Center for Aging (CFA) (University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Center)

Director: Richard M. Allman, MD

Established: 1976

Mission and Scope of Programs

The UAB Center for Aging is “adding years to life and life to years.” The Center is an interdisciplinary community that promotes the health and well‑being of older persons by conducting and promoting aging related research, training students and faculty to conduct research, educating students and professionals, and supporting community education and clinical programs.

This University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Center, established in 1976, encourages and coordinates the activities of the multiple disciplines represented by the UAB Schools of Business, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Health Professions, Medicine, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Nursing, Optometry, Public Health, and Social and Behavioral Sciences to fulfill its mission. More than 190 faculty members representing all 12 UAB schools have appointments in the Center for Aging.

Center Research

“Quality of Life” is the unifying theme of Center for Aging research, with investigators pursuing clinical, translational, social and behavioral, basic, neuroscience, and public policy research. Clinical and Translational Research focuses on mobility, muscle loss (sarcopenia), exercise, genito-urinary disorders such as incontinence, end-of-life and advanced illness care, Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders, stroke, vision, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, age-related cancers, multi-morbidity, nutrition, and heart failure. Social and Behavioral Research includes studies of interventions to prevent and treat age-related disorders and caregiver stress. Basic Science Research includes studies of the molecular genetics and cellular biology of aging and age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Neuroscience Research focuses on aging and memory and degenerative nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Public Policy and Health Services Delivery Research includes studies on the economics of aging, health care quality, long-term care and transportation.

Center for Aging faculty have extramural support for research in these and other areas totaling more than $60 million. Affiliated Centers conducting and supporting aging-related research include the NIA-funded Roybal Center for Research on Applied Gerontology and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center; the Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC); the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute; and the John A. Hartford Foundation-funded Southeast Center of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine (SCEGM). Research cores include a Cell Senescence Culture Facility, a Data Management and Analysis Core, and a Muscle Research Laboratory and Exercise Facility.

Training Activities

Pre- and post-doctoral positions in multiple disciplines are offered by many center-affiliated faculty members. Physicians who are senior fellows or junior faculty are eligible for career development awards or pilot grant funding from the SCEGM. Post-doctoral training is also available through the GRECC VA Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics. In addition, the Center offers intramural pilot grant awards each year, a weekly scientific seminar, an annual meeting, and interdisciplinary research retreats. The Gerontology Education Program offers an undergraduate minor and a graduate certificate in gerontology for students in all disciplines. Health professional education programs in Geriatric Medicine are also offered. The Alzheimer Family Program provides support groups, referrals, and information for caregivers of older adults with dementia.

For additional information:

Director: Richard M. Allman, MD

Email: rallman@uab.edu

Phone: 205-934-9261

Web Site: http://www.aging.uab.edu/

Approved by: Peter Bosworth, Assistant to Director

Date: April 30, 2008

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