The Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of California, Irvine

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – OVERALL The theme of University of California Irvine Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (UCI ADRC) is accelerating discovery in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD Related Disorders (ADRD) research across special populations. The UCI ADRC plays a distinctive role in the ADRC network, with a rich history of studying unique groups that have been underrepresented in AD/ADRD research. We have been a leader in research on individuals 90 years and older and our center was one of the first to study participants with Down syndrome (DS), groups at increased risk for dementia but often excluded from research. We have focused strongly on the underrepresented but rapidly growing populations of older Asian American and Hispanic individuals and have helped establish the first national registry of Asian American individuals to support inclusion in AD/ADRD research. We ensure data from these populations are available to the entire ADRC network through our Clinical Core, which emphasizes the earliest signs of disease, including mild behavioral impairment; and our unique special population DS Core and Oldest-Old Core. These invaluable resources synergize with our six other ADRC cores and our Research Education Component in a center that is highly collaborative. Our Neuropathology Core has shared tissue from >1500 donated brains with >120 investigators worldwide. Our induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Core was the first of its kind in the ADRC network and has shared iPSCs with >70 laboratories worldwide and supported more than $125M in NIH-funded projects. Our Data Management and Statistical Core supports ADRC investigators through applied research and develops improved statistical methods. Our Biomarker Core implements state-of-the-art tools while researching ways to make biomarker information more accessible. Our Outreach Recruitment and Engagement Core has strong ties to the diverse local community and is a leader in the science of recruitment. The Administrative Core of UCI ADRC has consistently provided strategic leadership to ensure that our center constantly innovates, collaborates, and educates.