Harnessing Team Science in Dementia Research: Insights From the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Group in South Carolina

Author(s)

Sayema Akter
Eric Mishio Bawa
Nicholas Riccardi
Daniel A. Amoatika
Margaret C. Miller MS, Ph.D., University of South CarolinaFollow
Otis L. Owens MPH, Ph.D., CAPS, University of South CarolinaFollow
Lorie Donelle PhD, RN, FCAN, University of South CarolinaFollow
E Angela Murphy
Daping Fan
Melissa Moss, University of South CarolinaFollow
Mihyun Lim Waugh
Sue E. Levkoff ScD, MSW, SM, University of South CarolinaFollow
Freda Allyson Hucek
Jean Neils-Strunjas Ph.D, CCC-SLP, University of South CarolinaFollow
Swann Arp Adams Ph.D., MS, FACE, University of South CarolinaFollow
Roger Newman-Norlund, University of South Carolina
Sarah Newman-Norlund Ph.D., University of South CarolinaFollow
James Hardin Ph.D., University of South CarolinaFollow
John Absher
Bankole A. Olatosi Ph.D., University of South CarolinaFollow
Xiaoming Li Ph.D., University of South CarolinaFollow
Lumi Bakos Ph.D., Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.Follow
Quentin McCollum, University of South CarolinaFollow
Chris Rorden, University of South CarolinaFollow
Leonardo Bonilha
Daniela B. Friedman, University of South CarolinaFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are complex and rapidly growing public health challenges that require integrative, collaborative approaches. To meet this need, the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) of South Carolina, a state-funded partnership across multiple institutions, has embraced a team science model that brings together expertise from four key disciplines: neuroimaging-neurology, health sciences, molecular biology, and engineering. This paper highlights the work at the University of South Carolina (USC) and how each discipline contributes uniquely yet collaboratively within a recurring loop model framework. Extending from USC's Cancer Prevention and Control Program, the framework guides scientific growth through four iterative phases: discovery, development, delivery, and dissemination. From identifying cellular and molecular biomarkers to applying neuroimaging for early diagnosis, utilizing wearable technologies for real-time monitoring, and analyzing statewide data to understand caregiver burden and health inequities, each group contributes to a comprehensive and translational research cycle. By supporting structured mentorship, cross-disciplinary pilot projects, and shared infrastructure, the ADRC initiatives advance research that is both scientifically rigorous and equity-focused. This approach provides a valuable framework for advancing ADRD research and can inform other institutions aiming to tackle similarly complex health issues from discovery through dissemination.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1177/25424823251385902

Publication Info

Published in Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports, 2025.

APA Citation

Akter, S., Bawa, E. M., Riccardi, N., Amoatika, D. A., Miller, M. C., Owens, O. L., Donelle, L., Angela Murphy, E., Fan, D., Moss, M., Waugh, M. L., Levkoff, S. E., Hucek, F. A., Neils-Strunjas, J., Adams, S. A., Newman-Norlund, R., Newman-Norlund, S., Hardin, J., Absher, J., & Olatosi, B. A. (2025). Harnessing team science in dementia research: Insights from the Alzheimer’s disease research group in South Carolina. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, 9. https://doi.org/10.1177/25424823251385902

Rights

© The Author(s) 2025. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).