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The FY 2005 President’s Budget Request Budget for NIH (including AIDS) increases from $28,041,057,000 in FY 2004 to $28,804,757,000 in FY 2005, an increase of 2.7%.
One of NIH’s highest priorities is the funding of health research through research project grants (RPGs). Support for RPGs allows NIH to sustain the scientific momentum of investigator-initiated research while providing new research opportunities. The FY 2005 NIA President’s Budget Request provides an aggregate average cost increase for competing RPGs at 1%.
Promises for advancement in health research are dependent on a continuing supply of new investigators with new ideas.
The FY 2005 President’s Budget Request includes funding for 1,378 research project grants (RPGs), compared to 1,390 in FY 2004. Of these 1,378 awards, 410 will be competing research project grants and 968 will be noncompeting awards. In addition, the request includes funding for 94 SBIR/STTR grants. It includes an increase of 1.3% over FY 2004 for Other Research including research career development awards as well as scientific meeting support.
Funding for the Centers mechanism increases by 3% over the FY 2004 level.
NIA will support 584 pre- and post-doctoral trainees in full-time training positions, an increase of 8 full-time training positions over FY 2004.
Funding for Contracts in FY 2005 increases by 7.7% over FY 2004 level.
The FY 2005 President’s Budget Request includes a 3% increase above FY 2004 for Intramural Research and a 2.4% increase above FY 2004 for Research, Management, and Support (RMS).
(Contact: Mr. David Conrad, Budget Analyst, Ph: 301-496-9147)
House Appropriations Committee Markup of FY 2005 Labor, HHS, and Education – On July 14, the House Appropriations Committee passed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spending measure. This measure proposes to fund $28.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health and $1.056 billion for NIA in FY 2005 which is a 3% or $31 million increase over FY 2004. At this time, no Senate action is anticipated on this measure.
S. 2533 /H.R. 4595, the Ronald Reagan Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2004 – introduced on June 16, 2004, by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Christopher Bond (R-MO), Ranking Member and Chairman respectively of the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Aging and Representative Edward Markey (D-MA). This measure includes the entire text of the Lifespan Respite Care Act (S. 538/H.R. 1083) and several major provisions of the Long Term Care and Retirement Security Act (HR2096/S1335). On June 14, Rhonda Richards of Senator Mikulski’s staff held a telephone conference with the NIA director and staff for a technical review of some of the NIA/NIH related provisions. No legislative action is anticipated during the remainder of the 108th session.
H.R. 2883, the Living Well with Fatal Chronic Illness Act of 2003, H.R. 2490/S.333, the Elder Justice Act, H.R. 2507/S. 1278, Conquering Pain Act of 2003, H.R. 1863, the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2003, H.R. 1138/S. 566, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Act, Prevention, S.1217/H.R. 3513, the Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2003 have had no significant action and remain in committee.
On June 30, staff from the DC Offices of Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) were briefed on the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span Study (HANDLS) by NIA staff– Dr. Michelle Evans, NIA Deputy Scientific Director; Jennifer Norbeck, Clinical Study Manager; Bridget Cromwell, Community Coordinator; Patricia Williams, Nurse Practitioner.
On July 28, health policy staff from the office of Senate Majority Leader, Bill First (R-TN) held a telephone briefing on the status of NIA Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research with Dr. Hodes, Dr. Salerno, and Dr. Morrison-Bogorad.
The NIA Director and Deputy Director participated at the following hearings:
NIA leadership and program staff met with:
NIA presented a symposium on grant opportunities and staffed an information booth in collaboration with the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) at their annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 20. This was the first time that NIA had presented such a symposium at AGS.
(Contact: Dr. Tamara Jones, NIA Legislative Point of Contact, Ph: 301-496-3121)
DHHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the appointment of a new member, Gary B. Ruvkun, Ph.D., to the National Advisory Council on Aging (NACA) in January. Two-thirds of the 18-member Council are from the health and scientific disciplines, particularly the biological and medical sciences, and one-third from the general public, including public policy, law, health policy, economics, and management. Council members are appointed for overlapping terms of four years. The NIA, a component of the National Institutes of Health within HHS, is the lead federal agency supporting and conducting biomedical, social, and behavioral research and training related to aging and the special needs of older people.
Dr. Ruvkun is Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, and Professor of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital. He earned his A.B. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, his Ph.D. from Harvard, and performed his postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard. He was an NIH MERIT Award recipient in 1981.Dr. Ruvkun’s major interests are neuroendocrine control of metabolism and aging; temporal patterning during development, regulatory RNAs, genomics, neuroendocrine regulation of molting, regulation of fat deposition, microbial diversity, and searching for life on Mars. His laboratory team investigates neuroendocrine control of C. elegans development, metabolism and longevity, as well as control of temporal pattern formation by heterochronic genes. This year they have begun new studies on the genetic control of molting and neurotransmitter transport and development of a miniature thermal cycler and protocols to send to Mars in search of microbial life
Dr. John Phillips joined the Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) Program’s Population and Social Processes Branch as a Health Scientist Administrator on May 3, 2004, and will help manage and develop BSR’s section on Health and Retirement Economics. Dr. Phillips is a labor economist with research interests in retirement, wealth, and social insurance. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Syracuse University and completed an NIA Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania where he conducted analysis on estate taxes, intergenerational transfers, retirement wealth, and social security using Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data. Dr. Phillips came to NIA from the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics at the US Social Security Administration (SSA) where he conducted research on retirement, managed several research contracts and grants, and served as SSA’s liaison to the HRS.
Dr. Laura Shrestha, formerly Deputy Associate Director, BSR, departed on May 29, 2004 for a position with the Congressional Research Services of the Library of Congress.
