February 2008 Director's Status Report

• Budget and Appropriations
• Legislative Update
• Staff Changes
• Institute-Sponsored Meetings, Workshops, and Conferences
• General Information/Staff Awards
• Relevant Notices and Initiatives Published in the NIH Guide
  

BUDGET and APPROPRIATIONS

Status of FY 2007, 2008, and 2009 Budgets for NIA

FY 2007
In FY 2007, the NIA obligated $1,045,468,000 in appropriated money and ended the year with virtually no lapsed funds. The FY 2007 appropriation included all NIH roadmap funds in the NIH Office of the Director. As a result of the NIH Director’s one-percent transfer authority, $1,792,000 was transferred from NIA for the Genes and Environment Initiative. NIA awarded 1,545 research project grants (RPGs), including 472 competing awards. The FY 2007 success rate for the Institute was 22.1 percent which compares to 17.4 percent in FY 2006 and 18.8 percent in FY 2005.

Support levels for other key extramural funding mechanisms included 74 research centers for $83.6 million; 564 full-time training positions for $23.8 million; and a total of $67.0 million for research and development contracts.

FY 2008
After a series of four continuing resolutions, the President signed H.R. 2764 on December 26th. For the NIH, the Omnibus Appropriations Act includes $29.3 billion, or 1.1% above the FY 2007 level and +2.1% above the President’s budget request. The Bill includes $295 million within NIH for the Global AIDS Fund (+$196 million above FY 2007), and also includes $111 million for the National Children’s Study. Excluding the Global AIDS Fund increase, NIH spending increases by +$132 million (+0.45%) over FY 2007 levels. NIH funding policy for Research Project Grants, Research Centers, and Other Research Grants will allow a 1.0% inflationary increase for noncompeting awards in lieu of the full committed level of 3%. For NRSA institutional and individual training awards, no increases for stipends or training related expenses are provided.

For NIA, the House provided $1,047.3 million, approximately the same level as provided in FY 2007 after comparable adjustments. While the President’s request included a portion of the NIH Roadmap funds in each IC’s budget (1.3 % of each IC’s total budget), the final appropriation included all NIH Roadmap support in the NIH OD.

FY 2009

The NIH recently received an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) “pass-back” for FY 2009. This will become the FY 2009 President’s budget request, and will reflect the Administration’s requested amounts for the individual NIH Institutes and Centers. This budget will be submitted to the Congress in early February 2008 and subsequently it will become available to the public.

(A revised Budget Mechanism table will be distributed at the Council meeting.)

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

1. Significant Legislative/Executive Action
   
   
   1. FY 2008 Appropriations for NIH/NIA – On December 26, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (H.R. 2764, the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008) into law. This omnibus appropriations bill funds federal agencies through September 20, 2008. For the NIH, the Omnibus Appropriations Act includes $29.3 billion, or 1.1% above the FY 2007 level and +2.1% above the President’s budget request (see Budget section for more details). H.R. 2764 includes a provision that requires NIH to make the results of all studies funded by the agency available to the public at no cost. Under the provision, researchers who receive grants from NIH would have to submit a final copy of studies accepted for publication in a scientific journal. NIH would post the results of the studies in a database available to the public at no cost within 12 months after publication. NIH Public Access has been voluntary since May 2005 and will be implemented as a mandatory policy in 2008.
      
      
   2. Public Law 110-85 – On September 20, the Senate passed by unanimous consent H.R. 3580, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. H.R. 3580, signed into P.L. 110-85 on September 27, focuses primarily on reauthorization of the FDA and contains sections regarding user fees and drug safety monitoring procedures. The law also contains the following provisions of interest to NIH: (1) Title III would require NIH to expand research on pediatric medical devices; (2) Title V would reauthorize the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act; (3) Title VIII would expand the Clinicaltrials.gov registry to include mandatory reporting of certain drug and device clinical trials; and (4) Title XI would make technical changes to Title IV of the PHS Act, where NIH statutory authorities are located. Provisions of this law will be implemented gradually, with some becoming effective as early as December 26, 2007.
      
