Craig D. Rubin, M.D.

Project 1: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in the Assessment of Falls in the Elderly
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Objective: To investigate if fMRI can help elucidate pathophysiology of fallers compared to non-fallers.
Summary: The etiology of falls in older patients is multifactorial. Effective central nervous system processing and integration may play an important role in preventing falls. We propose to explore the use of functional connectivity MRI as a tool to assess central processing and functional connectivity in the brain and to determine whether differences in brain connectivity exist between individuals who fall (fallers) compared with non-fallers.
Fallers and matched non-fallers will undergo fMRI to assess coherence in magnetic resonance signal between various regions of the brain. Subjects will also undergo functional and neurocognitive evaluations.

Project 2: Age-Related Osteoporosis

This study will compare the efficacy and safety of sustained-release sodium fluoride plus calcium citrate with that of alendronate plus calcium citrate in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Sustained-release sodium fluoride and alendronate, both non-hormonal drugs, work on different principles: Sustained-release sodium fluoride stimulates new bone formation by increasing osteoblastic activity while alendronate prevents bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclastic activity.
Women over the age of 55 with postmenopausal osteoporosis are randomly assigned to take sustained-release sodium fluoride plus calcium citrate or alendronate plus calcium citrate. Subjects are followed for 4 years. Outcomes include biochemical parameters, bone density, fractures and safety.