Clinical Research Core

WF OAIC临床研究核心（CRC）提供必要的基础设施和研究者资源

The WF OAIC Clinical Research Core (CRC) provides essential infrastructure and investigator resources critical to the successful conduct of clinical research focusing on physical function and disability in older adults. The CRC is well-integrated with the other OAIC Resource Cores (Bioimaging, Integrative Biology, and Biostatistics and Research Information Systems). Working closely with them, the CRC will support Research Education Component (REC)-supported Scholars, OAIC pilot studies, externally-funded studies, and OAIC Research Development Projects related to the WF OAIC research theme: “Integrating pathways affecting physical function for new approaches to disability treatment and prevention.” Under the leadership of Drs. Barbara Nicklas, Jeff Williamson, & Kristen Beavers, the CRC will assist the Leadership and Administrative Core (LAC), the Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core (PESC), and the REC in identifying promising new investigators and programs positioned to help address the mechanisms of physical disability and work to reduce or eliminate age-related dysfunction. The CRC will provide ‘turn-key’ resources critical for successful clinical research studies, including: 1) expertise related to experimental study design and conduct, including selection of appropriate outcome measures; 2) highly efficient and effective participant recruitment; 3) a common assessment battery incorporating key measures important to understanding changing physical function; and 4) assisting early-career investigators with Internal Review Board and other regulatory filings (in collaboration with the PESC and REC). In the present cycle, provision of these key resources has been integral to our timely completion of clinical studies, publication of results, competition for new independently-funded grants, and development of new investigators. In the first year of the next cycle, the CRC will support 19 studies: 2 REC Scholar Projects, 2 Pilot and Exploratory Studies, 1 Development Project, and 14 Externally-funded Projects. The Development Project will be led by the CRC and its goal will be to increase the generalizability of WF OAIC research by enhancing the research participation of older adults with lower socio-economic status. The supported studies cover a broad range of OAIC-themed research, including testing interventions targeting aging-related biologic pathways in humans, optimizing body composition to improve physical function, incorporating CNS-relevant measures and concepts into the physical function and disability pathway, and expanding research conduct and disseminating results across the academic learning healthcare system.