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| The Cognitive Aging Summit held in October 2007 brought together a range of experts in a variety of research fields to discuss the most cutting-edge advances in our understanding of age-related brain and behavioral changes. The goals and objectives of the conference were to assess the status of current scientific knowledge in normal aging and changes in cognition associated with the aging process; explore new avenues of potential research within the scientific community that could lead to the development of pharmacological and behavioral interventions; and, ultimately, to improved outcomes for the aging; and raise the level of awareness both within the scientific community and among the public about the importance of this area of research and its tremendous value to society. |
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| In the summer of 2006 the National Institute on Aging held an exploratory workshop aimed at examining the links between obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. This multidisciplinary workshop convened neuroscientists, endocrinologists, experts in genetics and epigenetics and clinicians, as well as representatives of the pharmaceutical industry. The product of this meeting was a Special, Hot Topic, Issue of the journal, Current Alzheimer Research (April 2007) featuring a series of minireviews, position papers and original research articles contributed by the workshop participants. |
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| Meeting organized by the NIA, the NIMH and the NINDS and held June 21, 2005, in Washington, D.C., as an ancillary event to the International Conference on Prevention of Dementia: Early Diagnosis and Intervention. The purpose was to present the Report of the Critical Evaluation Study Committee of the trans-NIH Cognitive and Emotional Health Project. The focus of the report was a critical evaluation of the extant literature and resulting findings from longitudinal studies that targeted factors involved in the maintenance of cognitive and/or emotional health in the adult. |
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| Workshop held September 28–29, 2004, that focused on the basic science, epidemiologic, and clinical trial data available on the use of estrogen in the aging female to examine what data are needed for the design of appropriate clinical trials on the use of sex steroids for the prevention of cognitive decline in aging women. It convened scientists in the basic science, reproductive epidemiology, and clinical trials fields. |
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| Advisory workshop held May 26–27, 2004, in Bethesda, MD, that explored knowledge gaps in the role steroid and peptide reproductive hormone levels play across the menstrual cycle within the premenopausal hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis that may protect premenopausal women from various health problems associated with menopause. |
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| Meeting held on April 5, 2004, which explored the status of various neuroimaging technologies in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The sensitivity/specificity of each were compared at various stages of illness and cost versus benefit over clinical diagnosis alone, given the current state of therapeutics. |
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| Workshop held August 26–27, 2003, on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD, that explored the concepts and research pertaining to cognitive and brain reserve. Objectives of this workshop were to: determine objective definitions of reserve, elucidate underlying mechanisms, develop potential human and animal studies, and formulate strategies for enhancing reserves. |
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| Advisory workshop held June 15–17, 2003, in New York, NY, that convened leaders of the larger cognitive neuroscience field to discuss new perspectives, research findings, and controversies in executive function; assess the state of knowledge regarding executive function in the healthy and injured/diseased states; and set a research agenda for future studies of executive function. |
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| Grantee meeting held May 12–13, 2003, in Potomac, MD, that convened investigators, other NIA grantees, and experts external to NIA. The meeting promoted information exchange in this fast-moving area of research, stimulated discussion of exciting research directions, and updated staff on current research issues to be considered for future initiatives in stem cell research. |
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| Advisory workshop held on May 5, 2003, in which participants determined the goals for a national case-control study for the genetics of LOAD, discussed the study design for a national case-control study for the genetics of LOAD, and discussed inclusion/exclusion criteria for cases and controls. Participants also generated suggestions for further research on the genetics of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. |
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| Meeting held March 30–31, 2003, at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, that reviewed the gap between the science of what is known about sleep in the elderly and the application of this knowledge in clinical practice. Participants developed strategies to help close this gap between science and the bedside. |
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| Meeting held January 27–28, 2003, in Bethesda, MD, to seek expert opinion on the comparability of executive functions across different populations, species, and cognitive levels and the feasibility of using brain imaging to improve measurement. The aging of executive functions was viewed as a public health issue that needs attention in terms of measurement and development of adequate interventions. |
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| Advisory meeting held January 14–15, 2003, in Bethesda, MD, that reviewed the current state-of-knowledge of dietary supplements use in the elderly and suggested future research directions for this area. Presentations focused on the "who," "what," and "why" of dietary supplement use in the elderly; special physiological/metabolic conditions of the elderly that might affect dietary supplement use; and evidence-based studies on the use of dietary supplements to maintain health in various organ systems. |
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| Exploratory meeting held January 12–13, 2003, in Washington, DC, that explored various nonpharmacological interventions in dementia and consisted of a roundtable discussion with experts in the field to better understand the barriers in nonpharmacological intervention research. |
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