Dementia Translational Science Research Initiative

The Dementia Translational Science Research Initiative is a multidisciplinary effort aimed at advancing the understanding, prevention, and treatment of dementia through innovative and integrative approaches. It bridges basic science, clinical and translational research, population health, and community-based care to accelerate the discovery and translation of impactful solutions for dementia care. Key areas of focus include uncovering biological mechanisms, identifying modifiable risk factors, and developing effective therapeutic and care strategies.

One of our priority areas will be Drug Repositioning and Combination Therapy Development, due to our combined expertise. The collaborative team includes basic and translational researchers, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, data scientists, clinicians, and community partners, with an established record of research in dementia and related disorders. With the overarching goal to transform dementia research by uniting diverse areas of expertise, this pilot award will enable the working group to convene, plan, and prepare competitive proposals for the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), as well as funding opportunities from the National Institute on Aging.

It will help the team learn from each other, solidify a collaborative structure by breaking down silos, and align with DPRIT’s mission to advance precision and translational research in dementia. With strong collaboration across academic and healthcare partners, this Dementia Translational Science Research initiative strives to improve diagnosis, care, and quality of life for individuals affected by dementia.

Recent Related Publications

The heterogeneous treatment effects of statins on dementia: a target trial emulation with causal machine learning using integrated genetic and real-world data

Developing a novel algorithm to identify incident and prevalent dementia in Medicare claims-the ARIC Study

Risk of antimuscarinic initiation with cholinesterase inhibitor use in Alzheimer's disease

Delirium event and associated treatment modifications among older adults with Alzheimer's disease: An interrupted time-series analysis of Medicare data

Team Members

• Susan Abughosh, Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, UH College of Pharmacy)
• Rajender Aparasu, Ph.D., FAPhA (Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, UH College of Pharmacy)
• Logan Campbell (Director, Amazing Place, Houston)
• Julianna Fernandez, Pharm.D., BCGP, BCPS (Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, UH College of Pharmacy)
• LaShaune Johnson (Health Systems & Population Health Sciences, UH College of Medicine)
• Ying Lin (Industrial and Systems Engineering, UH Cullen College of Engineering)
• Jieni Li, Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, UH College of Pharmacy)
• Xinli Liu, Ph.D. (Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UH College of Pharmacy)
• Xi Lu, Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, UH College of Pharmacy)
• Carolyn E. Pickering, Ph.D., R.N. (UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing)
• Paul Schulz, Ph.D. (McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston)
• Jeff Sherer, Pharm.D., MPH, BCGP, BCPS (Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, UH College of Pharmacy)
• Tiansheng Wang, Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, UH College of Pharmacy)
• Abigail Wright, Pharm.D., BCGP, BCPS, CDP, M.S., FASCP (Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting)

Contact

Rajender R. Aparasu, Ph.D., FAPhA
Mustafa and Sanober Lokhandwala Endowed Professor
Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy
Director, P-HOPER Center & Adjunct Professor of Geriatrics, UTHealth McGovern Medical School
College of Pharmacy, University of Houston