RL5: Research Education Core

Summary/Abstract Research Education Component (REC) Program A major research focus of the BU ADRC is to conduct cutting edge research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD related dementias (ADRD), including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with special attention to identifying the differences and similarities between groups, leveraging the BU ADRC's data-rich environment featuring access to world-class cohorts such as the Framingham Heart Study, the DIAGNOSE CTE Study, next-generation digital and biomarker datasets, as well as diverse and inclusive research populations found in the BU ADRC's Hope Study.

The REC will use the unique expertise of the BU ADRC and affiliated faculty to provide advanced research training as it relates to common themes of neurodegeneration in AD/ADRD and related investigative treatments.

The REC program goals are: (1) to maintain 4 postdoctoral/early-career trainees for 2-year terms among 3 different tracks: (a) a basic science track; (b) a clinical science track; and (c) a data management and biostatistics track; (2) to ensure at least half of REC trainees are underrepresented groups and (3) to enable trainees to transition to independence.

The scientific and research training of the REC will be focused on (1) AD, including its pathology, pathophysiology, risk factors, genetics, biomarkers, clinical symptoms, and behavioral manifestations, and (2) common and distinct themes related to neurodegeneration, including how pathology, pathophysiology, risk factors, genetics, biomarkers, clinical symptoms, and behavioral manifestations of AD compare and contrast to other ADRD.

The BU ADRC REC is committed to developing a diverse cohort of independent AD/ADRD researchers from advanced trainees and early-career faculty, savvy in working across rich cohort studies to unlock central mechanisms in the detection and treatment of dementia.

We will achieve this objective, and serve the other Cores in this application, by providing didactic and practical training in essential basic and translational research and clinical fundamentals of AD/ADRD, training in research fundamentals and critical professional skills, with an emphasis on the responsible conduct of research with animal and human subjects, and diverse and vulnerable populations, and high quality, individualized, detailed mentorship to prepare a diverse cohort of trainees for independent investigator status in AD/ADRD research.