      Effective September 27, 2008, responsible parties will be required to report basic results of clinical trials in ClinicalTrials.gov within 12 months of trial completion, or within 30 days of FDA approval of a new drug or device. Adverse events reporting will not start until March 2009, and expanded registry and results reporting will not be required until September 27, 2010.
      
      
   3. S. 898 – On July 25, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) (Senator Edward Kennedy [D-MA], Chair) reported out by unanimous consent S. 898, the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2007. S. 898 would increase the authorization level for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research, and require the Director of the NIA to make supporting AD research a priority for the Institute. In addition, the bill would require an expansion of clinical research on AD with a focus on (1) early diagnosis and detection, (2) the relationship of vascular disease and AD, and (3) expediting the translation of research findings into effective treatments and prevention strategies. S. 898 would require the Secretary, HHS, within 3 years of enactment of the legislation and every 3 years thereafter, to convene a summit on AD for the purpose of providing a detailed overview of current research activities at the NIH, as well as to discuss and solicit input to potential areas of collaboration between the NIH and other Federal agencies related to research, prevention, and treatment of AD. House Energy and Commerce Committee action is still pending.
      
      
2. Committee/Subcommittee Action - Congressional Hearings
   
   
   1. On October 24, at the request of Jacob Parker, staff to Representative Tom Latham (R-IA), Dr. Molly Wagster, Chief, Neuropsychology of Aging Branch, Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program, NIA, appeared on an Iowa-based cable show hosted by the Congressman. The show focused on Healthy Brain and Cognitive Aging Research.
      
   2. On September 28, Representative Stevan Pearce (R-NM) visited NIH to hear updates on several areas of research. Dr. Laurie Ryan, Program Director for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) Clinical Trials, Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program, presented the update on NIA AD research.

(For information, contact Dr. Tamara Jones, NIA/OD, Ph: 401-451-8835)

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STAFF CHANGES

Dr. Judy Salerno left government service in January 2008 after six years as Deputy Director of NIA. She has accepted a position as Executive Director of the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences. Upon leaving NIA, she praised the staff and the Institute’s sense of mission and commitment to excellence.

Dr. J. Taylor Harden, Assistant to the Director for Special Populations, was appointed as NIA Acting Deputy Director, effective January 7, 2008. Dr. Harden has ably led the NIA’s efforts on minority health and health disparities since 1997 and has directed the development and, currently, the implementation of NIA’s Health Disparities Strategic Plan. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the 2005 GSA Task Force on Minority Issues Outstanding Mentorship Award and the NIH Director’s Award for her work on the Strategic Plan, and she serves as an advisor to multiple organizations on topics including geriatric nursing and diversity. Dr. Harden earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas in nursing and was a tenured associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio prior to joining the NIH in 1994. Additionally, she is known to NIA staff for her leadership of NIA’s Minority Task Force, the NIA Summer Institute, and regional meetings and workshops.

Dr. Jonathan King joined the Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) Program as a Health Scientist Administrator in the Individual Behavioral Processes Branch and has responsibility for BSR’s Cognitive Aging Portfolio. He received his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University, where he focused on individual differences in working memory on language processing. His post-doctoral work in the Department of Cognitive Science at UCSD used event-related potentials to study language processing and working memory in both younger and older adults. He later joined the faculty in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he initiated work in an animal model on FOXP2, a gene known to be important for normal language development.

Dr. Madhav Thambisetty has joined the Clinical Research Branch (CRB) of the Intramural Research Program, NIA, as a Staff Clinician. His prior post was at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, as an Alzheimer’s Society Research Fellow and St. Cross College, Oxford, as an Emanoel Lee Medical Research Fellow. His interests include the development of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, investigations of the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, of neuronal plasticity in the actions of anti-depressant treatments in the elderly, and the use of functional neuroimaging to study neuroadaptive responses.

Ms. Margaret “Peggy” Vaughn joined the Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) as a public affairs specialist. She handles press calls and media releases primarily dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other neuroscience and neuro-psychology issues. Her previous experience includes work as a press officer at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and newspaper reporting. Peggy holds a Master’s degree of General Administration from the University of Maryland/University College and a B.S. degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland.

