My 87-year-old mom has Alzheimer's disease in the midst of COVID-19. Right now, that means I can only see her when her Bronx nursing home connects us on Skype. Our Internet connection is sound, but mentally, she is in the grips of this disease. All she can do is just look at me for a few minutes at a time, as I try to get her to remember me. Ramona Latty, talking to her daughter Yvonne over Skype from her nursing home at the beginning of the pandemic. Courtesy of Yvonne Latty "Mommy, it's me, your daughter, tu hija," I…
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Join UCI MIND on Friday, Oct 2 @ 11:00 AM PST for our monthly Facebook Live Q&A series! In this episode, Dr. Marcelo Wood, Professor and Chair of Neurobiology & Behavior will answer questions about 'epigenetics' and brain disease. Click this DIRECT LINK to view the livestream and participate.
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More than 5 million people of all ages are living with Alzheimer's in America and that number is expected to rise to nearly 14 million by the 2050. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Disease is the sixth leading cause of death in this country — killing more Americans than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. However, research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) shows clear data that improving lifestyle factors can influence the development and the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Here are eight ways to reduce your risk of this devastating disease: Add more fruits and vegetables…
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2020 —The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging and the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Memory Center released a new guide for assisting voters who have cognitive impairments, Assisting Cognitively Impaired Individuals with Voting: A Quick Guide. Click link to learn more.
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Webinar Monday, September 28 @ 11 AM PST. This webinar will focus on how social isolation and loneliness affect older adults’ health and well-being, particularly amid the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will also address social isolation and loneliness in the context of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, emphasize the impact of health disparities, and provide information on potential interventions and mitigating technologies.
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In lieu of an in-person appreciation event this year, researchers at the UCI Alzheimer's Disease Research Center recorded updates and thank you messages to our research participants below. Click on a video to view. ---
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ASK THE DOC! UCI MIND Facebook LIVE Video Series This monthly series features short talks and Q&A with experts from the University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), 1 of 32 congressionally designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in the nation. Join UCI MIND on Facebook (@UCIrvineMIND) to learn about advances in research to improve Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. What role do immune cells play in Alzheimer's disease? About the Speaker: Lindsay Hohsfield, PhD, is an Assistant Project Scientist in the lab of Kim Green, PhD. She earned her PhD from the…
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UCI MIND is part of a national network of 31 Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRC), designated NIH Centers of Excellence, working collaboratively to solve Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, to provide support to families affected, and to educate the public about research. The network, established in 1984, welcomes four new "exploratory" centers that aim to expand current ADRC initiatives with underrepresented populations such as African Americans, Native Americans, and people living in rural communities. Click here to learn more about our national network >
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Today, September 21, is World Alzheimer's Day. We invite you to join us for two special programs aimed to raise awareness and reduce stigma of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias #LetsTalkAbout Dementia: Join the BrightFocus Foundation at 6:21:20 AM PST (9:21:20 AM EST), for a special virtual event, Alzheimer’s Turning Point: The Quest for a Cure Continues. The event will feature new clips from the acclaimed documentary Turning Point and insightful interviews with leading BrightFocus-funded scientists, including UCI MIND director, Dr. Joshua Grill. Sign up at this link! If you missed the live event, BrightFocus has posted the program at this…
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COVID-19 is a novel disease requiring rapid responses and lifestyle changes on multiple fronts. Learn about government information and resources for the public below. Visit your state health department website for the latest coronavirus information, resources, and guidance in your area.
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The UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, led by UCI MIND faculty member Dr. Aileen Anderson, hosted part 2 of their expert panel on the state of COVID-19 on September 1. Topics include: Introduction to SARS2-CoV/COVID-19 from Dr. Ming Tan Current status of testing for COVID-19 from UCI MIND faculty member, Dr. Ed Monuki Back to school, wearing masks and public health from Dr. Dan Cooper ASCC’s convalescent plasma and trials for COVID-19 from Dr. Daniela Bota View the complete panel recording below:
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Co-directed by Dr. Joshua Grill, director of UCI MIND, and Dr. Rema Raman, director of biostatistics at USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, the inaugural class of IMPACT-AD launches this week. The novel program will educate 35 professionals and researchers at various career stages on conducting rigorous, cutting-edge Alzheimer’s clinical trials.
