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By Meghan McCarthy 

The average African American is twice as likely as a white adult to develop dementia, yet is 35% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). 

This disparity is a result of generations of mistreatment, mistrust, and discrimination. It serves as one of many examples which illustrate the need for change within the ADRD space.  

For Victor Ekuta, a 2022 Penn Memory Center (PMC) Clark Scholar, personal experience with such discrimination launched a professional passion for health equity. 

By Meghan McCarthy and Cait Kearney

The Penn Memory Center’s (PMC) popular companionship program, Time Together, previously known as Time Out, received funding that will soon make the in-home program available to older adults in Philadelphia.

PMC received this federal funding through the 2022 Community Care Corps Grant.

“We are pleased to make this award to the Penn Memory Center,” said Paul Weiss, president of The Oasis Institute, which administers Community Care Corps. “Their excellent intergenerational model was chosen over other outstanding programs across the country.”

By Meghan McCarthy

(Left to right – top row) Crystalle Hutchins, Sebleh Alfa, Training Coordinator Xandria West, Alzheimer’s Disease Center Administrator Kathy Jedrziewski, Alexis Visco, La’cendria Pulley, Devon Lawson, Laura Agyemang (Bottom row) Asa Sam, Abdul-Izzaz Niangane

Asa Sam has spent only about two months with the Penn Memory Center (PMC), but the experience has made an impact on the rest of her professional life.  

“I can faithfully say that PMC has already impacted my future,” said Sam, a 2022 Summer Scholar. “Being a part of this program was a way to verify and solidify my career path of neurosurgery, while also keeping my mind open to multiple paths in geriatrics and remaining engaged in Alzheimer’s research.” 

This past summer, six undergraduate students joined PMC for mentorship, clinical shadowing, and exposure to career options within the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). 

The program invites undergraduate and graduate students who identify as Black or African American to apply, and encourages previous students to return if interested.  

By Meghan McCarthy 

From reducing stigma to disclosing disease biomarkers, Claire Erickson, PhD, MPA, hopes to improve lives by improving the care given to older adults.   

Dr. Erickson recently joined the University of Pennsylvania as a postdoctoral researcher. As a member of the Penn Program on Precision Medicine for the Brain (P3MB), she will continue her work on biomarker disclosure for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 

In AD, biomarkers are hallmark molecules such as tau or amyloid that help clinicians with diagnoses. Biomarker disclosure is the process of informing patients about the results of their biomarker testing. 

Claire Erickson

Dr. Erickson began work on biomarker disclosure for cognitively unimpaired participants while pursuing her PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a part of the Neuroscience and Public Policy dual degree program, she also focused on the policy implications of her work. While putting together her thesis, Dr. Erickson collaborated with P3MB researcher and expert in biomarker disclosure Emily Largent, JD, PhD, RN, on her thesis. 

“I am delighted that Dr. Erickson has joined us at Penn, and am looking forward to working with her on pressing issues at the intersection of Alzheimer’s disease and policy,” said Dr. Largent. “Her recent article on the social and policy implications of preclinical biomarker disclosure highlights her unique scholarly perspective.” 

By Meghan McCarthy

The morning of March 21, 2019, began unremarkably for Nancy and Mike Childs.  

After waking up, they began their simple morning routine. Then they turned on the news, and their world shifted.  

Reports informed them that the Phase III trial of the drug aducanumab run by Biogen and Eisai — a trial in which Mike was participating — had ceased, effective immediately. It was one thing to have their hopes of a successful treatment dashed without warning; it was another to have learned this news from the television.  

After Mike Childs was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 2014, he decided to enroll in the aducanumab trial, which aimed at slowing the progression of symptoms from MCI or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mike enrolled with hope for himself and the future of his disease.  

The trial became more than a potential treatment; it became a community for the Childses.  

Empowering Caregivers Workshop Series
Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 18, Dec. 9, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Experts will present on a variety of intensive caregiving topics and take audience questions.

• Sept 2: Touch and Communication for Long-Term Partners with Judith Sachs
• Oct. 7: Adapting activities for Individuals with Dementia with Rachel Wiley
• Nov 18: The Legal Perspective: Practical Insights for Patients and Families About Decision-Making and Advance Planning with Valerie L. Snow
• Dec. 9: Supporting Communication: Strategies for Conversation and Care Partners with Sharon M. Antonucci

Learn more about our Empowering Caregivers Workshop Series

Creative Expressions through Music
Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., starting Oct. 18, in-person

Join in on group singing, drum circles, and the creation of new musical works. This program is led by musicians from the Curtis Institute of Music.

RSVP for Creative Expressions Through Music

Mindfulness and Meditation
Thursdays, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., starting Oct. 13, virtual

Explore short meditation and mindfulness exercises that help reduce stress and ground you in the present moment.

RSVP for Mindfulness and Meditation

Creating Meaningful Connections with Persons Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Sept. 29, Oct. 13, Oct. 27, Nov. 10, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

In this 4-session, virtual program, caregivers will learn strategies to bring out their loved one’s abilities and communication skills.

RSVP for Creating Meaningful Connections

Shake It Up!
Mondays, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., virtual
Shake It Up! is an exercise program for all levels of mobility and experience.

RSVP for Shake It Up!

Cognitive Comedy
Tuesdays, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., virtual
Cognitive Comedy is a improv comedy workshop for people with cognitive impairment and their loved ones.

RSVP for Cognitive Comedy

Grief Yoga for Caregivers
Last Thursday of every month, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Licensed clinical social worker and yoga instructor Beth Segaloff will lead a yoga session to help process caregiving experiences and connect with others.

RSVP for Grief Yoga

By Cait Kearney and Meghan McCarthy

Editor’s Note: This article is a broad summary of research at and beyond the University of Pennsylvania. We will revisit these topics in greater depth in the coming weeks. 

University of Pennsylvania researchers at AAIC 2022

Penn Memory Center scientists gathered last week with colleagues from around the world in San Diego, California, to share their pioneering research at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022 — the world’s largest academic conference for dementia research.  

Promising advancements in Alzheimer’s diagnostics, interventions, and the understanding of the basic science of the disease were on display at this year’s conference. 

“We are in a transformative time,” said Penn Memory Center (PMC) Co-director David Wolk, MD. 

Are you caring for someone with memory loss?

Please consider taking part in our research study, Qcare/Quidar, by participating in an interview online or by telephone that explores your lived experiences, including physical, mental, and social health, related to being a racial/ethnic minority, and a LGBTQIA+ caregiver to someone with memory loss. You are eligible if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Identify as a racial/ethnic minority
• Identify as LGBTQIA+
• Ability to complete an interview for no longer than 2 hours, either in
  English or Spanish
• Ability to confirm you provide care to someone with memory loss
  using a short screening tool

Exclusion criteria: Current and severe substance use/abuse, psychiatric disorders, and/or inability to provide verbal consent.

You will receive a $50 gift card for your participation, and will have the option to participate in Spanish or English.

For more information or to participate in this study, please contact the principal investigator Krystal Kittle at the University of Nevada Las Vegas:
krystal.kittle@unlv.edu