As more people gain access to Alzheimer’s diagnoses and more people want to learn about Alzheimer’s risk and prevention, ATRI is looking for creative ways to engage with the broader public. In this episode, Dr. Mindy Aisen and Belinda J. Gonzalez join the podcast to discuss one of those initiatives — the ATRI Participant Support Center. Belinda and Dr. Mindy explain how this new call center team is making it easier for both participants and the general public to get their questions answered, and they share some examples of how these conversations are impacting ATRI’s approach to research and patient communication.
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As ATRI’s Director of Neuropsychology, Dr. Cecily Jenkins is making important progress toward earlier identification and intervention for Alzheimer’s Disease. In this episode, Dr. Jenkins joins the podcast to explain what neuropsychology is and why it’s such an essential part of ATRI’s work. She also shares an inside look at the work her team is doing to standardize clinical trials across many locations and researchers, and she discusses some important innovations and discoveries that have shifted our approach to Alzheimer's research over the past few decades.
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Sarah Walter, MSc knows that participant feedback is vital for effective Alzheimer’s research. As program administrator for the ACTC and ATRI, Sarah has done important work to foster collaboration both within the community and with external partners. In this episode, Sarah joins the podcast to explain why it’s so important to involve participants in the research process. She also discusses some key shifts that can help make Alzheimer’s trials more accessible to diverse populations, and she shares a few success stories of implementing participant feedback.
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Whether he’s leading a clinical trial or advising film and television writers on accurate portrayals of Alzheimer’s, Dr. Michael Rafii knows that clear, accessible communication matters. In this episode, Dr. Rafii joins the podcast to discuss his work as Medical Director of ATRI and Director of the Medical Safety Unit of ACTC. He shares a fascinating overview of his clinical research around developing new treatments for a genetic form of Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome and explains how Alzheimer’s research has evolved throughout his career. Dr. Rafii also discusses his approach to communicating complex medical topics in a way that’s clear and easy to understand.
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Regulatory affairs is one of the key mechanisms that keeps clinical trials moving forward — ensuring participant consent, overseeing the review process, and helping trials occur faster. In this episode, Elizabeth Shaffer joins the podcast to discuss her work as Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) and the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC). She shares an overview of the consent process for participants, explains what Institutional Review Boards (IRB) are, and how they oversee research. She discusses some key advancements in the regulatory process for Alzheimer’s clinical trials throughout her career. Elizabeth also reflects on ATRI’s progress and shares some of her hopes for the future of Alzheimer’s research.
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ATRI’s work is built on a foundation of strong, openly shared data. In this episode, ATRI’s own Clinical Research Director Lindsey Hergesheimer joins the podcast to discuss her work, from starting at ATRI working in data management to transitioning to clinical monitoring. Lindsey shares an inside look at ATRI’s approach to clinical research and explains why clinical monitoring is such an important part of advancing Alzheimer’s treatment. Lindsey also opens up about her personal connection to the work she’s doing and describes how ATRI’s culture of continuous learning has helped her grow throughout her career.
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In this inaugural episode of the Alzheimer's Research Podcast, Shelley and Mickenzie dive into what listeners can look forward to in this podcast series. They’ll chat with experts like Dr. Paul Aisen, Dr. Mindy Aisen, and the amazing team at the Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI). Shelley shares a peek into ATRI’s work on clinical trials and their big goal: preventing Alzheimer’s in the next decade. Tune in for real talk on research, new treatments, and plenty of hope for what's to come in the field.
For more information, visit https://atri.usc.edu/.