UCI School of Medicine Tahseen Mozaffar, MD, a professor of neurology and director of the Division of Neuromuscular Disorders and the UCI-MDA ALS and Neuromuscular Center at UCI's School of Medicine will lead a study on sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM), which affects aging adults causing asymmetric muscle weakness and severe disability. Currently untreatable, sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) causes muscle weakness and severe disability Irvine, CA – April 6, 2021 – The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases has awarded UCI a 5-year, $4.2 million grant to study sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM), which affects aging adults…
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Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium – Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) Award By the time they’re 40, most people with Down syndrome develop beta amyloid plaques in the brain — a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists believe this is because they have an extra copy of chromosome 21, which carries an amyloid-producing gene. Many people with Down syndrome do develop Alzheimer’s disease, but some manage to avoid the devastating neurodegenerative consequences despite having these plaques in their brains. To learn more about the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, UCI School of Medicine researchers are spearheading a major international research effort that…
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Carol Robertson, 105, of St. Paul, gets her COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 4 at a HealthPartners Clinic in Woodbury, Minn. She shows a photo on a phone of herself at a younger age. Courtesy of HealthPartners file On Monday, MPR News host Kerri Miller talked to two researchers, including UCI MIND investigator Claudia Kawas, MD, about what they’re learning about living to be 100. Do you have to win the genetic lottery to live an entire century? Or could research unlock the secret to living longer and living longer well? Listen here >
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Contributed by Orange County Aging Services Collaborative It is important that our most vulnerable community members have access to COVID-19 vaccination appointments. The Abrazar team can assist clients with scheduling an appointment. If needed, transportation can also be scheduled. Please note that the age eligibility is now 50+ (see below for other eligible community members). VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Call Abrazar’s COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center at (714) 278-4670. All questions can be sent to covidinfo@abrazarinc.com Call Center Team Members are bilingual and speak English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Referrals for other languages can be made. Case managers and family members can call…
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UC Irvine’s very own Carol Choi has been named among the 74th Assembly District 2021 Women of Distinction by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. The annual recognition occurs each March in honor of Women’s History Month to recognize women “who have shown extraordinary work, mentorship and leadership.” For those who are privileged to know and work with Carol Choi, this honor comes as no surprise. Carol embodies leadership through service on several committees at UC Irvine, including as a University Trustee. Additionally, Carol serves as Board Chair of the Korean American Alumni Chapter of the Alumni Association whose Founding President, Alexander Kim,…
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Contributed by the National Institute on Aging: NIA is pleased to announce Alzheimers.gov, a new website designed to educate and support people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The website serves as the federal government portal for dementia information and resources. To develop Alzheimers.gov, we collaborated with people living with dementia, caregivers, advocates, researchers, and others to ensure an informative, easy-to-use, and empowering website. We are delighted to share it with you. Whether you are living with dementia, a family member or friend, health care professional, researcher, or advocate, Alzheimers.gov is designed for you. Explore the…
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Yesterday, March 21st, was World Down Syndrome Day, a dedicated day to advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome. Did you know that people with Down syndrome are at significantly increased risk to develop Alzheimer’s dementia? https://youtu.be/H6iOWifbtK8 In this video clip, Paula Gann, mother of a daughter with Down syndrome and member of the California Governor's Task Force on Alzheimer's Prevention & Preparedness, shares how she and her daughter Kyle are working with UCI MIND researchers to advance knowledge, treatment, and care for people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about Down syndrome research at…
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The UCI professor has dedicated her career to finding answers to a rare genetic disease’s most crucial questions. An estimated 30,000 genes make up the human genome, with an individual’s entire uniqueness created by genetic mutations. From tissues and blood as well as distinctive physical features, like eye and hair color to temperament and so much more, genes are the coded instructions for building an entire person. But sometimes those instructions contain errors and genes can mutate to form many different things, including diseases. One such disease, Huntington’s disease, is a rare, inherited disease triggered by a single genetic mutation…
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Research aims to gain knowledge for the betterment of humankind. UCI MIND is committed to research to discover solutions for Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The risk and burden of these diseases are not evenly distributed among American communities. It is critical that research be inclusive and diverse, and representative of our richly diverse nation. Many barriers to participation in research exist, especially from American communities of color. These barriers are exacerbated by health and healthcare disparities that must be overcome to fulfill our mission of a world without Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, political and cultural barriers must be overcome to ensure racial justice,…
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UCI MIND Director Dr. Josh Grill takes some deep dives into promising findings in clinical trials for medications treating Alzheimer's disease. Listen to the latest episode of KUCI's podcast, Ask A Leader here >
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Last weekend, UCI Down Syndrome Program Manager Eric Doran passed out healthcare supplies to caregivers and individuals with Down syndrome at DSAOC's "To Your Health" Event. His partner for the day, Sean McElwee, stars in A&E Network’s Emmy-winning docuseries, Born This Way and runs his own t-shirt printing business, Seanese. Sarah Jensen attended the drive-by event with her parents. In addition to PPE and disinfectant products, she received a backpack and craft supplies. To learn more about the Down Syndrome Program, contact downsyndrome@uci.edu or 714-456-8443.
