Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
08:29
Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans
Published on: December 18, 2016
The Alzheimerization of aging: a brief update
1Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. radelman@umich.edu
Experimental Gerontology
|February 19, 1998
Summary
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) may overfund Alzheimer's Disease research, neglecting other critical aging research areas. Increased advocacy from the basic science community is urged for a more balanced NIA research portfolio.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Aging Research
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has faced criticism for disproportionately allocating funds to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) research.
- This allocation potentially limits funding for other vital areas of aging research.
- Previous opinions on this matter have generated debate within the scientific community.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the discussion on the NIA's research funding balance.
- To analyze the discourse surrounding the NIA's research priorities.
- To advocate for a more comprehensive research agenda at the NIA.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing opinions and published discourse.
- Review of community responses, including letters to the editor and media interviews.
- Qualitative assessment of the debate regarding NIA funding allocation.
Main Results:
- The opinion regarding disproportionate AD funding is affirmed by some and rejected by others within the research community.
- Significant debate exists regarding the NIA's research funding priorities.
- A call for greater engagement from the basic science community is evident.
Conclusions:
- The NIA's research funding may not adequately cover the spectrum of aging research.
- The scientific community's traditional political apathy hinders progress towards a balanced research agenda.
- Active participation by the broader basic science community is necessary to influence NIA's research priorities towards a more equitable distribution.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...