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Graphic representation of a neuron with amyloid plaques (2) and tau tangles (1), signs of Alzheimer’s disease. (by Nina Miller)

Last week, the journal Science reported that an Alzheimer’s disease scientist may have fabricated research data, particularly in one influential study on the role of amyloid as one of the causes of the neuron death seen in persons with Alzheimer’s disease.

The journal Nature, which in 2006 published the work of Sylvain Lesné of the University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities, announced the paper is under investigation.

“My colleagues and I are truly disappointed over these accusations of image manipulation and presentation of false data. Science lives by an honor code that is essential to the progress we all hope to make. Unfortunately, these kinds of issues with scientific integrity have arisen in many fields of research, and it is clear that Alzheimer’s disease research is one of those,” said Dr. David Wolk, director of the Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) and co-director of the Penn Memory Center.

“Fortunately in this case, there has been much parallel work in the field. Failed attempts of replication of the data of this particular scientist have avoided significant misdirection of work stemming from these findings. However, this does further accentuate the need for replication studies to be well-funded and published to assure novel findings are correct.”

Though this one particularly study “may be problematic,” it does not change that beta-amyloid plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease, said Dr. Edward Lee, a neuropathologist and associate director of the Penn ADRC.

“I have seen some of the data images. They do seem to show that changes were likely made. However, I am a strong believer in due process and urge everyone to wait for a full investigation to be conducted. More importantly, science is very rarely driven by a single piece of data or one published paper. Rather, our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease comes from many decades of research where different studies and publications forms layer upon layer of corroborating evidence,” he said.

“Just because one study may be problematic does not cause the entire field to collapse. My read of the literature, with or without this one study, is that beta-amyloid remains one of several important factors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The first of three tips from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health. Find tips 2 and 3 below and the complete infographic here.

By Meghan McCarthy  

Each night, before bed, William* takes out his book of sudoku puzzles. Patiently, he pencils in numbers 1 through 9 across the puzzle — always in pencil, as he inevitably ends up needing to erase some guesses. 

Some nights he completes the whole puzzle, other nights he finishes just one section, but when he feels he’s hit enough of a milestone, he turns out his light, takes off his glasses, and goes to sleep.  

The routine was suggested by William’s wife, who heard that brain games like sudoku help with cognitive functioning. When William began displaying symptoms of dementia, she bought a collection of puzzle books and left them on his bedside table. And so, sudoku became their nightly ritual.  

Sudoku is one example of brain games, which are tasks that are advertised as ways to exercise your brain and sharpen cognition.  

Brain training is a subset of brain games. 

“Brain training is typically some kind of computerized task that is done on a schedule to try to strengthen a particular area of thinking,” said Dawn Mechanic-Hamilton, PhD, ABPP/CN, director of the Cognitive Fitness Programs and Neuropsychological Services at the Penn Memory Center.  

Dr. Dawn Mechanic-Hamilton (center)

Certain websites and apps market brain training products as a resource to slow or prevent cognitive decline. But there isn’t thorough evidence to support that these products improve cognitive functioning in older adults. Dr. Mechanic-Hamilton argues that the best way to keep your brain active comes from engaging experiences.  

“Learning and challenging your brain throughout your life has a protective effect over the course of your life” said Dr. Mechanic-Hamilton. “I tell people to pick tasks and hobbies which will be challenging and enjoyable to stick with.” 

When picking an activity to challenge your brain, it is important to pick something that continues to get harder. 

Unlike computerized products, which can be isolating, best types of activities for the brain are what Dr. Mechanic-Hamilton calls a “two for one,” because they involve both socialization and learning. This includes taking an exercise class with friends, attending book clubs, or going to lectures on a favorite topic.  

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to brain engaging activities, however.  

An older adult with unimpaired cognition will require different challenges than an individual living with dementia. Brain-engaging activities will also change throughout one’s life.  

For the recently retired, Dr. Mechanic-Hamilton suggests taking up hobbies or interests that were once a part of earlier life or something they’d always wanted to try.  

To try to help a loved one stay cognitively active, Dr. Mechanic-Hamilton suggests activities of nostalgia, such as looking through and discussing photo albums, playing a loved one’s favorite music, or cooking family recipes.  

*Pseudonym 

By Megan McCarthy

Neuroimaging is changing the way clinicians study and treat dementia, and the University of Pennsylvania is now better positioned to train the next generation of researchers in this field.

Corey McMillan, PhD, research director of the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center and principle investigator (PI) of the BiND Lab, will be the program director of a newly funded T32 Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Training Program on Translational Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) to support five trainees. Alongside Dr. McMillan, co-directors and co-PIs include John Detre, MD, and Murray Grossman, MD, EdD.

A two-year fellowship, this is designed for trainees to develop a research career focused on neuroimaging in ADRD.

“Neuroimaging has become a leading strategy used for translational research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) that can be used to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluating efficacy of clinical trials,” said Dr. McMillan, who also co-leads the Genomics Core of the Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC).

This summer, four talented researchers and physicians will join the Penn Memory Center (PMC) as Christopher M. Clark Scholars.

In 2020, the scholars program was renamed after Christopher. M Clark, MD, who played a pivotal role establishing the PMC and acted as director for many years.

Dr. Clark was a pioneer in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research, developing the Dementia Severity Rating Scale for dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnoses. His research was instrumental in developing biomarkers and therapies for AD.

Now, incoming Scholars carry on Dr. Clark’s legacy of trailblazing approaches to AD diagnostics and intervention.

“I’m so very proud of these scholars. Their commitment to improving the lives of persons living with neurodegenerative disease and their families gives me great hope,” said Jason Karlawish, MD, co-director of PMC. “Chris Clark’s legacy of nurturing and support lives in them and through them.”

Meet our 2022-2023 Clark Scholars.