ABBOTT PARK, Illinois and URBANA, Illinois, December 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Center Will Host Collaborative, Multi-Disciplinary Nutrition Research

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced today they have established the first-ever multi-disciplinary nutrition and cognition research center, which will be located on the Urbana campus. The Center for Nutrition, Learning, and Memory will lead directed and-solicited research on the impact of nutrition on learning and memory in the human brain.

The collaboration between Abbott and Illinois will take the field of nutrition science into new territory, with a focus on resources that historically have rarely been applied to nutrition science research. The center will utilize two world-renowned research facilities on the Urbana campus, the Institute for Genomic Biology and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, in addition to the University's Division of Nutritional Sciences and Neuroscience Program.

"Combining Abbott's leadership in science-based nutrition with the best-in-class capabilities at Illinois and the world's best scientific minds in the areas of nutrition, brain and cognition will allow us to advance unique and meaningful breakthroughs in this area of research," said Robert H. Miller, Ph.D., divisional vice president, R&D and Scientific Affairs, Abbott Nutrition.

Illinois Professor Neal Cohen, Ph.D., director of the Neuroscience Program, will be a director of the new Center. "Enhancing learning and memory through nutrition could have truly transformative effects on childhood development and resisting the effects of aging and disease," said-Cohen. "This collaboration builds on more than 20 years of scientific partnership between Abbott and the university."

The center will direct an annual call for proposals that is designed to uncover innovative scientific research relating to nutrition's role in learning and memory. The first call for research proposals closes on Jan. 6, 2012. Funding will be determined by a joint committee from Illinois and Abbott. Additional information about the program is available at http://www.CNLM.illinois.edu.

About the University of Illinois

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has long ranked among the nation's most distinguished teaching and research institutions. Its diverse, world-class programs reflect the mission of a land-grant university. The largest public university in Illinois, the U of I campus was chartered by the state in 1867, as the Illinois Industrial University, and opened its doors to students in 1868.

About Abbott Nutrition

For more than 85 years, Abbott Nutrition has been developing and marketing science-based pediatric and adult nutritional products to support the growth, health and well-being of people of all ages. Globally recognized brands include Similac®, Gain®, PediaSure®, Ensure® and Glucerna®.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs nearly 90,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's website at http://www.abbott.com.

SOURCE Abbott