There are many unanswered questions about the processes and mechanisms of these disorders. The answers are likely to be complex and multifactorial. CERA research programs attempt to look at these complexities through multidisciplinary research including epidemiological, clinical and biological components. Clinical research seeks to establish accurate diagnoses and investigate appropriate forms of prevention and treatment for age related disorders. Clinical research includes trials of drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease, and neuropsychological and neuroimaging investigations of the dementias.
Biological research examines pathological, biochemical and genetic aspects of the dementias.
Most CERA research programs are multidisciplinary and include clinical, biological and epidemiological aspects.