Projects

Sex-specific cognitive expression and risk in preclinical Alzheimer's disease

Women hold a reserve against cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease in the early stages, then something changes and they decline more quickly. Why? This study, supported through a grant from the National Institute on Aging, leverages preexisting data to understand how differences in tau might influence sex differences in Alzheimer’s disease, and how vascular and genetic risk factors might drive higher levels of tau in women, especially during the mild cognitive impairment phase.

Women: Inflammation and Tau Study (WITS)

In Alzheimer’s disease women have elevated tau pathology compared to men. Could this be due to other sex differences, for example in inflammation and how physical activity, sleep and diet influence inflammation in women? WITS is designed to find out. This study, co-led by Dr. Erin Sundermann, and funded by the California Department of Public Health is currently enrolling women at risk for Alzheimer’s. Learn more here.

Healthy Activities and Lifestyle to Avoid Dementia, or Hispanos y el ALTo a la Demencia (HALT-AD)

Many older adults ask if there is anything they can do to keep sharp and promote their brain health, avoiding cognitive decline. There is so much information out there, some accurate, some less so. With HALT-AD, Dr. Banks and co-Principal Investigator Dr. Howard Feldman, are creating an educational platform curated with the most accurate, evidence based information on lifestyle and medical factors that influence cognition with aging. Participants will also learn from their peers through monthly discussion groups. HALT AD is offered in English and as a Spanish/Bicultural version. Our intention is to empower those who want to maintain their cognition with aging.  The project is being developed with the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study.