Ms. Jennifer Watson joined OCPL as Project Officer for the combined clearinghouse operations of the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center and the NIA Information Center (NIAIC). Most recently, Jennifer was a senior principal at JBS International, serving as Project Director for the ADEAR and NIAIC contracts. Prior to joining JBS, Jennifer was communications manager for the California Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (CMRI) (now Lumetra), working on a number of projects to improve health quality for Medicare beneficiaries. Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Women’s Studies from George Washington University and a B.A. degree in International Relations from Stanford University.

Dr. Andre Premen was appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Extramural Activities (OEA). He brings both expertise and experience to the OEA, which is often grantees’ first point of contact with our Institute. He will also serve as the NIA Training Officer, replacing Dr. Robin Barr, who now serves as the OEA Director. Dr. Premen is returning to NIA after serving in the Division of Receipt and Referral, Center for Scientific Review. His previous appointment with NIA was with the Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology Program where he served as a program director for cardiovascular aging research. Dr. Premen also has review experience from NHLBI and additional program experience from NIAMS. He is a graduate of the NIH grants associates program. He has been influential in policy development at the NIH level. He is a member of the NIH committee responsible for developing the multiple Principal Investigator program.

Dr. Mahadev Murthy joined the Biology of Aging Program in October 2007 as a Health Science Administrator in the Biological Resources Branch. Dr. Murthy’s most recent experience was in the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) as a Scientific Review Administrator. He has prior experience in review at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), also in the intramural research program at NIAAA, and before coming to NIH, he worked extensively as an extramural research scientist in the U.S. and Canada. His research focused on biochemistry and nutrition and he has experience in a range of animal models. At NIA, he will manage a portfolio of grants on animal models of aging, develop new initiatives that will support the use of animal models in aging research, and assist in the management of some of the resource contracts.

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INSTITUTE-SPONSORED MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACTIVITIES

I. Past Meetings

Animal Models of Comorbidities in Aging – September 9-11, 2007
This advisory workshop was held on September 9-11, 2007, in Rockville, MD. The workshop was organized and sponsored by the Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology (GCG) Program, Biology of Aging Program (BAP) and Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging (NNA) Program of NIA. The purpose of the workshop was to address (1) needs and opportunities for development of animal models to study comorbidities in older persons and to seek advice on what research using animal models in these specific areas would be desirable, (2) what existing animal models could be used or adapted for such research, and (3) what funding mechanisms and existing resources could be used to support the research in these areas. The workshop participants provided numerous recommendations. The workshop identified major age-related clusters of conditions and set priorities on circulatory, musculoskeletal, and neurobehavioral conditions for focus as either leading to the development of other conditions or as consequences of other conditions. The participants recommended that use or adaptation of existing models of single diseases to explore disease interactions with aging processes and development of comorbidities would be the first step in developing this new research area. The participants suggested that two approaches, (1) maintaining animals with conditions induced in early life into mid-life and older age and (2) inducing disease in middle-aged or older animals and maintaining them into more advanced age, could be used to characterize interactions of age with disease progression and development of comorbidities. (For more information, contact Drs. Ying Tian or Susan Nayfield, GCG, Ph: 301-496-6761.)

5th Annual Nathan W. Shock Symposium – September 19, 2007
The National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program and the Nathan W. and Margaret T. Shock Foundation hosted the 5th Annual Nathan W. Shock Aging Symposium entitled, "The Impact of Inflammation on Tissue Aging,” on September 19, 2007, in Towson, MD. Anna Csiszar, M.D., Ph.D., of the New York Medical College, was the 18th Annual Nathan Shock Lecture Award Winner. The title of her lecture was, “Vascular Inflammation in Aging.” The symposium also featured presentations by other distinguished leaders in the field of aging. (For more information, contact Ms. Jamie Hertzfelt, IRP, Ph: 410-558-8110.)

