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Main Story

Duke Researchers Challenge U.S. Dementia Projections

New research from Duke University challenges long-held assumptions about the so-called dementia epidemic. In their article, “Changing Story of the Dementia Epidemic,” published in the March 12, 2025, issue of JAMA, researchers P.J. Eric Stallard, Svetlana V. Ukraintseva, and Murali Doraiswamy highlight a key oversight in previous estimates: dementia prevalence is actually declining across successive generations. While overall cases will rise as the population ages, the study suggests that improved education, healthcare, and lifestyle changes may be reducing individual risk.

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Event Spotlight

Touch Down for Black Men’s Brain Health!

Dr. Robert Turner’s groundbreaking Black Men’s Brain Health Symposium made history at Xavier University, an HBCU, during Super Bowl Week in Louisiana! For its 4th year, the conference tackled the AD/ADRD clinical trials landscape, bringing together influential voices like Dr. Eric Griggs, Dr. Brian Turner, Dr. Thomas LaVeist, Senator Royce Duplessis, and Louisiana State Representative Matthew Willard. They empowered attendees with knowledge on engaging communities in trials and supporting caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD).

The conference kicked off with a dynamic pre-conference event, where two cohorts from the Emerging Scholars Program engaged in workshops and mentorship sessions, building essential early-career skills. The main conference itself drew a remarkable 1,281 registrants, including 484 in-person attendees and 797 virtual participants, alongside nearly 300 walk-in students, faculty, and community members.  To further engage attendees, a live podcast throughout the two-day event amplified the crucial work being done in the field. This engagement yielded tangible results: nine attendees enrolled in the Black Men’s Brain Health Study, and 55 signed up for the Brain Health Directory.

A central focus of the meeting was addressing the persistent challenges of fairness and inclusion in ADRD clinical trials, specifically examining the reasons for the under representation of Black men. The group looked at past and present ethical and practical barriers contributing to this disparity, and explored successful strategies employed by other medical trials to overcome similar inclusion challenges.

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Update in Research

Speech Analysis Using Artificial Intelligence Predicts Progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer’s Disease

Could Artificial Intelligence (AI) be used as a tool to help predict Alzheimer’s years in advance? A new study using data from the long-running Framingham Heart Study found that AI speech analysis could forecast the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s with over 78% accuracy—just by analyzing speech patterns.

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Brain Health

Many of us wish to support our brain health, but what does that mean exactly?

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upcoming Events

Independent Lens’s Matter of Minds: My Alzheimer’s

Tuesday, April 8 | 7PM – 9PM Eastern Time | Virtual

The Duke UNC ADRC is partnering with PBS North Carolina to present a preview screening of Independent Lens’ Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s, the third installment in the Matter of Mind series that focuses on neurodegenerative diseases. Join other viewers for the online screening followed by Q & A session and a virtual panel discussion with Alzheimer’s disease experts.

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32rd Annual Triangle Walk to Defeat Dementia

Sunday, April 27 | Registration @ 1PM; Walk @ 2:30PM Eastern Time | In-Person

201 Fenton Gateway, Cary NC

The Dementia Alliance of North Carolina is hosting the Triangle Walk to Defeat Dementia—a day of celebration and remembrance as we take action and bring hope to those living with dementia in North Carolina.

The Duke UNC ADRC has a team, and you’re invited to be part of it! Walk with fellow supporters, staff and faculty on the BlueHeel Walkers team – furry friends welcome!

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Seminar on Understanding Brain Disorders: A Focus on Dementia

Tuesday, April 29 | 6:30PM Eastern Time | Virtual

This free seminar is sponsored by the Duke/UNC ADRC, the NC Registry for Brain Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Wake County Public Libraries. Join the hosts and Dr. Rosanne Tiller for a program exploring the complexities of dementia. Gain a deeper understanding of its different forms, potential risk factors, and the critical role of early detection. Learn how an early diagnosis can make a difference in care and quality of life. The event is free, but registration is required.

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Shadow & Light

Saturday, May 17 | 7:30PM | East Chapel Hill Auditorium

Voices Chapel Hill is pleased to announce that its May 17th concert will raise awareness of the impact of Alzheimer’s Dementia on our community. The concert, which will be at East Chapel Hill High School at 7:30pm, features Joan Syzkmo’s “Shadow and Light,” a compassionate exploration of the experiences of those touched by Alzheimer’s & dementia.

Our choir recognizes the invaluable support caregivers and community organizations provide to those experiencing dementia. To invest in this work, Voices is proud to partner with R Place, a volunteer-run Orange County organization that provides caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients alike an opportunity to “recharge, reconnect and recreate.”

At this concert, audience members will have a unique opportunity to reflect on the individual and community impacts of dementia through a moving and meaningful musical journey. We are excited to provide our audience with an opportunity to learn more about R Place and support its critical work in Orange County.  

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Meet Kelcey Ladner

Duke, Clinical Research Coordinator

Kelcey recently joined the Memory & Aging study team as a Clinical Research Coordinator on the Duke side. With a Master’s in Social Work and both professional and personal experience with dementia, she’s passionate about making a difference in Alzheimer’s research.

Originally from Maine, Kelcey has lived in Florida and South Carolina before settling in Raleigh in 2024, where she’s happy to call North Carolina home. She loves working with a welcoming team and engaged study participants, saying, “It’s inspiring to see staff and volunteers working toward the same goal.”

In her free time, Kelcey enjoys paddleboarding and hiking with her partner, Mitchell, and their sweet dog, Drako—when it’s not too hot. And here’s a fun fact: she has a shark tooth collection! Say hi to Kelcey at your next study visit.

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Listening Corner

Dementia Matters

This podcast helps the listener stay informed on the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s research and caregiving. Creator and host Dr. Nathaniel Chin, part of the University of Wisconsin ADRC, regularly interviews leading scientists and caregiving experts to bring listeners the latest in Alzheimer’s disease news, research and caregiver resources.

The Future of Fluid Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

In this episode, Dr. Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD, professor of neurochemistry at the University of Gothenburg and University College London, discusses the latest updates in fluid biomarker research and how tools like blood tests are impacting diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Access all Dementia Matters episodes in the places you find podcasts or from their website: Dementia Matters!

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