New Genes Linked to Late-Onset Cognitive Impairment Discovered by Researchers

Researchers at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR) have identified two new genes associated with late-onset cognitive impairment, announced Dr. Saeed Khanjani, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology, during the university's Research Week ceremony.

According to a USWR reporter, Dr. Khanjani outlined the department's achievements over the past year at the event honoring top researchers. He began by congratulating attendees on the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's daughter and Women's and Mothers' Day, as well as Research Week.

Dr. Khanjani highlighted key research and technology activities, including improving research and technology processes using the Pajoohan system; localizing and updating the system to enhance performance; adding a research institute module for approving and monitoring research projects; approving 146 research projects and theses; and successfully securing grants for 19 projects.

He also noted that the Ethics in Research unit received a perfect score of 100 in the 2023 evaluation, that the review and ethical evaluation time for articles was reduced to less than one month (21 cases), and that scientific-ethical review fees were paid for research projects and theses for the first time.

"In monitoring the operational plan, we achieved a monitoring score of 93.22 and ranked first among the fifth-tier medical universities in the country," Dr. Khanjani stated.

He further added that a new major project was approved by the Ministry of Health, seven impactful university projects were selected in the evaluation of research activities of medical universities, eight major projects were initiated and implemented by the Research Department, and grant funding from international and domestic organizations was increased by research centers.

Regarding scientific output, Dr. Khanjani reported that 423 articles were published in the past year, including 87 in Q1 journals, 17 in QIL journals, and 297 in ISI journals. Six articles were also published in prestigious journals such as *Nature* and *The Lancet*, and eight articles were presented at international conferences.

Dr. Khanjani also mentioned the development of university research centers, including the approval in principle for the establishment of the Rehabilitation Research Center for Neuromuscular-Skeletal Disorders, pursuing the approval of the Social Welfare Management Research Center, and reorganizing research centers and co-missioned educational groups.

 

"The identification of two new genes involved in late-onset cognitive impairment and the discovery of new genomic phenomena in the Aging Center are among the honors of the faculty members and researchers of the university," he stated.

He also highlighted awards and festivals, including the selection of three faculty members among the top 1% of the world's most cited scientists, the selection of seven faculty members among the top 2% of the world's most cited scientists, and the awarding of the "Young Researcher" prize at the 16th World Congress of Biological Psychiatry in Turkey.

Dr. Khanjani further noted specialized conferences in addiction treatment, orthotics and prosthetics, and neurological physiotherapy, as well as hosting the first national Science Slam festival among universities of the Ministry of Science and the Ministry of Health.

"Over the past year, the ranking of the IRJ and Aging journals has been upgraded from Q4 to Q3, and the Physical Treatments journal has been indexed in Scopus," he added.

He announced that the growth center building is 50% physically complete, and the number of accepted technology units has increased to 50. Seven university professors with an H-index above 20 have been approved for accepting research doctoral students, and the recruitment of postdoctoral fellows and research assistants in research centers is underway.

Dr. Khanjani concluded by emphasizing the importance of scientific and technological development in promoting the health and rehabilitation system and thanking all researchers and faculty members for their scientific and research efforts.