TTUHSC South Plains Alcohol and Addiction Research Center
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SPAARC has accepted an invitation to work along side researchers at the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health to better understand the impact of alcohol in rural communities. SPAARC researchers will gain access to data and biological material being collected prospectively from a 300-strong cohort in Cochran County. The cohort is currently being studied for links between cognitive changes and cardiovascular disease, but additions to the study will allow use of the AUDIT screening tool to assess alcohol usage, with follow-up of selected individuals for a more in-depth assessment. According to Dr. Sid O’Bryant, Director of Research at the Rural Institute, the cohorts being developed in Cochran and other West Texas counties should provide a wealth of preliminary data that can be used to answer important research questions regarding consequences of alcohol use on health during the aging process. As part of the agreement, Dr. Gregory Schrimsher will serve as a representative of SPAARC on the Research Advisory Committee for the Cochran County Aging Study that also currently includes representative from the Garrison Institute on Aging and the School of Nursing as well as the Departments of Neuropsychiatry and Family Medicine. For more information on these and other TTUHSC Institutes and Centers, you can go to:

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/centers/