Extramural Research Grant Applications Currently Under Review

Genetic Architecture of the Human Dentognathic Complex
PI: Sherwood RJ
Co-Is: Duren DL, Subedi J, Towne B, VandeBerg JL, Williams-Blangero S
Funding agency: NIH (1R01DE018497-A1)
Submitted: 03/08
Total cost: $3,401,889

Abstract: Significant health problems related to the dentition and jaws (the dentognathic complex) range from aesthetic issues due to malocclusion, to increase risk of caries, impaction, and infection due to dental crowding, to significant congenital deformities (e.g., orofacial clefting). The etiology of dentognathic disorders is complex. Both hereditary and environmental factors have been identified as factors influencing the variation of these traits. The proposed study is designed to examine normal variation in, and the relationships between, dentognathic traits in a population where environmental factors (diet, dental care) are relatively homogeneous.

Childhood Precursors of Cerebrovascular Outcomes in Mid to Late Adulthood
PI: Choh
Funding Agency: NIH/NIA (AG033600-01)
Submitted: 06/08
Total cost: $184,406

Abstract: Childhood blood pressure and weight history are likely to be important risk factors for cerebral health in adulthood. Because measures of BP and weight during childhood track into adulthood, the public health consequences of these measures may extend into later life. Examining the influence of childhood risk factors including weight and BP history on adult disease is made difficult by a lack of longitudinal data that extends from childhood to late adulthood. Consequently, there have been very few studies, to date, examining the relationship between childhood health and adult brain aging and cognitive decline. The proposed study will use existing data collected from Fels Longitudinal Study participants in conjunction with newly collected magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain and a cognitive test battery to examine childhood antecedents of brain aging in adulthood. We will use MR imaging of the brain to examine brain aging in a sample of 350 adults over the age of 40 years who have previous study visits throughout their lifetime, from childhood to mid/late adulthood. Using retrospective data, we will examine the relationships between childhood exposure to obesity and hypertension with adult cerebral and cognitive health.