UCI MIND faculty member and professor in the School of Public Health, Karen D. Lincoln, PhD, MSW, MA, FGSA, is featured in Authority Magazine as being one of the top inspirational Black women in medicine. Read the full interview here To learn more about Dr. Lincoln’s research to address health disparities in Black communities, visit her faculty profile or her website: Advocates for African American Elders
Message from the Director Dear Friends of UCI MIND, Advances in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research and the contributions of UCI MIND investigators remain tremendously exciting. Two new drugs have been approved by the FDA (page 3). These approvals are believed by many to represent the dawn of a new age in AD research and treatment. Both drugs received accelerated approval and we await a decision from the FDA about “full approval” for lecanemab. If received, full approval could cause the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to revisit their previous coverage decision about anti-amyloid antibody therapies. These…
The topline results for the Anti-Amyloid treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (A4) study were released today (https://a4study.org). Unfortunately, the drug being investigated, solanezumab, failed to demonstrate a benefit in slowing memory changes in a population of individuals age 65-to-85 who met criteria for preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Preclinical Alzheimer’s is a relatively new construct. It includes people who are older and have normal memory performance, but in whom biological tests suggest that the risk for Alzheimer’s disease dementia is high. The A4 study was among the first ever preclinical AD trials, boldly blazing a trail that has now been followed by…
On February 17, 2023, a bipartisan group of Senators sent the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Javier Baccera, and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, a letter requesting that CMS reconsider their decision to require Coverage with Evidence Determination (CED) that was levied after the accelerated approval of aducanumab. The letter followed a similar request from the Alzheimer’s Association, made in December 2022. The CED decision significantly limited access to aducanumab and other monoclonal antibodies (should they be approved), requiring that coverage would be granted only if Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in…
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a form of dementia that typically affects individuals in their 50s and 60s. It is therefore, commonly referred to as young onset dementia. Clinically, FTD can present in two ways; some patients present with behavioral impairment and are referred to as behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD). The other main presentation involves language decline and is called primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Both conditions start insidiously and accurate diagnosis can be a challenge, especially at early stages of the disease. In bvFTD, patients can present with apathy, lack of empathy, increased appetite, preference for sweet tooth, new onset of…
In a somewhat surprising move, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declined to grant accelerated approval to Eli Lilly’s donanemab Read the full press release from Eli Lilly here Like aducanumab and lecanemab, which were previously granted accelerated approval by the FDA, donanemab is a monoclonal antibody treatment against the beta amyloid protein that accumulates in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease. Eli Lilly published very promising results for donanemab in 2021, which included demonstration that donanemab could lower amyloid levels in the brain of people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia (the basis for…
January 6, 2023 – Today, as expected, the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody against the beta amyloid protein that accumulates in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab was approved on the basis of the treatment’s demonstrated effect of lowering levels of brain amyloid, as measured by a type of brain scan known as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Lecanemab is now approved for the treatment of patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, and should be used in patients in whom that same amyloid PET brain scan (or measures...
UCI MIND Faculty Member Elizabeth Head, PhD was featured in the Akron Beacon Journal: I recently interviewed Dr. Elizabeth Head, a [professor and] neuropathology core co-investigator at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at University of California, Irvine. While she collaborates with researchers studying Alzheimer’s in the general population, her research is focused specifically on the Down syndrome population. Her team and others are conducting longitudinal studies, in which volunteers with Down syndrome participate for many years, discovering relevant data that are the building blocks for future treatments. Read the full article here >
The work of our faculty, researchers, and collaborators was highlighted in a recent Alzforum article on anti-tau vaccines. AC Immune updates Phase 1b/2 comparison of two anti-#tau vaccines. A liposomal vaccine prompted #antibody response against phospho-tau. Preclinical data bode well for another tau vaccine; first trial slated for next year. Read more >
UCI MIND Director Joshua Grill, PhD is featured in and comments on Alzforum’s report on “convincing and noteworthy” lecanemab results. The slightly larger effect on [activities of daily living] ADLs caught the interest of some scientists, since these can feel most important to participants. “[This] indicates that patients and families could benefit from slowing of observable functional worsening,” Joshua Grill of the University of California, Irvine, wrote to Alzforum (full comments below). Read his commentary here > Read the full article here >
Message from the Director Dear Friends of UCI MIND, As the fall MIND Matters newsletter goes to print, many of us are preparing to travel to San Francisco for the annual Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) meeting, where we will hear important results from recently completed Phase 3 clinical trials of potential new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This includes trials of lecanemab (page 1) as well as other treatments. The topline results for lecanemab announced by the trial sponsors are exciting and suggest that lecanemab may slow the progression of AD. The availability of treatments to slow the…
