By Meghan McCarthy  Author’s Note: This article is part of ongoing coverage of the 2024 Alzheimer Association’s International Conference (AAIC). To view all highlights, please click here.    Researchers at the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Center found that high neighborhood deprivation levels are associated with shorter survival and faster cognitive decline in patients with behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).     BvFTD accounts for nearly half of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. Although symptoms can vary across patients, most patient ..read more

Biomarkers and new therapies have revolutionized Alzheimer’s care. In the United States, doctors can now prescribe two new anti-amyloid treatments that slow cognitive decline. However, in a recent essay Jason Karlawish, MD, and Joshua Grill, PhD, warn that treatment is overshadowing the value of delivering a comprehensive diagnosis and prognosis to patients and their families. “Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers and The Tyranny of Treatment,” published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity and eBioMedicine, highlights a critical issue. Diagnostic tests are increasingly tailored to meet the needs of ther ..read more

By Meghan McCarthy  Author’s Note: This article is part of ongoing coverage of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). To view all highlights, please click here.   Imagine a tiered, ornately decorated cake. Each tier has a unique flavor, filling, and frosting. The cakes are stacked at various heights and widths and adorned with décor. If you were to slice through each layer, you could distinctly identify each layer’s cake, filling, and frosting. While it would be possible to cut through all tiers together, you could appreciate and evaluate the flavors b ..read more

By Meghan McCarthy   Author’s Note: This article is part of an ongoing coverage of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). To view all highlights, please click here.     For the third consecutive year, I have had the privilege of interviewing physician-scientists and researchers to cover their work ahead of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). These conversations are rich in information and inspiration for the future directions of work in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs). Yet this year, with the co ..read more

Penn Medicine and UC San Diego scientists will develop a tau-targeting drug candidate through IND-enabling studies By Meagan Raeke, PennMedicine.org A multidisciplinary team of scientists led by Kurt Brunden, Ph.D., at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and Carlo Ballatore, Ph.D., at University of California San Diego, has been awarded a $6.9 million grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to prepare a potential disease-modifying Alzheimer’s treatment for future clinical trials. In a recently published study about the new compound, cal ..read more

This week, researchers and clinicians from around the world convened in Philadelphia for the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) to discuss recent advances in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Check out: ? Big news in Alzheimer’s space: Research breakthroughs presented at AAIC ? Penn at AAIC: Panel discussions, posters, and talks ? From around the world: Global perspectives on Alzheimer’s research ? In the news: Media coverage of AAIC —————————————————————————————————————— Big news in Alzheimer’s space A blood test accurately diagnosed Alzheimer’s 90% of the t ..read more

By Meghan McCarthy   Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing coverage of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference (AAIC). To view all highlights, please click here.    Each morning, Sarah wakes up early, makes a pot of coffee, and turns on the news. The ritual had been a part of her routine for decades. In their retirement years, Sarah’s partner, Jodi, slept in a little later but always joined Sarah eventually. Together, the two sip their coffee and watch the stories of triumph and tragedy alike on their morning station.   Sarah doesn ..read more

By Meghan McCarthy In a recently published manuscript, researchers at the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Center found that African American patients and those of low socioeconomic status are significantly less likely to access neurogenetic evaluation compared to White patients. These findings exemplify systemic barriers and health inequities and have a direct impact on the equitable inclusion of marginalized groups in clinical trials related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs). Neurogenetic evaluation, which includes genetic counseling and testing, is used for diagnost ..read more

By Meghan McCarthy  The Penn Memory Center (PMC) is dedicated to training the next generation of clinicians and researchers. Central to this mission is the Clark Scholars Program, designed to encourage and guide early career researchers as they study Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, cognitive aging, and lifelong brain health. This year, PMC welcomes Hannah Cho, MSN, RN, ACHPN, who will join the 2024-2025 class of clinician scientists. Three Clark Scholars are continuing in the program for additional training and research development including Christopher Brown, MD, PhD; Cat ..read more

Members of the public and clinicians are invited to learn about advancements in Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the upcoming AAIC For All event, a no-cost, single-day extension of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). This event provides a unique platform for both clinicians and the general public to engage with the latest research findings and developments in dementia science. About AAIC For All AAIC For All offers an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from leading Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers. Set on the final day of the AAIC, this event ensures atten ..read more