Cure Alzheimer's Fund Launches Consortium for Advancing Brain Aging Research
Cure Alzheimer's Fund (CureAlz) has made a groundbreaking announcement with the formation of the Brain Aging Consortium, which unites six leading researchers in the Alzheimer's field. The goal of this initiative is to explore the biological aspects of aging and how they influence the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Aging is widely recognized as the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, yet not every aging individual experiences significant cognitive decline. Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not an inevitable aspect of growing older. There are numerous examples of individuals in their 80s and 90s who remain mentally sharp and active, illustrating that it is indeed possible for healthy brain aging to occur across one’s lifespan.
The consortium aims to investigate brain aging as a multifaceted spectrum. While many people accumulate misfolded proteins in their brains, which include the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's, some exhibit remarkable cognitive function even amid such changes. By studying individuals whose cognitive abilities have remained resilient, the consortium hopes to unravel how we can foster healthier brain aging for all.
The Brain Aging Consortium is a pivotal step in the mission of Cure Alzheimer's Fund to prevent Alzheimer's disease. As stated by Meg Smith, the CEO of the fund, ‘For too long, cognitive aging has been perceived as a process we must accept, rather than an area ripe for exploration and intervention.’ By bridging a diverse array of scientific disciplines, CureAlz is laying the groundwork for a future where aging doesn't necessarily equate to cognitive decline.
This ambitious effort builds on nearly a decade of research funded by CureAlz and brings together some of the most prominent names in Alzheimer’s and aging research. Leading the consortium is Dr. Randall J. Bateman from Washington University in St. Louis, who is known for developing a highly accurate blood test for Alzheimer's disease. Also part of the consortium is Dr. Andrew S. Yoo, who has devised a method that transforms skin cells into neurons while maintaining signs of aging, alongside Dr. Miranda Orr, who has identified a connection between cellular senescence—an aging hallmark—and tau pathology in Alzheimer's.
Furthermore, other prominent researchers involved include Dr. Henne Holstege, who is known for establishing the 100-Plus Study centered on cognitively healthy centenarians, and Dr. Li-Huei Tsai, a leader in epigenetic and immune mechanisms connected to aging and Alzheimer's. Lastly, Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University highlights how blood-derived factors can influence brain aging, including groundbreaking findings that reveal rejuvenating effects of young blood on older mouse brains.
‘Understanding brain aging is fundamental to combating Alzheimer's,’ emphasized Smith, indicating that by deciphering the elements that sustain brain health throughout time, the field can transition from merely addressing symptoms to preventing the disease before it manifests.
Since its inception in 2004, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has provided over $260 million to more than 300 research initiatives aimed at preventing, slowing, or reversing Alzheimer’s disease. The organization has maintained a perfect score and a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator for 13 consecutive years. By ensuring that all general donations are directed towards research, CureAlz exemplifies a committed approach to addressing Alzheimer’s disease effectively.
For more information, interested parties are encouraged to visit CureAlz.org to learn more about their ongoing initiatives and the groundbreaking research being conducted in the realm of Alzheimer’s prevention and brain aging studies.
Aging is widely recognized as the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, yet not every aging individual experiences significant cognitive decline. Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not an inevitable aspect of growing older. There are numerous examples of individuals in their 80s and 90s who remain mentally sharp and active, illustrating that it is indeed possible for healthy brain aging to occur across one’s lifespan.
The consortium aims to investigate brain aging as a multifaceted spectrum. While many people accumulate misfolded proteins in their brains, which include the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's, some exhibit remarkable cognitive function even amid such changes. By studying individuals whose cognitive abilities have remained resilient, the consortium hopes to unravel how we can foster healthier brain aging for all.
The Brain Aging Consortium is a pivotal step in the mission of Cure Alzheimer's Fund to prevent Alzheimer's disease. As stated by Meg Smith, the CEO of the fund, ‘For too long, cognitive aging has been perceived as a process we must accept, rather than an area ripe for exploration and intervention.’ By bridging a diverse array of scientific disciplines, CureAlz is laying the groundwork for a future where aging doesn't necessarily equate to cognitive decline.
This ambitious effort builds on nearly a decade of research funded by CureAlz and brings together some of the most prominent names in Alzheimer’s and aging research. Leading the consortium is Dr. Randall J. Bateman from Washington University in St. Louis, who is known for developing a highly accurate blood test for Alzheimer's disease. Also part of the consortium is Dr. Andrew S. Yoo, who has devised a method that transforms skin cells into neurons while maintaining signs of aging, alongside Dr. Miranda Orr, who has identified a connection between cellular senescence—an aging hallmark—and tau pathology in Alzheimer's.
Furthermore, other prominent researchers involved include Dr. Henne Holstege, who is known for establishing the 100-Plus Study centered on cognitively healthy centenarians, and Dr. Li-Huei Tsai, a leader in epigenetic and immune mechanisms connected to aging and Alzheimer's. Lastly, Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University highlights how blood-derived factors can influence brain aging, including groundbreaking findings that reveal rejuvenating effects of young blood on older mouse brains.
‘Understanding brain aging is fundamental to combating Alzheimer's,’ emphasized Smith, indicating that by deciphering the elements that sustain brain health throughout time, the field can transition from merely addressing symptoms to preventing the disease before it manifests.
Since its inception in 2004, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has provided over $260 million to more than 300 research initiatives aimed at preventing, slowing, or reversing Alzheimer’s disease. The organization has maintained a perfect score and a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator for 13 consecutive years. By ensuring that all general donations are directed towards research, CureAlz exemplifies a committed approach to addressing Alzheimer’s disease effectively.
For more information, interested parties are encouraged to visit CureAlz.org to learn more about their ongoing initiatives and the groundbreaking research being conducted in the realm of Alzheimer’s prevention and brain aging studies.
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