Our program includes three pillars of operations -Ìýthe ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s Prevention ClinicÌý(´¡±Ê°ä), the and prevention clinical trials.
Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic
In July 2013, Weill Cornell Medical College founded the first ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s Prevention Clinic in the United StatesÌýto reduceÌýrisk for cognitive decline related to ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s using an individualized multimodal treatment approach. At theÌýclinic, individuals at risk forÌýAD, chiefly those with a family history of the disease, receive a personalized preventive plan based on their risk factors, genetics,ÌýlifestyleÌýand past/present medical conditions.
A team of specialistsÌýuses a precision medicine approachÌýto provide personalized therapies for patients. Experts considerÌývarious factors, such as genetics,ÌýnutritionÌýand overall health,Ìýto create customized plans that can help reduce the risk of ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s and slow the progression of dementia symptoms. These recommendations relate to lifestyle, diet, physical activity, vitamins, supplements, medication management, stress reduction and cognitive engagement.ÌýÌý
At the clinic, the team also regularly tracks health measurements over time toÌýmonitorÌýprogress.ÌýThese measurements include body fat percentage and waist circumference, cognition, as well as analysis of blood markers such as cholesterol levels,Ìýand genetic markersÌýincludingÌýAPOE4 and MTHFR.ÌýProviders also use surveys to assess patients’ knowledge of ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s, their willingness to make behavioral changes, their adherence to treatment plans and their risk scores for ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s and cardiovascular disease.
IfÌý²â´Ç³Ü’r±ðÌýinterested in learning more or being assessed by our team,Ìýplease contactÌýapc@med.cornell.edu.
Women's Brain Initiative
Of every three AD patients, two are women, even after accounting for their greater longevityÌýrelativeÌýto men. The onset of menopause further increases risk, with postmenopausal women accounting for over 60% of those affected. Despite the well-established vulnerability of women to AD, there is a striking absence of knowledge on how and why AD and other memory disorders affect women more than men, and how to intervene to reduce the risk.ÌýÌý
The mission of the Women’s Brain Initiative (WBI) is to discover sex-based molecular targets and precision therapies to prevent, delay and minimize risk ofÌýADÌýand other related dementias.ÌýÌý
Brain imaging studiesÌýat Â鶹¸ßÇåÌýimplicate the menopause transition as an early risk factor for ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s in women. While menopause is typically associated withÌýchanges inÌýreproductiveÌýhealth, it is theÌýdisruptionÌýof brain estrogen-regulated systems that produces neurologicalÌýsymptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, disturbed sleep,ÌýdepressionÌýand memory decline. Overall, theseÌýfindings suggestÌýthe decline in brain estrogenÌýlevels may be a significant factor in increasing the risk ofÌý´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’sÌýin women.ÌýAs women approach midlife,Ìýit becomes critical to notÌýonly detect signs of early ´¡±ô³ú³ó±ð¾±³¾±ð°ù’s,ÌýbutÌýalso manageÌýestrogen levelsÌýtoÌýreduce or prevent the risk of developing the disease.
Research and Clinical Trials
ResearchÌýteams at Â鶹¸ßÇåÌýareÌýdevoted to unraveling the causes of the increased risk in women. As a starting point, our brain imaging studies haveÌýdemonstratedÌýa link between estrogen declines and increased Alzheimer's risk in women. Our current NIH-sponsored brain imaging research builds upon those findings to further address the connections between female sex hormones, brain aging and Alzheimer's risk.ÌýWe are currentlyÌýenrolling women and men 30–70 yearsÌýof age, with a family history of Alzheimer's, and no cognitive impairment or dementia.ÌýContactÌýwbi-research@med.cornell.eduÌýfor more information.Ìý
For women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms, we areÌýactively enrolling for a new clinical trial:ÌýÌýNIH Sponsored: NCT05664477.ÌýThis research is on a dietary supplement—a nutritional supplement that is not a drug—that consists of three phytoestrogens,Ìýwhich areÌýnaturally occurring compoundsÌýin plantsÌýresemblingÌýthe estrogen hormone in people and animals.ÌýIf you are between the ages of 45 and 60 and would like to learn more about this clinical trial, contact us atÌýwbi-clinicaltrials@med.cornell.edu.Ìý