Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Aging

Age is the greatest risk factor for most causes of morbidity in developed nations. Research into the cellular and molecular processes that underlie aging and age-related diseases is essential if significant improvements in healthy aging are to be accomplished, including insights for clinical practice and for novel treatment development.

The Science Research Conference (SRC) “Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Aging” is a partnership between the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) and the American Aging Association (AGE) and is designed to provide a forum for investigators to present and discuss the latest in brain

aging research. While both AGE and FASEB promote dissemination of biomedical research results, AGE works specifically to promote research on the fundamental processes of biological aging with the goals of increasing the functional life of humans, inform the public of progress in aging research, and expand knowledge of

biogerontology among medical professionals and the lay public. Along with disseminating cutting-edge research on the mechanisms contributing to brain aging, additional goals of this FASEB/AGE SRC are to provide a venue for career advancement for early investigators and trainees, and to foster growth of the neurobiology of aging

research community. This meeting is unique in that it focuses on the neurobiology of aging as distinct from being focused on age-related neurodegenerative disease, includes diverse expertise on a host of emerging topics and technologies in neurobiology, and includes key features of translational and human research, providing a

blueprint for new investigators to forge translational avenues. We are requesting funds to support the “Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Aging” SRC that will take place on September 15-19, 2024, in Niagara Falls, New York. There are three specific aims. Aim 1: Bring together thought leaders/researchers in the area of cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain aging to advance

the field and accelerate the pace of discovery; Aim 2: Foster career development in the field of neurobiology of aging, supporting recruitment of new ideas and new innovation in this growing research discipline; and Aim 3: Raise public awareness of and communicate the value of neurobiology of aging research to a broader audience.

To accomplish these aims, we have designed a program that features (i) new ideas and emerging leaders in neurobiology, (ii) a breadth of topics spanning multiple disciplines that capture the state-of-the-art in neurobiology of aging research, (iii) contributions from Early Career Investigators (ECI) (each session includes at least one

ECI and one trainee talk selected from abstracts), (iv) diversity among the invited and selected speakers, and (v) specific outreach to underrepresented communities to enhance diversity at the conference. This unique conference will serve as a critical venue for exchanging ideas, fostering new collaborations, and developing the

next generation of researchers. In addition, this meeting works towards the goal of translating knowledge into therapeutic interventions that promote brain health even into advanced age.