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Join the BrightFocus Foundation on September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day, for a special virtual event, Alzheimer’s Turning Point: The Quest for a Cure Continues. The event will feature new clips from the acclaimed documentary Turning Point and insightful interviews with leading BrightFocus-funded scientists, including UCI MIND director, Dr. Joshua Grill. The program begins September 21, 2020 at 9:21:20 AM EST (6:21:20 AM PST) - Sign up here!
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Thank you for attending our first-ever virtual research conference in partnership with Alzheimer’s Orange County. If you missed the livestream on September 10, you can access the recordings, as well as videos from past conferences, on our website: mind.uci.edu/events/conference A special thank you to this year’s sponsors:
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UCI MIND Leadership Council Member, Steve O'Leary, discusses his journey with Alzheimer's disease on Voices of Resilience hosted by Rick Milenthal. Steve changed his life, sold his business, and altered his priorities when his wife of 40 years was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. After losing Patty just over three years ago, he’s dedicated his life to finding a cure and helping others navigate the devastating impacts of the disease. Click here to listen to the PODCAST >
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The 31st Annual SoCal Alzheimer’s Research Conference goes LIVE tomorrow, September 10th at 8:00 AM PST. Join us to learn about the latest technology in Alzheimer’s research and care. Engage in live Q&A with world-renowned experts. Visit conference.mind.uci.edu for details and live viewing options. Thank you to our sponsors: Belmont Village Senior Living Aliso Viejo Biogen CalOptima CareAssist Services Caregiver Resource Center OC Caring Companions at Home Companion Hospice DevaWorld by mentia Granny's Place, Inc. Housecall Doctors Medical Group Independence at Home LivHome Optimal Hospice Care Syrentis Clinical Research
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To our valued patients, families and community, The health and well-being of Orange County residents remains all of our organizations’ top priority — and that has never been more true than during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we formed a consortium earlier this year to work together to inform our community about best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the use of masks. We are joining together to express our gratitude for all you have done — and continue to do — to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We know this environment has not been…
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This September, UCI Brain is leading a virtual campus campaign for World Alzheimer’s Month, featuring labs and individuals at UCI who are expanding our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Launched in 2012, World Alzheimer's Month is the international campaign by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding dementia, which now affects 50 million people worldwide. To learn about the innovative work being done at UCI to combat Alzheimer's disease, tune in to social media throughout the month: @ucibrain @ucirvinemind @ucimind. In this video, graduate student and REMIND co-leader Amanda McQuade shares about stem…
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UCI MIND announces the two new recipients of grant funding from the UCI MIND - Women's Alzheimer's Movement (WAM) Women's Initiative: Sara Mednick, PhD, Assoc. Professor of Cognitive Science at UCI and Liz Chrastil, PhD, Asst. Professor of Neurobiology & Behavior at UCI. The Initiative, a partnership launched in 2017 between UCI MIND and WAM founded by Maria Shriver, provides funding to UCI researchers to help answer why 2/3 people with Alzheimer's disease are women.
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Tomorrow, September 1 at 11 AM PST, UCI MIND will announce the latest award recipients of the UCI MIND - Women's Alzheimer's Movement (WAM) Women's Initiative live on Facebook. The two researchers will share about their motivation for studying Alzheimer's disease and their projects to improve understanding of sex disparities. They will also address questions from live viewers. When: Tuesday, September 1 @ 11 AM PST Where: UCI MIND's Facebook Page (@UCIrvineMIND) If you miss the live broadcast, it will be accessible on our Facebook page, YouTube channel, and Blog afterward.
