Project Summary

The primary goal of The Rochester Aging Study is to develop a bionomic profile for Alzheimer's disease. This biomarker, derived from a patient’s peripheral white blood cells (leukocytes), will be used for the future development of new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

Ultimately, the hope is that this new tool will help physicians better know who is at high risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. If we knew who is at high risk, we could provide treatments at the earliest stages of disease, perhaps before symptoms begin. Ultimately, we might learn how to prevent or delay the onset of the disease.

Anyone interested in taking part in the study should call (585) 275-6881.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. It is a progressive disease that results a devastating loss of cognitive function. Unfortunately, current therapies and treatments are only symptomatic and the disease remains relentlessly progressive. Thus, our need to fully understand the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and to design molecular diagnostics and improved therapies is vitally important to our nation and to our health care systems.

Why Rochester?

Rochester is an ideal community to launch this important research endeavor. Two prominent Rochester health systems, Unity Health and Via Health, complement the University of Rochester’s contribution to health care. Both of these systems have strongly endorsed The Rochester Aging Study. In addition, the three major underwriters of health insurance in the community (Aetna, Excellus Blue Cross, and Preferred Care) have all expressed their support for The Rochester Aging Study.

Project Activities

Our initial step is to establish proof-of-concept for a technique to readily identify a bionomic profile from peripheral blood samples. Work is currently underway in our laboratories to identify these markers using leukocyte proteomic (proteins) and transcriptomic (RNA) methodologies. This technique shows promise as the transcriptomic methodology has already proven capable of distinguishing individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease from unaffected subjects.

Secondly, we will test our technology with a current sample of subjects. Working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and basic researchers, we will assess the relationship between a patient’s unique bionomic profile and available patient level clinical data. We will compare individuals who have phenotypically converted (onset and/or progression of disease) to those who have not and look for independent relationships among the various bionomic profiles, while controlling for associated risk factors. These studies will utilize our robust proteomic, transcriptomic, biostatistical, and bioinformatic technologies to lay the foundations for the project.