Pilot and Exploratory Core PESC

PESC摘要/总结 试点和探索性研究核心（PESC）将促进新思想和方法的发展， 通过精确老年学改善和维持老年人的独立功能。使用严格 制定申请和甄选流程，以最大限度地增加追求Precision的调查人员的渠道 老年学，PESC将选择多达3个试点和探索性研究（PES）每年的奖项。选择 申请要求（RFA）中规定的标准将包括可能导致更大的高影响力 项目，参与胡椒核心，并响应康州大学胡椒中心的重点是精度 老年学PESC资助的项目可以包括一系列的研究设计，从基本的实验台和人类主题 研究人口科学。PESC寻求在第一年为三个（PES）项目提供资金，每个项目都强调加强 理解老化的异质性和/或改善老化的靶向。PES 1，冷漠：早期 老年抑郁症患者的虚弱和残疾表现？，将检验假设， 老年抑郁症患者和老年抑郁症患者的功能表现和血液生物标志物的差异 没有冷漠。这项研究的结果将加强对冷漠背后的病理生理学的理解， 可能有助于确定老年抑郁症患者的治疗目标。PES 2，基于Web的多组件行为 干预措施，以改善非裔美国老年人的身体功能和其他健康结果， COVID-19时代，将开发，实施和评估多成分，文化定制的教育 为非洲人重新参与和促进体育活动、充足营养和最佳心理健康的干预措施 美国老年人PES 3，老龄化队列中脆弱性的异质性（HVAC）：一个新的资源， 早期生物标志物的发现和验证，旨在为初级教师提供：（1）准备IRB的经验 方案，招募人类受试者，并评估脆弱性;以及（2）生成可以 用于开发生物标志物发现和未来NIH拨款申请的平台。这些目标将是 使用与特定类型相关的明确定义的老年临床表型队列完成 脆弱或脆弱。每个生态系统服务费用支付系统的成功评估将包括生成初步数据， 外部NIH拨款申请和通过演讲和手稿传播知识。整体 PESC核心的成功将根据对RFA的响应性和同行评审的数量进行评估 手稿、提交的申请和PESC资助的研究产生的外部资金。

PESC ABSTRACT/SUMMARY The Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core (PESC) will promote the development of novel ideas and approaches to improving and sustaining independent function in older persons through Precision Gerontology. Using a rigorous application and selection process developed to maximize the pipeline of investigators pursuing Precision Gerontology, the PESC will select up to 3 pilot and exploratory studies (PES) each year of the award. Selection criteria specified in the Request for Applications (RFA) will include the potential to lead to larger high-impact projects, involvement of Pepper Cores, and responsiveness to the UConn Pepper Center focus on Precision Gerontology. PESC-funded projects can include a range of study designs from basic bench and human subject research to population science. The PESC seeks to fund three(PES) in Year 1 that each emphasize enhanced understanding of heterogeneity with aging and/or improved targeting in aging. PES1, Apathy: An Early Manifestation of Frailty and Disability in Older Adults with Depression?, will test the hypotheses that there will be differences in functional performance and blood-based biomarkers between older depressed adults with and without apathy. The results of this study will enhance understanding the pathophysiology underlying apathy and may help identify treatment targets in older depressed adults. PES2, Multicomponent web-based behavioral intervention to improve physical function and other health outcomes among African American older adults in the COVID-19 era, will develop, implement, and evaluate a multicomponent, culturally-tailored educational intervention to reengage and promote physical activity, adequate nutrition, and optimal mental health for African American older adults. PES3, The Heterogeneity of Vulnerabilities in Aging Cohort (HVAC): A new resource for early biomarker discovery and validation, seeks to provide junior faculty with: (1) experience in preparing an IRB protocol, recruiting human subjects, and assessing frailty; and (2) the opportunity to generate data that can be used to develop a platform for biomarker discovery and for future NIH grant applications. These goals will be accomplished using a cohort of well-defined geriatric clinical phenotypes that are associated with particular types of vulnerability or frailty. Metrics of success for each PES will include generation of preliminary data to support external NIH grant applications and dissemination of knowledge via presentations and manuscripts. Overall success of the PESC Core will be assessed in terms of responsiveness to the RFA and number of peer-reviewed manuscripts, submitted applications, and external funding generated from PESC-funded studies.