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Contributed by the Women's Alzheimer's Movement At a campaign stop last fall, then VP, now President Joe Biden said, “If we do not find an answer to Alzheimer’s, then in the next 19 years, every single solitary bed that exists in the United States of America now will be occupied by an Alzheimer’s patient.” The time to act is now, and we are ready!
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Message from the Director Happy New Year, Friends of UCI MIND! For many of us, a New Year brings the promise of fresh starts and new beginnings. In 2021, it also means a welcomed good-bye to a very long 2020. Despite the challenges that 2020 brought, it also brought progress that must now continue in 2021. This includes progress in social justice, progress in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and progress in research to rid the world of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. UCI MIND is committed to contributing to further progress in each of these areas. Though the COVID-19 pandemic…
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UC Irvine’s Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders raised some $300,000 at its A December to Remember Gala on Dec. 5, 2020. The event took place virtually for the very first time, reaching over 850 viewers on multiple online channels including Facebook, Youtube and the UCI MIND website. A recording of the event is available to view on UCI MIND’s YouTube page. The online broadcast, co-hosted by UCI MIND Director Joshua Grill and auctioneer Zack Krone, included performances from Justin Willman, the star and creator of the hit Netflix series “Magic for Humans,” and Ashley Campbell, singer-songwriter and daughter of…
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Quarterly Seminar Series provided by UCI MIND-SCCCA Joshua Grill, PhD February 16, 2021 1:00 - 2:00 PM PT Free Virtual Event
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Thomas Peipert/Associated Press A new study led by researchers at Case Western Reserve University who analyzed millions of medical records in the U.S. found that people with dementia had significantly greater risk of contracting the coronavirus, and they were much more likely to be hospitalized and die from it, compared to people without dementia. The findings highlight the need to prioritize and protect people with dementia as part of the strategy to control the pandemic.
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Do you have questions about Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease? Ask the Doc! Join experts Dr. Ira Lott, Dr. Elizabeth Head, and Eric Doran this Thursday from 12-1 PM PT for a live virtual Q&A panel. How to Ask the Docs: 1. Register here to pre-submit questions. 2. On Thursday at noon, click your preferred website below to view the live episode: - YouTube (ask & view) - Facebook (ask & view) - UCI MINDcast (view-only) 3. Participate in Q&A on YouTube or Facebook by typing your questions into the comments box.