Methodological Issues in Randomized Clinical Trials in the Elderly – September 27-28, 2007.
This two-day multidisciplinary exploratory workshop was held on September 27-28, 2007, in Bethesda, MD. The workshop was organized and co-sponsored by NIA’s GCG and NNA Programs. The purpose of the workshop was to systematically review methodological challenges that investigators face when designing clinical trials in the elderly. Participants discussed trial designs for multifactorial geriatric syndromes including selection of intervention components to reduce the deleterious effects of the modifiable risk factors, assignment of components of the intervention, blinding, sample size requirements, and estimation of component effects. Many such interventions could potentially affect related outcomes in several domains (e.g., functional, cognitive, health-related QoL etc.). The workshop participants reviewed novel approaches to selection and analysis of multiple co-primary outcomes, development and validation of surrogate endpoints for early stage clinical trials, and approaches and criteria for selection of individual components and analysis techniques for composite endpoints. Other topics included transitions between health states and implications of such bidirectional transitions in regard to eligibility criteria and outcome measures, design options to test the long-term effects of preventive interventions, and approaches to analysis of efficacy of interventions in individuals with multiple morbidities. (For more information, contact Dr. Sergei Romashkan, GCG, Ph: 301-435-3047, or Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA, Ph. 301-496-9350.)

The Cognitive Aging Summit - October 10-12, 2007
The Cognitive Aging Summit, an advisory meeting co-sponsored by the NIA and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation (MBRF), was held on October 10-12, 2007, in Washington, D.C. The Summit brought together approximately 250 participants with a range of expertise in a variety of research fields to discuss the most cutting edge advances in our understanding of age-related brain and behavioral changes. An Executive Session including approximately 50 of the Summit participants was held on the final day of the conference and recommendations were generated for possible partnerships between the NIA and the MBRF on research initiatives. (For more information, contact Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA, Ph: 301-496-9360, wagsterm@nia.nih.gov.)

Cell Fate Determination Tissue Homeostasis in the Elderly – November 19, 2007
The Biology of Aging Program (BAP) sponsored an exploratory workshop on “Cell Fate Determination Tissue Homeostasis in the Elderly” on November 19, 2007, in Boston, MA. The purpose of the workshop was to determine the abilities of current methods to study cell lineage determination in the elderly. The workshop considered problems of determining cell lineages from multipotent or pluripotent cells and the issues associated with quantifying cell turnover in tissues across an organism’s life span. (For more information, contact Dr. Ronald Kohanski, BAP, Ph: 301-496-6402.)

Allostatic Load - November 29-30, 2007
This NIA-supported exploratory workshop, held in Washington, DC, explored theoretical and measurement issues relating to the concept of allostatic load and, more specifically, the question of assessing multiple and cumulative aspects of physiological aging and dysregulation-- including its antecedents (e.g., life experiences) and health consequences. The workshop focused on measurement of cumulative physiological dysregulation in both survey and laboratory contexts and explored how the integration of these approaches and findings from human and animal studies can inform our understanding of these relationships. The goals of the workshop were to identify research needs and strategies for advancing the science in this area. (For more information, contact Dr. Lis Nielsen, BSR, Ph: 301-402-4156.)

Workshop on National Health Accounts – December 5-6, 2007
This NIA-supported exploratory workshop was held in Cambridge, MA, with an ultimate goal of developing a revised set of National Health Accounts. Since health policies can be informed by National Health Accounts, they are particularly important to the well-being of older populations who spend a disproportionate amount of income on health maintenance. The health and well-being of the elderly is at the core of the NIA mission, and research to support the development of National Health Accounts is a high priority BSR initiative. This workshop will complement the important study on National Health Accounts being conducted by the National Academy of Sciences. The December meeting focused on integrating the health and cost components of the model as well as remaining health measurement issues. The workshop participants represented a broad spectrum of national policy makers, senior government leaders involved in the production and dissemination of national health account information, leading academics, and all potential users of this information. (For more information, contact Dr. John Phillips, BSR, Ph: 301-496-3138.)