Eat This, Not That! “According to a study performed by UCI MIND and presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, there’s a connection between longevity and drinking a moderate amount of alcohol. (Let’s stress the “moderate.”) The research involved individuals 90+ years of age. In this particular study, participants who drank approximately two glasses of wine or beer were linked to an 18% decreased risk of early mortality. So sipping in moderation can be a good thing!” Learn more here > Learn about The 90+ Study here >
When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave controversial accelerated approval to the first Alzheimer’s drug in nearly 20 years, it had a surprising impact on attitudes about research into the disease. A survey by University of California, Irvine neuroscientists has found news coverage of the FDA’s decision made the public less willing to volunteer for Alzheimer’s pharmaceutical trials. The study was conducted by the UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, known as UCI MIND. It appears in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. (Link to abstract) The UCI team performed the survey in tandem with the FDA’s spring…
Contributed by Joshua Grill, PhD On the opening night of the Clinical Trials for Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) meeting, a packed room was abuzz with excitement. The evening included five presentations related to the Phase 3 CLARITY-AD trial of lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody against the beta amyloid protein that builds up in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease. The excitement and anticipation were palpable, since the sponsor of the trial, Eisai, had announced in September that the results were positive. The presentations were accompanied by the full publication of the results in the New England Journal of Medicine and coverage…
Contributed by Joshua Grill, PhD and David Sultzer, MD An article in ScienceInsider, a news outlet published by Science magazine, reports on an unpublished case of a person who died after treatment with the monoclonal antibody lecanemab. Lecanemab is a promising investigational treatment, seemingly poised for FDA approval as a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Topline results were announced in September that indicated lecanemab had been shown to slow progression of disease. The full data will be presented tomorrow at the Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) international conference. The presentation should include efficacy as well as safety data for lecanemab. As…
Healthline – “There is a lot of evidence that links sleep apnea to Alzheimer’s disease risk,” added Bryce Mander, Ph.D, assistant professor, Psychiatry & Human Behavior, School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. “But there is limited data on the beneficial effects of sleep apnea treatment on risk for dementia.” He continued: “This study offers proof of concept evidence that treating sleep apnea may reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk. [It] also offers potential novel molecular targets for future study for those where positive airway pressure treatment is not feasible.” Read more here >
UCI MIND Director Joshua Grill, PhD and Jason Karlawish, PhD, Co-Director of the Penn Memory Center were featured in a recent podcast episode for the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center: The Case for Disclosing Biomarker Results to Alzheimer’s Research Participants. Listen here > Did you know that UCI MIND has its own podcast specifically for caregivers called, Spotlight on Care? Listen to “Keeping the Holidays and Celebrations Happy, Healthy and Safe, with Dr. Miriam Galindo” and tell us what you think.
Contributed by Joshua Grill, PhD On November 14, Roche announced negative topline results for their GRADUATE program testing gantenerumab, a monoclonal antibody against the beta amyloid protein that accumulates in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The program included two phase 3 trials (GRADUATE 1 and GRADUATE 2). As with other recent trials, the studies included patients with “early Alzheimer’s disease,” including people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and mild dementia. The trials were large and lengthy, with 1965 participants (across the two studies) who were followed for 27 months. According to the press release, participants randomized to gantenerumab demonstrated…
Find out in this infographic from the National Institute on Aging: https://go.usa.gov/xtEmu
“Researchers are working hard to find a cure to Alzheimer’s disease … Through their efforts, new research and studies have proven helpful in ways to prevent the disease and even possible treatments. We learn about these findings from our panel of medical experts …. We also discuss The 90+ Study, which studies people over the age of ninety, how they live to that age, and whether their minds show any signs of decline. … Guests: Dr. Ahmad Sajjadi, Cognitive Neurologist, Associate Professor of Neurology and Pathology, University of California, Irvine….” Learn more here >
Eat This, Not That! – Nov. 1, 2022 ‘An increase in dementia cases is alarming, especially since there’s no cure and Dr. Michael Yassa, neurobiologist and director of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at the University of California, Irvine shares why there’s an uptick. “Remember that the biggest risk factor is age, and we are an aging population. Advances in medical care have managed to extend our lifespan beyond anything we could have ever imagined a hundred or two hundred years ago. So the prevalence of dementia is increasing because we have more and more people…
Contributed by Joshua Grill, PhD and David Sultzer, MD A recent article in STAT highlights potential safety risks for anti-amyloid therapies, the frequent subject of postings in the UCI MIND blog. The focus of the article is on one patient who died after taking the anti-amyloid antibody lecanemab, a drug that was recently announced to have positive results in a Phase 3 clinical trial and is the treatment being tested in the AHEAD Study ongoing at UCI MIND and elsewhere. The patient experienced bleeding in the brain. As described in the article, the case was complicated but potentially important. The…
Message from the Director Dear Friends of UCI MIND, We hope that you had a summer full of sun, fun, and good health. As you can see in this issue of MIND Matters, it has been a busy summer here at UCI MIND. Our investigators played a prominent role at the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), a focus of this issue (p 1, 3, 6, and 7). We’re very proud of our own Maria Corrada, ScD, who played a role in planning this important meeting (p 1 and 7), as well as the many researchers who presented their work….