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Join UCI School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on Thursday, February 11th for a community information session with their Scientists & Pharmacists to learn the basics about COVID-19 Vaccines and what to expect as they become more widely available. Registration links below! Can't make it on February 11th? Join them on March 1st for an encore presentation. February 11th Registration: https://bit.ly/2M6YQFc March 1st Registration: https://bit.ly/3pt8sIt
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UCI MIND is now accepting applications for IMPACT-AD, a multi-day course on clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The training course, directed by Joshua Grill, PhD, Director of UCI MIND and Rema Raman, PhD, Director of Biostatistics at USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, was launched in 2020 and is designed to educate and promote diversity among researchers and future principal investigators in the field of ADRD. The course will run from September 19-23, 2021. Applications close April 30, 2021. Learn more and apply at https://impact-ad.org
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https://youtu.be/t2yVzkGsWV0 UCI MIND Clinical Research Director David Sultzer, MD was featured on CBS2/KCAL9 to discuss Tony Bennett's recent Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and how music and memory are intertwined. Watch the video above or learn more at KCAL9. News coverage: CBS Los Angeles YouTube CBS Los Angeles OneNewsPage.us
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(AP Photo/Jens Meyer) How much medical care would you want if you had Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia? A dementia-focused advance directive developed by experts in neurology, geriatrics, and palliative care, allows people to plan ahead and communicate their wishes if they were to develop dementia, stage by stage. Standard advance directives (also known as living wills) do not typically cover dementia, and families are faced with difficult medical decisions for their loved ones. A dementia directive can help people make medical choices for themselves in advance, guiding family members and healthcare providers to take actions that reflect those…
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UCI MIND presents Meet The Team, a video series where diverse staff members from UCI MIND discuss their unique roles in dementia research! In this first episode, meet Shirley Sirivong, Manager of Clinical Research Operations at UCI MIND. Shirley discusses her unique role in dementia research: mind.uci.edu/mindcast
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ENGLISH | VIETNAMESE (Tiếng Việt) Contributed by Hye-Won Shin, PhD Four executive orders signed by President Biden Tuesday, January 26, 2021 aim at promoting racial equity in the US. One specifically pinpointed fighting xenophobia against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Hye-Won Shin, PhD, Director of Asian American Outreach at UCI MIND Misinformation and stigmatization related to the COVID-19 pandemic provoked a surge in anti-Asian xenophobia. Thousands of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have reported the pandemic-fueled hate crimes and physical attacks throughout the United States. These physical, social, and emotional challenges can cause profound damage to Asian Americans…
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The new hospital will join the previously approved UCI Health Center for Advanced Care to create UCI Medical Center Irvine-Newport, a full-service academic health complex that will bring a broad spectrum of sophisticated healthcare services to coastal and southern Orange County. Credit: UCI Contributed by UCI Health: Plans to build a world-class, acute care hospital on the northern edge of the University of California, Irvine academic campus advanced significantly last week, as the University of California Board of Regents granted approval of the project’s 144-bed acute care facility, ambulatory care center and cancer center. The hospital will focus on key…
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UCI MIND presents 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! Meet the Co-Hosts, Steve O’Leary and Virginia Naeve, in this first 20-min episode! They share their personal caregiving journeys, provide an overview of the series, and offer some initial caregiving tips: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1589794#
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KABC - Jan. 15, 2021 (Video) Scientists at UC Irvine are developing a vaccine designed to prevent future coronavirus outbreaks. …UCI professor Lbachir BenMohamed, Ph.D. said it's not a matter of if another coronavirus will emerge, but when. …BenMohamed and his team at the UCI School of Medicine are working on a pre-emptive strike -- a universal vaccine that can protect against all forms of the coronavirus. … Early trials have produced promising results. Click here to watch the full video and learn more >
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State and county health officials have authorized COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone age 65+. Eligible people who live or work in Orange County can register online through www.Othena.com to view appointment times and track vaccine availability. Or consult your healthcare provider. UCI strongly recommends the vaccine as a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others. County vaccinations are by appointment only.
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National Institute on Aging Orange County Phase 1A COVID-19 vaccine distribution now includes people age 65 and older, giving priority to those who are most vulnerable and with chronic health conditions. FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccine UCI: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/testing-response/covid-19-vaccine.php OC Health: https://coronavirus.egovoc.com/covid-19-vaccine-faqs-0 General Vaccine Information for Older Adults CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html NIA: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shots-safety
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Join Director of UCI MIND, Dr. Joshua Grill, this Thursday, January 14 @ 12 PM PT for a live discussion and Q&A on the status of new treatments for Alzheimer's disease in 2021. Bring your questions! See you Thursday on Facebook & YouTube LIVE. Learn more and view all videos at mind.uci.edu/mindcast
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Contributed by the CARE Registry: It's time for our very first annual CARE Brain Trust meeting! This is a special meeting for researchers and community partners who want to learn more about the CARE project. We will discuss everything from the importance of representation and our data access protocol! Come join us for an important and informative meeting that may change the course and improve clinical research! There will be raffles held throughout the meeting! Reserve your tickets today: https://tinyurl.com/CAREtrust
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We are excited to announce that Governor Newsom along with many partners, including the California Department of Aging, has released the California Master Plan for Aging earlier this week. Irvine Health Foundation has been participating in the Master Plan along with other foundation partners. Please check out the California Master Plan on Aging and share this plan through your platforms using the hashtag #MasterPlanForAging California Master Plan on Aging: https://mpa.aging.ca.gov
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UCI Health is home to 174 doctors honored as 2021 Physicians of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association, more than any other health system in Orange County. Congratulations to UCI MIND faculty members, Gaby Thai, Mark Fisher, Virginia Kimonis, and Tahseen Mozaffar on this honor.
