The Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (BU ADRC) is committed to the goals and
strategies of NAPA including: to prevent and effectively treat AD and AD related dementias (ADRD) by 2025 by
expanding AD/ADRD research; to accelerate efforts to identify early and pre-symptomatic stages of AD/ADRD;
and to educate the public about AD/ADRD. BU ADRC research themes are congruent with NIH AD/ADRD
Research Summit recommendations including: 1) research on heterogeneity and the multifactorial nature of
AD/ADRD; 2) molecular profiling of existing and new cohorts; and 3) developing new public-private
partnerships. We operationalize our mission through 7 tightly integrated cores: Administrative, Clinical (CC),
Data Management and Statistics (DMS), Biomarker, Neuropathology (NPC), Outreach/Recruitment,
Engagement (ORE), Genetics and Molecular Profiling (GMP) and a research education component (REC).
The Cores are focused on cutting edge research, proactive community engagement, training the next
generation of AD/ADRD clinicians and researchers, and sharing key material, data, and expertise both among
key partners and with the community at large. The BU ADRC has made significant contributions to the
remarkable growth of AD/ADRD research nationally and has actively contributed participants, biological
samples, clinical data, and scientific expertise to all major national AD/ADRD research initiatives. The BU
ADRC has been the catalyst for exciting new research on genetic and lifespan environmental risk factors and
AD/ADRD, particularly vascular risk and exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) from contact sports, military
service and other sources. Major BU ADRC research themes include studies on RHI from contact sports and
military service and risk for AD/ADRD, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and deep
phenotyping AD/ADRD heterogeneity with a range of complementary innovative approaches including digital
and EEG phenotyping; neuropathology; genetics; biostatistical modelling; biomarker discovery; and molecular
profiling. The BU ADRC will build on this strong record of accomplishment to support new research and
educate the next generation of AD/ADRD scientists. The BU ADRC will also support high risk high gain
innovative developmental projects focused on NAPA and NIA strategic goals and utilize our collective expertise
and experience to facilitate career development of investigators with diverse backgrounds. The BU ADRC will
develop new partnerships and enhance current partnerships with other ADRCs and national research
programs, foundations, advocacy groups and private organizations in our quest to prevent and treat AD/ADRD.
Exposure to RHI is associated with CTE and a wide range of other AD/ADRD pathologies. As recognized
leaders in this space, we are uniquely positioned to support research on genetic and other risks factors and
study how RHI affects the clinical course, biomarker profile, and clinical-pathological features of AD/ADRD
including CTE.