Autophagy and Aging – January 11, 2008
The BAP and NNA Programs of the NIA sponsored a one-day exploratory workshop on “Autophagy and Aging” on January 11, 2008, in Ventura, CA, immediately following the Gordon Conference on “Autophagy in Stress, Development and Disease.” The purpose of the workshop was to highlight recent advances in our understanding of age-related changes in various forms of autophagy, and more importantly, to educate the community of researchers in autophagy about potentially interesting venues of research that address issues relevant to the mission of the NIA. Speakers presented overviews of their research on how aging affects the function of various elements of the autophagy pathway and/or how these changes in turn lead to increased susceptibility to age-related diseases. In addition, NIA staff provided information regarding the mission and research priorities of the NIA, as well as assistance to attendees regarding funding opportunities and application mechanisms. The workshop provided researchers unfamiliar with aging-related perspectives with a wide range of research questions currently being addressed and NIA hopes that the effort will generate interest in autophagy and aging research among attendees. (For more information, contact Dr. Felipe Sierra, BAP, Ph: 301-496-6402, and Dr. Brad Wise, NNA, Ph: 301-496-9350.)

II. Upcoming Meetings

Workshop on Genetic Mechanisms and Life Course Development – February 11-12, 2008
Three promising streams of research suggested this exploratory workshop which will take place on February 11-12, 2008, in Bethesda, MD. First, there is a growing body of research showing that early life experiences may have effects enduring across the life span and influence the trajectories of psychosocial resilience or decline in old age. Second, there are an increasing number of well-crafted, longitudinal studies covering broad spans of development whose methods, observations, analyses and findings are helping to delineate patterns of behavioral and social development in mid and late life; third, findings from genetic studies, using quantitative and molecular genetic approaches, are suggesting mechanisms that may account for continuities and discontinuities in psychosocial competencies across broad spans of development. This workshop will explore areas where the integration of lifespan development and genetics can clarify developmental mechanisms that promote selected domains of psychosocial competence in aging. The focus of the workshop will be on resilience and enhancement factors, or factors that lead to improved health and aging outcomes, rather than risk factors. To address these issues, the BSR Program plans to bring together a small number of researchers with experience in life course developmental research for exploratory discussions. Background papers have been commissioned for the workshop. (For more information, contact Dr. Erica Spotts, BSR, Ph: 301-496-3138.)

NIA Workshop on Epigenetic Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases – Spring 2008
The NNA Program, in collaboration with the BAP and GCG Programs, plans to convene an exploratory workshop during the spring of 2008 in the Washington, DC, area aimed at reviewing the current state of knowledge in epigenetics as it pertains to aging, exceptional longevity, and diseases of aging. Through this workshop NIA hopes to accomplish several goals related to the development and implementation of the RoadMap Epigenetics of Human Health and Disease RFA. These goals include: (1) determining the current state-of-science in the global area of epigenetics, (2) reviewing what is currently known and more importantly not known regarding the role of epigenetic regulation in aging and age-related disease, (3) informing NIA investigators about the activities of the Roadmap Epigenomics Initiative, and (4) recruitment of investigators with epigenetic expertise to study the epigenetics of aging and age-related diseases. (For more information, contact Dr. Suzana Petanceska, NNA, Ph: 301-496-9360, petanceskas@nia.nih.gov, or Dr. Anna McCormick, BAP, 301-496-6402, mccormia@nia.nih.gov.)

The Role of Vascular Comorbidity in Neurodegenerative Diseases Resulting in Dementia and the Role of Vascular Factors in other Cognitive, Affective, and Movement Disorders in Older Persons - Spring 2008
The NNA Program, in collaboration with the GCG Program, is organizing this exploratory workshop, which will take place during the spring of 2008 in the Washington, DC, area, to bring together investigators from a variety of disciplines to examine current knowledge on differing vascular pathologies in the brain and how they could contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, and to cognitive, motor, or affective dysfunction. Important issues which will be addressed include: impairments in cerebral blood flow autoregulation, effects of changes in the vascular wall on blood-brain barrier function, and the degree to which adverse age-related changes in the brain vasculature are unique to the brain or reflect systemic vascular pathologies. Another important set of questions relates to how cardiovascular medications commonly used in older persons (such as statins, ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and other antihypertensive medications) affect brain vasculature and vascular function, and how such effects might have neurologic consequences influencing cognition, motor function, and affective state. (For more information, contact Dr. Creighton Phelps, NNA, Ph: 301-496-9360, phelpsc@nia.nih.gov.)