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"As part of HFC's Science Advisory Board, I will continue our great work in pairing students and faculty to research brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Excited for all that is to come from the partnership between HFC and UCI MIND!” - Joshua Grill, Director of UCI MIND To read more about our new program, in partnership with the nonprofit HFC led by Lauren & Seth Rogen, community philanthropist Dr. Loran Carlin, and the UCI School of Medicine, click here >
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A recent report from Stanford identified the top 2% of the world's scientists based on their publications and citations. Out of millions of published scientists, including those who have passed away, a total of 445 from UCI, including Vice Chancellor for Research Pramod Khargonekar, and 18 UCI MIND faculty made the cut. We congratulate our faculty members, listed below, on this significant achievement: Neurology & Neurosurgery: Tallie Z. Baram, MD, PhD Ruth Benca, MD, PhD Emiliana Borrelli, PhD Gregory J. Brewer, PhD Carl W. Cotman, PhD David Cribbs, PhD Mark J. Fisher, MD Christine Gall, PhD Charles Glabe, PhD Alan…
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Contributed by Hal S. Stern, PhD and Frank M. LaFerla, PhD It is our pleasure to congratulate Charles Glabe, Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, on being named a 2020 fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Among his achievements, Professor Glabe is being recognized for the creation of antibodies that bind to the four kinds of proteins forming the amyloid associated with Alzheimer's disease. The process enables scientists to detect individual forms of the disease more precisely. The antibodies can be used as a screening tool and could help develop immunotherapies that slow or even prevent Alzheimer's. Professor…
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Did you know that Asians, including Korean Americans are among the least represented groups in health research? CARE stands for "Collaborative Approach for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Research & Education". The goal of the CARE Registry is to connect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to various types of research that may make a difference in improving the health of you, your family and future generations. Please join Dr. Hye-Won Shin, Director of Asian American Outreach of UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), and CARE Community Advisory Board member for the 1st CARE Registry Korean Virtual Information Session! This session will be offered…
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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. Can stem cells treat Alzheimer's disease and related disorders? About the Speaker: Dr. Blurton-Jones is an Associate Professor of Neurobiology & Behavior in the UCI School of Biological Sciences, and he leads the induced...
Tomorrow A December to Remember Gala, presented by UCI MIND and the Harris Taylor Family, is tomorrow! We look forward to an evening of music, magic, and memories for Alzheimer's research. Pre-Show at 5:30 PM PST Live Program at 6:00 - 7:00 PM PST Three Viewing Options: YouTube Live (watch on your Smart TV) Facebook Live (interact with other viewers) Gala Website (quick access to auction items) Live Stream Link Silent Auction The gala auction is now live and closes Monday, December 7 at 12:00 PM PST. Two Ways to Bid: Visit mind.uci.edu/bid Text MIND to 61094 View Auction Presenting Sponsor Harris…
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Today is Giving Tuesday, a celebration of generosity and philanthropy, and a global movement to harness the power of community for the greater good. At UCI MIND, we rely on the support of our community to advance life-changing research and continue the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating illness that impacts more than 5.8 million Americans and their families. This Giving Tuesday, we hope you will expand our capacity to conduct promising research and accelerate progress toward a world without Alzheimer’s disease by supporting the Alzheimer’s Disease Excellence Fund. Our goal is to rid the world of Alzheimer’s disease. We…
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Today is Giving Tuesday, and UCI MIND could use your help during this year’s international day of philanthropy. We hope you will support us by: Staying connected! Visit this link for ways to follow UCI MIND and keep informed of brain health, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia research. Making a gift! Click here to donate to the Alzheimer’s Disease Excellence Fund. Your donation of any amount will help advance research into the treatment, prevention, diagnosis and care for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. At UCI MIND, our goal is to rid the world of Alzheimer’s disease. We need the power…
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Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium – Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) Award The University of California, Irvine is undertaking a five-year, multi-million dollar project to expand research on Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome. The National Institute of Health awarded a $109 million grant to the Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Consortium-Down Syndrome in late October. The international team, led by UCI principal investigators Elizabeth Head and Mark Mapstone, aims to identify biomarkers that indicate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome. Subscribers to the Orange County Business Journal can read more here >
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Dear friends of UCI MIND, Last week, Maria Shriver and the Governor's Task Force on Alzheimer's Prevention and Preparedness presented a report describing their 10 recommendations to Governor Gavin Newsom. Click here to view the report. The Governor was extremely receptive to the recommendations. We anticipate movement in the coming months to years on these important initiatives to improve the lives of Californians living with dementia and their families and to increase Alzheimer’s awareness, risk reduction education, and research. We would like to thank the many UCI MIND stakeholders who participated in the Task Force listening session as part of…
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Will Biogen’s aducanumab become the first drug approved to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease? UCI MIND faculty member and chair of UCI Statistics, Dr. Daniel Gillen, and other experts comment on ALZFORUM.
