Grant Will Further Research Developing Blood Test for Mild Cognitive Impairment

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thanks to its continued support of the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM), the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Ohio has awarded a three-year, $799,800 grant to New Jersey Health Foundation for use by SOM's new Biomarker Discovery Center.

The award will be used to expand the earlier research of Dr. Robert Nagele, director of the Center, who will use it to advance his work developing a blood test that can diagnose mild cognitive impairment caused by early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation has been a vital supporter of the School of Osteopathic Medicine since 2007 when it awarded $2 million to establish an Endowed Chair in Primary Care Research.  That gift was matched with a 20% award, $400,000, from New Jersey Health Foundation as part of its unique matching program for endowed gifts of $2 million or more.

The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation supports projects designed to improve health and quality of life through research, education and service consistent with its osteopathic heritage. 

"The work accomplished to date by Dr. Nagele and his team is impressive and we hope our funding will result in a simple blood test that can be used to help with recognition and diagnosis of diseases associated with aging," said Rick Vincent, president of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations. "The collaborative funding by New Jersey Health Foundation, the School of Osteopathic  Medicine and Durin Technologies demonstrate a strong commitment to the project."   

Mild cognitive impairment affects nearly one in every five adults older than 65, causing memory and language problems beyond those associated with normal aging.

"We are delighted that the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation continues to support important projects at the School of Osteopathic Medicine," said Dr. George F. Heinrich, vice chair and CEO of New Jersey Health Foundation.  "Should Dr. Nagele's research lead to the development of a simple blood test to diagnose early stage Alzheimer's disease, it would have far-reaching effects on the way patients are diagnosed and treated in the future."

About New Jersey Health Foundation (www.njhf.org)

New Jersey Health Foundation, established in 2002 as a not-for-profit public charity, is the parent company to the Foundation of UMDNJ (www.foundationofumdnj.org) and The Foundation for Healthcare Advancement (www.foundationforhealthcareadvancement.org), which solicit private sector support for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  It is also the parent company to Foundation Venture Capital Group, LLC,  (www.foundationventure.com) which makes private equity investments in start-up technology companies founded by researchers affiliated with the University.

About the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations (www.osteopathicheritage.org)

The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville (the Foundations) are pre-eminent in supporting community health and quality of life programs in central and southeastern Ohio as well as advancing, on a national scope, osteopathic medical care, biomedical research and osteopathic medical education. The mission of the Foundations is to improve health and quality of life through education, research and service consistent with the principals of osteopathic medical care. Since 1999, the Foundations have approved over $220 million in awards designed to improve the health and quality of life for vulnerable populations and advance osteopathic medical care.

SOURCE New Jersey Health Foundation