These resources have facilitated research by ADC investigators examining the overlap and heterogeneity of AD, Parkinson's disease, and related dementias. These themes are also synergistic with the unique contributions of Emory investigators in the field of mitochondrial genetics examining mitochondrial abnormalities in neurodegenerative and other disorders. The addition of a Satellite Clinic in urban Atlanta has helped the ADC to provide research, clinical, and educational opportunities to an underserved, predominantly African-American community. ADC investigators include faculty from the departments of Neurolgy, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Psychiatry, Center for Molecular Medicine, and Rollins School of Public Health. This core coordinates the activities of the Clinical, Molecular Biology, Education and Information Transfer, and Neuropathology Cores and supports the development of new research programs.
Emphasis is placed on outreach to the African-American community in urban Atlanta.
The ADC administrative structure is designed to facilitate the growth of AD research programs at Emory in a collegial and stimulating environment. Blood is obtained on patients and control subjects for pertinent molecular analyses as well as the establishment of lymphoblastoid cell lines. Comprehensive and standard neurological and neuropsychological assessment designed to evaluate multiple cognitive and behavioral domains are performed. These data, in combination with molecular and eventual neuropathological information are a valuable resource for the multidisciplinary group of Emory investigators exploring the heterogeneity of AD, PD, and the overlap among these and other neurodegenerative disorders. The Education and Information Transfer Core promotes the goals of the ADC through educational programming geared to professional and community groups.