Advisory workshop held December 10–11, 2002, in Bethesda, MD, which discussed how existing or emerging proteomics technology could be used to identify and understand changes in protein structure and function that may occur in aging.
Symposium held on November 5, 2002, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, during a Society for Neuroscience meeting. The symposium examined cognitive change with age and the current approaches used to examine the bases of this change at the cellular and molecular levels, among other topics.
Inter-Institute exploratory symposium held on September 19, 2002, on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD, which highlighted leading contemporary approaches to the study of human language. Speakers presented current research on language changes with age and in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Planning advisory meeting held on September 12, 2002, in Bethesda, MD. Scientists with basic science, clinical, epidemiological, and intervention trial expertise on statins were invited to delineate and clarify important issues associated with this trial.
Workshop held September 10–11, 2002, in Bethesda, MD, which was cosponsored by NIA and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Its goal was to discuss basic neurobiological processes that may mediate alcohol-aging interactions. Topics included: recent progress in genetics, molecular biology, electrophysiology, pharmacology, neuroimaging, and behavior and how they relate to aging and to the effects of alcohol.
Advisory meeting held June 17–18, 2002, in Bethesda, MD. World experts in the fields of magnetic resonance imaging, functional imaging, neuropsychology, epidemiology, drug development, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease gave brief presentations on topics relevant to the development of a longitudinal, multicenter study of MCI, normal aging, and early Alzheimer's disease.
Meeting held on May 6, 2002, which solidified a planning process that sought input from scientists both internal and external to the existing Centers in preparation for issuing Request for Applications for the Alzheimer's Disease Centers.
Advisory workshop held May 1–3, 2002, in Bethesda, MD, which was cosponsored by NIA, the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, and the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research.
Exploratory workshop held in May of 2002 that explored quantitative reasoning skills in the elderly. Topics included: age-related changes in numerical processing strategies, proportional and probabilistic reasoning processes, estimation skills, investment and risk-taking behaviors, and financial abilities in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Exploratory meeting held April 10–11, 2002, in San Francisco, CA, in conjunction with the annual Cognitive Neuroscience Meeting. Topics included noninvasive measures of cerebral aging and their relation to cognitive aging; cognitive functions: age-related changes in neural activity; pathological brain dysfunction and rehabilitation; and models in cognitive neuroscience of aging.
Exploratory meeting held April 8–9, 2002, which was cosponsored by the Behavioral and Social Research and NNA Programs. Presentations and plenary discussions addressed how differences in contextual factors (e.g., sociocultural, economic, and technological) engender systematic variation in cognitive functioning and performance.
Advisory workshop held April 4–5, 2002, which was cosponsored by NNA; the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Neurocognitive decline following heart surgery emerged as an important clinical problem, particularly in the elderly. This workshop was designed to encourage an exchange of ideas and novel strategies among experts in relevant basic and clinical investigations.
Informational meeting held on March 29, 2002, in Bethesda, MD, that convened experts on neuroimaging in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Representatives from pharmaceutical companies, imaging companies, and advocacy organizations expressed their levels of interest and concerns about participating in this initiative.
Advisory workshop held March 18–19, 2002, in Bethesda, MD, that was cosponsored by NNA and the Alzheimer's Association. Approximately 100 basic science investigators, Alzheimer's Disease Center directors, and NIH program staff were invited from both extramural and intramural communities. The workshop included presentations from NIH extramural program staff on Institute and NIH policy on the sharing of unique research resources.
Informational meeting held on March 6, 2002, that was organized by NIA, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Center for Research Resources. The meeting's goal was to discuss the potential of using nonhuman primates as alternatives to mouse transgenic models of neurological diseases and convened—either in person or by teleconference—NIH extramural program directors and external experts.
Advisory meeting held on November 10, 2001, in San Diego, CA, immediately prior to the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. This meeting highlighted the newest findings in the genetics of late-onset Alzheimer's disease, an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that occurs gradually and results in memory loss, behavior and personality changes, and a decline in cognitive abilities.
