AFAR Awards Grants to Scientists Studying Biology of Aging New

Fall 2006 Newsletter

The Science of Healthier Aging

AFAR Awards Grants to Scientists Studying Biology of Aging Understanding Mechanisms of Aging as a Means to Understanding Diseases of Aging First Half-Year Awards Exceed $2 Million; More to be Selected in the Fall

Eighteen early and mid-career scientists were selected as the 2006 recipients of New President Begins Term three AFAR-supported grant programs. These scientists will study a broad Terrie Fox Wetle, elder care specifically, and in public range of subjects covering the biologi- PhD, a former health more generally. She has a spe- cal processes of aging and age-related Deputy Director of cial interest in qualitative and mixed diseases. The awards, the AFAR the National methods research, with a book on the Research Grant, the Julie Martin Mid- Institute on Aging topic under publication. Career Awards in Aging Research and (NIA), began her “I have always been an enthusiastic the Ellison Medical Foundation/AFAR term as President supporter of AFAR and its mission to Senior Postdoctoral Research Program, of AFAR. The two- assist early and mid-career scientists, together provide grants of more than year term is effective immediately. helping them to gain a foothold in the $2 million each year. Dr. Wetle is Associate Dean of field of aging research and geriatric Each of the more than 200 proposals Medicine for Public Health and Public medicine,” said Dr. Wetle. “The work of received were first reviewed by AFAR’s Policy, and Professor of Community AFAR is particularly important at a time National Scientific Advisory Council — a Health at Brown University. In addition when aging research holds such prom- volunteer corps of 200 of the nation’s to her position at the NIA, Dr. Wetle ise, but when greater numbers of scien- leading researchers on aging — who also held positions at Harvard Medical tists are competing for fewer and fewer made recommendations to AFAR’s School and Yale University as research dollars,” she added. Research Committee. After a one-day Assistant Professor of Medicine and continued on page 7 deliberation, the Research Committee, Director of the Program in Long Term led by Richard Miller, MD, PhD, Care Administration, respectively. Professor of Pathology and Associate Contents As a gerontologist, Dr. Wetle has stud- Director for Research at the University ied health status and service systems M of Michigan Geriatrics Center, made its for older adults, with a focus on func- Imaging & the Aging Brain ...... 2 final selections in May. tional status and quality of life, and AFAR-NYAS-GE Healthcare Prize ...... 3 epidemiology of diseases common in “This year’s selections represent the McCarter AFAR Research Chair...... 3 best and the brightest new talent our aging. She has had a particular inter- nation has to offer in the field of aging est in long term care and in end-of-life AFAR 25th Anniversary ...... 4 research,” said Dr. Miller. “It is through care, from the perspectives of older The Rosalinde and a greater understanding of the biologi- persons, their families, and the serv- Arthur Gilbert Foundation ...... 4 ice professionals who provide care. cal processes of aging and the inter- Beeson Annual Meeting ...... 5 play of genes, hormones, diet and even Her research includes ethical issues in New Board Members ...... 5 continued on page 6 Death of Vincent Cristofalo ...... 7 Top Neuroscientists Gather at Imaging Conference on the Aging Brain

Nobel laureate Eric Kandel joined leading neuroscientists and industry experts to speak at the Imaging and the Aging Brain conference, sponsored by AFAR and the New York Academy of Sciences and held at NYU’s Kimmel Center on May 16 and 17, 2006.