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Contributed by UCI MIND Nurse Practitioner, Catherine McAdams-Ortiz, MSN, RN, A/GNP Have you noticed the Holiday decorations popping up at shopping malls already? Yes, the Holiday Season is upon us. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we all need to carefully plan our social gatherings, meals, and guests in our homes. Hopefully, you will find some helpful hints here so you can safely navigate all the Holidays you will celebrate this year. The very best gift you can give yourself, your loved ones and your friends is to make sure you get your flu vaccine as soon as possible.…
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CBS: Six years after our initial report, Lesley Stahl visits surviving members of the 90+ Study and finds out what scientists have learned from following the study's participants. We're a nation living longer and longer. Over the next 30 years, the number of Americans age 90 and above is expected to triple, and an NIH-funded research study called 90+ at the University of California Irvine is trying to learn all it can right now from a group of men and women who've already managed to get there. Six years ago, we first reported on their first set of findings. Factors…
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The 90+ Study, co-led by UCI MIND faculty members Drs. Claudia Kawas and Maria Corrada, will be featured in the show “60 Minutes” this Sunday, November 22 on CBS. The episode will be a follow-up of the study participants who were featured on the show six years ago and an update on research findings since then. Learn more about the feature in the articles below: Lesley Stahl follows up with nonagenarians from landmark study on aging Is there a secret to living well into your 90s?
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Contributed by UCI News: UCI’s Center for Neural Circuit Mapping is redrawing our understanding of mechanisms underlying several common disorders by Ian Anzlowar, UCI | November 18, 2020 “Our goal is to reveal the molecular changes that occur during the course of Alzheimer’s, impacting learning and memory, and identify a route toward early detection and new drug therapies for the disease,” says Xiangmin Xu, director of UCI’s Center for Neural Circuit Mapping. Steve Zylius / UCI Thanks to Xiangmin Xu and his team at the UCI School of Medicine’s Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, lazy eye, Alzheimer’s and other neurological…
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Commentary on NPR article, contributed by Bryce Mander, PhD Numerous studies now show that multiple forms of sleep disturbance increase risk for developing dementia. Emerging work continues to demonstrate that the way in which the brain expresses sleep may be tied to how much Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology there is in the brain even prior to AD symptom onset. Both sleep restriction and suppression of high amplitude, low frequency brain waves - called slow waves - during deep sleep increase beta amyloid and tau, the two hallmark pathologies of AD. It is unknown how this occurs, though there is evidence of two potential mechanisms: increased production of AD…
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UCI Consent-to-Contact (C2C) Registry In 2016, UCI MIND launched a local recruitment registry – the UCI Consent-to-Contact (C2C) Registry – to raise awareness of research participation opportunities at UCI (c2c.uci.edu). We are excited to announce that this fall, the UCI C2C went live in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese to allow more people to access this online tool. Together with our diverse community, we will improve our understanding of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in diverse populations and find solutions for people of all backgrounds. To learn more about enrolling in C2C, visit c2c.uci.edu > To read more in our latest newsletter, click here…
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Message from the Director Dear Friends of UCI MIND, As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives this fall, the fight to solve Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) must charge forward. This November, the U.S. FDA will convene an advisory committee to assess potential approval of Biogen’s aducanumab, a monoclonal antibody in development for treatment of early AD. We will watch closely as aducanumab could be the first new approved drug for AD since 2005. Regardless of the outcome of the meeting and subsequent FDA decision – anticipated in March 2021 – this represents a milestone for…
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