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In this Issue:
- Center News - Announcing: The Memory Hub: A Place for Dementia-Friendly Community, Collaboration, and Impact / Building a Platform for Protein Therapeutics
- Upcoming Programs - Virtual Support & Education
- Community Happenings - Ways to Stay Active at Home
- Research Notes - Featured Alzheimer's Research - Spring 2020
- Enrolling Studies: Cortexyme GAIN Clinical Trial
- Research Talks & Events - Starting Soon at 3pm - Pathology Presents via Zoom: Alzheimer's Anatomical Biology: From Regional Vulnerability to Retromer with Dr. Scott Small, MD, Boris and Rose Katz Professor of Neurology, Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Columbia University
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Ongoing COVID-19 Response
This past month has been one of significant challenge, as well as incredible resilience, both at the Memory and Brain Wellness Center and the community at large. In the midst of the constantly evolving COVID-19 situation, we're proud of the essential care provided by our colleagues throughout UW Medicine. And we're equally proud of all the persons with memory loss and caregivers in our wider community, who have had to rapidly adapt to a new way of life while navigating unique struggles. Please see below for the current status of Memory and Brain Wellness Center services and programs, as well as a few resources for coping with the ongoing COVID-19 situation. You and your loved ones are in our hearts and thoughts, and we wish you well as we all come together to navigate this crisis and seek its resolution.
UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center Status Updates
- The UW Memory and Brain Wellness Clinic at Harborview remains open for the needs of our patients, including visits by phone, video conference, or in person. If you have an upcoming appointment, you will be contacted beforehand to explore what visit format is best.
- The UW Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is still currently suspending in-person visits for the Clinical Core longitudinal study and clinical trials. The research team is conducting telephone interviews for necessary follow up visits with currently enrolled participants. If you have questions or concerns, please email the research team at uwadrc@uw.edu or call 206-744-0588.
- MBWC Community Programs and Events have shifted to a virtual format, while in-person programs are on hold for now. In May, please join us by phone or online for a variety of Zoom-based support and education opportunities. Scroll down for more info.
Resources for COVID-19 information and coping
- The CDC Website provides information about COVID-19 and how to stay healthy
- The Washington State coronavirus response website provides current information on the local coronavirus situation, including the latest news from Gov. Inslee
- The Alzheimer's Association offers COVID-19 resources and a free 24/7 Helpline answered by Master's level social workers: 1-800-272-3900
- The Momentia Seattle website has a growing list of dementia-friendly virtual programs for social connection or engagement from home - including arts, music, exercise and more
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In 2020, the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center (MBWC) is proud to launch a new initiative on Seattle’s First Hill: The Memory Hub. Bringing together people, programs and partners, the Memory Hub will operate as a vibrant dementia-focused programs and events venue, collaborative workspace and training center. It will be conveniently located just a few blocks from the memory clinic at Harborview Medical Center and beside the Frye Art Museum, welcoming visitors year-round to explore what it means to live well with dementia. Read on... |
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Researchers at the UW Institute of Protein Design are building a protein design platform to solve the puzzles of treating Alzheimer's disease with new therapeutics, with support from the UW ADRC.
Like pieces of a biological jigsaw puzzle, proteins and other molecules have different shapes and edges that determine how well they fit and attach to one another. A protein’s microscopic structure dictates which molecules it sticks to and how it interacts with them, which in turn determines whether the protein works to keeps us healthy, or conspires to make us sick. Read on...
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Join the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center in May for virtual support groups and community talks focused on ongoing coping in the midst of COVID-19. Participate online or by phone, with a free application called Zoom. Keep up-to-date with the program listings, or watch previous presentation recordings, on our website.
 VIRTUAL COFFEE CHATS for people with memory loss/dementia
10 - 11 a.m. every Tuesday in May
(May 5, 12, 19, 26)
Make a cup of coffee or tea, and come together for an informal social time with others living with memory loss or dementia. Share how you're coping in the midst of COVID-19, and reflect on a new theme each week. Facilitated by program manager Marigrace Becker. Space is limited; sign up by the day before. Join for just one session, or multiple.
Sign Up Here
VIRTUAL CAREGIVER FORUMS
10 - 11 a.m. every Monday in May (May 4, 11, 18*). Come together with other family caregivers to discuss caring for a loved one in this time of COVID-19. Make meaningful connections, offer mutual support, and discover strategies that work for others. Facilitated by clinic social worker Karen Clay. Space is limited to 20 participants; sign up by the day before. Join for just one session, or multiple. Session themes are below.
- 10 a.m. Monday, May 4: Supporting a Loved One at a Memory Care Facility
- 10 a.m. Monday, May 11: Supporting a Loved One at Home
- 10 a.m. Monday, May 18: Dementia Caregiving (General)
- *No session on May 25, Memorial Day
COMMUNITY WELLNESS TALKS
1 - 1:45 p.m. every Wednesday in May. Join us for a brief presentation and Q&A on various topics related to "living well" in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. These talks are for people with memory loss, family caregivers, and the general public, and feature MBWC providers.
- Wednesday, May 6: "Food for Thought: Brain-Healthy Meals" with geriatrician Angela Hanson, MD.
- Wednesday, May 13: "Living with Dementia and Dementia Caregiving during COVID-19: An Update" with Elisabeth Lindley, ARNP.
- Wednesday, May 20: "Practicing Self-Compassion" with neuropsychologist Kristoffer Rhoads, PhD.
- Wednesday, May 27: TBD
For more information, contact Marigrace Becker, 206-744-2017, mbecker1@uw.edu.
