Garrison Institute on Aging

WELCOME

Our mission is to promote healthy aging through cutting-edge research in aging-related health issues, such as Alzheimer's disease, and through innovative educational and community outreach programs.  The GIA is committed to addressing health issues of the aging population by investigating the causes of neurodegenerative diseases and educating the community on preventative medicine and challenges impacting the geriatric population.

Using cutting edge research methods and state of the art techniques, scientists at the GIA are actively working to identify novel targets and develop and test promising new drug compounds to improve healthy aging and to prevent and/or stop the progression of neurodegenerative and other aging-related diseases. In addition to research facilities for behavior, electrophysiology and molecular biology, the GIA houses biobanks for human brain tissue, bodily fluids, and DNA. Educational and outreach programs include the Translational Research Seminar Series, Healthy Aging Lecture Series, Caregiver Program, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Healthy Lubbock.

Our vision is to serve as the central hub within TTUHSC to stimulate and accomplish collaborative initiatives in research, education and community outreach related to healthy aging and aging-related disorders. Through a combination of GIA based programs and collaborative initiatives with colleagues across TTUHSC, the GIA seeks to provide a unique platform for the creation and application of new knowledge about healthy aging through research, interdisciplinary education and community outreach efforts.

Executive Director

GIA advances and disseminates knowledge about healthy aging and aging related health issues, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, through basic and translational research. GIA houses a newly created behavioral testing and electrophysiology facility, molecular biology laboratories, brain bank, and a longitudinal epidemiological data base on aging in a multiethnic adult sample from rural communities of West Texas (Project FRONTIER).

Aging-related nervous system dysfunctions represent a major health care problem in this country and worldwide. The better understanding of disease mechanisms is needed to develop novel and improved diagnostic and therapeutic tools and strategies. GIA provides the infrastructure and expertise for collaborative efforts of basic scientists and clinicians from various disciplines and specialties in the area of aging-related and neurodegenerative disorders.

Thank you for visiting our website. Please feel free to contact the GIA team headed by Dr. Neugebauer with any questions or for more information. 

Volker Neugebauer, M.D., Ph.D.  (Learn more about Dr. Neugebauer) 

Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Garrison Institute on Aging

Mildred and Shirley L. Garrison Chair in Aging

Professor and Chair, Pharmacology and Neuroscience Director

Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics 

Giles C. McCray Endowed Chair in Addiction Medicine

News Release:

TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging Receives Award

Texas Health and Human Services Announces Innovators in Aging Award Recipients

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Garrison Institute on Aging received a 2019 Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Innovators in Aging award for its initiative to enhance healthy aging. The Garrison Institute on Aging focuses on research in age-related health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease through education and community outreach programs.

The Innovators in Aging Award recognizes individuals and organizations that are positively impacting the lives of older Texas residents. Award recipients work to improve the quality of life for the growing population of seniors in Texas.

The Garrison Institute on Aging is headed by Volker Neugebauer, M.D., Ph.D., and conducts research, education and community outreach for collaborations to create initiatives. Their vision is to create collaborative initiatives related to healthy aging and aging-related disorders and educate the public with through their research.

“I am very proud that the Garrison Institute on Aging at TTUHSC received one of the 2019 Innovators in Aging award from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC),” Neugebauer said. “Our Community Outreach Team headed by Annette Boles is doing a wonderful job providing education and support for the elderly and their caregivers through various innovative activities such as Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Healthy Aging Lecture Series, Care Partner Academy, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Healthy Lubbock.”

Texas HHS Services recognizes organizations which are proactive in creating initiatives and help seniors stay connected, informed and healthy.

“These wonderful initiatives serve the mission of Garrison Institute on Aging to improve healthy aging and aging-related disorders through research, education and community outreach,” Neugebauer said.

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An EEO/Affirmative Action Institution