Ms. Barbara Kellner, Chief, Office of Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation (OPAE), Office of the Director, retired from NIA on June 3, 2004, after more than 30 years of federal service. As the NIA Planning and Evaluation Officer, Ms. Kellner was responsible for providing advice and assistance to the NIA Director and Deputy Director and other key Institute staff on a range of issues related to program planning, evaluation and program analysis. This included short- and long-range research program planning, evaluating NIA programs and activities, and coordinating and drafting Congressional testimony and a variety of reports and other briefing materials.
Ms. Lorraine G. Fitzsimmons became NIA’s Director, Office of Policy, Analysis and Evaluation (OPAE) on June 14. Prior to coming to NIA, Ms. Fitzsimmons worked for nine years with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), where she was most recently the Director of the NINDS Office of Science Policy and Planning, and oversaw and coordinated all science policy activities of the Institute, the NINDS strategic planning process, and all legislative activities at the Institute level, such as preparing Congressional reports and testimony. Ms. Fitzsimmons received her B.A. cum laude from Hunter College in 1970, and has extensive post-graduate coursework in the biological sciences, clinical research-related topics, computer programming, statistics, bioethics, law, administrative management, and organizational development. She has more than twenty years of experience in the public and private sectors primarily in administrative management and organizational development in research organizations. Since returning to the NIH in 1995, Ms. Fitzsimmons has received numerous performance awards, including the NIH Award of Merit four times, and the NIH Director's Award in 2001 and 2004. Ms. Fitzsimmons is a member of the Applied Research Ethics National Association (ARENA).
Ms. Grace Poe, a Grants Management Specialist at NIA for over three years, left in September to accept a Grants Management Specialist position at NICHD.
Mr. Joseph Ellis, Jr., accepted a position as a Grants Management Specialist in August. He has previous experience as an IT Consultant in private industry, a Grants and Agreements Specialist, and a Computer Specialist with the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Ms. Janis Peterson was hired as a Grants Management Specialist in August. Ms. Peterson’s prior position was in the Grants Management Office in the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund at the Department of Treasury. She earned her BS degree from the University of Maryland and a Master’s degree from American University
Cockayne Syndrome and Related Disorders of DNA Repair and Transcription: From Bench to Bedside and Back. The Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology (LMG) of NIA’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) organized this exploratory meeting which took place on May 23-26, 2004, in Landsdowne, VA. The purpose of the workshop was to gather leading scientists and clinicians to explore the clinical and mechanistic aspects of Cockayne syndrome and related DNA repair/transcription defective disorders such as the xeroderma pigmentosum-Cockayne syndrome complex and trichothiodystrophy and to develop new multidisciplinary collaborations, interactions and relationships that can lead to a greater understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in these disorders and to conceive new therapeutic strategies for their treatment. (Contact: Dr. Vilhelm A. Bohr, NIA IRP, Ph: 410-558-8162)
The Biology of the Perimenopause: Impact on Health and Aging advisory workshop was held in Bethesda on May 26-27, 2004. The 1.5 day workshop consisted of four plenary lectures (Premenopausal protection against chronic diseases of aging: rethinking the paradigms; Neurobiology of ovarian steroids; Dynamics of the female reproductive system and changes with aging; Relating aging and outcomes of menopause) and six broader discussion sessions (animal models, adipose tissue, immune system, bone, cardiovascular, and cognition and brain function). The presentations and discussion explored the hypothesis that changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (H-P-O) axis hormones (estrogen, androgen, progesterone, inhibin/activin, gonadotropins, etc.) and hormonal dynamics across the menopausal transition in middle-aged women increase the risk for disease and other pathophysiologic conditions in non-reproductive end organs and systems. The focus was on the underlying biology of endogenous H-P-O axis hormones and their interactions with non-reproductive organ systems, not therapeutic hormone use or clinical intervention studies. Participants strongly recommended a research initiative in this area. Research recommendations will be presented at the September 2004 NACA meeting. (Contact: BAP – Dr. Frank Bellino, 301-496-6402; GCG – Dr. Sherry Sherman; NNA – Dr. Marilyn Miller, Dr. Andrew Monjan)
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an exploratory meeting, was held on June 25, 2004, in Baltimore, MD. BSR organized a series of presentations for the staff of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by BSR grantees who use CMS data in their research. These presentations highlighted the uses of CMS data in social research and the value of these data both to the grantees and to CMS. The overall goal of this meeting, organized by Dr. Julia Lane who was employed in BSR under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA), was to encourage collaboration between NIA and CMS and to facilitate data access for BSR grantees. (Contact: Dr. Elayne Heisler, BSR, Ph: 301- 496-3138).
NIA Workshop on Decision Making and Aging, an exploratory workshop, was held July 14-15, 2004 in Bethesda, MD. BSR organized a workshop to explore the decision-making arena, particularly from the psychology, medical, and economic perspectives. The workshop represented an effort to bring behavioral scientists together with economists to help with the survey methodology that many economists use, to bring to light differing perspectives on methodology, and to foster cross-disciplinary work between the groups. To date, the strength of the models regarding changes with age in the factors that affect the perception of affective information (e.g., time perspective, culture, life circumstance, health, time of day, changing physiology, late gene expression) is not as great as the strength of the emerging interest. It is important to develop research initiatives that would strengthen these models. The behavioral link to economics and medical decision-making would seem to have great potential for translational research. (Contact: Dr. Jeffrey Elias, BSR, Ph: 301-402-4156).
