Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

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ABSTRACT – OVERALL Four years ago the Michigan ADRC (MADRC) was established as a new consortium linking the three major research universities in Michigan: University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University. Serving the entire state of Michigan, the new MADRC achieved its milestones in wide-ranging activities and research that emphasized a central theme: to identify, understand and treat the myriad non-β- amyloid contributions to brain dysfunction and degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). With continued NIA support, the MADRC proposes to maintain this central theme because it captures the diverse expertise of our dementia scientists, sheds light on ADRD heterogeneity, and reflects the experience of the racially diverse pool of research participants engaged in MADRC-sponsored studies. To achieve its objectives, the MADRC has four major aims: 1) Catalyze and perform research of the highest impact in ADRD; 2) Promote regional efforts to understand, diagnose and treat the full spectrum of dementias through collaborative scientific and outreach efforts; 3) Provide training and research opportunities for health care professionals, scientists, and students in ADRD through innovative educational and mentoring programs; and 4) Collaborate with other ADRCs, the NACC, NCRAD, and other multi-center efforts to lead the field in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for these devastating diseases. The integrated efforts of seven Cores, including new Neuroimaging and Biomarker cores, will support a wide range of basic, clinical, translational and health disparities research advancing the field toward: improved understanding of disease mechanisms; more precise disease identification across the dementia spectrum; development of novel biomarkers; increased knowledge of the basis for health disparities that disproportionately affect Black Americans; development of non-pharmacological therapies; and the identification and modification of disease risks. The Research Education Component (REC) will serve as the centerpiece of innovative training opportunities spanning all the Cores, and a new Leaders Initiative will support and promote a diverse group of next-generation leaders in dementia research. Benefitting from the outstanding resources of all three universities and strong multi-institutional support, the MADRC is poised to make new discoveries, educate the public, and train next-generation leaders as we seek to achieve the milestones set forth in the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.