Welcome to Spotlight on Aging Research

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Spotlight on Aging Research (SOAR): News and Notes from the National Institute on Aging. We are pleased to offer this new electronic newsletter to keep you—the research community, aging services providers, health care professionals, policy makers, media, and others, including NIA staff—informed about the Institute’s programs, people, and achievements...

Stories of Discovery and Innovation

Scientists Weigh Mechanisms, Effects of Calorie Restriction

A calorie-restricted diet, coupled with adequate nutrition, extends the lifespan of lower organisms, insects, and rodents, and may provide insights into health and longevity for nonhuman primates and humans. After decades of study, scientists are now beginning to decipher the mechanisms and better understand calorie restriction.

SardiNIA Project Steps Up Global Research in Genetics, Aging

The picturesque Mediterranean island of Sardinia offers a rare opportunity for aging-related genetic research. Using high-throughput genotyping technology, NIA-funded investigators are beginning to analyze a treasure trove of genetic data gathered from the island’s unusually homogeneous population.

Research Highlights

NIA News Releases, Summaries

• Study Finds Improved Cognitive Health among Older Americans (News Release)
• Stress Hormone Impacts Memory, Learning in Diabetic Rodents (News Release)
• Distinguished Scientists Appointed to National Advisory Council on Aging (News Release)
• Gene Variant Found Associated with Fetal Hemoglobin Levels Linked to Moderated Symptoms of Beta-thalassemia (News Release)
• Researchers Uncover New Piece to the Puzzle of Human Height (News Release)
• International Effort Finds New Genetic Variants Associated with Lipid Levels, Risk for Coronary Artery Disease (News Release)
• Older Adults With Mild Memory Impairment Still Benefit From Cognitive Training in Areas Not Reliant on Memorization (News Release)
• One in Seven Americans Age 71 and Older Has Some Type of Dementia, NIH-Funded Study Estimates (News Release)
• Study Shows Association of Glucose Metabolism with Family History of Alzheimer’s (Summary)
• Survey Looks at Gene Expression in the Human Brain (Summary)
• Research Shows That Practice Constraints Can Impact Dementia Care (Summary)
• Mild Cognitive Impairment Can Impact Medical Decision-Making (Summary)
• Physical Conditioning Helps Maintain Older Adults’ Driving Performance (Summary)

Off the Shelf

• End-of-Life: Helping With Comfort and Care
• What Happens Next? A booklet about being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder
• Say ‘hola’ to new Spanish website
• Making Your Printed Health Materials Senior Friendly
• Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online: A Toolkit for Trainers

Coming Up

• National Advisory Council on Aging Meeting: May 21, 2008
  
  

Visit NIA’s booth at the following national meetings:

• Public Library Association National Meeting, March 25-29, 2008, Minneapolis
• National Council on Aging-American Society on Aging Joint Conference, March 26-30, 2008, Washington, D.C.
• Alzheimer’s Disease Centers Meeting, April 10-14, 2008, Chicago
• Visiting Nurse Associations of America, April 30-May 2, 2008, Nashville
• American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 3-7, 2008, New Orleans
• American College of Physicians, May 15-17, Washington, D.C.