Workshop: Harnessing Computational Approaches to Advance Aging and AD/ADRD Research

Workshop Recordings

Executive Summary

Read the

executive summary (PDF, 572K).

Purpose and Background

The goal of this NIA-sponsored, two-day virtual workshop was to explore computational approaches to advancing our study of aging and AD/ADRD.

The workshop featured a series of brief presentations and discussion including, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • Identifying computational techniques uniquely suited to answer aging and neurodegeneration research questions
  • Developing computational models of biological and behavioral changes across the lifespan
  • Identification and development of needed resources and techniques to effectively interrogate large- and multi-scale datasets
  • Strategies to promote collaboration between computational scientists and aging researchers

Agenda

Note: This agenda is in Eastern Daylight Time.

Day 1 (March 1, 2023)

12:15 p.m. Welcome & Introductions, Amy Kelley, M.D., M.S.H.S., Deputy Director, National Institute on Aging and Matt Sutterer, Ph.D., Program Director, National Institute on Aging

Session 1: Computational Analysis of Molecular Systems

Session chair: Vadim Gladyshev, Ph.D., Harvard University

  • 12:30 p.m. Quantifying aging, Vadim Gladyshev, Ph.D., Harvard University
  • 12:50 p.m. Engineering longevity – computationally-guided reprogramming of single-cell aging, Nan Hao, Ph.D., University of California at San Diego
  • 1:10 p.m. Break
  • 1:20 p.m. Computational Challenges in Extreme Longevity Studies, Paola Sebastiani, Ph.D., Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute
  • 1:40 p.m. Microscopic Imaging of Epigenetic Age and Chromatin Heterogeneity, Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
  • 2:00 p.m. Discussion of Session 1
  • 2:45 p.m. Virtual Coffee Break (Zoom attendees only)

Session 2: Computational Analysis of Large-Scale Brain Systems

Session chair: David Jones, M.D., Mayo Clinic

  • 3:20 p.m. From Clockwork to Emergence: A New View of the Brain, Earl Miller, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • 3:40 p.m. How a biophysical generative model gives unique insights into aging and dementia, Ana Solodkin, Ph.D., University of Texas at Dallas
  • 4:00 p.m. Break
  • 4:10 p.m. Clinical utility of a global information processing model for mental functions, David Jones, M.D., Mayo Clinic
  • 4:30 p.m. Using network control theory to formally model the energetics of brain function, Dani Bassett, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
  • 4:50 p.m. Break
  • 5:00 p.m. Discussion of Session 2
  • 5:45 p.m. Closing remarks, Leonid Tsap, Ph.D., National Institute on Aging
  • 5:50 p.m. Adjourn

Day 2 (March 2, 2023)

Session 3: Computational Analysis of Complex Behavior

Session chair: Anne Collins, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley

  • 12:25 p.m. Opening remarks, Luke Stoeckel, Ph.D., National Institute on Aging
  • 12:30 p.m. Using computational modeling approaches to reveal cognitive processes underlying changes across the lifespan, Anne Collins, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley
  • 12:50 p.m. Computation conquers complexity - decomposing behavior to understand the components of cognition, Robert Wilson, Ph.D., University of Arizona
  • 1:10 p.m. Break
  • 1:20 p.m. Towards naturalistic reinforcement learning in health and disease, Angela Radulescu, Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • 1:40 p.m. Relating individual differences in learning to markers of Alzheimer’s disease pathology in older adults, Karolina Lempert, Ph.D., Adelphi University
  • 2:00 p.m. Discussion of Session 3
  • 2:45 p.m. Break

Final Discussion

  • 3:00 p.m. Gaps and Opportunities: Breakout Session
  • 3:15 p.m. Gaps and Opportunities: Final Discussion
  • 4:00 p.m. Closing remarks, Matt Sutterer, Ph.D., National Institute on Aging
  • 4:05 p.m. Meeting Adjourns

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact Matt Sutterer .