Advisory workshop held October 31–November 1, 2001, in Bethesda, MD, that included presentations on experiences in constructing and administering culturally relevant measures of cognitive function. Substantive discussion sessions addressed factors that impact cognitive performance.
Exploratory workshop held on August 24, 2001, in San Francisco, CA, in conjunction with the 109th Annual American Psychological Association Convention. This workshop featured an examination of current knowledge of neural and behavioral changes in cognition with age. Presentations highlighted state-of-the-art research in neuroimaging and neurogenesis and included advances in interventions ranging from physical and mental activity to nutraceuticals.
Exploratory workshop held July 16–17, 2001, in Bethesda, MD, that was cosponsored by NNA and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This workshop examined the basic biology of alpha synuclein, the formation of Lewy Bodies, and their role in the dementias associated with Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body disease, and Parkinson's disease.
An advisory meeting held July 9–10, 2001, in Bethesda, MD, that was cosponsored by NIA, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and National Institute of Mental Health. Participants were principal investigators from large longitudinal or epidemiological studies that examined factors for adult cognitive and emotional health.
Work group meeting held January 25–26, 2001, that was cosponsored by NIA, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and National Institute of Mental Health. Seventeen extramural scientists were invited to participate and divided into two focus groups. This meeting was part of an effort to stimulate research on the nonmotor aspects of Parkinson's disease.
Proteomics and Aging Workshop
Cosponsored by the Biology of Aging and NNA Programs, this advisory workshop discussed how existing or emerging proteomics technology could be used to identify and understand changes in protein structure and function that may occur in aging. Presentations by 21 investigators highlighted current research on proteomics technology and changes in protein expression, protein modification, protein-protein interactions, and protein aggregation and degradation that occur with aging in various animal models and tissues. Other topics included: (1) research areas in normal and pathological aging that would benefit from a proteomics approach, (2) resources that could facilitate this research, and (3) crosscutting NIH issues in proteomics technology and informatics. Recommendations from this meeting will be used to formulate an NIA initiative in proteomics and aging. A report was prepared and presented to Council.
Contact Information
Dr. Brad Wise, NNA
301-496-9350
Dr. Felipe Sierra, BAP
301-496-6402
Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cognitive Aging
Topics at this NNA-sponsored exploratory symposium included the following:
- Overview of cognitive change with age and the current approaches used to examine the bases of this change at the cellular and molecular levels
- Effects of aging on structural plasticity in the hippocampal system, evidence for oxidative stress in aged hippocampal neurons and its relationship to cognitive decline, and recent efforts to assess hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive status during aging
- Relationship of learning ability in aging animals to postsynaptic excitability of hippocampal neurons and alterations in slow outward potassium currents and their contribution to impaired learning ability with age
- Calcium dysregulation hypothesis of brain aging and cognitive decline and use of gene expression profiling in brain aging research
- Impact of altered ion channel function in transgenic animals, including the impact of a potassium channel subunit deletion on neuronal firing and behavior
- Use of a mouse model that mimics upregulation of L-type calcium channel expression
Speakers at this workshop included Michaela Gallagher, John Disterhoft, Philip Landfield, Geoffrey Murphy, and Molly Wagster.
Contact Information
Dr. Molly Wagster
301-496-9350
New Perspectives on Language Research: Language and Aging
This inter-Institute exploratory symposium highlighted leading contemporary approaches to the study of human language. Speakers presented current research on language changes with age and in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Participants discussed the following topics:
- Phenomenon of “elderspeak”
- How language use in early life may predict later life outcomes
- Bilingualism and how it impacts cognitive change and language use in later life
- Differences between normal age-related changes in language and those changes in relation to Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia (primary progressive aphasia)
NIH sponsors included NIA, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The speakers at this workshop were Susan Kemper, Loraine Obler, and Sandra Weintraub.