The NIA Task Force on Comorbidity. The second meeting of The NIA Task Force on Comorbidity was held on July 20-21, 2004, in Bethesda, MD. The NIA Comorbidity Task Force was created to provide a foundation for Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology (GCG) Program research planning with a focus on ways to enhance accuracy and efficiency of prognosis, diagnosis, optimal therapy, and quality of life in older patients in the context of age-related comorbidity. In a set of two exploratory meetings, experts in geriatrics, other clinical specialties, gerontology, health professions, pharmacology, epidemiology, and physical functioning discussed issues to improve evaluation and work-up of older persons with comorbid conditions. Task Force objectives were to:
Four background papers were prepared for the July Task Force meeting: (1) Nosology of Impairment, Diseases, and Conditions; (2) Staging Classifications for Severity of Diseases; (3) Review of Methodology, Design, and Analytic Techniques; and (4) Inventory of Data Sources. The GCG plan is to have these papers published after the Task Force teams complete the effort. These products and the combined research suggestions from the Task Force effort will generate research tools and concepts. (Contact: Dr. Rosemary Yancik, GCG, Ph.: 301-496-5278)
The National Institute on Aging/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Meeting on Applications of Imaging and Sensor Technologies to Aging Research was held on July 22-23, 2004 in Bethesda, MD. The goals of this exploratory meeting were to integrate members of the aging and imaging and sensor research communities to: (1) identify important aging-related physiologic, morphologic, and/or biochemical changes for which new or better measures are needed; (2) determine what existing technologies can be used to measure these aging changes, what technologies could be improved to better measure these aging changes, and what new technologies could be developed to better measure these aging changes, and (3) determine how to integrate imaging and sensor technologies into existing studies on aging. Participants included clinical researchers in aging, imaging researchers and sensor researchers. The clinical aging researchers presented areas of aging research that would benefit from imaging and sensor technologies. The imaging and sensor researchers responded as a panel to each aging research area presented, providing descriptions of technologies that already exist that could help answer (1) whether it is possible to improve existing technologies to help answer the questions and/or (2) whether new technologies could be developed to best answer the questions. (Contact: Ms. Winnie Rossi, GCG, Ph: 301-496-3836)
Nathan Shock Symposium: "Aging and Disease: How to Exercise Your Options"The second annual Nathan Shock Symposium: "Aging and Disease: How to Exercise Your Options" (exploratory), co-sponsored by the NIA Intramural Research Program (IRP) and the Nathan W. and Margaret T. Shock Foundation, was held on September 13, 2004, in Towson, MD. The purpose of the meeting was to enhance staff’s awareness about the breadth of aging through presentations by innovative and distinguished leaders in the field of aging. NIA scientific staff and other NIH and Johns Hopkins scientists were invited. (Contact: Ms. Jamie Hertzfelt, NIA-IRP, 410-558-8110)
Survey on Global Aging. This two-day advisory technical meeting of the World Health Survey (WHS) component on Aging (called the Survey on Global Aging) was held August 25-27, 2004, in Bethesda, MD. The specific objectives of the meeting were to develop a provisional draft of the Aging and Older Adult Health module for the WHS based on review of existing survey instruments focusing on aging adults; to elicit guidance on conducting longitudinal follow-up of survey respondents; and to develop a plan for conducting the cross-validation study of the vignette approach. Invited participants included survey researchers associated with large-scale NIA-funded projects including the US-based Health and Retirement Survey, the UK- based English Longitudinal Study of Aging, and the EU-based Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe. (Contact: Dr. Richard Suzman, BSR, Ph: 301- 496-3131).
The Role of Chromatin Structure and Genomic Instability in Aging and Senescence.The Biology of Aging Program (BAP) will hold this exploratory workshop on “The Role of Chromatin Structure and Genomic Instability in Aging and Senescence” on September 29-30, 2004, in New Orleans, LA. The role of genomic instability in aging is an emerging area of research. The latest developments in this research area will be discussed by current NIA grantees and investigators that might be recruited to aging research. The meeting objective is to identify high priority and underdeveloped areas of research related to the biology of aging, longevity and senescence. (Contact: Dr. Anna McCormick, BAP, 301-496-6402)
NIA Stem Cell Grantees. An exploratory meeting of the NIA Stem Cell Grantees is being organized by the NIA Stem Cell Working Group to be held November 8-10, 2004, in Bethesda, MD. In this second meeting of grantees in stem cell research and aging, investigators will present updates on recent research progress and discuss current issues in stem cell research as it relates to understanding aging and developing therapies for age-related conditions. The investigators awarded grants under the NIA RFA “Biology of Adult Stem Cells in Aging” form the core group for the meeting, but with the continued expansion of research in this area, many additional NIA-supported extramural, as well as intramural, investigators will also participate. (Contact: Dr. Jill L. Carrington, 301-496-6402)
Neural Interfaces Workshop. NIA, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) will contribute to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)-sponsored Neural Interfaces Workshop, which will be held November 15-17, in Bethesda, MD. This exploratory meeting combines the 35th Annual Neural Prosthesis Workshop and the annual meeting of the NIH’s Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Consortium, of which NIA is a member. The NIH Neural Prosthesis research community consists of investigators working in areas such as functional neuromuscular/electrical stimulation studies, auditory and cortical prostheses, microelectrode array technology, and brain-computer interface. The NIH DBS Consortium is a core group of multidisciplinary researchers funded under a series of NIH-sponsored programs to explore DBS and its therapeutic applications, especially in relation to Parkinson’s Disease. Because the previous meetings of these two groups of investigators overlapped in both subject matter and attendees, a joint meeting was developed to enhance potential synergies and explore topics of common interest. Plenary sessions will address Neural Information Processing, Auditory Prosthesis as a Paradigm for Successful Neural Interfaces, Optimal Systems Design for Neural Interfaces, Optimizing Material Tissue Interactions for Neural Interfaces, Deep Brain Stimulation: Theoretical and Clinical Considerations, Practical Considerations for Neural Interfaces, Future Potential for Neural Interfaces. (Contact: Dr. Judith A. Finkelstein, NNA, Ph: 301-496-9350, or jf119k@nih.gov)
