Alzheimer's Disease Research Center News
What really happens to our memory as we age?
A Q&A with Sharon Sha, MD, MS on dementia, healthy aging and memory loss — and how we can protect our brains in later life
The clocks in your body
PODCAST: Join Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD and Nicholas Weiler to learn about new research on how your biological age can be quite different from your chronological age, and why understanding the reason people age at different rates has become a hot topic for researchers who study aging.
Redefining Parkinson's Disease
PODCAST: Join Kathleen Poston, MD, MS and Nicholas Weiler to learn about exciting advances in our ability to detect the brain pathology driving Parkinson's disease and related disorders much earlier, even before symptoms arise, and how this is opening doors for early intervention and — hopefully — prevention.
Stanford Medicine-led study finds way to predict which of our organs will fail first
A new study led by Stanford Medicine scientists demonstrates a simple way of studying organ aging by analyzing distinct proteins, or sets of them, in blood, enabling the prediction of individuals’ risk for diseases.
Stanford Medicine-led study finds genetic factor fends off Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
A massive study of medical and genetic data shows that people with a particular version of a gene involved in immune response had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Depression: Early warning sign or risk factor for dementia?
Which comes first: Depression or dementia? A team of scientists led by Victor Henderson, MD found that the risk of dementia more than doubles for people previously diagnosed with depression.
Scientists dance the beautiful brain
To some an unlikely pair, neuroscience and art were a natural complement during a performance hosted by Stanford's Medicine & the Muse program, which featured an evening of dance theater celebrating neuroscience.
Scientists find genetic Alzheimer’s risk factor tied to African ancestry
A genetic risk factor found virtually exclusively among people of at least partial African ancestry substantially boosts the risk of incurring Alzheimer’s disease — but only sometimes.
How far would you go to live better, for longer?
Join Chris Hemsworth and our very own Sharon Sha, MD, MS, in exploring the boundaries of human potential in #LimitlessWithChrisHemsworth, a Disney+ Original series from National Geographic, streaming November 16 on Disney+.
Can we rejuvenate aging brains?
What can we all be doing in the here and now to keep our brains in shape? Stanford Medicine neuroscientist Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, discusses his findings in the field of cognitive rejuvenation.
Ask Me Anything: Brain health and cognition
Q&A with Sharon Sha MD, MS: Dr. Sha weighs in on how the brain controls our movements, behavior, thoughts and memories -- and how that changes when things go awry.
A rare mutation protects against Alzheimer's disease, Stanford-led research finds
Researchers, led by Michael Greicius, MD, MPH
have discovered that a rare mutation inherited with the APOE4 gene
variant protects against Alzheimer's, shedding new light on ways to
counteract high-risk genes for the disease.
Q&A: How the aging immune system impacts brain health
Katrin Andreasson discusses how immune cells can cause harmful brain inflammation and contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientific endeavor launched to combat neurodegeneration
A new initiative on brain resilience will study the causes of cognitive decline – what may be done to prevent, delay, or reverse the decline – and what goes right for those who keep their cognitive abilities intact. Based at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, this scientific endeavor is being launched by a $75 million gift from Nike founder Philip H. Knight, MBA ’62, and his wife, Penny. Tony Wyss-Coray, the D. H. Chen Distinguished Professor II of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford, has been appointed the inaugural director of the Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience.
Young cerebrospinal fluid probably improves the conductivity of the neurons in ageing mice.
Scientists have been trying to unravel the mysteries of why memory diminishes with age for decades. Now they have discovered a possible remedy — cerebrospinal fluid from younger brains.
Genetic atlas links Alzheimer’s with brain’s blood vessels
Q&A with Tony Wyss-Coray about the lab's interest in exploring the role of the brain's vasculature in Alzheimer's disease and the implications of new findings for the search for better therapies.
Blood from marathoner mice boosts brain function in their couch-potato counterparts
In a Stanford study, sedentary mice appear to benefit from another same-aged mouse’s exercise - if they receive injections of its blood.
Why Should You Donate Your Brain To Science?