Role of ApoE and its Receptors in Normal Brain Aging and in Alzheimer’s Disease - April 2008
The NNA Program is organizing a multidisciplinary advisory workshop on ‘The Role of ApoE and its Receptors in Normal Brain Aging and in Alzheimer’s Disease’ to be held in the Washington, DC, area during April 2008. ApoE is a pleiotropic protein which regulates multiple metabolic and signaling pathways in the periphery and in the CNS, and, in addition, is a ligand for a number of receptors. The purpose of this workshop is to examine the current state of knowledge concerning the biology of ApoE and its receptors with an emphasis on their role in normal brain aging and in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). A major subject of discussion at this workshop will be advances and challenges in the drug discovery arena aimed at ApoE as a therapeutic target, with the goal of identifying new avenues for future investigation. (For more information, contact Dr. Suzana Petanceska, NNA, Ph: 301-496-9360, petanceskas@nia.nih.gov.)

How Aging Impacts Immunity – April 8, 2008
The BAP Program will sponsor an exploratory symposium on How Aging Impacts Immunity at the upcoming American Association of Immunology Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, on April 8, 2008. The purpose of the symposium is to highlight recent advances in our understanding of age-related changes in immune responses. Several speakers will present overviews of their research advances in this area. (For more information, contact Dr. Rebecca Fuldner, BAP, Ph: 301-496-6402.)

High Throughput Approaches for Identification of Biomarkers of Aging – April or May 2008
The BAP Program will sponsor an exploratory workshop on High Throughput Approaches for Identification of Biomarkers of Aging in April or May 2008. The purpose of the workshop is to explore high-throughput approaches to promote the development of panels of biomarkers that correlate with healthy aging and lifespan in a rodent model, with the long-term goal of expediting anti-aging interventions studies and characterization of new models for aging research. The workshop will be held in Bethesda, MD. (For more information, contact Drs. Mahadev Murthy and Nancy L. Nadon, BAP, Ph: 301-496-6402.)

Phenotyping Mutant Mouse Models for Aging Research – April or May 2008
In April or May 2008, the BAP Program will sponsor a workshop to explore needs for phenotyping mutant and genetically engineered rodent models used in aging research, to discuss phenotypes of interest across different areas of science, and to identify new models with potential to contribute to the study of the biology of aging, age-related diseases, and aging interventions. The workshop will be held in Bethesda, MD. (For more information, contact Drs. Mahadev Murthy and Nancy L. Nadon, BAP, Ph: 301-496-6402.)

BSR Biomarker Working Group – May 2008
The Biomarker Working Group organized and sponsored by the BSR Program will hold a series of small exploratory meetings or teleconferences among population-based researchers in aging using biomarker collection in surveys to plan future workshops or network activities to advance science in this area. Topics will include but are not limited to: (1) advances in survey-based biomarker measurement, (2) links between survey and laboratory science, and (3) biomarkers of social and economic behaviors. One meeting will be held in Chicago, Illinois, overlapping with the Association for Psychological Science conference May 21-28. Additional teleconferences are not yet scheduled. Participants will be researchers using biomarkers in social science survey research on aging. (For more information, contact Dr. Lis Nielsen, BSR, Ph: 301-402-4156.)

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GENERAL INFORMATION/STAFF AWARDS

Dr. Richard Suzman, Director of the Behavioral and Social Research Program, NIA, received a Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, one of only two such awards at NIH in 2007. These awards are given to a very select group of government executives and are among the most prestigious honors in government.

Dr. Suzman was recognized for his creativity, initiative, and high standards of excellence in shaping and directing a behavioral and social science research program in the service of better understanding health and aging. These efforts include developing new disciplines in the economics and demography of aging, recognizing the rapid growth of the very old age 85-plus population, seeking collaborations among the behavioral disciplines and other sciences, and leading international efforts to understand the causes, course, and impacts of population aging. He has made major contributions as well in helping to build the Federal statistical system regarding aging, perhaps most notably the development of the Health and Retirement Study as a model for aging research and database sharing worldwide.

