Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging
Currently, basic science and clinical research at PCOM utilize approaches that bridge the molecular understanding of diseases/disorders with the macromolecular implementation of corrective measures. Given a philosophy that is unique in the medical community, that being one of a holistic approach centered on the individual with regards to structure and function and how the balance between the two is maintained, the CCDA provides an all encompassing approach to the problem at hand. The CCDA provides opportunities for advanced training of medical students, residents, and graduate students in numerous disciplines addressing the most pressing needs of aged and geriatric individuals with chronic problems. These opportunities include an advanced understanding of the manifestations of the problems, and insights into the preventive measures than can be taken. Included with prevention is a better understanding of the roles of nutrition, exercise, and environmental enrichment with regards to their positive affects on the overall health of the individual.
There is a distinct need to understand the role of chronic diseases/disorders as a component of the aging process. Modern medicine is enabling people to live longer, but longer life results in an increase in age-related chronic diseases. These diseases/disorders may originate at any point in onea s life span and thus study of these processes is required from birth to the end of life. There is renewed interest in determining what causes chronic disease and why the aging process appears to promote an increase in these types of diseases. The approach taken by the center includes uncovering common features of disease processes that will result ultimately in better treatments and prevention of these problems. Improved holistic treatments can be designed to provide the individual patient with a level of specialized care that is based on knowledge of their particular genetic and environmental risk factors. Knowledge of these risk factors will provide the framework for the development of realistic approaches to prevent chronic diseases, thereby eventually eliminating their enormous impact on society.