Conference presentations focused on recent technological advances in brain imaging and how it is transforming the Eric Kandel, MD way researchers understand normal Dr. Kandel presented the keynote Combining PIB with a PET scan, and pathologic aging processes. address about the biology of memory Dr. Mintun and his colleagues have and age-related memory loss; how we developed a quantitative test that has learn, how we form memories, how we the potential to predict the onset of M store them and how we retrieve them. Alzheimer’s disease many years earlier than current methods. If confirmed by Executive Director Other featured presenters included: ongoing studies, this method would Stephanie Lederman Wendy Suzuki, PhD, Associate Professor, allow early and better treatment to slow or stop the formation of these plaques. Administrative Manager Neural Science, New York University, presented research about memory sig- Dr. Mintun is also investigating the use of Catherine Cullar nals in the macaque monkey medial PIB as a biomarker of aging and disease. temporal lobe. Her research looks into Director, Communications Eric Reiman, MD, Executive Director of how new memories are formed in the Stacey Harris the Banner Alzheimer’s Disease Institute brain and how memory is impaired at the University of Arizona, discussed through aging. Program Officer brain imaging and genomics research in Hattie Herman Scott Small, MD, the Herbert Irving the study of Alzheimer’s disease and Assistant Professor in Neurology at aging. His work focuses on detecting Director, Development Columbia University, presented data on and tracking the earliest brain changes Nancy O’Leary imaging studies in the hippocampal areas in people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease of humans, monkeys and mice. The hip- — in many cases decades before the Program Associate pocampus is an area of the brain that onset of possible memory and thinking Veronica Smith controls memory and both Alzheimer’s problems — and developing a way to disease and the normal aging process identify and evaluate effective treatments Director, Grant Programs target the hippocampus. Dr. Small’s to prevent it. Odette van der Willik work has helped identify the different Complete conference information molecular changes that distinguish AD 70 West 40th Street including multimedia presentations can from normal age-related decline. 11th Floor be found at www.nyas.org/AgingBrain. New York, NY 10018 Mark A. Mintun, MD, Professor of AFAR gratefully acknowledges major underwriters Radiology and Psychiatry, discussed his of this conference which include: The Alzheimer’s tel 212.703.9977 work using a new imaging agent, Association, Anonymous, Elan, GE Healthcare, fax 212.997.0330 Institute for The Study of Aging, International Pittsburgh Compound B (PIB) to track the Brain Research Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, build-up of amyloid plaque in the brain. National Institute on Aging/NIH, Ohio Valley www.afar.org While it has long been known that amy- Imaging Solutions, Pfizer and Sanofi-aventis. www.infoaging.org loid plaque is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s www.healthcompass.org disease, scientists could not measure www.beeson.org these plaques until after autopsy. 2 GE Healthcare Supports Early-Career Scientists Studying the Aging Brain

Four neuroscientists were awarded the first AFAR Scientific AFAR-NYAS-GE Healthcare Neuroimaging Director George M. Martin, MD, Prize for Junior Investigators. The award, (center) with which was presented at the Imaging and award winners. the Aging Brain conference sponsored by the American Federation for Aging Research and the New York Academy of Sciences (www.nyas.org), was established by GE Healthcare (www.gehealthcare.com) as a way to support and recognize outstanding academic and scientific accom- plishments in the area of neuroimaging.

Recipients of the $1,500 award include: us to better identify and treat age- Imaging Leader at GE Healthcare. related brain diseases at the earliest pos- “Imaging science has been at the fore- Juebin Huang, MD, PhD sible stages,” said Stephanie Lederman, front of helping us understand how the University Hospital of Cleveland/Case Executive Director of AFAR. brain works, providing a non-invasive Western Reserve University means to help detect alterations in Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Normal “GE Healthcare is proud to help early- brain function. It is through support of Appearing White Matter and its career scientists further their careers the next generation of scientists that Correlation with Cognitive Functioning in and the field of imaging,” said Dr. Jean- we will gain an even greater knowledge MCI and AD Luc Vanderheyden, Global Molecular of the brain’s workings,” he added.

Bonita L. Marks, PhD Duke University, Center for the Study of McCarter Heads AFAR Research Committee Aging and Human Development Role of Aerobic Fitness and Aging on Cerebral White Matter Integrity Roger McCarter, PhD, a leader in research at the research on the physiology of aging University of Texas Grace E. Stutzmann, PhD mammals, will Chair AFAR’s Research Health Science Rosalind Franklin University / Committee, which makes the final selec- Center in San Antonio The Chicago Medical School tions on recipients of the AFAR Research focused on mecha- Enhanced Intracellular Calcium Release Results from Upregulated Ryanodine Grant and other select grant programs. nisms of action of Receptors in Mutant PS1-Expressing calorie restriction in Dr. McCarter, Professor of Biobehavioral Alzheimer Mouse Models aging. More recently, he joined col- Health at Penn State University, is leagues at the Center for Developmental Marc Weisskopf, PhD, ScD President-Elect of the Gerontological and Health Genetics at the Penn State Harvard School of Public Health Society of America, past President of University in exploring the interactions Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the American Aging Association, of genes and environment as determi- the Neurologic Assessment of Adult Executive Editor of the journal Aging nants of healthy aging. Lead Poisoning Clinical and Experimental Research and President of the International He takes over from Richard Miller, MD, “Given the limited funding streams avail- Biogerontology Resources Institute. He PhD, who chaired this committee since able to young researchers today, GE’s was trained as a physiologist, specializ- 2002. AFAR thanks Dr. Miller for his generosity helps the next generation of neuroscientists continue to advance and ing in studies of the contraction of outstanding dedication and many years refine imaging techniques that will allow skeletal muscle. For many years his of leadership.

