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By Meghan McCarthy 

Malawi, a country approximately 7,826 miles from the Penn Memory Center (PMC), is celebrated for its vibrant culture, striking landscapes, and resilient people. Its diverse terrain is framed by majestic mountains with lively villages echoing with the sounds of children and rivers teeming with wildlife.  

Images from 2024 MLSFH Malawi

Despite its beauty, Malawi faces significant challenges. Ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, over 50% of its population lives below the national poverty line. A prolonged drought in 2024 has further destabilized its agriculture-dependent economy, profoundly affecting the health and opportunities available to Malawians.  

For the past 25 years, the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH) has worked in partnership with local communities to understand the demographic, socioeconomic, and health conditions of this population. Initially focused on social networks and fertility, the study has since expanded to explore the social and contextual factors influencing health across the lifespan. 

Now, a team of Penn MLSFH researchers will test the validity of dried plasma spot (DPS) technology amongst Malawi communities to measure the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRDs) in this aging population.  

Author’s Note: This article is part of our coverage of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). To view all highlights, please click here.   

At the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference (AAIC), hundreds of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) experts presented on innovative and diverse topics in the field. When reviewing poster presentations, the Penn Memory Center (PMC) Communication’s team noted that several researchers used speech analysis to measure cognitive decline. 

An everyday function, speech can be a critical marker for cognition. For instance, the pace at which someone speaks, complexity of words used, and pauses within speech are all qualities that can be analyzed.  

Among the many presentations, the work of Sanjana Skellikeri, PhD, and Galit Agmon, PhD, stood out for their innovative use of speech analysis to measure cognitive decline.   

Both women described their work in short summaries for PMC community members.  

By Meghan McCarthy 

I vividly remember the day Olivia (Liv) Hall became my best friend. We sat together on the bus ride home from a high school field trip, chatting about everything and nothing. Up until then, our friendship had grown through shared struggles in AP European History, staying after school for clubs, and taking photos at the annual Fall Ball. While I cherish those memories, they weren’t what truly bonded us. What brought us closer was something much deeper: our shared experiences as caregivers for our grandparents with dementia. 

Since that moment, Liv and I have been inseparable. We graduated high school together, attended Villanova University as roommates, and volunteered side by side. In our postgraduate era, we plan seasonal trips and connect daily over FaceTime.  

Looking back, Olivia went from being a dear friend to a best friend when she shared her caregiving story.  

Nearly ten years later, it’s a privilege to share it with the Penn Memory Center (PMC) community.  

By Meghan McCarthy 

What is one quality that makes you great?

For many, this question can be a difficult to answer. Traditional societal values often discourage openly complimenting oneself in public. Yet, Jean Haskell, facilitator of the Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy class, often begins sessions by posing this very question.

As I observed a fall class, I was struck by the ease and comfort with which participants responded.

“I try to be kind,” one participant said.
“I work out every other day,” another shared.
“I am great because of my wife,” a third added.

This seemingly simple question revealed a profound impact. It’s a question we might all benefit from asking more often. 

It has been yet another groundbreaking year for research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs). At the Penn Memory Center (PMC), we asked team members to reflect on the most impactful initiatives and publications from 2024.  

By Meghan McCarthy 

Author’s Note: This article is part of ongoing coverage of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). To view all highlights, please click here. 

Recent research through the Departments of Bioengineering, Neurology, and Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania is exploring the biologic causes for atypical Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Led by Lasya Sreepada, MS, BS, a doctoral candidate at Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the team presented their work at the 2024 AAIC.

Atypical AD affects approximately 15 percent of AD patients. The term encompasses individuals who experience cognitive outcomes that differ from typical AD symptoms. For example, individuals with atypical AD may experience greater change in their behavior, personality, and language compared to symptoms predominantly based around memory. Usually, atypical AD patients also develop their symptoms at a younger age.

Atypical AD highlights the heterogeneity in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), or the variance in disease symptoms and presentation.  

Sreepada’s work aims to understand ADRD heterogeneity. 

Lasya Sreepada

By Meghan McCarthy  

Bianca Cavedoni-Urbano, MD, has always dreamt of becoming a physician. While she cannot pinpoint the exact moment her dream began, providing care to patients has always felt like her calling. 

Her medical journey—from rigorous training, a move across the globe, and research engagements—has brought many changes. Yet, she has remained committed to her mission. 

Bianca Cavedoni-Urbano

Transitioning to American Training 

Born and raised in Venezuela, Dr. Cavedoni-Urbano attended la Universidad del Zulia for medical school. After completing residency in internal medicine, she was faced with a difficult decision. Due to the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela, she struggled to see opportunities for her ongoing success. 

“I did not have the resources to learn or do research,” Dr. Cavedoni-Urbano said. “My family was already abroad, so I decided to leave and come to the U.S.” 

Without knowing anyone, carving her own path in the United States took determination and courage. 

In addition to passing the required credentialling exams, Dr. Cavedoni-Urbano sought research training. Without a significant research background at that time, she accepted a volunteer position at New York University. Her bilingual background was a significant asset in her project, which focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and sleep apnea. 

By Meghan McCarthy 

Editor’s Note: This article is part of the Disability and Dementia Series, which is an ongoing project aimed to highlight Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) experiences in individuals with intellectual disabilities.  

In a 2017 testimony to congress, advocate Frank Stephens stated: “I cannot tell you how much it means to me that my extra chromosome might lead to the answer to Alzheimer’s.” 

[Above: Video of Frank Stephens’ testimony]  

A powerful moment, Stephens’ message was clear. Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) must and should be included in Alzheimer’s disease research.  

It is estimated that over 50% of individuals with DS will develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as they age. To put it in perspective, approximately 11% of all adults aged 65 and older in the United States develop AD.  

Despite this, many disparities exist in standardized care and research inclusion methods for individuals with DS.  

Beth Wood Discusses the Evolution of Genetic Counseling Through Telehealth and Chatbots at AAIC 2024 

By Meghan McCarthy 

Author’s Note: This article is part of ongoing coverage of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). To view all highlights, please click here.  

Elisabeth Wood, MS, LCGC, has been a genetic counselor at Penn Medicine since 2003. Originally working for the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), she spent over a decade focusing on genetic forms of dementias and related disorders. Currently, she works in the Penn Telegenetics Program, where she helps to conduct research on genetic counseling services via telehealth in both clinical and research settings.  

Wood sat down with Penn Memory Center (PMC) Staff Writer Meghan McCarthy to discuss her latest work using chatbots as an informational resource for individuals interested in or already receiving genetic counseling. She also presented her work at this year’s AAIC in Philadelphia.