Ever wonder what happens after you donate your brain to science? If you have a disease or disorder like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism, traumatic brain injuries, depression, it can be used to help researchers better understand the condition and potentially lead to new treatments. But scientists also need to study the brains of people unaffected by any type of disease. Science Friday radio broadcast hosted by Ira Flatow, “Why Should You Donate your Brain to Science?”
Can major surgery increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr. Greicius and colleagues in anesthesia (Igor Feinstein and Martin Angst), have shown that p-tau181, a blood-based Alzheimer’s biomarker, increases significantly during surgery and rises to levels typically seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The p-tau181 levels slowly decline after surgery but remain elevated in some patients for at least two days after surgery. The study paves the way for future work that will try to link molecular changes induced by surgery to the longer term post-operative decline that occurs in some surgical patients.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center renamed for Asad Jamal, Iqbal Farrukh
The Good Planet Foundation has pledged to establish an endowed fund within the Stanford University Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences. Endowment income will be used to support the Asad Jamal and Iqbal Farrukh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The Good Planet Foundation has also made a gift to establish the Asad Jamal and Iqbal Farrukh Professorship, with Dr. Michael Greicius designated as the inaugural holder.
Stanford researchers find signs of inflammation in brains of people who died of COVID-19
A detailed molecular analysis of tissue from the brains of individuals who died of COVID-19 reveals extensive signs of inflammation and neurodegeneration, but no sign of the virus that causes the disease.
VJ Periyakoil Wins ABIM Foundation’s John A Benson Jr, MD Professionalism Article Prize
VJ Periyakoil, MD, professor of primary care and population health and associate dean of research for geriatrics and palliative care, just received the American Board in Internal Medicine or ABIM Foundation’s John A Benson Jr, MD Professionalism Article Prize for her article “Common Types of Gender-Based Microaggressions in Medicine.”
The award “recognizes outstanding contributions to the growing body of peer-reviewed journal articles that document the impact of medical professionalism on improving health care.” It was named for American Board of Internal Medicine and ABIM Foundation President Emeritus John A. Benson Jr., MD, who taught medical students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and at Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, where he also served at the Center for Ethics in Health Care.
Failure to demonstrate efficacy of aducanumab
Researchers from Stanford University and the Mayo Clinic recently published a Perspective on the investigational drug aducanumab, which is under review by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: The authors state, “Aducanumab recently underwent two large phase III clinical trials that were stopped prematurely by the sponsor Biogen. One trial was trending positive while the other showed no benefits from aducanumab. Post hoc analyses led the sponsor to assert that there was a sufficient efficacy signal to justify a new drug application as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The sponsor claimed that subsets of participants receiving sufficiently high doses of aducanumab demonstrated benefits in both trials. In contrast, we identified alternative accounts for the apparent drug benefits in post hoc subgroups that are unrelated to dose effects. Biomarker data were consistent with target engagement, but no evidence was presented to correlate biomarker changes to cognitive benefits. Our analysis supports the conduct of a third, phase III trial with high-dose aducanumab. Aducanumab’s efficacy as a treatment for the cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease cannot be proven by clinical trials with divergent outcomes.”
Young Blood/Old Brains
What if you could extend your healthy life by 10 or 20 years – with a blood transfusion? Research by Stanford professor Tony Wyss-Coray shows a potential to treat Alzheimer’s and prevent age-related cognitive decline. He’s discovered that proteins found in the blood of young mice can dramatically reverse the effects of aging when transfused into older mice. Doing the same thing in humans could increase our quality of life as we age, and our life expectancy as well. We’re years away from seeing any clinical applications of this research, which gives us time to ask about its implications. Who will have access to this treatment? Who are the donors providing young blood? We could add years to our lives – but is that what we really want?
National Institute on Aging awards $15 million to Stanford’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
The National Institute on Aging has awarded a $15 million grant to the Stanford Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, which investigates Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and related disorders. The center is led by director Victor Henderson, professor of health research and policy and of neurology and neurological sciences, and associate director Katrin Andreasson, professor of neurology and neurological sciences.