NIH State-of-the-Science Conference on End-of-Life Research. BSR/NIA will be cosponsoring the forthcoming (December 6-8, 2004) exploratory NIH State-of-the-Science Conference on End-of-Life Research. BSR staff has been collaborating with the Office of the Director’s (OD/NIA) Office of Medical Applications Research (OMAR) in planning and coordinating this Conference. The Individual and Behavioral Processes Branch (IBP) of NIA’s Behavioral and Social Research Program has developed a significant End-of-Life research portfolio currently valued at approximately $6,000,000 (all mechanisms). IBP’s long-standing interest in funding research concerning diverse end-of-life issues is well represented in a special issue of The Gerontologist that BSR helped sponsor (Vol 42 Special Issue III, October 2002). The special issue was the product of an integrative workshop (funded in part by BSR) on End-of-Life research with special emphasis on the elderly (October, 2001). Dr. Judy Salerno gave the meeting’s opening remarks. (Contact: Dr. Sid Stahl, BSR, Ph: 301-402-4156)
Fatigue in the Elderly, an exploratory meeting, will take place in late spring or early summer 2005. “Fatigue” or “exhaustion” is a common complaint among the elderly. Currently, no widely accepted definition of this symptom exists, and there has been little critical evaluation of its pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management. While fatigue may be a manifestation of underlying medical or psychiatric illness, a subgroup of older patients with this complaint appear to have no underlying condition to which this symptom may be attributed. The proposed workshop will establish a scientific basis for research and set an agenda for exploring the clinical problem of “idiopathic” fatigue among the elderly. (Contact: Dr. Susan Nayfield, GCG, Ph: 301-496-6949)
Enhanced Public Access to NIH Research Information NIH is planning to establish a comprehensive, searchable, electronic resource of NIH-funded research results to further its commitment to disseminate freely the results of NIH-supported research. In a September 3, 2004, Notice (NOT-OD-04-064 http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-064.html), NIH announced and is seeking possible comment on a policy in which grantees and supported principal investigators will be requested to submit final versions of manuscripts, upon their acceptance for publication, to a central NIH site if the research was supported in whole or in part by NIH funding. These manuscripts will be archived in PubMedCentral (PMC). Six months after publication of the study (sooner if the publisher agrees) the manuscript will be made freely available to the public through PMC.
NIH is encouraging comments about this proposed policy as outlined in the September 3 Notice. Comments on short-term impacts and suggestions for mitigating these are especially welcome. NIH encourages all comments to be submitted to the NIH website: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/public_access/add.htm. Alternatively comments may be sent by e-mail to: PublicAccess@nih.gov
NIH Stem Cell Bank, Centers of Excellence Will Fast-Track Translational ResearchThe NIH will establish Centers of Excellence in Translational Stem Cell Research with the goal of “exploiting new discoveries in basic embryonic and stem cell biology,” Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson said July 14. The plan is to fund the centers through $18 million in grants over four years.
NIH hopes to fast-track the creation of the centers, and plans to release an RFA shortly.
NIH also is planning a national Embryonic Stem Cell Bank that will result in reduced costs for researchers, uniform quality control, and technical support.
(Contact: John Burklow, NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Ph: 301-496-4461.)
The NIH Roadmap InitiativeThe NIH Roadmap Initiative is intended to provide research resources selected to have value extending beyond the missions of individual Institutes and Centers. It has been constructed around three main themes: New Pathways to Discovery; Research Teams of the Future; and Re-engineering the Clinical Research Enterprise. Within these themes the focus is to provide infrastructure, opportunities for collaboration, new flexible training initiatives, and incentives for high-risk research.
The first major wave of Roadmap funding occurred at the end of fiscal year 2004, with awards spread among fifteen different initiatives. Six of these initiatives focused on the theme of New Pathways to Discovery. Seven targeted interdisciplinary training and methods development for interdisciplinary research in the theme of Research Teams for the Future. Two initiatives focused on Re-engineering the Clinical Research Enterprise. The title of these programs and later initiatives scheduled to be paid in FY 2005 are listed at the end of this document.
NIH Extramural Loan Repayment ProgramAll Loan Repayment Applications submitted to NIH were assigned to the most appropriate Institute by the NIH Loan Repayment Office. Each institute was tapped for an amount proportional to its support for clinical research. NIA received requests from several other NIH Institutes who had received fewer applications to pay than they had funds available to pay them. As NIA had the reverse problem, we gave up assignment of several applications to these institutes confident that they would be paid. Of the 83 applications remaining with NIA, we were able to pay 70%. All but one of these applications were for the Clinical Loan Repayment program.
In 2003, we had received 58 applications and paid 81% of them. Much (72%) of the increase in applications this year was because 2004 marked the first year that earlier loan repayment awardees could seek renewal of their awards.
Among MD applicants, 24 out of 34 received awards (70.6%). Among PhD applicants, 31 out of 44 received awards (70.5%). Three out of five applicants with other doctoral degrees also received awards.
Dr. Michele Evans, NIA Deputy Scientific Director, was awarded the NIH Director's Award on July 22, 2004, for her work on HANDLS (Health Aging in Nationally Diverse Longitudinal Samples). She initiated, designed, obtained funding, executed, and continues to lead a multidisciplinary clinical research study on health disparities as a function of socioeconomic class; this involved designing and obtaining funding for two Mobile Research Vehicles that go to underserved communities and perform clinical measurements on research subjects who are not routinely enrolled in such studies in academic medical centers. The first phase of the HANDLS project has now been completed and is generating findings of interest.
Dr. Virginia M.-Y. Lee, NIA Advisory Council Member, and Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, was awarded the 2004 Founders Distinguished Senior Scholar Award by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation. This Award honors a woman scholar for a lifetime of outstanding research, college/university teaching, publications, and positive impact upon women in her profession and in the community.
The Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral (ADEAR) Center Web site won a Gold Screen Award and the publication, Alzheimer’s Disease: Unraveling the Mystery, won a Blue Pencil Award, both from the National Association of Government Communicators.
The Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) won several 2004 Communicator Awards including:
(Contact: Ms. Jane E. Shure, OCPL, Ph: 301-496-1752.)
OCPL completed the Vital Visionaries Collaboration, a pilot program involving the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore, MD. Medical students’ attitudes towards older people were tested before and after they engaged in eight hours of art programs with senior partners. Compared to non-participating students, the participating medical students showed a statistically significant increase in positive attitudes towards older people in most tested areas. Reducing negative stereotypes of aging and increasing medical students’ sensitivity towards older people is an increasingly important goal given the projected shortage of geriatricians and an increasing senior population.
On April 21, 2004, OCPL sponsored a workshop on creativity, aging, and health research in partnership with the Society for the Arts in Healthcare. Bruce L. Miller, M.D., University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), clinical director of UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center, spoke on dementia and the neuropsychology of creativity. Other talks included an overview of research in the area of art, aging, and health by Gene D. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Center on Aging, Health & Humanities, The George Washington University, and a presentation about how older artists adapt to age-related changes by Dahlia W. Zaidel, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology.
NIA and ADEAR publications were distributed at a variety of meetings and exhibits, including: the National Council on Aging/Aging Society of America Joint Meeting, the NIH Share the Health Fair, the Steps to a Healthier US Summit, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) National Courses, the American Psychological Association, the American Geriatrics Society, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Endocrine Society, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and the Alzheimer’s Association Education Conference/Alzheimer’s Association International Research Conference. In addition, OCPL staff prepared and presented a poster session at the Alzheimer’s Association Education Conference on the AD Genetics Study recruitment partnership.
The following publications were updated or reprinted:
Twelve press releases were distributed on a wide range of NIA-funded research findings--from predictors of Alzheimer’s disease longevity to the conversion of mouse brain cells into blood vessel cells. The most current NIA press releases can be found online at http://www.nia.nih.gov/whatsnew.htm.
From the NIH GUIDE - From May 1, 2004 - August 27, 2004 Includes Notices and Initiatives, (Requests for Applications (RFAs) and Program Announcements (PAs), published since the May 2004 Council presentation of the Director’s Status Report (DSR) to the National Advisory Council on Aging (NACA). Also check our NIA website “Funding Opportunities” (Shown here are selected Notices relevant to NIA and selected Initiatives)
NIH Policy on Sharing of Model Organisms for Biomedical ResearchRelease Date: May 7, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-042http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-042.htmlThis Notice reaffirms NIH support for the concept of timely sharing and distribution of biomedical research resources and provides further guidance with particular attention on model organisms for biomedical research.. [See NIH Model Organism for Biomedical Research Website at http://www.nih.gov/science/models/ for information about NIH activities related to these resources]. Research resources to be shared include genetically modified or mutant organisms, sperm, embryos, protocols for genetic and phenotypic screens, mutagenesis protocols, and genetic and phenotypic data for all mutant strains. By sharing of research resources and, thus, avoiding the duplication of very expensive efforts to generate model organism models, the NIH is able to support more investigators than if these useful models had to be generated in duplicate by more than one NIH funded investigator. This statement applies to extramural investigators funded by NIH grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, including SBIR and STTR awards. Guidelines already in place for the intramural research program are consistent with those for the extramural community (for example, see http://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/ethic-conduct/resources.htm). To further extend NIH resource sharing policies, all investigators submitting an NIH application or contract proposal beginning with the October1, 2004 receipt date, are expected to include in the application/proposal a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organism research resources generated using NIH funding so that other researchers can benefit from these resources, OR state appropriate reasons for why such sharing is restricted or not possible.
Use of Current PHS 398, 2590 and Related Forms (OMB No. 0925-0001)Release Date: May 19, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-044 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-044.htmlThe Research and Research Training Grant Applications and Related Forms (PHS-398 PHS-2590 PHS-2271 PHS-3734), OMB No. 0925-0001/ Exp. 5/2004, currently in use remain authorized until further Notice in accordance with OMB regulations [5 CFR 1320.10.(e)(2)]. The revised versions have been submitted to OMB for review and approval. Once OMB approval is received, the new forms will become available for use and will be accessible on the NIH web site. There will be a transition period when both the new or old forms will be accepted. Further guidance will be provided at that time.InquiriesQuestions concerning the revision of the 398, 2590 and Related Forms may be directed to:Division of Grants PolicyOffice of Policy for Extramural Research AdministrationOffice of Extramural ResearchNational Institutes of Health(301) 435-0949E-mail: GrantsPolicy@od.nih.gov
Extending the Expiration Date of PA-01-079, Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities and PA-01-080, Research Supplements for Individuals With DisabilitiesRelease Date: June 10, 2004 Notice: NOT-OD-04-048http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-048.htmlThe announcement for the Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-01-079.html and the announcement for Research Supplements for Individuals With Disabilities at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-01-080.html published in the NIH Guide on April 9,2001 will remain active until replaced by subsequent program announcements. If you have questions, please send email to:Walter T. Schaffer, Ph.D.Acting Director Office of Extramural Programs and 6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 3537Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7963Email schaffew@od.nih.gov
Announcing the High Priority, Short-Term Project Award (R56)Release Date: June 15, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-047http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-047.htmlNIH announces the new NIH High Priority, Short-Term Project Award (R56). R56 grants will be awarded beginning in Fiscal Year 2005. The new R56 grant will fund, for one or two years, high-priority new or competing renewal R01 applications that fall just outside the limits of funding of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
Addendum to RFA-DK-03-022: Ancillary Studies to Obesity Related Clinical TrialsRelease Date: June 24, 2004Notice: NOT-DK-04-007http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-DK-04-007.htmlThis addendum is to inform potential applicants of two changes in RFA-DK-03-022: a change in the handling of fiscal and administrative costs on subcontracts and the readiness of three networks to accept ancillary studies.
