Alzheimer's Disease Research Center News

Why new Alzheimer's drugs may not work for patients

PODCAST: Discover why new Alzheimer's drugs may not be as effective as expected by listening to this podcast featuring insights from Stanford neurologist Michael Greicius, MD, MPH. Gain valuable insights and stay informed about the latest developments in Alzheimer's research.


Drugs that improve brain metabolism could help Alzheimer’s patients

Targeting a metabolic pathway well-known in cancer research, neuroscientists at Stanford believe they may have found a way to improve brain performance in Alzheimer’s patients.


Why is a common gene variant bad for your brain?

Stanford Medicine neurologist Michael Greicius, MD, has spearheaded a recent groundbreaking genetics study focusing on Alzheimer's disease. This study examines the impact of gene variants, particularly APOE4, on Alzheimer's risk and treatment responses. Greicius's research sheds light on the complexities of Alzheimer's genetics and points towards personalized medicine approaches for treatment development. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding how gene variants like APOE4 contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression, potentially paving the way for novel treatment strategies.


Seven Stanford faculty named AAAS Fellows

Tony Wyss-Coray, a faculty member at Stanford University, is among the newly named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He has been recognized for his distinguished research on mechanisms of brain aging and neurodegeneration, the findings of which could lead to new biomarkers and treatments for a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.


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


Why detecting the earliest biological signs of Parkinson’s disease is so crucial

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, behind Alzheimer's disease, and affects nearly a million people in the United States. A new test can detect the biological signature of Parkinson’s disease before symptoms arise. Dr. Kathleen Poston explains why early diagnosis opens the door to better therapies.


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.


Mormino Lab receives Simon's Foundation grant


Life in Motion  

In this podcst, hosted by Sam Kleckly, Dr. Sharon Sha discusses the importance of brain health and things we can all do to help prevent or slow neurodegenerative diseases.


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?


Can major surgery increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease?


Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center renamed for Asad Jamal, Iqbal Farrukh


Stanford researchers find signs of inflammation in brains of people who died of COVID-19


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.”


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


National Institute on Aging awards $15 million to Stanford’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center


Negative Thinking Can Harm Your Brain and Increase Your Dementia Risk


Brain Health Registry featured on Asian Pacific America


Longevity Gene May Protect against a Notorious Alzheimer’s Risk Gene


Gene variant staves off Alzheimer’s in some people


Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force


Suspicion: Why are virus-targeting immune cells sniffing around Alzheimer’s patients’ brains?


Thwarting A Protein Reverses Brain Decline in Aged Mice


Blocking protein curbs memory loss in old mice


Stanford team develops brain-rejuvenating antibodies that let old mice think like youngsters


Blocking protein’s activity restores cognition in old mice


Stanford announces new Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) Research Center of Excellence


Clearing clumps of protein in aging neural stem cells boosts their activity


Blood, the Secret Sauce? Focus on Plasma Promises AD Treatment


Scientists aim to wipe out dementia and other diseases of aging


Clinical trial finds blood-plasma infusions for Alzheimer’s safe, promising


Eight things you can do now that might reduce your odds of dementia later


Aging Research: Plasma Protein Revitalizes the Brain


Young human blood makes old mice smarter


Study shows protein in human umbilical cord blood rejuvenates old mice’s impaired learning, memory


Hack your brain to remember almost anything


Memorization tool bulks up brain's internal connections, scientists say


Stanford Brain Rejuvenation Project


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


Creative Minds: A New Chemistry for Aging Research?


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.