Negative Thinking Can Harm Your Brain and Increase Your Dementia Risk
A new study shows that repetitive negative thinking, a mechanism proposed to underlie several known psychological Alzheimer's disease risk factors, is itself associated with cognitive decline as well as amyloid and tau deposition on PET scans. Jacob Hall, MD, Clinical Assistant Processor of Neurology, comments on the study's findings.
Brain Health Registry featured on Asian Pacific America
Sharon Sha, MD, clinical associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences and medical director of the Stanford neurosciences clinical trials group discusses the Stanford Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and clinical trials recruitment specifically for the Asian American community.
Longevity Gene May Protect against a Notorious Alzheimer’s Risk Gene
Stanford Medicine researchers have found that a common variant in one gene reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease in those at high genetic risk from a second gene.
Gene variant staves off Alzheimer’s in some people
Stanford Medicine researchers have found a gene variant that protects carriers of another gene variant, ApoE4, from developing Alzheimer’s disease — the first demonstration of that beneficial effect.
Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force
Sharon Sha, MD, clinical associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences, was appointed as a member of the Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force for the State of California by Governor Gavin Newsom and Task Force Chair Maria Shriver. The purpose of task force is to present recommendations to the Governor on how local communities, private organizations, businesses, government and families can prevent and prepare for the rise in the number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease and all its consequences. The work and recommendations of the Task Force will be in parallel and incorporated in the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging.
Suspicion: Why are virus-targeting immune cells sniffing around Alzheimer’s patients’ brains?
In a new study published in Nature, Stanford neuroscientist Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, and his colleagues report the startling discovery of virus-obsessed immune cells in autopsied brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients, and in cerebrospinal fluid (which bathes our brains) of living individuals diagnosed with the disease.
Thwarting A Protein Reverses Brain Decline in Aged Mice
Impeding VCAM1, a protein that tethers circulating immune cells to blood vessel walls, enabled old mice to perform as well on memory and learning tests as young mice, a Stanford study found. Senior author Tony Wyss-Coray, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, co-director of the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, is quoted in this piece.
Blocking protein curbs memory loss in old mice
Impeding VCAM1, a protein that tethers circulating immune cells to blood vessel walls, enabled old mice to perform as well on memory and learning tests as young mice, a Stanford study found.
Stanford team develops brain-rejuvenating antibodies that let old mice think like youngsters
In a stunning piece of research, Stanford neuroscientists have hunted down a single gene that encodes a protein responsible for age-related cognitive losses, targeted it with special blocking antibodies, and shown in mice that these antibodies can rejuvenate old brains to work as well as young ones.
Blocking protein’s activity restores cognition in old mice
Brain cells called microglia serve as the brain’s garbage crew, scarfing up bits of cellular debris. But their underperformance in aging brains contributes to neurodegeneration. Now, a possible workaround?
Stanford announces new Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) Research Center of Excellence
In December 2017 researchers from across the country joined in the first-ever comprehensive network of research centers to conduct LBD clinical trials, provide community outreach, and expand professional continuing medical education. Representing 24 of medicine’s most prestigious academic medical research centers, these Research Centers of Excellence will help to streamline and standardize LBD science while connecting patients and families with the latest opportunities to participate in LBD clinical trials.
Clearing clumps of protein in aging neural stem cells boosts their activity
Young, resting neural stem cells have large protein clumps often associated with neurodegeneration. As stem cells age, the aggregates inhibit their ability to make new neurons, Stanford researchers say.
![Plasmapheresis equipment in a treatment room at Fundació ACE in Barcelona, the site of a trial of complete plasma exchange and albumin replacement in people with AD. [Courtesy of Fundació ACE.]](https://med.stanford.edu/adrc/news/_jcr_content/main/panel_builder/panel_0/panel_builder_2117033811/panel_0/text_image_442953550.img.620.high.jpg/memory-news-plasmapheresis.jpg)
Blood, the Secret Sauce? Focus on Plasma Promises AD Treatment
In mice, infusing young blood rejuvenates the old, and even staves off some of the changes linked to Alzheimer’s. It’s too early to say if the same is true in people, but first results look encouraging. At the 2017 Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease meeting, held November 1–4 in Boston, Sharon Sha of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, presented results of a small Phase 1 trial in which patients with mild to moderate AD received infusions of plasma donated by young men.