3 AFAR Celebrates 25 Years of Advancing Great Minds in Science

On May 15th, more than 170 people Norman Volk, turned out to celebrate AFAR’s 25th Stephanie Lederman, Robert D. Terry, MD, anniversary. With the theme Advancing Rev. Monsignor Great Minds, AFAR honored prominent Charles J. Fahey, Diana Jacobs Kalman, leaders from the corporate, scientific and George M. Martin, MD, foundation communities — those doing Douglas J. LaVigne. the science and those who work to pro- Seated: Hinda Rosenthal and Joshua vide the funds and leadership that advance Lederberg, PhD scientific progress in aging research.

Honorees included: Joshua Lederberg, Vice President — Business Management, The event raised more than $200,000 PhD, Nobel Laureate and President Siemens Medical Solutions USA; Hinda all going toward the support of the Emeritus, The Rockefeller University; Rosenthal, President of the Richard and AFAR Research Grants program which Robert D. Terry, MD, Professor Emeritus Hinda Rosenthal Foundation, and Rev. funds early-career scientists studying of Neurosciences at the University of Monsignor Charles J. Fahey, founding the biology of aging and age-related California, San Diego; Norman H. Volk, AFAR Board Member and the Marie Ward diseases and disorders. Chairman, The John A. Hartford Doty Professor of Aging Studies, Foundation; Douglas J. LaVigne, Senior Emeritus, Fordham University. AFAR and The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Fund Alzheimer’s Disease Research

AFAR is pleased to announce a new collabo- growth in the older population. By Investigator Awards in Alzheimer’s ration with The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert 2050, more than 13 million Americans Disease, The Foundation will make a Foundation (www.thegilbertfoundation.org) are forecasted to have AD if no preven- meaningful contribution to the preven- to support scientists conducting research tive treatments become available. tion and treatment of Alzheimer’s dis- in the neurosciences, particularly ease by supporting the promising work “Research on the aging brain continues Alzheimer’s disease (AD). of the newest generation of researchers. to hold such promise as scientists hone The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert in on the changes that affect healthy The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation/AFAR New Investigator brain function,” said Stephanie Foundation invests in programs in the Awards in Alzheimer’s Disease will provide Lederman, Executive Director of AFAR. areas of college access, healthcare and up to five $60,000 grants to early-career “Scientists are pursuing numerous Israel. In addition, The Foundation funds investigators pursuing research and aca- areas of investigation from the role of arts education and culture in Los demic careers in the neurosciences. genetics and inflammation, to exercise Angeles, Jewish programs in Los and dietary factors to better determine Angeles, and universities in California. It is estimated that AD currently affects why and how neurodegenerative decline up to 4.5 million Americans. Scientists In the area of Alzheimer’s disease, The occurs. More resources put toward predict that the prevalence of the dis- Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation research may one day allow clinicians ease will double for every five-year age focuses its grantmaking on the advance- to prevent or stall the onset of group beyond age 65. These numbers ment of research by junior investigators Alzheimer’s disease,” she added. become increasingly significant in the in the United States and Israel and future because of dramatic life Through The Rosalinde and Arthur investments in Alzheimer’s disease care- expectancies and subsequent rapid Gilbert Foundation/AFAR New giver resources and support.