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Don't Forget to Register! On September 1, join scientists from the Stem Cell Research Center as they continue the discussion on COVID-19, the status of testing for COVID-19, current studies and trials as well as going back to school, wearing masks and public health. Register by clicking here. Learn more about the event here. You can also watch the livestream on their Facebook page. Register Here
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Message from the Director Dear Friends of UCI MIND, Summer of 2020 has been unlike any summer before. We are all struggling to adjust to life amid a global pandemic that has been upending our lives for several months. Many of us have been unable to see our loved ones, others have lost our treasured family members. At the end of this newsletter, we offer some guidance from the Centers for Disease Control for caregivers of people living with dementia. Despite COVID-19, the work of UCI MIND continues. This includes important milestones. Most notably, the NIH selected UCI MIND…
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In 1964, Keith Swayne, then a graduate student at UC Berkeley, went on a blind date with local school teacher Judy Kjellberg. He was head over heels, and just two weeks later, he proposed to her. Over the next 50 years, they raised a son and daughter, pursued their careers and engaged with the Orange County community through nonprofit work. Judy created the Orange County Community Foundation in 1989, laying the groundwork for it to grow into a change-maker with assets today in excess of $400 million, supporting various causes across the region. But during the final decade of their…
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ASK THE DOC! UCI MIND Facebook LIVE Video Series This monthly series features short talks and Q&A with experts from the University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), 1 of 32 congressionally designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in the nation. Join UCI MIND on Facebook (@UCIrvineMIND) to learn about advances in research to improve Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Do all people with Down syndrome get Alzheimer's disease? About the Speaker: Eric Doran, MS, serves as manager for the UCI Down Syndrome Program, directed by Ira Lott, MD, professor emeritus of pediatrics…
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Across the country, older adults with acute and chronic conditions have hesitated to visit medical offices, given that people over age 65 are at greater risk for severe illness from exposure to the novel coronavirus outbreak. “Our patients need to know that we’re very protective of their safety,” says Dr. Lisa Gibbs, director of the UCI Health SeniorHealth Center. Photo credit: UCI Health But people with these conditions — such as diabetes, hypertension and heart ailments that require regular monitoring — are also vulnerable to experiencing complications from their underlying disease if care is postponed, says Dr. Lisa Gibbs, medical director…
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Do all people with Down syndrome get Alzheimer's disease? Join UCI MIND for a live Q&A on Facebook with Eric Doran, MS this Friday, August 21st at 11:00-11:30 AM PST. How to Attend Live: Login (or create an account) at facebook.com. Click this DIRECT LINK or visit our Facebook page (@UCIrvineMIND) on Friday at 11 AM PST ("Like" and "Follow" our page in advance to receive notifications when we go live). Watch and participate in the live Q&A by typing your questions into the comments box.
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Considerable: “Scientists have known for a long time that inflammation is a driver of Alzheimer’s disease, but inflammation is complex and involves many factors,” said UCI MIND faculty member Dr. Frank LaFerla, dean of UCI School of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine, where the research was conducted. “That’s why we decided to look at TOM-1.” … “You can think of TOM-1 as being like the brakes of a car, and the brakes aren’t working for people with Alzheimer's,” LaFerla said. “This research shows that fixing the brakes at the molecular level could provide an entirely new therapeutic…
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The first-of-its-kind website compiles up-to-date statistics and maps on COVID-19 infections in Orange County, and enables comparisons to neighboring and other California counties.