Scientists aim to wipe out dementia and other diseases of aging
Scientist are developing therapies that can slow, reverse or prevent dementia and other diseases by targeting their greatest risk factor – aging itself. (article may require SF Chronicle Subscription)
Clinical trial finds blood-plasma infusions for Alzheimer’s safe, promising
In a small safety trial based on preclinical work by a Stanford researcher, participants receiving blood plasma infusions from young donors showed some evidence of improvement.
Eight things you can do now that might reduce your odds of dementia later
Scientists generally agree that you can get pretty far in warding off dementia by adopting a healthful lifestyle. What’s good for your body seems to be good for your brain, too. Read more
Aging Research: Plasma Protein Revitalizes the Brain
For centuries, people have yearned for an elixir capable of restoring youth to their aging bodies and minds. It sounds like pure fantasy, but, in recent years, researchers have shown that the blood of young mice can exert a regenerative effect when transfused into older animals. Now, one of the NIH-funded teams that brought us those exciting findings has taken an early step toward extending them to humans.
Young human blood makes old mice smarter
Mice treated with a protein from umbilical cord plasma improved their performance on memory tests.
Study shows protein in human umbilical cord blood rejuvenates old mice’s impaired learning, memory
A single protein contained in human cord plasma boosted old mice’s brain function and cognitive performance, new research from Stanford shows.
Hack your brain to remember almost anything
According to a study published today, anyone can train their brain using the same tricks as the world's top competitors, reshaping their brain's networks in the process.
Memorization tool bulks up brain's internal connections, scientists say
Stanford researchers have found that teaching ordinary people a technique used by memory athletes boosted their memory abilities and made lasting changes in the organization of their brains.
Stanford Brain Rejuvenation Project
We have assembled a highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary team focused on harnessing a powerful new approach to discover, characterize, and utilize brain rejuvenation factors harbored in the blood to improve human health and to combat neurodegenerative diseases. Our team consists of a mix of junior and senior investigators from the schools of Medicine and Humanities and Sciences. Our team brings together a neurologist, geneticists, a chemist, stem cell biologists and neuroscientists all with distinct and complementary expertise and technologies.
Pilot study suggests therapy horses may aid people with dementia and their caregivers
The research team, led by Dolores Gallagher Thompson, PhD, and Nusha Askari, PhD, and Jacqueline Hartman at the Stanford Red Barn Leadership Program, found that supervised activities, such as observing herd behavior, grooming horses and leading horses with a lead and halter, helped participants recognize and use non-verbal forms of communication.
When It's Not Alzheimer's: The Differential Diagnosis of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
The article is part of an ongoing series exploring the multiple differential diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is estimated to cause up to 10% of dementia cases, and is often mistaken for Alzheimer’s. Dr. Sharon Sha, clinical assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences, is interviewed about the differences.
Creative Minds: A New Chemistry for Aging Research?
NIH director Francis Collins profiles Tony Wyss-Coray, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, who is studying the collection of proteins known as the communicome to track the aging process in mice.
Alzheimer's from a New Angle
The February 22, 2016 issue of Time Magazine covers the efforts of Dr. Longo and his team to develop a novel approach for Alzheimer’s therapy.
Stanford neurologist ponders her interest in the human brain
As part of the team at the Stanford Center for Memory Disorders, Sha is dedicated to studying ways to fight memory disorders and cognitive decline. “I think it’s fascinating to help people understand why” the brain isn’t functioning in the right way, she shares.
5 Questions: Frank Longo on Alzheimer's, new neuroscience center
In a recent interview, neurologist Frank Longo discussed Alzheimer’s disease, recent research breakthroughs and the new Stanford Neuroscience Health Center, which he co-leads.
Scientists reverse the cognitive effects of aging in mice
A cure for aging? A scientist behind a breakthrough technique seems to have found a way to reverse cognitive ageing effects on mice. Next, is to find out if it will work on humans.