NIH Announces Change in Process—Centralizing the Receipt of Progress Reports for All NIH Institutes/Centers Effective October 1, 2004Release Date: July 23, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-054http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-054.htmlEffective with non-competing progress reports due on/after October 1, 2004, NIH is centralizing receipt and initial processing of all NIH non-competing progress reports. The new centralized mailing address for all NIH Institutes/Centers (IC) will be announced in a separate NIH Guide Notice issued after September 1, 2004. As part of this centralized activity, all progress reports will be scanned and stored in the eRA Enterprise system. As a result, the scanned images will also be available to grantee institutions through the eRA Commons.For additional information concerning this change contact:Office of Policy for Extramural Research AdministrationOffice of Extramural ResearchNational Institutes of HealthTel.: 301-435-0938E-mail: grantspolicy@mail.nih.govFAX: 301-435-3059
NIA Aged Rodent Tissue ArraysRelease Date: July 23, 2004Notice: NOT-AG-04-006http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-AG-04-006.htmlThe National Institute on Aging (NIA) announces a new resource to facilitate research on the biology of aging. The NIA Aged Rodent Tissue Bank (http://www.nia.nih.gov/research/tissuebank.htm) is now offering tissue arrays, 5 x 12 arrays of 1.5 mm punches of fixed tissues from aged rodents. The first arrays are from F344xBN F1 hybrid rats. Tissues included are brain, heart, lung, liver, muscle, spleen, pancreas, kidney, testes, prostate, skin and white adipose tissue, from rats at 6, 18, 24, 34, and 39 months of age. Arrays from C57BL/6 will be offered soon.
Small Business Innovation Research ProgramRelease Date: August 3, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-055Contract Proposal Receipt Date: November 5, 2004The Purpose of This Notice is to (1) announce the issuance of the Solicitation Of The Public Health Service For Small Business Innovation Research Contract Proposals (PHS 2005-1) with a due date of November 5, 2004 for receipt of SBIR Contract proposals; and (2) inform the public about the opportunities that the SBIR program offers to small business concerns as well as to scientists at research institutions.For more information contact:National Institute on AgingMichael-David A.R.R. Kerns, M.M., M.S., Ph.D.Office of Extramural Affairs7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C218Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-9322 FAX: (301) 402-2945Email: michael.kerns@nih.hhs.govWeb site: http://www.nih.gov/nia/
Determining Full-Time Professional Effort for Career Awards Release Date: August 3, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-056http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-056.htmlAlmost all NIH supported career development awards (Ks) require that recipients devote a specified minimum percentage of their full-time professional effort (in most cases 75%) to the goals of the career award. In addition, policy requires a full-time appointment at the applicant organization, with salary based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment. This requirement recently has been cited as problematic because investigator appointments are becoming increasingly complex. In an effort to address these concerns and to foster more consistent treatment across all NIH Institutes and Centers the policy outlined in this Notice now applies.
Delays in Grant Application Submission Due to Hurricane CharleyRelease Date: August 17, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-059http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-059.htmlHurricane Charley has caused widespread damage in Florida and other states. The NIH realizes that this may lead to problems for investigators who are planning on submitting grant applications. Applications that are submitted late because of Hurricane Charley should include a cover letter noting the reasons for the delay. It is not necessary to get permission in advance for hurricane-related delays in grant application submissions. It is expected that the delay will generally not exceed the time period that an institution is closed.
Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical ResearchersRelease Date: August 23, 2004Notice: NOT-OD-04-060http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/Notice-files/NOT-OD-04-060.htmlApplication Period: September 1, 2004, through 5 PM EST, December 15, 2004 NIH announces the availability of educational loan repayment under the NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers (LRP-CR). LRP-CR applications will be accepted September 1 through December 15, 2004. They must be submitted via the NIH Loan Repayment Website, http://www.lrp.nih.gov.
Characterization, Behavior and Plasticity of Pluripotent Stem Cells(Seven NIH Institutes are co-sponsoring this announcement.)Release Date: May 4, 2004PA NUMBER: PA-04-101http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-101.htmlApplication Receipt Date(S): Applications submitted in response to this program announcement must be mailed on or before the standard application deadlines.Purpose of This PA This initiative encourages applications to study the fundamental properties of all classes of human and non-human stem cells, and to confirm, extend, and compare the behavior of stem cells that are derived from different sources and ages or exposed to different regimes in vitro and in vivo or derived from tumors. Of high priority are studies to develop methods for identifying, isolating and characterizing specific precursor populations at intermediate stages of differentiation into neurons and glia, and their relationship to tumor-generating cells.The NIA contact is:Bradley C Wise, Ph.D.Program Director, Fundamental NeuroscienceNeuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging ProgramNational Institute on AgingGateway Building, Suite 3507201 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9205Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-9350FAX: (301) 496-1494Email: WiseB@nia.nih.gov
Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)(This is an NIH-wide announcement.)Release Date: June 8, 2004PA NUMBER: PA-04-107http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-107.htmlApplication Receipt Date(S): Applications submitted in response to this program announcement must be mailed on or before the standard application deadlines.Purpose of This PAThe purpose of the Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research is to provide support for clinician investigators to allow them protected time to devote to patient-oriented research (POR) and to act as research mentors primarily for clinical residents, clinical fellows and/or junior clinical faculty.The NIA contact is:Dr. Robin BarrOffice of Extramural AffairsNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C218Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: 301-496-9322Email: rb42h@nih.gov
Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R01)(The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and 13 NIH Institutes and Offices co-sponsored this initiative.)Release Date: June 22, 2004PA NUMBER: PAR-04-116http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-04-116.htmlApplication Receipt Date: October 13, 2004; October 13, 2005; October 13, 2006Purpose of This PA This initiative invites investigators to submit R01 research grant applications on health literacy. The goal of this Program Announcement is to increase scientific understanding of the nature of health literacy and its relationship to healthy behaviors, illness prevention and treatment, chronic disease management, health disparities, risk assessment of environmental factors, and health outcomes including mental and oral health.The NIA contact is:Dr. Jeffrey EliasBehavioral and Social Research ProgramNational Institute of AgingGateway/533Bethesda, MD 20892Telephone: 301-402-4156Email: eliasj@nia.nih.gov
Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R03)(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and 11 NIH Institutes and Offices co-sponsored this initiative.)Release Date: June 22, 2004PA NUMBER: PAR-04-117http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-04-117.htmlApplication Receipt Date: October 13, 2004; October 13, 2005; October 13, 2006Purpose of This PAThis initiative invites investigators to submit R03 research grant applications on health literacy. The goal announcement is to increase scientific understanding of the nature of health literacy and its relationship to healthy behaviors, illness prevention and treatment, chronic disease management, health disparities, risk assessment of environmental factors, and health outcomes including mental and oral health.The NIA contact is:Dr. Jeffrey EliasBehavioral and Social Research ProgramNational Institute of AgingGateway/533Bethesda, MD 20892Telephone: 301-402-4156Email: eliasj@nia.nih.gov
Sociobehavioral Data Analysis and Archiving in AgingRelease Date: July 7, 2004PA NUMBER: PA-04-123http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-123.htmlApplication Receipt Date(S): Applications submitted in response to this program announcement must be mailed on or before the standard application deadlines.Purpose of This PAThis initiative seeks small grant (R03) applications to: 1) stimulate and facilitate data archiving and secondary analyses of data related to caregiving, cognition, demography, economics, epidemiology, behavioral genetics and other behavioral research on aging; 2) provide support for preliminary projects using secondary analysis that could lead to subsequent applications for other research project grant award mechanisms; 3) provide support for rapid analyses of new databases and experimental modules for purposes such as informing the design and content of future study waves; 4) provide support for the development, enhancement and assembly of new databases from existing data; and 5) provide support for pilot research on under-utilized databases. This announcement updates and replaces a previous Program Announcement, Data Analysis and Archiving in Demography, Economics and Behavioral Research (PA-01-082, issued April 12, 2001).Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:Elayne Heisler, Ph.D.Behavioral and Social Research ProgramNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 533Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-3138FAX : (301) 402-0051Email: eh164f@nih.gov (e-mail correspondence is preferred)
Novel Approaches to Enhance Animal Stem Cell Research(14 NIH Institutes and Centers co-sponsored this initiative.)Release Date: July 8, 2004PA NUMBER: PA-04-125http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-125.htmlApplication Receipt Date(S): Applications submitted in response to this program announcement must be mailed on or before the standard application deadlines.Purpose of This PA The Purpose of This program announcement (PA) is to encourage the submission of applications for research to enhance animal stem cells as model biological systems. Innovative approaches to isolate, characterize and identify totipotent and multipotent stem cells from nonhuman biomedical research animal models, as well as to generate reagents and techniques to characterize and separate those stem cells from other cell types is encouraged. Studies involving human subjects are not allowed under this PA. This PA supersedes PA-02-147 issued earlier by the NCRR.The NIA contact is:Jill L. Carrington, Ph.D.Biology of Aging ProgramNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C231Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-6402FAX: (301) 402-0010Email: carringtonj@nia.nih.gov
Supplements to Promote Reentry Into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers(This is an NIH-wide announcement.)Release Date: July 9, 2004PA NUMBER: PA-04-126 (see modification in NOT-OD-01-055)(see NOT-MH-04-003)http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-126.htmlApplication Receipt Date(S): Applications submitted in response to this program announcement must be mailed on or before the standard application deadlines.Purpose of This PAThis initiative announces a continuing program for administrative supplements to research grants to support individuals with high potential to reenter an active research career after taking time off to care for children or attend to other family responsibilities. The aim of these supplements is to encourage such individuals to reenter research careers within the missions of all the program areas of NIH. This program will provide administrative supplements to existing NIH research grants for the purpose of supporting full-time or part-time research by these individuals in a program geared to bring their existing research skills and knowledge up to date.The NIA contact is:Michael-David A.R.R. Kerns, M.M., M.S., Ph.D.Office of Extramural AffairsNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C218Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-9322FAX: (301) 402-2945Email: michael.kerns@nih.hhs.gov
Paul B. Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging(NIA is co-sponsoring this announcement with The John A. Hartford Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, and The Starr Foundation.)Release Date: July 19, 2004RFA Number: RFA-AG-05-001 EXPIRATION DATE: November 23, 2004http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-05-001.htmlApplication Receipt Date: November 22, 2004 Purpose of This RFADr. Paul B. Beeson has profoundly influenced the career paths of many young physicians, including several who now form the core leadership in geriatric medicine. The aims of this RFA are: To encourage and assist the development of future leaders in the field of aging by supporting clinically-trained (primarily physician) faculty members early in their careers to gain additional research training and to establish independent programs in aging research.Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:Robin A. Barr, D. Phil.Office of Extramural AffairsNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Room 2C218, MSC 9205Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-9322FAX: (301) 402-2945Email: BarrR@nia.nih.gov
Summer Research Training in Aging for Medical Students(NIA is co-sponsoring this announcement with The John A. Hartford Foundation and the American Federation for Aging Research.)Release Date: August 6, 2004RFA NUMBER: RFA-AG-05-002http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-ag-05-002.htmlApplication Receipt Date: November 18, 2004Purpose of This RFAThis initiative invites applications for a new coordinated national program to provide short-term research training for medical students. This program continues and strengthens the AFAR/Hartford Foundation Medical Student Geriatric Scholars Program, established in 1994, which provided short-term research, clinical and didactic support for medical students, in allopathic or osteopathic schools, to expose them to career opportunities in aging-related research and academic geriatrics.Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:Robin A. Barr, D. Phil.Office of Extramural AffairsNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Room 2C218, MSC 9205Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-9322FAX: (301) 402-2945Email: BarrR@nia.nih.gov
Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Scientist Development Award (K01 & K08)Release Date: August 9, 2004RFA Number: RFA-AG-05-003http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-05-003.htmlApplication Receipt Date: January 24, 2005Purpose of This RFAThis initiative seeks applications for the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) or Mentored Research Scientist Award (K01) in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research. NIA will offer the K08 or K01 award to support the development of outstanding academic physician scientists to continue or to focus their research effort in Alzheimer’s disease related to clinical practice. The award period is three years and must include a plan to obtain didactic training and supervised training experience in order to ground the applicant in the field of neurodegenerative disease and integrate a fundamental and theoretical understanding of dementia with clinically oriented and/or laboratory research.Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:Elisabeth Koss, Ph.D.Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging ProgramNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 350Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-9350FAX: (301) 496-1494Email: kosse@nia.nih.gov
Joint Degeneration: Mouse Models(Three NIH Institutes are co-sponsoring this announcement.)Release Date: August 12, 2004PA NUMBER: PA-04-139http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-139.htmlApplication Receipt Date(S): Applications submitted in response to this program announcement must be mailed on or before the standard application deadlines.Purpose of This PA This initiative seeks proposals of research employing genetically defined and genetically modified mouse models to explore the biological mechanisms underlying non-inflammatory joint degeneration, or osteoarthritis. Inflammatory processes are evident in late stages of osteoarthritis, and are likely to be major contributors to the chronic pain that is the most common symptom of the condition. This Program Announcement is intended to accelerate the characterization of new models and the testing of hypotheses that could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.The NIA contact is:Jill L. CarringtonMusculoskeletal Biology ProgramBiology of Aging ProgramNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C231Bethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-6402FAX: (301) 402-0010Email: carringtonj@nia.nih.gov
Genetics and Pathobiology of Vascular Cognitive Impairment(Three NIH Institutes are co-sponsoring this announcement.)Release Date: August 20, 2004PA NUMBER: PAS-04-149http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-04-149.htmlApplication Receipt Date(S): Applications submitted in response to this program announcement must be mailed on or before the standard application deadlines.Purpose of This PAThis initiative invites applications that will study the biological basis of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). VCI causes a burden of illness similar to that caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but has been far less well-studied. Recently, however, some important strides have been made in understanding the etiology of VCI. These include the discovery of a monogenic form of vascular dementia, CADASIL, and identification of the causative gene as Notch 3. In addition, MRI and other pathological data have provided a clearer delineation of the various clinical subtypes of VCI, and awareness of the synergistic interaction between vascular and classical Alzheimer’s pathologies in producing cognitive impairment. The goal of this PAS is to build on these first critical achievements to obtain a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms causing vascular, neural, and glial dysfunction in human VCI and animal models of VCI.The NIA contact is:Creighton H. Phelps, Ph.D.Director, Alzheimer's Disease Centers ProgramNeuroscience and Neuropsychology of AgingNational Institute on Aging7201 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 350Bethesda, MD, 20892Telephone: (301)496-9350FAX:(301)496-1494Email: phelpsc@nia.nih.gov
Aging Through the Life Span: Longitudinal Data Analyses Release Date: August 25, 2004RFA Number: RFA-AG-05-004http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-05-004.htmlApplication Receipt Date: January 11, 2005Purpose of This RFA This initiative invites research grant (R01) applications that will utilize existing human longitudinal data and specimens, and/or conduct ancillary studies to longitudinal studies, to gain information and answers to important research questions regarding the progression and determinants of changes across all segments of the life span that affect health in old age; effects of age, disease stage, and comorbidity on the effects of risk factors; variability among and within individuals in rates of change with age in physiologic, pathologic, behavioral, social and functional characteristics; determinants of exceptionally healthy aging; and the health and physiologic effects in human aging of factors that influence aging in other species.Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:Chhanda Dutta, PhDGeriatrics and Clinical Gerontology ProgramNational Institute on AgingGateway Building, Suite 3C-307Bethesda, MD 20892Telephone: (301) 435-3048Email: cd232z@nih.gov
Developing Interventions For Multiple MorbiditiesRelease Date: August 27, 2004RFA Number: RFA-AG-05-007http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-05-007.htmlApplication Receipt Date: January 13, 2005Purpose of This RFA This initiative invites R34 and R21 applications exploring potential interventions to decreasing morbidity, mortality, and disability associated with multiple, co-occurring diseases in elderly patients. This initiative supports (1) planning projects for clinical trials to design and test interventions supported by current epidemiologic and clinical evidence (R34 applications), and (2) exploratory studies to establish a scientific basis for future interventions (R21 applications). The focus of both types of activities should be on improving health outcomes related to interactions of multiple co-occurring diseases or conditions in elderly patients.Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:Susan G. Nayfield, M.D., M.Sc.Chief, Geriatrics BranchGeriatrics and Clinical Gerontology ProgramNational Institute on AgingGateway Building, Suite 3C3077201 Wisconsin AvenueBethesda, MD 20892-9205Telephone: (301) 496-6761FAX: (301) 402-1784Email: nayfiels@mail.nih.gov
Initiatives under the NIH Roadmap will help enable the agency to sustain its historic record of cutting-edge contributions that are central to extending the quality of healthy life for people in this country and around the world. All NIH Institutes and Centers participate in Roadmap initiatives. (For more information visit the NIH Roadmap Initiatives program).
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