September 26, 2024Rachel Dewees, MSW & Lindsey Womack
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In this issue…
Duke-UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC)
Welcome to the Duke/UNC ADRC Community! We’re excited to bring you the latest updates in our shared mission to advance Alzheimer’s research. In this issue, we bring you highlights from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), including a study presented by our own ADRC researcher, Dr. Priya Palta. Plus, stay informed about upcoming events and other important news.
Takeaways from the AAIC Meeting 2024- Momentum in the March to a Cure
Kathleen Welsh-Bohmer, Ph.D., Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core Lead
Duke & UNC ADRC representation at the 2024 AAIC conference in Philadelphia, PA
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference brought together over 14,000 people from around the globe both in-person and online to discuss the latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research. For the first time, the Alzheimer’s Association introduced a community option called “AAIC for All” offering the public a chance to learn from top experts about the latest research findings on Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Key highlights included advancements in blood biomarkers for early diagnosis, new and repurposed therapies, and lifestyle changes that can significantly reduce Alzheimer’s risk. These milestones reflect over 20 years of collaboration across multiple scientific fields.
Let’s walk together! Join the Duke/UNC ADRC Blue Walkers on October 5th in Raleigh for the Triangle Walk to End Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Meet us at the Duke/UNC ADRC “Ask the Researcher” booth (next to the registration table) at 9:00 AM and stop by after the walk for an ice cream social. To participate, please register on the Duke/UNC ADRC Team Page by clicking the button below. More details will be sent to those who register. Donations are optional.
Caregiver College | Begins October 10th @ 2PM – 5PM
Join us for a six-part series (October 10 – November 14, Thursdays from 2-5 pm) designed exclusively for caregivers of persons with memory disorders. Offered as live-broadcast sessions, this online-only series will enhance your understanding of various aspects of dementia care. The course will be led by MemoryCare staff with guest speaker attorney Caroline Knox. Related presentation materials will be provided. Registration is required.
Mini Mental Makeover for Dementia Family Caregivers | December 3rd @ 1PM
Led by Laurie Kovens, MSW, Certified Employee Assistance Professional at Duke University, this session is designed to support dementia family caregivers. Find out more information on the Duke Dementia Family Caregiver Support Program’s Care Connections page.
Connection Between Midlife Blood Biomarkers and Risk of Dementia in Late Life
Priya Palta PhD, MHS
At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Dr. Priya Palta, associate professor of neurology and a Duke-UNC ADRC member, presented groundbreaking research on using blood biomarkers like amyloid and tau proteins to detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier. Traditionally, Alzheimer’s was diagnosed only after death by observing brain changes, but now, blood tests can potentially identify key biomarkers—such as amyloid-beta, tau, and neurofilament light chain (NfL)—years before symptoms appear. This study highlights the possibility of diagnosing brain damage in midlife, offering new hope for early intervention.
To learn more about the detailed findings and implications of this research, read the full article.
Dr. Sandra Cobb, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse, serves as the team clinician for the Memory & Aging study and practices at Duke’s Morreene Road Memory Disorders Clinic. With a PhD in Nursing from the University of Tennessee, Dr. Cobb has been dedicated to neurology and memory care since the age of nineteen. This dedication is deeply personal, stemming in part from experiences with close family members. She is grateful to work in a setting where she can support patients and families living with dementia while contributing to research to advance understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Cobb enjoys time with her husband and their two cats, Wally and Maverick. She’s an avid collector of old maps—the most recent addition to her collection being a map of the U.S from the 1700s. Dr. Cobb is also a devoted Taylor Swift fan. Be on the lookout for swiftie bracelets worn by Memory & Aging study coordinators at your next visit!
Developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ADRC
We highly recommend Dementia Matters, a podcast produced by our fellow ADRC at the University of Wisconsin-Madison! The episode from Tuesday, September 10, 2024 on Defining and Addressing Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease, asks the question “What if there was a way to detect Alzheimer’s disease before clinical signs and symptoms even appeared?”
Dementia Matters is a podcast about Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia. Creator and host Dr. Nathaniel Chin interviews leading scientists and caregiving experts to bring listeners the latest in Alzheimer’s disease news, research and caregiver resources.
Exercise & Your Brain
Working Out Helps Those Little Gray Cells
The ADRC’s very own Dr. Patrick Josey Smith is quoted in this article describing the benefits exercise has on your brain.