Contact Information
Dr. Molly Wagster
301-496-9350
Alzheimer’s Prevention Trial Using a Statin Drug
Statins may be useful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, based on results from several recent epidemiological studies and basic science considerations. However, there are biological, clinical, and methodological issues that need to be addressed before NIA can consider support of such a prevention trial. Scientists with basic science, clinical, epidemiological, and intervention trial expertise on statins were invited to this advisory meeting to delineate and clarify important issues in the conception of such a trial.
Contact Information
Drs. Susan Molchan and Neil Buckholtz
301-496-9350
Neurobiology of Aging and Alcohol Workshop
NIA cosponsored this workshop with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which focused on the neurobiology of aging and alcohol. The aging process is associated with changes that place older individuals at special risk for alcohol-related health problems. Older individuals differ in their metabolism of alcohol and their physiological and behavioral responses to alcohol. One of the primary factors in heightened sensitivity is impaired development of alcohol tolerance. Drinking also may aggravate various pathological conditions in the elderly, including stroke, hypertension, memory loss, and cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Although aging can be a key factor in the response to alcohol, the neurobiology underlying this relationship has remained largely unexplored. This workshop's goal was to discuss basic neurobiological processes that may mediate alcohol-aging interactions. Topics included recent progress in genetics, molecular biology, electrophysiology, pharmacology, neuroimaging, and behavior and how they relate to aging and to the effects of alcohol.
Participants at this workshop included Carl Cotman, Carol Barnes, John Disterhoft, Edith Sullivan, and Cheryl Grady.
Contact Information
Dr. Molly Wagster
301-496-9350
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Advisory Meeting
NNA developed an Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, which is a partnership among NIA/NIH, academic investigators, the pharmaceutical industry, and the imaging equipment industry. Other participants included the Alzheimer’s Association and Institute for the Study of Aging. The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Advisory Meeting included representatives from each of these entities. World experts in the fields of magnetic resonance imaging, functional imaging, neuropsychology, epidemiology, drug development, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease gave brief presentations on topics relevant to the development of a longitudinal, multicenter study of MCI, normal aging, and early Alzheimer’s disease. An advisory meeting that convened approximately 20 of these experts—including representatives from industry—followed to develop recommendations on how best to proceed.
Contact Information
Drs. Susan Molchan and Neil Buckholtz
301-496-9350
Alzheimer’s Disease Centers External Advisory Meeting
NIA initiated a planning process that sought input from scientists both internal and external to the existing Centers in preparation for issuing Request for Applications for the Alzheimer's Disease Centers. Individuals working in the Centers and from position statements prepared by some of the Centers reflected diverse opinions. Many issues relating to how Centers presently function and suggestions for changes to improve operations were discussed in a meeting held in May of 2001. All current Center Directors and NIA staff members were in attendance. The process culminated at the Alzheimer's Disease Centers External Advisory Meeting, where the opinion of external experts was sought. These experts did not have primary affiliations with these Centers. Briefing books providing summaries of the Centers' input, descriptions of research in existing Centers, and background material about the program were distributed to the external advisory committee.
Contact Information
Dr. Creighton Phelps
301-496-9350
RLS: Diagnosis and Diagnostic and Epidemiological Tools
NIA cosponsored this advisory workshop with the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, and the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research. The objectives of this workshop were to:
- Review current diagnostic criteria for the restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Specify the significant dimensions of the RLS diagnostic categories, including: primary versus secondary, age-of-symptom-onset, special populations (e.g.,children, patients with dementia)
- Provide an updated consensus on the improved diagnostic criteria for RLS and methods for making the diagnosis and role of supporting tests: polysomnograms, PLMW, PLMS, SIT, activity meters
- Review tools available for making the diagnosis and for epidemiological studies
- Establish guidelines for developing and validating a research diagnostic interview schedule, a clinical diagnostic procedure, and epidemiological question set
- Provide a consensus on the recommended initial medical evaluation for the diagnosis of RLS
- Prepare a published report from the workshop covering the items above.
Participants included experts on RLS from the United States and abroad.
