As one of the most diverse racial groups in the United States, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations are projected to grow significantly in the next 30 years —especially among older adults—yet they remain drastically underrepresented in aging, dementia, and caregiving research. This creates a gap in our understanding of how cultural, linguistic, and social factors affect health outcomes later in life. To address this disparity, the Collaborative Approach for AANHPI Research and Education (CARE) Registry was developed at UCSF with leadership from Dr. Joshua Grill and others at UCI MIND with the goal to easily connect…
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An article in Martha Stewart Magazine about the 10 hobbies that can "improve" brain health featured a 2020 article by Dr. Craig Stark on a 4-week video intervention in older adults. Read the article here
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The Daily Mail featured the Blurton-Jones Lab for their recent work on microglia replacement. Read the article in the Daily Mail here.
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Co-author Dr. Ghazaleh Eskandari-Sedighi and postdoctoral scholar in the Blurton-Jones Lab The Blurton-Jones lab, in collaboration with several other prominent research groups in the US and Japan, recently published an article in the journal Nature describing the role of TIM-3, a newly characterized molecule implicated in sporadic AD. The lead researchers on the project, Drs. Oleg Butovsy and Vijay Kuchroo, from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, discovered the signaling pathway through which TIM-3, an immune-checkpoint molecule (encoded by HAVCR2 gene) regulates microglia function. The Blurton-Jones Lab played a critical role in this project by providing the human microglia modeling platform needed to complement…
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University of California, Irvine scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking new way to deliver disease-fighting proteins throughout the brain, potentially revolutionizing the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. By engineering human immune cells called microglia the researchers have created living cellular “couriers” capable of responding to brain pathology and releasing therapeutic agents exactly where needed. The National Institutes of Health-supported study, published recently in Cell Stem Cell, demonstrates for the first time that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)- -derived microglia can be genetically programmed to detect disease-specific brain changes – like amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease – and to…
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Dean LaFerla gives a presentation on MODEL-AD The Alzheimer’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease (ADPD) 2025 International Conference, held this year in Vienna, Austria, is an annual gathering for scientific experts and industry leaders in neurodegenerative diseases. This conference serves as a platform for sharing the latest scientific breakthroughs, clinical trial results, and innovative treatment strategies. With attendees from over 70 countries giving more than 1,200 poster presentations and 700 oral presentations, ADPD uniquely combines discussions on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders, fostering a deeper understanding of their respective mechanisms and potential therapies. The conference also highlights the importance of global collaboration,…
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Assistant professor in Physiology & Biophysics and UCI MIND faculty co-authored a paper in the journal Nature that reveals a mechanism for memory preservation. To read a summary of the article, visit Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
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Today is World Down Syndrome Day! Did you know that individuals with Down syndrome have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease? UCI MIND and The Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome (CFAR-DS) are dedicated to understanding and addressing this important issue. The UCI MIND Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Down Syndrome Core, led by Drs. Ira Lott and Elizabeth Head, is a pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing our understanding of Alzheimer’s in individuals with Down syndrome. CFAR-DS is a leading research institute with a mission to improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Dr. Elizabeth Head…
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Casey Vanderlip Casey Vanderlip, MD/PhD student in the laboratory of Dr. Craig Stark, has won the 2025 UCI Grad Slam Competition. The competition involves graduate students delivering 3-minute presentations on their research. Casey received $6,500 for his victory in the competition, which is intended to highlight the role of graduate trainees and enhance their public presentation skills.
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On March 13, UCI MIND and the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts Department of Music collaborated to present "Finding Light: Alzheimer's Stories" by Robert S. Cohen. The evening featured a pre-concert panel that included the composer, the conductor of the UC Irvine Chamber Singers & Concert Choir, the Director of UCI MIND, and two research participants who represented the lived experience of individuals living with cognitive impairment. The panel was followed by an incredible two-act performance by the UCI Chamber Singers & Concert Choir. First, the Chamber Singers performed a collection of related and inspiring pieces. After an…
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