University of California, Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman states: “Our faculty continues to do a tremendous job of winning research grants, the lifeblood of our research efforts. In just the last couple of months…our renowned Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, known as UCI MIND, received a grant of $47 million from the National Institute on Aging; an interdisciplinary UCI team will receive $10 million from the National Institutes of Health…Clearly, the future of science at UCI is very bright indeed.”
The CHOC Children’s Neuroscience Institute and Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium — Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) have teamed up to sponsor the 2022 Buddy Walk hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County (DSAOC). Funds raised for the walk support the programs and services DSAOC provides to their constituents. The event will be held on Sunday, Nov 6th starting at 11:00 am at the Santa Ana Zoo (admission included with registration)! In support of DSAOC, Eric Doran, MS, of UCI has created The CHOC/UCI Down Syndrome Program Team. Please consider supporting this event by: Joining our team (using the highlighted link or QR code above) Making a gift Sharing the event with…
The newest edition of MIND Matters is now available to view digitally and will arrive in mailboxes soon! This issue is a special edition on Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) and covers: UCI MIND converges upon San Diego for AAIC Buzzworthy Brain News Evening on the Peninsula Michael Chang Foundation A December to Remember is back! In-person! Bright MINDs Shine at AAIC Spotlight on 90+ Learn more here > Donate to UCI MIND here >
Responding to an article written in AlzForum on the future of Alzheimer’s treatment and research from October 7th, Joshua Grill, PhD, from UCI MIND, and his colleague, Jason Karlawish, MD, from the University of Pennsylvania, write: “Anticipation that FDA will grant full approval of lecanemab (or another disease-modifying treatment) invites an exciting but challenging thought exercise: How will such treatments change research and practice for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? We’ve considered some of the issues. Our top line point is that a new disease-slowing treatment is unlikely to make use of placebo controls immediately and categorically unethical (Grill and Karlawish, 2021)….
Contributed by Christian Salazar, PhD, MPH, Hye-Won Shin, PhD, and Joshua Grill, PhD Recent papers in JAMA Network Open and JAMA Neurology further our understanding of potential differences among self-reported racial and ethnic groups in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers. The two new papers add to a growing literature that suggest AD biomarkers may work differently in people of different races. Perhaps the most consistent finding so far is that people who self-report as Black may have lower levels of phosphorylated tau in the cerebrospinal fluid and now (in the paper from colleagues at Emory University) in the plasma. As noted by…
Contributed by Joshua Grill, PhD An article in the October 3 New York Times highlights recent developments in providing patients legal access to their medical records. Brought about by the 21St Century Cures Act, this effort aims to remove barriers to citizens having access to their own health data. Implementation of the 21St Century Cures Act essentially mandates that medical test results be made available through electronic health records in near real time, giving patients access almost immediately to their health information without context. This is producing challenges for clinicians and their practices. Some of these challenges were highlighted in…
On Saturday, October 1st, UCI MIND participated in the HFC “10th Birthday Extravaganza,” hosted by Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen. The event raised critical dollars for HFC’s caregiver respite and education programs. This includes HFC’s funding of the UCI MIND Research And Mentorship Program with the School of Medicine and several of the trainees were able to attend this star-studded evening in Los Angeles. The night of laughter and music also gave UCI MIND the opportunity to talk about our research, share who we are with the community, and allowed attendees (including Mr. Rogen) the opportunity to hold a human brain. We thank...
