ADRC News

By Meghan McCarthy Asa Sam has spent only about two months with the Penn Memory Center (PMC), but the experience has made an impact on the rest of her professional life.   “I can faithfully say that PMC has already impacted my future,” said Sam, a 2022 Summer Scholar. “Being a part of this program was a way to verify and solidify my career path of neurosurgery, while also keeping my mind open to multiple paths in geriatrics and remaining engaged in Alzheimer’s research.”  This past summer, six undergraduate students joined PMC for mentorship, clinical shadowing, and exposure to career Read More The post PMC Summer Scholars Program promotes diversity in dementia research appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading PMC Summer Scholars Program promotes diversity in dementia research

Drugmakers Eisai and Biogen announced yesterday the experimental drug lecanemab helped slow cognitive decline in people living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). “This is an extremely encouraging development,” said Penn Memory Center (PMC) Co-director David Wolk, MD. “The observed reduction in decline may reflect meaningful differences in function for a significant portion of patients.” More details are needed to evaluate the drug confidently, he added. PMC Co-Director Jason Karlawish hopes that the announcement marks a pivotal milestone in Alzheimer’s disease history, but clarifies that his hope is based on a press release. “Science relies on the open and unbiased exchange of Read More The post Alzheimer’s drug slows cognitive decline, companies announce appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Alzheimer’s drug slows cognitive decline, companies announce

By Meghan McCarthy  From reducing stigma to disclosing disease biomarkers, Claire Erickson, PhD, MPA, hopes to improve lives by improving the care given to older adults.    Dr. Erickson recently joined the University of Pennsylvania as a postdoctoral researcher. As a member of the Penn Program on Precision Medicine for the Brain (P3MB), she will continue her work on biomarker disclosure for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).  In AD, biomarkers are hallmark molecules such as tau or amyloid that help clinicians with diagnoses. Biomarker disclosure is the process of informing patients about the results of their biomarker testing.  Dr. Erickson Read More The post Postdoc researcher bolsters PMC’s biomarker disclosure work appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Postdoc researcher bolsters PMC’s biomarker disclosure work

By Meghan McCarthy The morning of March 21, 2019, began unremarkably for Nancy and Mike Childs.   After waking up, they began their simple morning routine. Then they turned on the news, and their world shifted.   Reports informed them that the Phase III trial of the drug aducanumab run by Biogen and Eisai — a trial in which Mike was participating — had ceased, effective immediately. It was one thing to have their hopes of a successful treatment dashed without warning; it was another to have learned this news from the television.   After Mike Childs was diagnosed with mild cognitive Read More The post In wake of dashed hopes, researchers and advocates seek changes in study communications appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading In wake of dashed hopes, researchers and advocates seek changes in study communications

Empowering Caregivers Workshop Series Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 18, Dec. 9, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Experts will present on a variety of intensive caregiving topics and take audience questions. Sept 2: Touch and Communication for Long-Term Partners with Judith Sachs Oct. 7: Adapting activities for Individuals with Dementia with Rachel Wiley Nov 18: The Legal Perspective: Practical Insights for Patients and Families About Decision-Making and Advance Planning with Valerie L. Snow Dec. 9: Supporting Communication: Strategies for Conversation and Care Partners with Sharon M. Antonucci Learn more about our Empowering Caregivers Workshop Series Creative Expressions through Music Tuesdays, 11:00 Read More The post Fall Programming at the Penn Memory Center appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Fall Programming at the Penn Memory Center

By Meghan McCarthy and Cait Kearney  Editor’s Note: This article is a broad summary of research at and beyond the University of Pennsylvania. We will revisit these topics in greater depth in the coming weeks.  Penn Memory Center scientists gathered last week with colleagues from around the world in San Diego, California, to share their pioneering research at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022 — the world’s largest academic conference for dementia research.   Promising advancements in Alzheimer’s diagnostics, interventions, and the understanding of the basic science of the disease were on display at this year’s conference.  “We are in Read More The post Largest Alzheimer’s conference showcases ‘transformative time’ for dementia research appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Largest Alzheimer’s conference showcases ‘transformative time’ for dementia research

By Cait Kearney  Kimberly Halberstadter came to the Penn Memory Center in 2018, trying to get her foot in the door as an undergraduate volunteer. Today she’s a full-time employee representing the University of Pennsylvania at the world’s largest Alzheimer’s academic conference.  As an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, Halberstadter started working on the development of the Mobile Cognitive App Performance Program (MCAPP) and documented her work for her undergraduate thesis. After graduation, she rejoined the Penn Memory Center (PMC) as clinical researcher coordinator, collecting data for MCAPP.   Now, she’s presenting the results of the first round of data collection Read More The post She went from volunteer to presenting at the world’s largest Alzheimer’s conference appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading She went from volunteer to presenting at the world’s largest Alzheimer’s conference

Are you caring for someone with memory loss? Please consider taking part in our research study, Qcare/Quidar, by participating in an interview online or by telephone that explores your lived experiences, including physical, mental, and social health, related to being a racial/ethnic minority, and a LGBTQIA+ caregiver to someone with memory loss. You are eligible if you meet all of the following criteria: Identify as a racial/ethnic minority Identify as LGBTQIA+ Ability to complete an interview for no longer than 2 hours, either in English or Spanish Ability to confirm you provide care to someone with memory loss using a Read More The post Researcher looking for LBGTQIA+ caregivers to participate in important study appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Researcher looking for LBGTQIA+ caregivers to participate in important study

By Meghan McCarthy  Caregiving is an essential element to the safety and wellbeing of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Yet, little has been done to understand the diverse experiences of caregivers who inevitably have different lives and identities.  Although there isn’t nationally representative data, an estimated 11 percent of ADRD caregivers identify as sex and gender minorities (SGM).   Krystal Kittle, PhD, is a visiting research assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the school of public health, social and behavioral health department. Dr. Kittle’s current research focuses on caregiving experiences, health, and wellbeing Read More The post Sex and gender minority (SGM) caregivers experience more health issues, discrimination appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Sex and gender minority (SGM) caregivers experience more health issues, discrimination

Last week, the journal Science reported that an Alzheimer’s disease scientist may have fabricated research data, particularly in one influential study on the role of amyloid as one of the causes of the neuron death seen in persons with Alzheimer’s disease. The journal Nature, which in 2006 published the work of Sylvain Lesné of the University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities, announced the paper is under investigation. “My colleagues and I are truly disappointed over these accusations of image manipulation and presentation of false data. Science lives by an honor code that is essential to the progress we all hope to Read More The post UPenn researchers ‘truly disappointed’ over alleged data fabrication, stand by role of amyloid appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading UPenn researchers ‘truly disappointed’ over alleged data fabrication, stand by role of amyloid