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NEW - Try out a virtual version of our Garden Discovery Walks program!
A virtual adaptation of our popular nature program explores local gardens and demonstrate creative art activities, tailored for people living with memory loss and care partners.
Take part now: A Virtual Walk through Bradner Gardens and Art Project: https://youtu.be/YO08QHC-uv4
Seward Park Forest Walk: May 2020 Virtual Garden Discovery Walks (Part 1 of 2): https://youtu.be/90wjXo3pbrU
Making a Bird Nesting Bundle from a Pine Cone: May 2020 Virtual Garden Discovery Walk at Seward Park (Part 2 of 2): https://youtu.be/pgB4klxz1qc
Offered in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation,
with generous sponsorship from Family Resource Home Care.
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A variety of local organizations are offering opportunities to stay active and connected, from the comfort of your own home. Here are some highlights:
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Featured UW Alzheimer's Research Publications - Spring 2020 - As published in the ADRC's twice yearly magazine, Dimensions
NIA Featured Research
New Publications
Funding & Educational Opportunities
New opportunity for interested researchers to receive comprehensive training in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement in Clinical Trials in ADRD (IMPACT-AD) will be an in person course that offers two simultaneous and overlapping tracks:
- Professionals Track - This track seeks applications from individuals with at least 2 years’ experience in ADRD research or clinical trials (in a broad variety of roles including but not limited to clinicians, study coordinators, psychometricians, and other study professionals) who wish to further their knowledge and advance their careers in ADRD trials (2.5 days).
- Fellowship Track - This track seeks applications from individuals seeking to serve as Principal Investigators in ADRD trials and offers mentored training in protocol development. Applications are open to individuals in their last year of doctoral training, currently in fellowship or postdoctoral training, faculty members or the equivalent positions (4.5 days).
Trainee selection will be competitive; IMPACT-AD will cover and arrange all travel costs to attend this meeting. The course will take place at the USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute in San Diego, CA, from September 13-17, 2020.
For more information on the course, please see the attached course Request For Applications. Application instructions and additional information can be found at http://impact-ad.org/.
COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources for Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding from Michael Lauer, NIH's deputy director for Extramural Research
Responding to Frequent Questions on Flexibilities Related to NIH Funding and COVID-19 - Michael Lauer, NIH's deputy director for Extramural Research
Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care Open to all, Maude’s Awards, a program of the Richard and Maude Ferry Foundation, makes eight annual awards – three $25,000 awards to organizations and five $5,000 awards to individuals – for innovations excelling in one of four categories of care. For more information about Maude’s Awards and award categories, visit www.maudesawards.org. Now accepting applications.
Research Resources
The National Institute on Aging is sharing all NIA-funded Alzheimer's disease data-sharing resources for researchers and the aging research community on one webpage.
Using ADRC and Related Resources
The ADRC has a webpage for researchers. We hope to help researchers, especially those new to the ADRD field, effectively utilize these rich resources and expertise in basic and translation science, clinical and population/epidemiological research, big data and animal models.
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April 30, 3pm - 4pm
Pathology Presents via Zoom
Title: Alzheimer's Anatomical Biology: From Regional Vulnerability to Retromer
ZOOM: This seminar will be streamed: https://columbiacuimc.zoom.us/j/91033227472?pwd=QUN3TXNzbUl2SEdSYXNoYThFb2tOUT09
Presenter: Scott Small, MD, Boris and Rose Katz Professor of Neurology, Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Columbia University
*Of interest to UW Neuropathology researchers and students.
May 1, 9am-10am
RIPS: Neuropathology Research in Progress Seminar via Zoom
Title: Synergistic toxicity between tau and amyloid drives neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration in transgenic C. elegans
ZOOM link has been emailed out to listserv. Contact: cfederha@uw.edu.
Presenter: Sarah Benbow, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Kraemer Lab, UW Medicine, Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
*Of interest to UW Neuropathology researchers and ADTP fellows
May 13, 10:30am -11am
“Focus on Aging” webinar series with ACL, CDC HRSA and NIA
The first webinar, “Supporting Older Adults in Emergencies: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery” will be held May 13 at 10:30 am PST.
Register today! https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/focus-aging-federal-partners-webinar-series
June 25, 7:30am – 4:00pm (New date!)
Discovery Conference 2020 (health care professionals)
The Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter volunteers, staff, Discovery 2020 sponsors, exhibitors and presenters, are proud to offer an enriching day of evidence-based education, professional growth, resources and networking opportunities, for health care professionals. MBWC's Dr. Kris Rhoads, PhD, will be a speaker, as well as UW's Tatiana Sadak, PhD, and Susan McCurry, PhD.
Location: Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Details
*Of interest to healthcare professionals
July, 2020 *NEW: the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® 2020 (AAIC®) in Amsterdam, originally scheduled for July 26-30, will transition to a complimentary virtual event. Updates available here. For specific inquiries, please contact aaic@alz.org.
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SAVE THE DATE!
8th Annual ACT Research Symposium
August 17-18, 2020
Washington State Convention Center
Please save the date for the 2020 ACT Symposium! The registration website and call for abstracts will open in April 2020.
Funding for this conference was made possible, in part by 1R13AG057087-01 from NIA.
For any questions, please contact at KPWA.ACTproposals@kp.org
13TH Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) -
November 4-7, 2020 - Boston, MA More info
International LBD Conference
Researchers interested in Lewy Body Dementia can plan far in advance for the next International LBD Conference, to be held June 16-18, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K
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