Division of Neuroscience

A new database created to capture the full spectrum of current Alzheimer’s disease research investments and resources—both in the U.S. and internationally—is now publicly available. The International Alzheimer’s Disease Research Portfolio (IADRP), developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the NIH, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, will enable public and private funders of Alzheimer’s research to coordinate research planning, leverage resources, avoid duplication of funding efforts and identify new opportunities in promising areas of growth. The newly developed resource, currently hosted and maintained by NIA, helps to track and implement research goals of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease (NAPA), announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in May 2012.

More information: New database aims to capture international Alzheimer’s disease research efforts.

Background

Alzheimer’s disease has become a research priority in a growing number of countries. As public and private funding agencies across the world enhance and expand their support of Alzheimer’s disease research, there is an urgent need to coordinate funding strategies and leverage resources in order to maximize the impact on public health and avoid duplication of effort and inefficiency. Such coordination requires ongoing and comprehensive assessments of the landscape of Alzheimer’s disease research both in the US and internationally.

To capture and organize existing investment in Alzheimer’s disease research, the National Institute on Aging, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, developed the Common Alzheimer’s Disease Research Ontology (CADRO). The CADRO is a classification organized around seven major categories:

• Category A. Molecular Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Category B. Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring
• Category C. Translational Research and Clinical Interventions
• Category D. Epidemiology
• Category E. Care, Support and Health Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Category F. Research Resources
• Category G. Consortia and Public Private Partnerships

The ultimate goal of the International Alzheimer's Disease Research Portfolio (IADRP) Project is to support funding agencies in analyzing the changing landscape of AD research, identify opportunities for coordination of resources and support and, identify funding gaps as well as areas of overlap within and across agencies.

Each category is divided into research “topics” and some of these topics are further divided into “themes.” Such level of detail can enable funders to identify research gaps, areas of duplication and opportunities for coordination with much greater specificity.

View IADRP Summary Flyer (606K, PDF)

For more information about contributing your portfolio to the IADRP: Contact Dr. Lorenzo Refolo, NIA Division of Neuroscience at refolol@mail.nih.gov.