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When the coronavirus pandemic hit, almost everyone at UCI – and colleges across the nation – had to abandon campus. But UCI MIND faculty member James Nowick, professor of chemistry, was not a part of that exodus. That’s because his lab, which designs and constructs chemical molecules, had the right equipment to help in the global push to find treatments for COVID-19. A synthetic molecule called a macrocycle created in the laboratory of UCI chemistry professor James Nowick binds onto coronavirus particles and won’t let go. Adam Kreutzer, Rene Gauthier-Butterfield / UCI
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MedPage Today: Is it safe to share Alzheimer's disease biomarker results with older adults who don't have cognitive impairment? In the short-term at least, the answer appears to be "yes," according to a study of Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's Disease (A4) clinical trial candidates. Older Adults who learned they had elevated amyloid levels didn't experience more short-term depression, anxiety, or suicidality than those who learned they didn't have elevated amyloid, reported Joshua Grill, PhD, of University of California, Irvine, and colleagues in JAMA Neurology. ... This may be the largest study to date about delivering Alzheimer's biomarker information to cognitively unimpaired…
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Hand sanitizer has become an integral part of the COVID-19 health toolbox, especially when soap and water is not available. However, some brands of hand sanitizers pose a new threat to our health. Increased demand during the pandemic has caused shortages of well-known U.S. brands, and now many new companies are selling hand sanitizer products that contain methanol, commonly known as wood alcohol. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled and imposed import bans on dozens of brands found to contain the toxic chemical. It also is working with major retailers to pull those products off shelves. Methanol…
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UCI MIND, the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders at UCI, has been awarded a $14.4 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, one of the National Institutes of Health, to sustain critical research and education as Orange County’s only Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The NIA funds only 32 of these centers at major academic institutions across the U.S. They conduct groundbreaking research to improve the understanding, diagnosis, care and treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. “The value of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is immeasurable to both the campus and the community,” said Pramod…
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Composed of thought leaders in the areas of Alzheimer’s disease, research, and brain health prevention, education, and risk reduction, HFC’s Science Advisory Board members come from a variety of prestigious institutions. These experts are at the forefront of groundbreaking research and clinical practice in the field. Inaugural members of the board include Dr. Megan Jones-Bell, Annie Fenn, M.D., Lisa Genova, Ph.D, Joshua Grill, Ph.D, Dr. Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D, Amanda Smith, M.D.,Dr, Wendy Suzuki, Richard S. Isaacson, M.D. Josh Grill, Associate Professor, Psychiatry & Human Behaviorphoto: steve zylius/UCI
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The 31st Annual SoCal Alzheimer's Disease Research Conference is coming up! Learn how researchers are “Tackling Dementia with Technology” Register today: https://conference.mind.uci.edu
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The UCI Blood Donor Center is now offering free COVID-19 antibody testing for qualified donors who donate blood or platelets. This is exclusively available at the donor center in Orange, not at mobile drives. Testing is open to all, not just UCI employees. Antibody testing does not diagnose a current case of COVID. It may help determine whether a person was previously infected, but not in all cases. Please read this Q & A to better understand the COVID antibody test. The blood donor center is located in Pavilion 3 next to Occupational Health. Hours are Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.…
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The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement and Alzheimer’s Association need your advocacy support: The Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act (H.R. 6813/S.3703) is critical legislation which would require the Department of Justice to develop training materials to assist professionals who support victims of abuse living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in order to improve the quality of their interactions with this vulnerable population and help protect them from elder abuse. Support for this legislation has been growing, but to keep up the momentum, it is critical that your Senators hear from you today. Please ask your Senators to co-sponsor and pass…
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Contributed by Hayk Davtyan, PhD Vaccines have become one of the most discussed topics during the COVID-19 pandemic. From development to distribution, the whole world has their eyes on a new vaccine. However, promising new data has now brought common vaccines even to the forefront of discussion in the study of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). At the 2020 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference this week (#AAIC20), newly presented data shows how flu and pneumonia vaccines may lower the risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hayk Davtyan, PhD Previous studies have shown the possible connection between vaccination and reducing cognitive decline. Yet, there has…
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Dr. Ahmad Sajjadi UCI MIND faculty member, Ahmad Sajjadi, MD, PhD, was recently named a member of the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC) Early Career Project Evaluation Committee (PEC). The ACTC is a clinical trials network designed to accelerate and expand studies for therapies in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. UCI MIND has been a member of the ACTC network since its inception in 2018. The PEC of the ACTC is an important early first step in determining what trials the network will take on and in this initiative will provide mentorship for early career members. Dr. Sajjadi is an Assistant…
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#AAIC20 kicks off today! A virtual week-long international conference covering the latest topics in #Alzheimers and #dementia science and healthcare. Today, Dr. Vivek Swarup from UCI MIND led a discussion on #genetics and omics of Alzheimer’s – his presentation available On Demand at AAIC: aaic2020.vfairs.com
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HealthDay - July 22, 2020 Maria Corrada, a professor of epidemiology at the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders at the University of California, Irvine (UCI MIND), said, "Some of the characteristics found to be related to resistance and resilience to Alzheimer's pathology can be changed or modified -- pulse pressure, smoking, paid work and life satisfaction." … "We believe that there are things we can do with our lifestyle that can help us maintain good cognitive health," she said.