4 Beeson Scholars Gather at Annual Meeting Death of

Beeson Scholars and leaders in geriatric Richard Hodes, MD, Paul Beeson medicine and aging attended the Eleventh Director of the Annual Meeting of the Paul B. Beeson National Institute on Career Development Awards in Aging Aging, gave the AFAR celebrates the Research Program, held at the Sanibel keynote address on life and mourns the Harbor Resort in Fort Meyers, Florida. “Future Directions in passing of Paul Biomedical/Behavioral Beeson, MD, who Richard Hodes, MD The meeting provides an opportunity Research: died August 14 at for current and former Scholars to Perspectives from the NIH.” the age of 97. exchange ideas and information with Dr. Beeson was a their academic mentors and col- Since 1995, 115 physician-scientists visionary in the field leagues, and to update the scientific representing 39 of the nation’s leading of aging research and geriatric medi- community on the current status of academic institutions have been cine. As a consummate researcher, geriatric medicine. selected as Beeson Scholars. These clinician and teacher, he recognized Scholars have made significant early on the need for a greater focus on contributions to research in the study of aging integrated with the aging and have served as men- training of more physicians specializing tors to countless others com- in geriatrics. ing up through the ranks. Many have assumed top lead- His pivotal 1978 Institute of Medicine ership positions in the field. Study on “Aging and Medical Education,” set a new course in academic medicine, For more information on the integrating medical, academic and Beeson Program, please visit scientific training of junior investigators www.beeson.org. who have become leaders in geriatric medicine and clinical care. Christopher Callahan, MD, 1996 Beeson Scholar, with Arleen Brown, MD, PhD, 2005 Beeson Scholar. Dr. Beeson’s influence on the field of aging research was recognized long before his death through the creation of AFAR Welcomes New Board Members the Paul B. Beeson Career Development Five new members joined the AFAR Dr. McCarter is Professor of Awards in Aging Research Program Board: John M. Bonk; Helen K. Biobehavioral Health at the Center for which has supported some of the bright- Edelberg, MD, MPH; Roger McCarter, Developmental and Health Genetics at est scientific minds in the field of aging. Penn State University. PhD; John B. Rhodes and Joyce Yaeger. Created to address the dearth of physicians and other clinically trained Mr. Bonk is First Vice President and Mr. Rhodes was a Vice President in individuals specializing in geriatrics, the Director of Business Development for the Pharmaceutical Practice at Booz- Beeson program has nurtured leaders P.G.B. Trust and Investments (a division Allen Hamilton. who will go on to train the next generation of Peapack-Gladstone Bank). Ms. Yaeger is a Senior Vice President of leaders. This may be Dr. Beeson’s Dr. Edelberg is a Director, Regulatory and Healthcare Practice Director for most enduring legacy. Development Oncology, Anti-Infectives, M Booth & Associates. and Bone, Corporate Regulatory Affairs at Sanofi-Aventis. 5 AFAR Grantees To read about these select recipients, please visit: continued from page 1 www.afar.org/Spring%202006%20AFAR%20Review.html#0

the environment, that will allow us to AFAR has awarded more than 2,200 grants totaling nearly $93 million since it was better understand how and why many founded in 1981. To find out more about AFAR-supported grant programs, please diseases of aging occur and progress. visit www.afar.org/grants.html The ultimate payoff would be to inter- AFAR wishes to thank the Ellison Medical Foundation as well as underwriters of the AFAR Research vene and prevent these diseases from Grant Program: AFAR Board of Directors, The Bedminster Fund, The Clarence and Ann Dillon Dunwalke occurring altogether,” he added. Trust, Eisai, Inc, The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, the Partners of Goldman Sachs & Company, F.M. Kirby Foundation, Inc., Diane Nixon, Pfizer Inc, The Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation, Joseph L.K. Snyder Trust, The Starr Foundation and the Irving S. Wright Endowment.