Can we reverse the ageing process by putting young blood into older people?
A series of experiments has produced incredible results by giving young blood to old mice. Now the findings are being tested on humans. Ian Sample meets the scientists whose research could transform our lives.
Alzheimer’s Disease: What Stands Between Us and a Cure?
Our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease is better than ever before. So why are we still so far from a cure?
What should we know about Alzheimer's disease?
In this Q&A, Michael Greicius discusses the causes, onset, progression and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Greicius is an associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences and medical director of the Stanford Center for Memory Disorders.
Rejuvenating Old Brains with Young Blood | Tony Wyss-Coray | World Economic Forum
Might young blood be the fountain of youth? asks Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University. The Professor of Neurology says blood transports messages between different organs, and young blood may be able to boost health, recharge the old brain and halt cognitive decline.
Stanford to open Alzheimer's research center
A new Stanford ADRC will receive nearly $7.3 million in funding over a five-year period to conduct interdisciplinary research on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Victor Henderson, professor of health research and policy and of neurology and neurological sciences, will direct the center; Tony Wyss-Coray, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, will serve as co-director; Frank Longo, the George E. and Lucy Becker Professor and professor and chair of neurology and neurological sciences and Jerome Yesavage, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, will serve as associate directors; and Michael Greicius, associate professor of neurology, will lead the center's imaging core.
Stanford-based Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to be launched
A new Stanford-based center will receive nearly $7.3 million in funding over a five-year period to conduct interdisciplinary research on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
Scientists find genetic underpinnings of functional brain networks seen in imaging studies
Imaging studies have delineated brain networks consisting of discrete brain regions acting in synchrony. This view of the brain’s functional architecture has now been confirmed by a study showing coordination at the genetic level as well.
Talking about "mouseheimers," and a call for new neuroscience technologies
Michael Greicius, MD, MPH, professor of neurology & neurological sciences at Stanford, researches Alzheimer’s and has a bone to pick with media hype about Alzheimer’s research conducted in mice. What the mice have shouldn’t be considered the same condition, he says, so he’s termed it “mouseheimer’s.”
Fighting to remember: U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, experts host panel on Alzheimer’s disease
A panel of experts discussed Alzheimer's disease and its effects on women Monday in San Mateo. The panel included Michael Greicius, associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences and medical director of the Stanford Center for Memory Disorders, who is quoted here.
The gene variant ApoE4 puts women at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease
The number of women with Alzheimer's far exceeds that of men with the condition. Researchers at Stanford University found that carrying a copy of a gene variant called ApoE4 puts women at a substantially higher risk for Alzheimer's disease than men.
Are Women at Greater Risk for Alzheimer’s?
Neurologists Roberta Diaz Brinton and Michael Greicius discuss why it’s important to study women with Alzheimer’s as a distinct population, and why females might be more likely to develop the disease.
Brain scientists speak at Davos economic forum
Members of research teams created through the Stanford Neurosciences Institute's Big Ideas in Neuroscience initiative spoke Jan. 23 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Ageing research: Blood to blood
By splicing animals together, scientists have shown that young blood rejuvenates old tissues. Now, they are testing whether it works for humans.
Blocking receptor in brain’s immune cells counters Alzheimer’s in mice, study finds
Brain cells called microglia chew up toxic substances and cell debris, calm inflammation and make nerve-cell-nurturing substances. New research shows that keeping them on the job may prevent neurodegeneration.
Can Alzheimer's damage to the brain be repaired?
Longo and his colleagues have pioneered the development of small-molecule drugs that might be able to restore nerve cells frayed by conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
Infusion of young blood recharges brains of old mice, study finds
Something in the blood of young mice has the ability to restore mental capabilities in old mice, which could spell a new paradigm for recharging aging brains.
Gene variant puts women at higher risk of Alzheimer’s than it does men, study finds
Carrying a copy of a gene variant called ApoE4 confers a substantially greater risk for Alzheimer's disease on women than it does on men, researchers have found.