Alzheimer’s disease Archives

Alzheimer’s genetic risk tracked across sex, race

Jul. 17, 2023—A Vanderbilt study of genetic risks for cognitive impairment later in life uses data from 32,426 research participants ages 60 and older to elaborate these risks across sex and across the intersection of sex and race.

Images predict functional decline

Jun. 12, 2023—MRI brain scans at baseline for study participants 60 and older — who were free of clinical dementia at study entry — predicted a decline in independent function five years later.

Neurofluid flow and Alzheimer’s disease

May. 22, 2023—Vanderbilt researchers used novel MRI methods to noninvasively quantify measures of neurofluid circulation and found that hypertrophy of a site of cerebrospinal fluid egress may be related to amyloid-beta retention in Alzheimer’s disease.

Neural networks probe proteins

May. 9, 2023—A machine learning method based on neural networks outperformed a mutational scanning model at identifying disease-causing mutations in an Alzheimer’s disease protein, suggesting the method could be useful for facilitating therapeutic design.

Alzheimer’s risk factor and cognition

Nov. 8, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers found that a protein with roles in innate immunity worsens memory at baseline in carriers of APOE-e4, the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, further implicating neuroinflammation in cognitive decline.

Minority patients less likely to have amyloid plaques necessary for Alzheimer’s treatments

Oct. 3, 2022—Fewer Black, Hispanic and Asian patients meet biomarker qualifications for landmark treatments that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by targeting amyloid plaques, according to new findings published in JAMA Neurology.

Multisite project seeks to use patients’ voices to help diagnose disease

Sep. 22, 2022—Vanderbilt University Medical Center is partnering with 11 institutions on a $14 million NIH-funded project that aims to establish voice as a biomarker used in clinical care.

Former patient Herbert Christopher poses for a photo with Elizabeth Perkins, MD, the first Christopher fellow of Otolaryngology.

Gifts bolster otolaryngology, Alzheimer’s disease programs

Sep. 15, 2022—Herbert Christopher, a grateful Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery patient who received cochlear hearing implants from David Haynes, MD, has funded the training of otolaryngology fellows and leaders in Alzheimer’s disease care through several outright endowed gifts and additional gift planning with his estate.

Today Show: Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center makes national push for clinical study enrollment. You can help.

Jun. 21, 2022—The Today Show’s Maria Shriver spotlighted a landmark, years-long study into the connection between heart health and Alzheimer’s disease, and the urgency to boost study enrollment—particularly among people of color who are disproportionally impacted yet historically underrepresented in research.

Study measures Alzheimer’s risk reductions associated with healthy lifestyles

Jun. 13, 2022—Reported June 13 in Neurology, an Alzheimer’s disease risk study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center measures significantly reduced risk associated with healthy lifestyles, including non-smoking, leisure-time exercise, low-to-moderate alcohol consumption, adequate sleep and healthy diet.

New Clinician Spotlight: Aaron McMurtray

Apr. 26, 2022—Specializing in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, neurologist Aaron McMurtray, MD, PhD, recently joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center as associate professor of Neurology.