Contributed by Joshua Grill, PhD Since Wednesday’s announcement by Eisai and Biogen of positive topline Phase 3 results for their treatment lecanemab in early Alzheimer’s disease, the field has been markedly aligned. Most agree that we need to see the data but that this seems to be a clear win and an important step in a positive direction. Some debates have begun, and more will happen, about the size and meaning of the win—that is, the size of the drug’s disease-slowing effects and the clinical meaningfulness. These debates will be extremely important but will take time. Combined with recently published…
Contributed by Joshua Grill, PhD Today, Eisai and Biogen announced that the topline results of their Phase 3 trial, known as CLARITY, were positive. CLARITY was a placebo-controlled double-blind study of the monoclonal antibody against the amyloid beta protein lecanemab in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab has been shown previously to reduce amyloid burden in the brain of patients with symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. According to today’s press release, lecanemab was effective in slowing decline measured with the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), compared to placebo. This scale has been suggested by the…
UC Irvine, a longtime hub of Alzheimer’s investigation, has been awarded a $47 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to support a team developing next-generation mouse models for studying late-onset Alzheimer’s. … “It’s an incredibly exciting time, and there’s a lot of promise,” said Joshua Grill, director of UCI’s Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders. … The project’s next phase will be co-directed by Frank LaFerla, dean of the School of Biological Sciences; Andrea Tenner, a Distinguished Professor of molecular biology and biochemistry; and Kim Green, a professor of neurobiology and behavior. [Subscription required, campus-wide access provided by UCI Libraries. Sign-up here: https://guides.lib.uci.edu/news/ocregister] To learn more, click here >
Scientists will develop mouse models to help unravel most common form of disease What began with a $70,000 philanthropic gift 12 years ago has grown into the recipient of a $47 million National Institute on Aging grant for Alzheimer’s disease research at the University of California, Irvine. The funds will be parceled out over five years to a UCI team developing the next generation of mouse models for studying late-onset Alzheimer’s. By inserting human genetic data into the models, researchers can better understand the biology that leads to Alzheimer’s and set the stage for preclinical drug testing. “This grant –…
Campus to receive $10 million over five years for role in Cell Atlas Network The University of California, Irvine will participate in a five-year, multi-institutional, $126 million grant from the National Institutes of Health supporting the BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network. The project aims to describe the cells that make up the human brain in unprecedented molecular detail, classifying them into more precise subtypes and pinpointing their location. As a full member of BICAN, UCI will receive $10 million to collect, process and characterize a broad range of adult brain specimens. An interdisciplinary UCI team, led by Xiangmin Xu, Ph.D.,…
UCI MIND In The News on World Alzheimer’s Day: Yahoo News and CBSLA report that Epidemiologist Dr. Christian Salazar of UC Irvine spoke to Chris Holmstrom and Marci Gonzalez about how Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects the Latino community. Watch the news broadcast here >
The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD (IMPACT-AD), is a comprehensive training program in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The course is directed by UCI MIND faculty member Joshua Grill and USC faculty member Dr. Rema Raman. Though in its third year, 2022 was the first time this innovative course could could be held in person and it was a resounding success. Throughout this past week, trainees from around the country, along with many of the nation’s best AD clinical trial investigators, stayed in La Jolla’s Estancia Hotel for an immersive, interactive, and comprehensive program. More than 100 investigators with…
World Alzheimer’s Day is today, Wednesday, September 21st. This day serves as a time to spread awareness, educate, and reflect on the need to develop better treatments and preventions for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. On this day, UCI MIND recognizes the millions of people around the globe who are living with or providing care for a person living with dementia. In particular, we thank all of the people who have donated their time, energy, and more, to the cause of research to discover solutions for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Feedspot, an RSS service recently released its top 25 Alzheimer’s Podcasts on the web and UCI MIND’s Spotlight On Care: Alzheimer’s Caregiving was ranked 9th among the podcasts they reviewed. Feedspot reviewed all sites based on traffic, social media, followers, domain authority and freshness. This ranking is particularly noteworthy since the many of the other podcasts have been producing content for several years, some for over a decade. Spotlight on Care was launched in 2021 and now has thousands of downloads and over 25 episodes with excellent advice and tips for dementia and Alzheimer’s caregivers. Please listen for free at spotlightoncare.com and let your…
UCI MIND’s podcast, Spotlight on Care: Alzheimer’s Caregiving, was featured in a list of the top Alzheimer’s podcasts by Feedspot. The best Alzheimer podcast list is curated from thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. Watch our latest episodes at spotlightoncare.com. 9. Spotlight on Care: Alzheimer’s Caregiving Irvine, California, US Welcome to Spotlight on Care, the podcast where we share stories, experiences, tips, and advice on caring for loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Spotlight on Care is produced by the University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments…
On Friday, September 9th, 2022, UCI MIND, Alzheimer’s Orange County, and the Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter hosted the 33rd Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference at the Irvine Marriott. This year’s conference titled, “Dementia Across the Lifespan”, was the first one held in person in 3 years and was simultaneously live streamed to a virtual audience. The theme of the conference addressed different forms of dementia, contextualized by their typical age of onset. As with previous years, the line-up of speakers was outstanding. The day kicked off with a presentation from esteemed UC Irvine Professor of Pathology and UCI MIND faculty...
