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Volume 16, No. 2
October 2010
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UAB Advances Critical Research in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
For many prevalent, age-related diseases – such as heart disease and diabetes –
scientists have made significant advances in identifying risk factors, preventive
lifestyle measures, and effective treatments. However, less is known about the specific
causes, risk factors, and prevention of age-related maculopathy (AMD) – the leading
cause of irreversible vision impairment in older adults in the U.S. Also known as
age-related macular degeneration (ARM), this potentially debilitating disease occurs
when the central portion of the eye’s retina, called the macula, deteriorates. “While
research scientists and ophthalmologists are beginning to identify treatments for
the later stages of AMD, we are currently unable to prevent the disease from occurring
or to stop its early progression,” explains Cynthia Owsley, PhD, MSPH, Nathan E.
Miles Chair of Ophthalmology in the UAB School of Medicine. “We know the disease
is caused by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Additional
research is needed to identify the specific markers associated with the onset of
AMD so the disease may be treated earlier – or even prevented.”
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Identifying Risk Factors, Biological
Markers in Healthy Older Adults
To advance research in this important area, the UAB Department of Ophthalmology
at the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital is conducting an innovative clinical research
study to identify characteristics that make older adults more susceptible to developing
AMD. The Alabama Study on Early Age-Related Maculopathy – also called ALSTAR – is
a prospective cohort study that will follow 500 healthy older adults over a minimum
three-year period. The study is jointly funded by the National Institute of Aging
and the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama. Read more...
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Annual Meeting
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The Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday,
October 14 from 10:00 AM until 2:15 PM at the Hill University Center Great Hall.
The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for faculty and guests to hear a prominent
scientist present a keynote address, to listen to oral presentations of junior faculty
pursuing outstanding research in aging, and to network as they view poster presentations.
The poster competitions will start at 10:00 AM. A buffet brunch will be served at 11:00
AM followed by oral presentations starting at noon. Dr. Albert Siu, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Brookdale
Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
will deliver the keynote address, “Can we avoid a taxpayer ‘bailout’ of Medicare?”
Faculty awards for Outstanding Service and Teaching will also be presented.
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In combination with the Annual Meeting, the External Advisory Committee (EAC) will be conducting
its review of the Center of Aging on October 14-15, and will be participating in
this year’s Annual Meeting. The EAC members will describe ongoing research programs
in aging at their respective institutions from Noon until 2:30 PM on Friday, October
15. For the agenda,
click here.
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Conferences & Seminars
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The Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging sponsors a weekly speaker seminar and multiple conferences throughout the year.
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- Scientific Seminar Series
- RCMAR Noon Conference
Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, Location: CH19 Rm 207
“Community Based Research”
Jerry C. Johnson, MD
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Geriatric Medicine Division
Director, Center of Excellence for Diversity in Health Education and Research
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
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Intramural Grants
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The Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging offers pilot grant awards through multiple programs. These
grants provide initial support to junior faculty who want to answer important research
questions that help improve the health of older adults. In the last year, the CCHA
awarded thirteen pilot grants to investigators representing multiple disciplines.
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Deep South Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR)
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The 2010 Deep South RCMAR Advisory Committee Meeting was held April 29th and 30th
in Tuscaloosa, AL. Michele K. Evans, MD, Acting Scientific Director and Chief, Health
Disparities Research Section, National Institute on Aging and the National Institutes
of Health presented a lecture, entitled, “An Urban Study of Health, Race, and Socioeconomic
Status.” John R. Stone, MD, PhD, Professor, Center for Health Policy and Ethics
at Creighton University Medical Center also presented a lecture entitled, “Health
Disparities, Ethics, and the Elderly: Theory to Practice.” There were also presentations
by RCMAR Pilot and Diversity Supplement Awardees.
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Geriatric Education Center
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The Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded the UAB Geriatric Education
Center (GEC) continued funding for 2010-2015. The UAB GEC will continue to offer its Faculty
Scholars Program (FSP) focusing on training and retraining faculty on the issues
facing healthcare providers when caring for the complex older adult and will offer
an expanded Interprofessional Geriatric Education Conference. In addition to the
FSP and conference, new programs will include an Evidence-Based Practice intervention
focusing on Pain Management and an Interprofessional Clinical Experience for students
in healthcare disciplines.
