Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute
Director: J.
Established:
The mission of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute is to
advance the understanding of the biological basis of the effects of the normal
aging process on the human brain’s capacity for learning and memory through
fundamental research.
The University of Alabama School of Medicine received a $5 million
grant to support research in age-related memory loss from the McKnight Brain
Research Foundation. This grant
established the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, which is housed in the
Richard C. and
Center
Research
Institute scientists will
investigate the fundamental mechanisms of memory in the human brain, focusing
particularly on problems of age-related memory loss. The long-term objective is to translate basic
biomedical research into treatments, medications, or other techniques that can
minimize the effects of aging on learning and memory.
Earlier this year, a total of $100,000
was awarded to three investigators for pilot research projects. David G. Clark, MD, Assistant Professor of
Neurology, will use sophisticated neuroimaging approaches to study semantic
processing and brain structure in normal human aging. Inga Kadisha, PhD, Instructor, Department of
Cell Biology, will study the role of white matter pathology in age-related
cognitive deficits. Anne Theibert, PhD, Associate
Professor of Neurobiology, will examine the PI3-kinase pathway and its role in
dendritic spine and synapse morphogenesis in developing and aging rat
hippocampus.
Training
Educational symposia and seminars on topics related to the
effects of aging on learning and memory are sponsored by the Center.
For
additional information:
Director: J.
Phone: 205-934-0100
Approved
by: J. David Sweatt, PhD, Director
Date: April 15, 2008
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