The program was established in honor of the late Congressional Representative Claude D. Pepper, to create centers of excellence in geriatrics research and research career development. Their goal is to increase scientific knowledge leading to better ways to maintain or restore independence in older persons. Currently 15 centers, support biomedical research leading to maintenance of functional independence into older age.
The National Institute on Aging supports the OAICs to develop and enhance research and education at institutions with strong programs in aging research. This support addresses key research problems, technological limitations, and faculty development needs for future generations of appropriately-trained researchers. The Centers conduct cutting-edge research and offer a number of services for older Americans. Each center has a research focus such as frailty, disease prevention, or translational research. The goal is to foster multidisciplinary research to integrate basic and clinical science, education, and health services research relevant to the health care problems of older adults.
One of the more interesting components is the Pepper Center Integrated Aging Studies Databank and Repository. Here you will find interventional or observational studies in older cohorts with their associated data and stored specimens. Datasets include extensive assessments of physical and cognitive function, body composition, and quality of life, and many of the stored specimens include skeletal muscle biopsies. There is also a study of healthy aging that can be a great source of reference data for studies in older clinical populations.
Common among all these initiatives is the Centers’ role of providing resources to conduct research through secondary analyses, ancillary studies, and pilot awards, as well as access to experts and potential mentors in aging research.