Contact Information
Dr. Andrew Monjan
301-496-9350
Quantitative Reasoning in the Elderly
Little is known about quantitative reasoning in the elderly, although these skills are required for accurate interpretation of medical and scientific news, wise investment and retirement decisions, and making sound judgments about health-related matters. Participants at this exploratory workshop possessed expertise from various relevant fields, including: numerical cognition, quantitative and document literacy, mathematics, judgment and decisionmaking, neuropsychology, and behavioral economics. The specific topics covered at the workshop included:
- Age-related changes in numerical processing strategies
- Proportional and probabilistic reasoning processes
- Estimation skills
- Investment and risk-taking behaviors
- Financial abilities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Based in part on the ideas and suggestions that emerged from this workshop, additional smaller meetings may be planned, and a program announcement may be issued.
Contact Information
Dr. Daniel Berch (currently Dr. Jeffrey Elias), BSR
301-594-5942
Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA
301-496-9350
The Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging: Linking Cognitive and Cerebral Aging
NNA cosponsored this exploratory conference, which was held in conjunction with the annual Cognitive Neuroscience Meeting. Dr. Denise Park—a grantee of NIA—organized the conference, and 8 of the 13 speakers also were NIA grantees. Although there is an increase of studies that focus on the relationships between cognitive aging and cerebral aging, knowledge concerning the neural basis of cognitive aging has been based on two disciplines that have had little contact with each other. This conference's goal was to develop this area of the cognitive neuroscience of aging, while encouraging students and researchers to exchange ideas and discuss scientific issues. The conference's sessions included:
- Noninvasive measures of cerebral aging and their relation to cognitive aging
- Cognitive functions: age-related changes in neural activity
- Pathological brain dysfunction and rehabilitation
- Models in cognitive neuroscience of aging
Contact Information
Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA
301-496-9350
Cognition in Context
The Behavioral and Social Research and NNA Programs cosponsored this exploratory workshop. Presentations and plenary discussions addressed how differences in contextual factors (e.g., sociocultural, economic, and technological) engender systematic variation in cognitive functioning and performance. The primary objective of this workshop was to address recent developments in this area that will help shape future research directions.
Contact Information
Dr. Daniel Berch (currently Dr. Jeffrey Elias), BSR
301-594-5942
Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA
301-496-9350
Neurocognitive Change After Cardiac Surgery
NNA; the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute cosponsored this advisory workshop, which was originally scheduled for September 13 and 14, 2001, but was postphoned because of September 11. The workshop was rescheduled for April 4 and 5, 2002.
Neurocognitive decline following heart surgery emerged as an important clinical problem, particularly in the elderly. The workshop was designed to encourage an exchange of ideas and novel strategies among experts in relevant basic and clinical investigations. The objectives of this workshop were to:
- Review the characteristics of normal cognitive change with age and the cognitive sequelae following cardiac surgery
- Review surgical techniques and approaches
- Review methods of neuroprotection to determine how best to reduce adverse neurological events following surgery
Presenters included Drs. David Madden, Guy McKhann, Mark Newman, Venkat Challa, Alison Baird, Ola Selnes, William Baumgartner, John Murkin, David Stump, Harry Edmunds, Richard Jonas, Donald Prough, Myron Ginsberg, John Detre, David Pinsky, Giora Feurestien, Timothy Gardner, Richard Traystman, Walter Obrist, John Hammon, and Howard Fraser.
Contact Information
Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA
301-496-9350
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
NNA sponsored this informational meeting to convene experts on neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Attendees represented academia, pharmaceutical companies, imaging companies, NIH program staff, the NIH Office of the Director, the Food and Drug Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Institute for the Study of Aging. Approximately 38 people attended.
The goal of this initiative is to develop longitudinal studies that will identify the neuroimaging modalities and techniques that are most appropriate for following elderly people as they develop MCI and Alzheimer's disease. In addition to providing natural history information, the hope is that neuroimaging markers will allow early identification of those who may benefit from emerging preventative and treatment medications. During this initial meeting, representatives from pharmaceutical companies, imaging companies, and advocacy organizations expressed their levels of interest and concerns about participating in this initiative. NIH staff discussed the conduct of a similar initiative—osteoarthritis—which is sponsored by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and NIA.