Dr. Nigel H. Greig, Senior Investigator, Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, NIA, received the 2007 Sato Memorial International Award. The award is bestowed once every two years to a leading scientist in the United States who has made significant contributions to the fields of pharmacology, therapeutics, and pharmaceutical sciences. Dr. Greig was honored at the 127th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, in Toyama, for his work regarding the design and development of novel pharmacological tools and drugs to characterize and treat diseases prevalent in aging.

Dr. Rafael de Cabo, Investigator, Laboratory of Experimental Gerontology, Intramural Research Program, NIA, had the honor of having his paper, “Resveratrol Improves Health and Survival of Mice on a High-Calorie Diet,” included in the 2006 issue of the Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplements Research. Of more than 300 papers published in 45 peer-reviewed journals, Dr. de Cabo’s was one of only 25 selected to appear in the Bibliography. The Annual Bibliography is published yearly by the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). The bibliography is designed to provide an overall perspective on how research in dietary supplements is advancing. It is also designed to provide well-deserved peer recognition to investigators involved in research that advances our understanding of dietary supplements. The bibliography is broadly distributed to health professionals, the media, scientific, legislative/regulatory and consumer organizations and is posted on the ODS Website at http://ods.od.nih.gov/Research/Annual_Bibliographies.aspx.

2008 Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE)
The 2008 FARE Award was received by the following IRP/NIA staff:

• Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science
  Li-Qun Jiang, Ph.D.

• Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology
  Hyeon Ho Kim, Ph.D.
  Yuki Kuwano, Ph.D.

• Laboratory of Experimental Gerontology
  Kevin J. Pearson, Ph.D.

• Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology
  Rigu Gupta, M.D.

• Laboratory of Neurogenetics
  Jennifer C. Schymick, B.S.
  Patrick A. Lewis, Ph.D.

• Laboratory of Neurosciences
  Justin D. Lathia, M.S.

NIA Director’s Awards
The following received NIA Director’s Awards:

• Dr. John W. R. Phillips
• Dr. Rose Li
• Dr. Kevin Kinsella
• Ms. Susan Farrer
• Ms. Freddi Karp
• Ms. Karen Pocinki
• Ms. Stephanie Dailey
• Ms. Patricia Lynch
• Ms. Catherine Amores
• Dr. Dallas Anderson
• Dr. Robin Barr
• Ms. Debbie Butcher
• Ms. Jennifer Croy
• Mr. Robert Feaga
• Ms. Denise Fioravante
• Ms. Valerie Jones
• Mr. Ralph Lopez
• Mr. Pat Meise
• Dr. David Schlessinger
• Dr. Samuel Speciale
• Ms. Loan Ta
• Ms. Mary Tolbert
• Ms. Dawn Wallis
• Mr. Weidong Wang
• Mr. Richard Williams
• Ms. Susan Windsor
• Dr. Bradley Wise

NIA Publications

The following new publications were printed:

• Connections (Volume 15, Number 3)
• What Happens Next? A Booklet about Being Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Disorder
• Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer’s Disease: Tips from the National Institute on Aging
• Making Your Printed Health Materials Senior Friendly: Tips from the National Institute on Aging
• Alzheimer’s Disease Medications Fact Sheet
• Thinking, Learning, and Remembering: Research to Maintain Cognitive Health with Age (Cognitive Aging Summit fact sheet)

The following publications were updated or reprinted:

• NIA Publications Catalog (English)
• NIA Publications List (Spanish)
• Publications CD-ROM
• NIA Research Program Contact Information
• Age Page: High Blood Pressure
• Age Page: Exercise and Physical Fitness
• Age Page: Hospital Hints
• Age Page: Shots for Safety
• Age Page: Diabetes (Spanish)
• Duke University Alzheimer’s Disease Center publications – Lessons Learned, Hit Pause, and Wait a Minute

(For more information about NIA’s publications or NIHSeniorHealth, contact Vicky Cahan, Director, OCPL, Ph: 301-496-1752.)

