Research Presentations
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Research Spotlight
Identification of a Biomarker for Dementia
The identification of biomarkers is a critical step in the search for a cure to Alzheimer’s disease. Biomarkers are used to detect disease, measure progression and evaluate the effects of treatment. There is accumulating evidence that cardiovascular disease increases risk of dementia at an early point is the disease process. Therefore faculty and trainees from the Center for Brain Health and the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences are working together to study hydrogen sulfide, a gassotransmitter that is known to maintain vascular and neuronal homeostasis. Their project, entitled “Plasma Hydrogen Sulfide: A Novel Biomarker of Cognitive Function in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias” was funded by the National Institutes of Health as a supplement to our COBRE award on redox biology. They showed that H2S was significantly elevated in dementia, and that it modulated the relationship between cognitive function and cerebral microvascular disease. Drawing by Dr. Steve Alexander Disbrow et al., 2021
Our recent research to develop a blood biomarker for dementia shows a strong link between cognitive function and the gassotransmitter hydrogen sulfide, which modulates vascular function.
The CIRP Program provides $100,000 awards for new interdisciplinary collaborative research projects.
LSU Health Shreveport and Ochsner recognize the role of interdisciplinary partnerships in fostering innovative research. To stimulate the growth of groundbreaking research in Louisiana and to foster collaboration across institutions, LSU Health Shreveport and Ochsner have created the “Collaborative Intramural Research Program (CIRP).” The CIRP Program provides $100,000 awards for new interdisciplinary collaborative research projects.
Dr. Disbrow at LSU Health Shreveport and Dr. Arredondo at LSU New Orleans have built a team collaborating on a CIRP project entitled “Tele-Dementia Diagnosis and Care in Underserved Populations.” Health care disparities related to the diagnosis, treatment and investigation of Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) in rural and low-income minority communities have long been appreciated. However, the identification and implementation of solutions addressing these complex problems have lagged behind the alarming rise in disease prevalence. This project is designed to pilot a telemedicine remedy for under diagnosis, substandard caregiver support and under enrollment in clinical trials that can ultimately be implemented across rural Louisiana. We have partnered with the Primary Care Clinic and the Department of Neurology at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport to examine clinical, manpower, financial, logistic, technical, social, and literacy related barriers and facilitators to the use of telemedicine as a tool to provide accurate diagnoses, specialty care and caregiver support for ADRD.
Intramural Grant Opportunities
Grant-In-Aids
Grant-In-Aid awards provide $25,000 for one year of support for CCDS faculty to initiate new lines of research.
Faculty Bridging Award
The Faculty Bridging Award provides $75,000 for one year of support to enable faculty members to renew grant applications that have lapsed in funding. This program has been very successful and provides an important vehicle to assist faculty in sustaining research productivity.
Predoctoral Fellowships
Predoctoral Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to fund PhD candidates for up to three (3) years with a stipend of $32,000 per year.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to provide stipends and research funding at a maximum of $60,000 per year for two years.
Finish Line Grants
Finish Line Grants provide $20,000 for one year of support to faculty who have received a score within 20 percentile points of the payline for major (R01 level) research grants. This mechanism is intended to provide faculty with nationally competitive projects with extra support to assist with securing extramural funding.
Partners Across Campus Grants
The Malcolm Feist “Partners Across Campuses Seed Funding Program”, or PAC for short, provides $25,000 for interdisciplinary partnerships with other campuses to foster innovative research. This grant program has been highly successful in fostering collaborations between CCDS members and faculty at other Louisiana institutions, including Louisiana Tech University, University of Louisiana – Monroe, Centenary College of Louisiana, and Grambling State University, among others.
Translational Research Award
The Translational Research Award provides $50,000 in research support to translate the findings of basic research into medical practice. Proposals are encouraged from clinical trainees and junior faculty in all clinical disciplines of relevance to cardiovascular diseases. Preference will be given to applicants who partner with a basic science researcher and whose research plan is directed towards extending a biomedical paradigm developed in a basic laboratory to the clinical setting
Travel Grants
Resource Links
- Alzheimer's Association
- Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Directory (The Bridge)
- Brain Trauma Foundation
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
- The Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF)
- American Stroke Assoication
- Shreveport Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
- NGS Workshop- Understanding Next Generation Sequencing and Applications- Dr. Rona Scott
Center for Brain Health
Research Resources & Grants