Topics discussed at this meeting included:
- Standardization of imaging protocols and data analysis
- Advantages and disadvantages of different imaging modalities
- Investigators’ experience with longitudinal imaging studies
- Criteria for surrogate markers for drug efficacy
- Data sharing
The next meeting for this initiative was planned for June 17–18, 2002.
Contact Information
Drs. Susan Molchan and Neil Buckholtz
301-496-9350
2002 Workshop on the Genetics of Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
NNA and the Alzheimer’s Association cosponsored this advisory workshop. Approximately 100 basic science investigators, Alzheimer’s Disease Center directors, and NIH program staff were invited from both extramural and intramural communities. The workshop included presentations from NIH extramural program staff on Institute and NIH policy on the sharing of unique research resources. To help determine the availability of unique resources, a recent survey that tabulated the numbers of available Alzheimer's disease and control DNA and cell samples was presented. Presentations that concerned plans for the Indiana University Alzheimer’s Disease Center as a repository resource also were given. Selected Alzheimer's disease geneticists presented their perspectives on what new research resources the field need to progress. Substantive interactions followed during an open discussion of all participants on key issues, including cell and DNA banking needs, sample and data sharing, and informed consent. The participants also offered some suggestions for further research on the genetics of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Contact Information
Dr. Marilyn M. Miller
301-496-9350
Transgenic Models of Disease Teleconference/Meeting
NIA, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Center for Research Resources organized this informational meeting. This meeting's goal was to discuss the potential of using nonhuman primates (NHPs) as alternatives to mouse transgenic models of neurological diseases. The meeting convened—either in person or by teleconference—NIH extramural program directors and external experts. The discussion topics included:
- Advantages and disadvantages of current transgenic mouse models of neurological disorders
- Development of transgenics in other animal species (e.g., rats or dogs)
- The possible scientific advantages and disadvantages of developing transgenic NHP models, including technology development and choice of species
- Availability and cost of NHPs
- The length of time for disease model generation
- Ethics
Contact Information
Dr. Brad Wise
301-496-9350
The Latest Links: Genes and Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that occurs gradually and results in memory loss, behavior and personality changes, and a decline in cognitive abilities. Studies during the last several years have demonstrated there is a genetic component, but until 2001, only four genes were conclusively known to be associated with the disease. Three genes—amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, and presenilin 2—are linked to the early onset form; are autosomal dominant; and account for only a small number of all Alzheimer's disease cases. Studies on the more common late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease have shown that a fourth gene, the APOE gene, is a susceptibility factor for sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Recent reports have suggested there are additional risk factor genes for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, and new Alzheimer's disease-related regions in the human genome and gene candidates have been identified that may modify the risk for Alzheimer's disease. This advisory meeting highlighted the newest findings in the genetics of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Speakers at this meeting included: Drs. Alison Goate; Margaret Pericak-Vance (Duke University); Peter St. George-Hyslop (University of Toronto); Gerard Schellenberg (University of Washington); Lindsay Farrer (Boston University School of Medicine); Rudy Tanzi (Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital); Stephen Younkin (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville); and Steve Estus (University of Kentucky).
Contact Information
Drs. Marilyn Miller and Stephen Snyder
301-496-9350
Racial and Cultural Effects on Measurement of Cognition
NNA and the Behavioral and Social Research program cosponsored this advisory meeting. Approximately 60 clinicians, clinical investigators, basic science investigators, and NIH program staff were invited from both the extramural and intramural communities. The workshop included presentations on experiences in constructing and administering culturally relevant measures of cognitive function. Substantive discussion sessions addressed factors that impact cognitive performance (e.g., quality of education, stereotypes, cohort effects, and characteristics of culturally relevant cognitive tests/tasks currently in use). The workshop participants also generated recommendations.