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The 2nd Annual Interprofessional Geriatric Education Conference (iGEC) hosted by
the UAB Geriatric Education Center will be held January 20 & 21, 2010 at the Hill
University Center located at 1400 University Blvd in Birmingham. This two-day event
will offer over 32 educational sessions focusing on the issues of Caring for the
Complex Older Adult. The iGEC will also feature a poster session open to students,
faculty and community practitioners. To register for the event or for more information
please contact Channing R. Ford at cford@aging.uab.edu.
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Gerontology Education Program
Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging Research in Aging Scholarships
Three UAB students have been awarded the 2010-2011 Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging Research in
Aging Scholarships. The Scholarship program is sponsored by the Gerontology Education
Program to encourage research in an aspect of the aging process or a major biological,
clinical, behavioral, social science, or health policy problem which jeopardizes
the health and well-being of a significant segment of the elderly population. Awards
are $2000 each.
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- Amy C. Ellis (Nutrition Sciences)
completed her MPH at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and is currently
pursuing a PhD in Nutritional Sciences. Dr. Barbara Gower will be her mentor for
this research project, “Amino Acid Supplements to Improve Endothelial Function in
Senior Adults.”
- Pariya L. Fazeli is a graduate of
the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and a doctoral candidate in the Life-Span
Developmental Psychology Program at UAB. Her research, “Computerized Cognitive Testing
Among Older Adults: Exploring the Impact of Prior Computer Attitudes, Anxiety &
Experience on Performance” will be under the mentorship of Karlene K. Ball, PhD.
- Henry Robertson is a PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics,
coming to UAB after completing his MS in biostatistics at the University of Michigan
at Ann Arbor. The title of his research project is “Toward a New Paradigm of Estimating
Longevity.” He is mentored by David Allison, PhD.
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Newsworthy Events
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Rosie Durham, RN, MSN, has received the Marsha Goodwin-Beck Interdisciplinary Award
for Excellence in Geriatrics in recognition of her Excellence in Geriatric Leadership.
The award was established in 2005 to honor Ms. Goodwin-Beck's service in the study
of geriatrics through Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Centers (GRECCs).
This national award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence through
exceptional support for direct patient care providers, for geriatric education and
training, or for geriatric health policy leadership, including support of innovation
enhancing quality of direct geriatric patient care delivery, education, and training.
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Public Policy and Aging Program
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The
Public Policy & Aging Program mirrors the larger mission of the Center
for Aging and engages in interdisciplinary policy-relevant activities in the areas
of research, education, and community service.
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Last year, the Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging sponsored the third annual policy conference entitled,
“Long-Term Care: Challenges and Choices for Older Adults.” Speakers included Pedro
Luis Gozalo, PhD, a health economist and Assistant Professor at Brown University,
Ms. Nora Super, Director, Federal Government Relations, Health and Long-Term Care
at AARP, Meredith Kilgore, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Health
Care Organization and Policy at UAB, State of Alabama Senator, Linda Coleman, MA
and Mr. Mark Tell, former Medicaid Officer of Georgia. The 2011 conference will
focus on health care reform provisions affecting older adults that were included
in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that President Obama signed into
law.
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AgeWell.com
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AgeWell.com is a consumer-friendly
online resource of information and advice dealing with issues facing today’s older
adults. The content is provided by expert gerontologists and geriatricians affiliated
with the Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, and relayed in a way that is easy for the lay population
to understand and digest. AgeWell.com is a useful resource for aging adults, their
caregivers and family members, as well as clinicians and researchers. Some of the
recent articles:
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Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging
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The UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging
is an interdisciplinary community that promotes the health and well-being of older
adults and their families through research, education, community programs and specialized
care.
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Insight on Aging is a publication of the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging. You can
find previous editions of the newsletter and manage your subscription at www.aging.uab.edu/newsletter.
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Phone: 205.934.4399
Copyright © 2010 UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging All rights reserved.
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