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The University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) is leading a new annual multi-day course on clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Josh GrillPhoto: Steve Zylius/UCI The course will be directed by Joshua Grill, PhD, Director of UCI MIND and Rema Raman, PhD, a professor of neurology at the Keck School and the Director of Biostatistics at USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI). Other course faculty members include UCI MIND researchers Daniel Gillen, PhD and David Sultzer, MD. The launch of the training program, called IMPACT-AD, is designed to educate and promote…
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Contributed by UCI MIND faculty member Kei Igarashi, PhD. In a paper recently published in Neuron, our lab found for the first time that “remapping” of hippocampus place cells, a brain circuit function to distinguish distinct environments, is disrupted in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Our work suggests that remapping impairment is a circuit mechanism causing spatial memory impairment in Alzheimer’s disease. We hope that, by developing methods to reactivate remapping, we can develop new treatments for spacial memory impairment in Alzheimer’s disease patients in a near future.
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20 percent more than last year, the total reflects strong support for campus mission Irvine, Calif., July 20, 2020 — From cutting-edge research and clinical trials focused on cancer care to creating a new center devoted to protecting personal data privacy, University of California, Irvine scholars, scientists and physicians are blazing new paths to help change the world. And their impact keeps growing. In fiscal 2019-20, which ended June 30, UCI researchers received the most funding in campus history: $529 million in grants and contracts. Awards from federal and state agencies, leading foundations and forward-thinking companies increased by 20 percent…
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Join UCI MIND and Alzheimer's Orange County for the 31st Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference: "Tackling Dementia with Technology" Thursday, September 10, 2020 | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm PST Live on YouTube & Facebook International experts will discuss how new technology is being used to accelerate science and care for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This free virtual conference welcomes healthcare providers, senior/social service providers, patients and families, researchers, students, and anyone eager to learn. Click here to learn more and register: https://conference.mind.uci.edu
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Contributed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC recently updated the Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Data Portal, which provides access to a range of national, regional, and state data on older adults. This resource allows users to examine data on key indicators of health and well-being for older Americans, including caregiving and cognitive decline, by age group, gender, and race/ethnicity. The Portal was updated with 2018 BRFSS data, including data on cognitive decline from 50 states and data on caregivers from 44 states. Portal users can retrieve CDC data by indicator or by geographic…
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The doctor is in again! Join us and The Women's Alzheimer's Movement (WAM) for WAM Live: Doctor’s Hours, today at 3pm PST on Instagram LIVE with WAM Scientific Advisor & Director of UCI MIND, Dr. Josh Grill: https://www.instagram.com/womensalzmovement/ Have you ever wanted to know about clinical trials, how to get involved, or what that even means? Do you have a burning question about Alzheimer’s or brain health you want answered? Ask Dr. Grill during this informative and interactive Instagram live.
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Contributed by the Long-Term Care and Aging Services Division of the California Department of Aging (CDA) I would like to share with you the California Department of Aging’s latest opportunity for public engagement with the Master Plan for Aging: the COVID-19 Impacts & Recommendation Survey. COVID-19 has changed the lives of Californians in so many ways. Millions of people of all ages are staying home and reinventing how to live, work, and connect with family, friends, and communities. Many are experiencing isolation, interruption in services, and loss of income due to the pandemic and resulting recession. Others cannot stay home, because of essential…
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Effective immediately, all counties must close indoor dining, indoor movie theaters, bars and breweries. Most churches, gyms and nail salons must also be shuttered. Full details can be found in the state roadmap.
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National Institutes of Health grant helps local researchers continue work on cause and treatment of dementia. The National Institutes of Health has awarded $14.4 million to the UCI MIND institute at UC Irvine to continue its crucial work in the study of Alzheimer’s disease, for which there remains no cure or prevention. UCI MIND, formally known as the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, is one of only 32 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers around the country funded by the National Institute on Aging, an arm of the NIH. UC Irvine is one of the original half-dozen research centers established…
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