Grants Recipients

2006 AFAR Research Grant Awardees Paul Schmidt, PhD, Assistant Professor, 2006 Julie Martin Mid-Career Awards University of Pennsylvania: “Couch Potato in Aging Research Scott Gordon, PhD, Assistant Professor, Aging in Drosophila” East Carolina State University: “Targeted Ann Hill, PhD, Associate Professor, Oregon Rescue of Protein Translation and Synthesis Tao Wei, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Health & Science University: in Aged Skeletal Muscle” University of Texas at San Antonio: “Caloric “Cytomegalovirus Infection and Restriction Represses DNA Damage to Immunosenescence” James Harper, PhD, Research Investigator, Replication Forks and Chromosomal University of Michigan: “Modulation of Peter Klein, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Rearrangements” Stress Resistance and Aging in Mice” University of Pennsylvania: “Role of GSK-3 in Raghunatha Yammani, PhD, Instructor, Wake the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Christopher Janus, PhD, Assistant Forest University: “Aging and S100A4 in Alzheimer’s Disease” Professor, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville: Cartilage” “Memory Recovery as a Function of Aging 2006 Ellison/AFAR Senior Postdoctoral and Tau Transgene Suppression” 2006 AFAR Ohio Affiliate Research Research Grant Awardees Grants Awardee D. Leanne Jones, PhD, Assistant Professor, Markus Kummer, PhD, Postgraduate The Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Jonathan Godbout, PhD, Assistant Researcher, University of California, San “Identification of Factors Regulating Aging of Professor, The Ohio State University: Diego: “Endocytosis Pathways of APP” the Stem Cell Niche” “Aging, Cytokines and Depressive Behavior” Greg Mayeur, PhD, Assistant Project Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, Assistant Professor, 2006 AFAR Southeast Affiliate Scientist, University of California, Davis: University of Washington: “Molecular Research Grants Awardees “Understanding Age Related Onset of Fragile Genetics of Life Span Extension by Dietary X Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome” Kreton Mavromatis MD, Assistant Professor, Restriction in C. elegans” Emory University: “Effects of Age on Robert Rissman, PhD, Research Associate, Elizabeth Kensinger, PhD, Assistant Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization in The Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Professor, Boston College: “How Aging Humans” “CRF Receptors and Stress-Induced Tau Affects Memory for Emotional Events: Phosphorylation” Zhiqiang Qu, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor, Behavioral and Neuroimaging Investigations” Emory University: “A Study on the 2006 Merck-AFAR Clinical Geriatric Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD, Assistant Mechanisms of the Best Vitelliform Macular Pharmacology New Investigator Award Dystrophy” Professor, Albert Einstein College of Indrani Sinha-Hikim, PhD, Assistant Medicine: “Hypothalamic Dysfunction: A Professor, Charles R. Drew University: Neuroendocrine Basis for Reproductive “Muscle Cell Apoptosis in Aging and its Aging” Mitigation by Testosterone Therapy”

6 New Publications

AFAR has produced several new publications. Please contact Veronica Smith at [email protected] or 212-703-9977, to order copies. These publications may also be found on the AFAR web site at www.afar.org/pub.html

I 25th Anniversary Grantee Directory — listing all grant recipients and grant programs in AFAR’s 25-year history.

I Advancing Great Minds Annual Report — celebrating advances in the neurosciences.

I Paul B. Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research 2006 Report — highlighting the work of the 2004 Beeson Scholars.

I The Science of Aging Gracefully: Scientists and the Public Talk About Aging Research — released in conjunc- tion with the White House Conference on Aging. AFAR Mourns the Death of Vincent Cristofalo AFAR mourns the Dr. Cristofalo, was a former President passing of esteemed of the Lankenau Institute for Medical and Founding Board Research and was Founding Director of New AFAR President Member and past the Institute of Aging at the University President Vincent of Pennsylvania. He also was the continued from page 1 Cristofalo, PhD, who Founding Director of the Institute of She follows the successful tenure of passed away in May. Aging at the Medical College of Mark Beers, MD, formerly Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cristofalo was an internationally Pennsylvania. At the time of his death, of the Merck Manuals who helped AFAR known leader in aging research. A cell he was a Senior Investigator at enhance the image of the study of biologist, he was a pioneer in the study Lankenau and a Professor of Pathology, aging, encouraging more scientists to of cell aging, becoming one of the first Anatomy, and Cell Biology at Jefferson pursue research in this area. researchers to document the dynamics Medical College. and regulation of cell replication in the Dr. Wetle was recently awarded a aging process. We are grateful for his longstanding Docteure Honoris Causa by the University commitment to aging research, leader- of Geneva and is a past President of the His work helped us gain a greater ship and dedication to AFAR. Gerontological Society of America. understanding of the genetic, molecular and environmental mechanisms that influence the life of cells.

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