Contact Information
Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA
301-496-9350
Dr. Daniel Berch (currently Dr. Jeffrey Elias), BSR
301-594-5942
Healthy Minds: Mental Vitality Across the Lifespan
NNA, the Behavioral and Social Research Program, and the American Psychological Association (APA) Presidential Task Force on Science cosponsored this workshop. As humans age, complex behaviors of attention, language, learning, and memory become vulnerable to insults, resulting in deficits that—although normal—can produce frustration and concern for elders. This workshop featured an examination of current knowledge of neural and behavioral changes in cognition with age. Presentations highlighted state-of-the-art research in neuroimaging and neurogenesis and included advances in interventions ranging from physical and mental activity to nutraceuticals.
Contact Information
Dr. Molly Wagster, NNA
301-496-9350
The Biology of Alpha Synuclein and Lewy Bodies Associated With Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Disease, and Parkinson's Disease
NNA cosponsored this exploratory workshop with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body disease (LBD) are perhaps the most common causes of dementia in the elderly. There is a substantial clinical overlap among the dementias associated with Alzheimer's disease, LBD, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Dementia develops in all patients with Alzheimer’s disease and LBD and in approximately 20 to 30 percent of patients with PD.
A growing body of evidence suggests a nonbeta amyloid component of Alzheimer's disease plaques (NACP)—also termed alpha-synuclein—contributes to neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's disease, LBD, and PD. Alpha-synuclein, a synaptic protein, was first associated with a neurodegenerative disease when NACP was isolated from a brain with Alzheimer’s disease, and it was determined antibodies to NACP recognize a significant percentage of diffuse and mature plaques and the Lewy bodies in Alzheimer's disease, LBD, and PD. In addition to alpha synuclein, the Lewy bodies contain ubiquitin and other proteosomal subunits. Intracellular degradation of many proteins involves their conjugation with ubiquitin and enzymatic cleavage to amino acid constituents in the proteasome. The ubiquitins are a family of scavenger proteins found throughout the brain, and their presence in the Lewy bodies may result from an attempt by ubiquitin to break up the accumulated alpha-synuclein.
This workshop examined the basic biology of alpha synuclein, the formation of Lewy Bodies, and their role in the dementias associated with Alzheimer's disease, LBD, and PD.
Contact Information
Dr. Creighton Phelps
301-496-9350
Cognitive and Emotional Health: The Healthy Brain
NIA cosponsored this advisory meeting with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute of Mental Health. Participants were principal investigators from large longitudinal or epidemiological studies that examined factors for adult cognitive and emotional health. This meeting included presentations on the following:
- Biomedical and psychosocial predictors of cognitive health—Dr. Anthony Jorm
- Biomedical and psychosocial predictors of emotional health—Dr. Laura Kubzansky
- Methodological issues relevant to large longitudinal and epidemiological studies—Dr. Burton Singer
The participants were organized into groups for substantive discussions about the status of existing knowledge, the potential value of secondary data analyses of existing data, whether there is a need for further instrument development to facilitate future studies, and potential designs of large studies that might be undertaken in the future. The participants also made recommendations.
Contact Information
Dr. Molly V. Wagster
301-496-9350
Cognitive and Emotional Aspects of Parkinson's Disease Working Group Meeting
NNA cosponsored this work group meeting with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute of Mental Health, in which 17 extramural scientists were invited to participate. This meeting was part of an effort to stimulate research on nonmotor aspects of Parkinson's disease. Participants were divided into two focus groups: (1) depression and Parkinson's disease, and (2) interactions and overlap of psychiatric and cognitive changes associated with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Some of the recommendations included:
- Research on clinical trials for the treatment of nonmotor symptoms (e.g., depression)
- Development of new animal models at all levels, from invertebrates to primates
- Establishment of a national primate facility to facilitate nonhuman primate research
- Establishment of a national brain bank for Parkinson's disease patients to allow correlation of neuropathology and clinical symptoms
- Development of a minimal dataset for Parkinson's disease to be used by investigators in the field.
Other, more specific, recommendations also were made.
Contact Information
Dr. Judith Finkelstein
301-496-9350
