UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging

The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA) is where basic and clinical scientists work together to improve the health of the elderly in Kentucky and beyond through research dedicated to understanding the aging process and age-related brain diseases, and education, outreach and clinical programs that promote healthy brain aging.

Over the past three decades, SBCoA has flourished and has emerged as one of the nation's leading centers on aging. Major focuses of the Center are basic and applied research in Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.

An integral part of SBCoA is the National Institute on Aging-funded University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Center (UK-ADC). Over the past 25 years, the UK-ADC has developed a vigorous program in the clinical, neuropathological, educational, and research aspects of Alzheimer's disease that serves as a critical resource for the university, community, state, and nation. For more information visit our site.

Purpose

The Center was established to identify and study those issues that directly influence how older persons live today and will live tomorrow. The Center's research efforts are directed at improving the lives of older individuals by searching for the causes, treatment and cures of dementing neurodegenerative diseases and stroke and by the study of physical and social environments that lead to improved health.

Center efforts also focus on education and community service. For example, there are specialized clinical services for geriatric patients, training programs for health care professionals, and self-enrichment activities for older persons.

Mission

The mission of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA) is to improve the health of the elderly in Kentucky and beyond through research dedicated to understanding the aging process and age-related brain diseases, and education, outreach and clinical programs that promote healthy brain aging.

Vision

The SBCoA will be recognized locally and nationally as a premier, vitally productive and innovative aging center that effectively translates research findings into interventions and information that will benefit older adults.

Objectives

  • Continue to lead aging research and expand translational neuroscience research to more effectively translate research discoveries into interventions and information that will benefit older adults.
  • Provide educational opportunities to older persons, the general public, and health care students and professionals regarding normal cognitive aging and neurodegenerative disorders of the elderly.
  • Serve as a model in the development of programs and services that benefit elders and those who care for them.
  • Create an infrastructure and culture that facilitates academic excellence, encourages innovation and collaboration, and promotes diversity.