UCI MIND A December to Remember Gala Honoring Dean Frank LaFerla, PhD Saturday, December 3, 2022 Balboa Bay Resort Learn more at gala.mind.uci.edu
Join UCI MIND Director of Education Megan Witbracht, PhD at Cypress Senior Center on 9/21/2022 @ 9:30am – Dr. Witbracht will be speaking on “Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness.” Learn more about the Cypress Senior Center here >
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow in-person and virtually at the 33rd Annual SoCal Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference: Dementia across the lifespan… presented by UCI MIND, Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County Chapter, & Alzheimer’s Orange County. Haven’t registered yet? Act now! Virtual Registration will close today, 9/8 at 5PM PT. General and Student Registration will close on Friday, 9/9 at 11AM PT. Those seeking CEUs must check in at Professional Registration prior to 9AM PT Friday, 9/9. In-person attendees: If you need day-of assistance, visit the Registration, Professional, or Exhibitor booths, or contact conference@mind.uci.edu Virtual attendees: You should receive your unique…
September 9, 2022 8:00 AM – 3:15 PM PT Hybrid Event Join UCI MIND, Alzheimer’s Orange County, and Alzheimer’s Association for the 33rd Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference. This hybrid conference will cover a wide range of topics across the lifespan, such as Down syndrome, frontotemporal dementia, early-onset Alzheimer’s, the oldest-old, and even more. There are two options to join this year: In-Person: Irvine Marriott Hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA 92612 Virtual: Registrants will be sent an email close to the conference date with instructions and links to view and participate live via Zoom Click here…
Vaisakh Puthusseryppady, a post-doctoral scholar at the University of California, Irvine in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior writes: “As far as we are aware, this is the first study to relate patient navigation performance in VR environments to their risk for spatial disorientation in the community. An important direction for future studies would be to explore and identify VR navigation tests and measures that are effective in predicting patients’ risk for spatial disorientation in the community.” Read more in Nature here >
Early life adversities can have a lifelong impact. Tallie Z. Baram, distinguished professor in the Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Pediatrics, Neurology, and Physiology & Biophysics at the University of California, Irvine, determines why. Listen here > Prof. Tallie Z. Baram is the Danette Shepard Professor of Neurological Sciences, with appointments in several departments at UCI. Baram is a developmental neuroscientist and child neurologist and has focused her efforts on the influence of early-life experiences on the developing brain, and on the underlying mechanisms. She is studying this broad topic in two contexts: a) How early-life experiences, including adversity/stress, influence…
With the generous support of Don and Joan Beall, UCI MIND and its trainee organization REMIND hosted the second annual and first-ever in-person Beall Scholar Program July 18-22 on the UCI campus. The goal of the program is to inspire students who are typically underrepresented in STEM fields to pursue careers in brain research and geriatric medicine. Sixteen rising 12th graders were chosen from a very competitive pool of applicants from Santa Ana and Anaheim Unified School Districts. Fifty percent of the chosen scholars will be the first in their family to attend college. The program included lectures from UCI MIND faculty and trainees...
Findings show bone marrow transplantation may be a novel treatment approach July 12, 2022 Orange, Calif. — The immune system, along with the body’s central nervous system, may play a fundamental role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting that bone marrow transplants may be an effective new treatment for the neurodegenerative disease, according to a research study led by Albert LaSpada, MD, PhD, a distinguished professor of pathology, neurology and biological chemistry at the UCI School of Medicine. The study, titled “Clonally expanded CD8 T-cells characterize amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-4,” recently published in the journal Nature, was a collaboration between LaSpada and microbiologists Laura…
Leslie Thompson discusses how UCI’s collaborative approach can help usher in the next great advancement in healthcare July 11, 2022 In February, UCI launched the Institute for Precision Health, a campus-wide, interdisciplinary endeavor that merges UCI’s powerhouse health sciences, engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, clinical genomics and data science capabilities. The objective is to identify, create and deliver the most effective health and wellness strategy for each individual person and, in doing so, confront the linked challenges of health equity and the high cost of care. IPH will bring a multifaceted, integrated approach to what many call the next great…