Syncope and Falls in the Elderly (SAFE) Laboratory
About 
The Safe Program mission is to determine factors that set the stage for decline in brain function and loss of independence in older adults. We study the mechanisms by which clinical, environmental, and hereditary factors lead to age-related disorders, abnormalities in systemic regulation and functional decline in older adults.
Our main focus is to understand how age and age-related disorders like diabetes, stroke and obesity influence brain structure, blood flow and activation, and how these changes in the brain lead to cognitive and motor impairments. We design and conduct clinical trials to promote successful aging and independence of older people.
Learn more about the SAFE Program
Sponsors
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Kidney Disorders and Diabetes (NIDDK), American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Department of Defense, the Harvard Catalyst, TEKES-Finland, Industry sponsored trials, and the National Science Foundation of China.
News
Dr. Vera Novak is collaborating with a bioengineering research team at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand to develop a model of whole brain blood supply. UC Press Release.
Dr. Manor received the 2012 Outstanding Young Researcher Award from the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation.
Dr. Manor, an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Aging and Balance Control Laboratory at the BIDMC, received a KL2 Medical Research Investigator Training Award from the Harvard Catalyst in 2011.
Press
|
2011
|
BIDMC press release
|
Adhesion molecules, altered vasoreactivity, and brain atrophy in type 2 diabetes, Novak at al. Diabetes care 34:2438-2441,2011
|
|
2010
|
Nature News
|
Funding crisis hits US ageing research, M. Wadman Nature 468,148 2010 Online Nov 9, 2010 (doi:10.1038/468148a).
|
|
2010
|
Human Brain Mapping Congress, Barcelona
|
Highlighted Poster: Zhao P, Manor B, Munshi M, Alsop D, Abdulajlil A, Novak P, Roberson P, Novak V. The effects of inflammation on vasoreactivity, white matter hyperintensities and brain volumes in type 2 diabetes.
|
|
2010
|
Neurology-Highlights, Editorial
|
Selection of the article: Manor B, Hu K, Zhao P, Selim M, Novak P, Lipsitz L, Novak V. Altered control of postural sway following cerebral infarction: A cross-sectional analysis. Neurology 2010; 57: 454-458
Editorial: Rundek, T.Lali K: Visual input is critical for postural control in patients with chronic right hemispheric infarcts. Neurology 2010; 74:448-449
|
|
2010
|
NASA-Hallmarks of Success
|
Highlights of Multi Modal-Pressure Flow Technology developed by Dr. Novak in collaboration with DynaDx.
|
|
2010
|
RSNA On-the Air
|
Radio program at the 95th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
Oral presentation: Dubey P, Bhadelia RA,Alsop DC, Abduljalil A, Selim M, Novak V. DTI Tractography in chronic stroke survivors. Patterns if axonal damage and cortical reorganization.
|
|
2009
|
CIMIT
|
Kashif F, Heldt T, Novak V, Czosnyka M, Verghese G. Noninvasive model -based cerebrovascular monitoring for neurotrauma. CIMIT Innovation Congress, Oct 27-28 2009, Boston. The Most Innovative Research Award.
|
|
2009
|
MDLinx.com
|
Selection of the article: Novak V, Hu K, Desrochers L, Novak P, Caplan L, Lipsitz L, Selim M: Cerebral flow velocities during daily activities depend on blood pressure in patients with chronic ischemic infarctions. MS-565556, Oct 7,2009, published Stroke 2010; 41:61-66.
|
Funding Opportunities
A number of funding opportunities exist for sponsoring research at the SAFE laboratory. Interested parties should contact the lab.