NIA News Releases and Announcements

The following press releases and announcements were distributed with a potential audience in print and internet outlets of 169 million people:

• One in Seven Americans Age 71 and Older Has Some Type of Dementia, NIH-Funded Study Estimates. (http://www.nia.nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/PR20071030ADAMS.htm) Plassman, B.L., et al. Prevalence of dementia in the United States: The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study. Neuroepidemiology 2007; 29:125-132.
• Scientists Use Shared Genome Data to Confirm SORL1 Gene Linked to Alzheimer's. Meng, Y. A., et. al. (2007). Association between SORL1 and Alzheimer's disease in a genome-wide study. Neuroreport, 18(17):1761-1764.
• Scientists Suggest New Pathway Causing Cell Death in Dementia. Yong-Jie Zhang, Y-J., et al. (2007). Progranulin Mediates Caspase-Dependent Cleavage of TAR DNA Binding Protein-43. J. Neurosci., 27:10530-34
• NIA Offers New Spanish-Language Website
• Study Sheds New Light on Intimate Lives of Older Americans. (http://www.nia.nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/PR20070823sexlives.htm). Lindau, S.T., et al. A national study of sexuality and health among older adults in the U.S. New England Journal of Medicine (2007), 357(8):762-774.
• New NIA Online Publication Features Health and Retirement Study
• New Age Page on Mourning Now Available
• New NIH-Supported Study Characterizes Social Networks of Family, Friends Influencing Obesity. Christakis, N.A., and Fowler, J.H. The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years. New England Journal of Medicine (2007), 357(4):370-379.
• NIHSeniorHealth Offers Tips on How to Talk with Your Doctor

(For more information about NIA’s press activities, contact Vicky Cahan, Communications Director, OCPL, 301-496-1752.)

Meetings and Exhibits

• NIA exhibited at the AARP Life @ 50+ Conference, the American Public Health Association, and the Gerontology Society of America meetings. NIA and ADEAR materials were sent to a variety of health fairs and regional meetings including the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Concepts in Care Conference, the American Family Association, the Leonard Berg Symposium at the Washington University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, the Society for Neuroscience, and the Conference on Practice Improvement Health Information and Patient Education.
• Dr. Richard Hodes and/or program staff met with representatives from the American Society of Hematology and the Alzheimer’s Association as well as with the French Minister for Health, Youth, and Sports, and Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson of Kansas.
• NIA convened the Cognitive Aging Summit, October 10-12, 2007, in Washington, D.C. bringing together nearly 250 investigators to share cross-disciplinary research into age-related brain and cognitive change. The researchers also discussed future avenues for research. The Summit was made possible by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation through a generous grant to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

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New Notices and Initiatives Relevant to National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Includes Notices and Initiatives (Requests for Applications (RFAs) and Program Announcements (PAs), published since the October 2007 Council presentation of the Director’s Status Report (DSR) to the National Advisory Council on Aging (NACA). Also check our NIA website for “Funding Opportunities” at http://www.nia.nih.gov/GrantsAndTraining/FundingOpportunities/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm

(Shown here are selected Notices and Initiatives relevant to NIA/National Institutes of Health/DHHS).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. NIA & NIH INITIATIVES - Not Roadmap-related
   1. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – RFAs (NIA's) 
   2. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – RFAs (NIH's) Not Roadmap-related
   3. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – RFAs (Other ICs')
   4. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – PAs/PARs/PASs (NIA's)
   5. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – PAs/PARs/PASs (NIH's) Not Roadmap-related
   6. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – PAs/PARs/PASs (Other IC's)
   7. NOTICES ISSUED BY NIA
   8. NOTICES ISSUED BY NIH - Not Roadmap-related
   9. NOTICES -Issued by Other ICs at NIH with NIA involvement.
2. NIH ROADMAP INITIATIVES - Roadmap-related
   10. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES –RFAs (NIH's)–Roadmap-related
   11. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – PAs/PARs/PASs (NIH's)-Roadmap-related
   12. NOTICES ISSUED BY NIH - Roadmap-related

NIA & NIH INITIATIVES - Not Roadmap-related