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Main Story

CLARiTI: Bringing Focus to the Complexity of Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease rarely acts alone. In most people living with dementia, multiple processes are at work in the brain simultaneously – amyloid plaques, tau tangles, vascular damage and other changes that interact in ways science is only beginning to understand. Untangling these overlapping causes is one of the greatest challenges in dementia research and it’s essential to developing more accurate diagnoses and better treatments.

A major new national study call CLARiTI is taking that challenge and the Duke UNC ADRC is a part of it.

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event spotlight

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UpdateS in Research

Your Liver May Help Protect Your Brain – If You Exercise

A new study found that exercise may repair the brain’s protective shield – at least in mice. Researchers at the University of California San Francisco discovered that physical activity triggers the liver to release an enzyme that travels to the brain’s blood vessels and removes a harmful protein that accumulates with age and is also found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The study underscores the recommendation that those wishing to lower risk incorporate exercise into their daily routine.

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Poor Sleep and Alzheimer’s Risk: What the Research Shows

Getting a good night’s sleep may be more important for brain health than many of us realize. A new study of 6,000 older adults found that about one in eight cases of dementia may be linked to insomnia. The good news is that sleep is considered a modifiable risk factor – one we can improve. Read more about the study here and read on to find some tips from the Global Council on Brain Health.

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Brain Health

AARP’s Global Council for Brain Health has Tips for Sleep

You read about the links between sleep and risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias above. But what can you do in your daily life that will make a difference when it comes to getting more and/or better quality sleep?

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upcoming Events

2026 Trent Center McGovern Lecture

Your Brain On Art

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 5:30PM EST | In Person and Virtual

Susan Magsamen, founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Your Brain on Art, will deliver this year’s McGovern Award Lecture. A pioneering leader in the field of neuroaesthetics, Magsamen’s work examines how the arts and aesthetic experiences influence the brain, body, and behavior, and how these insights can inform approaches to health, wellbeing, and learning. She is also co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint initiative.

The McGovern Award Lectureship was established to honor individuals whose work reflects the humane and healing dimensions of medicine. Past recipients include Iain McGilchrist, Kimberly Manning, Dorothy Roberts, and Paul Starr.

A reception with light refreshments will be held at 5:30pm with the talk beginning at 6:00pm.

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33rd Annual Triangle Walk to Defeat Dementia

sunday, april 26, 2025 | 1pm – 4pm | in person

21 Fenton Main Street, Cary NC

Please join us on April 26^th for the annual Dementia Alliance of NC Walk to Defeat Dementia. Faculty and staff will be there as part of the Duke/UNC ADRC Walkers team (look for the team name when you sign up). We will meet up at 1 pm by the ADRC/NC Registry for Brain Health table with a banner. Come enjoy some snacks and a drink (tea, water or lemonade) before we walk together. This will be a day of celebration and remembrance as we take action and provide hope to those living with dementia right here in North Carolina.

Email team captain Andrea Bozoki with any questions.

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The Ins and Outs of Lewy Body Dementia

May 7, 2026 | 2-3:30PM EST | Virtual

Presented by Della J. Simon, MD, physician at MemoryCare

Join Della J. Simon, MD, MemoryCare physician, for a clear and practical overview of Lewy Body Dementia. This session will help caregivers understand key symptoms, common challenges, and effective strategies for support, offering guidance to navigate this complex condition with confidence and compassion.

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Duke Dementia Family Support Program

Caregiver Connections

This educational webinar series offers care partners the opportunity to learn more about topics that are important to consider when caring for someone living with memory and changes. If you cannot participate in the live event, you can always find the recording on their website under the Caregiver Connections tab.

Spring & Early Summer Line-Up

Medications and Dementia

April 15, 2026 | 2PM EST | Virtual

You can join the live webinar by following the Zoom link:

Your Loved One was Recently Diagnosed with Dementia – Where to Begin

may 13, 2026 | 1pm est | virtual

You can join the live webinar by following the Zoom link:

Dementia and Firearms

june 24, 2026 | 1pm est | virtual

You can join the live webinar by following the Zoom link:

If you have any questions, please contact the Duke Dementia Family Support Program at 919-660-7510 or by email, DDFSP@duke.edu. 

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Listening Corner

Dementia Matters

How Ultra-Processed Foods Impact Your Overall Health

Ultra-processed foods are a hot topic in the fields of health and nutrition, but what exactly are they and how do they impact our overall well-being? Dr. Beth Olson joins the podcast to explain what this term means, describe strategies for developing a balanced diet and share a preview of her upcoming Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) presentation, “Unpacking Ultra-Processed Foods.”

Guest: Beth Olson, PhD, associate professor of nutritional sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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The Dementia Matters 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.

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

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