Program to enrich translation and multimodal research in Alzheimers disease and related dementias

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Abstract This is the resubmission of a T32 training grant application entitled “Program to enrich translation and multimodal research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (PET&MR in ADRD)”. The main goal is to provide a rich 2-year postdoctoral training experience in multimodal neuroimaging that focuses on: [1] the biology of aging and neurodegeneration; [2] data sciences, computational biology, statistics, mathematics, engineering, biophysics; and [3] drug discovery and drug development disciplines. The rationale behind this T32 program is multi-faceted. First, it is essential to provide trainees with the tools to leverage strengths of existing technologies, advance development of emerging technologies, and identify innovative paths for advancing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapy development. The significance of this training is underscored by many past AD trial failures and renewed promise offered by a few recent trials. Second, neuroimaging has expanded our knowledge of age- and disease-related brain changes in living humans and proven to be a useful tool in the discovery and development of new drugs. Neuroimaging measures are often considered as eligibility criteria in trial study designs and for interim assessment of drug performance. Third, PET and MRI in AD and AD-related dementias ensures training in multidisciplinary team science. This T32 will support 4 postdoctoral training slots to be filled by PhD, MD, and/or MD/PhD applicants. There will be 20 senior faculty and 7 junior faculty, largely affiliated with the MGH Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The Directors of both centers are T32 faculty. These centers strongly support diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to recruit women and underrepresented minorities (URM) into 3 of the 4 slots to help address the need for a diverse workforce and URM participation in AD-related research. Training includes the responsible conduct of research and ethics and career development. Each trainee will be matched with a primary mentor, secondary mentor, and a junior faculty mentor. This will help to ensure strong mentorship in primary and secondary focus areas and facilitate team building and feedback. All trainees will serve as mentors in summer training programs. Evaluation of the T32 program will include an annual External Advisory Committee meeting review (all members external to Harvard Medical School), biannual Internal Steering Committee meetings; and quarterly trainee evaluations. The trainees will gain experience in rigorous research practices, diverse team science, and mentoring and will be well positioned to pursue independent funding in AD-related research at the end of the T32 training period.