development of animal models for movement disorders.
South Carolina Geriatric Education Center : Since its inception, the SC-GEC has trained over 8,000 individuals in gerontology and geriatrics. The Center on Aging has provided housing at no cost for the SC-GEC (which was originated in CHP and is directed by Dr. Esther Forti. There are only 43 of these centers around the country, and SC-GEC provides valuable training and outreach in geriatrics and gerontology to faculty, students, health care providers, and communities statewide with 203 partners.
SC Alzheimer Disease Program: This program, which was initiated in 2001 and is lead by Dr. Jacobo Mintzer, is truly an interdisciplinary program with faculty from CHP, Nursing, Medicine, and Graduate studies participating. Collectively, this has lead to unique collaborative teams between Biometry, Rehabilitation, Psychiatry, and Neurosciences. We brought in a nationally renowned consultant, Dr. Zaven Katchaturian, as well as many internationally known scientists to set up the program. To date, the program has collected tissues and cognitive data from more than 100 patients, and has a functional database, which has rendered interesting data about Alzheimer's disease in our state. This is much thanks to the resources provided by Dr. Mintzer's and Dr. Bachman's group, but also to resources provided by the Center on Aging.
Movement Disorders Program: Lead by Dr. Ken Bergmann, Dr. Vanessa Hinson, Dr. Istvan Takacs, a successful clinical program on movement disorders was implemented at MUSC. There is a close collaboration between the movement disorders program (which has provided pilot funds and mentoring to young faculty and graduate students) and the Center on Aging.
With USC:
USC Division of Geriatrics: During 2004, Center on Aging formalized
its relationship with the Geriatrics Group at USC-Palmetto Health. Dr. Granholm
is now a joint
faculty member at Department of Medicine, USC, and Dr. Paul Eleazer (director
for the Geriatrics Division at USC) is a joint faculty member in our Department
of Medicine. Further, this collaboration led to a successful Duke Foundation
Grant to implement the senior mentor program at MUSC. Since October of 2004,
we have paid salary (10% effort) to Dr. Ellen Roberts who is in charge of the
Senior Mentor program at USC. She is working with Dr. Amy Blue and Dr. Jeff
Wong as well as the education coordinator at Center on Aging, Deronda Corbin,
on implementing the program at MUSC. Meetings are scheduled monthly between
the two programs, and are conducted by TV-conferencing housed in the Center
on Aging conference room. Joint MUSC/USC education retreats are held annually
to foster this program and coordinate education efforts on geriatrics and gerontology
between the two schools. The next retreat is planned for August 2006. All the
coordination for this project is handled by the Center on Aging.
USC School of Public Health: Collaboration has been initiated between the Center on Aging and the Alzheimer Disease Registry at USC. Our first collaborative meeting took place in March of 2005, and is scheduled to occur every 3 months, to implement grant applications between the Alzheimer Disease Registry and our Alzheimer Program.
Aging Research Day: Is organized so that every other year it is held in Columbia, hosted by USC, and on alternate years it will be hosted by MUSC Center on Aging. Three conferences have been held to date and these continue to grow and foster aging research at the two schools.
With Clemson:
South Carolina Nutrition Research Consortium: Faculty members in the
Center on Aging have initiated collaboration with a nutrition group (PI Vivian
Haley-Zitlin)
that has lead to a pilot grant, which was funded by the South Carolina Nutrition
Research Consortium. The collaboration is between the Department of Pediatric
Endocrinology and the Department of Neurosciences at MUSC and the Nutrition
Research Center at Clemson, and was made possible by connections made at the
Aging Research Day last year.
Collaborative Consortium: A collaborative consortium has been developed in June 2006 (MUSC/USC/Clemson/Greeneville Hospital/Health Sciences of SC) to develop a statewide Aging Organization.
With Other Institutions:
Southeast chapter of AFAR: In 2004, the Southeast chapter of the American Federation of Aging Research was formed, initiated by Dr. Joe Ouslander at Emory. MUSC Center on Aging was asked to participate and we have so far participated in three rounds of Junior Faculty grant application reviews, as well as written a grant application together with UAB and Emory on medical student summer rotations in Geriatrics. Elaine Amella, Kumar Sambamurti, Lina Obeid, Jerry Kurent, Mark Kindy, David Bachman, and Lotta Granholm serve on the Scientific Committee of the Southeast AFAR chapter.
South Carolina Lt. Governor's Office on Aging: One of the tasks for South Carolina Government currently is to plan for the "invasion" of the "baby-boomer" generation aged individuals in South Carolina. The Center on Aging is participating in this planning process by sending two delegates to the White House Conference on Aging which was held in Myrtle Beach in April of 2005 (Forti and Granholm). Dr. Forti participated as a panelist to discuss Oral Health Policy Research. Thus, we have participated in decision-making at a state level for the future of aging research, education, policy, and service in South Carolina. The director for this office, Nela Gibbons, works closely with the Center on Aging and the SC Geriatric Education Center and was invited as a speaker at one of our monthly seminars, as well as had the honors to open this years' Aging Research Day. We are privileged to be able to participate at the state level in decision-making in terms of elder care, research, policy, and education.
AGHE membership: Center on Aging is an organizational member of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), which is dedicated to development of Geriatric and Gerontology training programs at Universities. Our education coordinator, Deronda Corbin, attended the 2005 annual meeting. The Senior Mentor curriculum will be developed according to AGHE and to AGS (American Geriatrics Society) guidelines and competencies.
South Carolina Center for Gerontology: The South Carolina Center for Gerontology is a consortium of state-supported institutions of higher education that presently includes Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, Lander University, the Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, the University of South Carolina, and Winthrop University. The Center was recommended by the Committees of Health and Medical Education and Academic Affairs of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and approval was granted on November 1, 1984. The general purpose of the Consortium is to use the expertise of gerontology and geriatrics faculty from a variety of academic disciplines to assist in furthering the quality of life for older South Carolinians. Dr. Jerry Kurent, Dr. Esther Forti, and Dr. Lotta Granholm represent MUSC in this group. The SC Center for Gerontology hosts the annual conference on policy, the Summit on Aging (first meeting was November 3, 2004). This was the first statewide Summit on Aging in November 2004 with 150 persons in attendance. Dr Granholm served as an invited Panelist on aging research issues, and will be one of the featured speakers for this year's Summit on Aging (to be held in October of 2006). Dr. Forti served as a planner for the Summit and served as a facilitator for the breakout session on Rural Health and Health Disparities. A White Paper on the Summit was developed with Dr. Forti as first author. This White Paper will be used by the state aging office to develop policy for older South Carolinians. Many of the Center on Aging faculty attended this important networking event. MUSC Center on Aging has sponsored the Summit on Aging for the last 3 years and this support will continue the current year.
With Media: Due to the prestige of having an interdisciplinary center, Center on Aging faculty are constantly asked by the press regarding matters related to aging and age-related disease. Thus, Dr. Granholm's recent presentation on trans-fats and memory has reached journals and magazines in the US, Canada, and Europe.