Section Head:

John C. Morris, MD.

The Aging & Dementia Section engages faculty and staff from Neurology and other Departments from both campuses in the study of cognitive aging and dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a special focus for research and education. Section head, Joh C. Morris, MD, serves as Director and Principal Investigator for the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) and a complementary Program Project entitled Healthy Aging and Senile Dementia (HASD), both of which are funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Research efforts through the ADRC and HASD focus on identifying causal and risk factor mechanisms in the development of AD and other dementias, biochemical and clinical-behavioral indicators of disease onset and progression, and potential therapeutic and preventative agents. Research participants and family members take part in annual, longitudinal assessments through the ADRC's clinical office, the Memory and Aging Project (MAP). MAP participants are also invited to take part in various ancillary studies supported by the ADRC, such as clinical drug trials, and provide biological and imaging specimens for basic research projects in affiliated labs in Neurology and other Departments. Dr. Morris and other ADRC neurologists see patients for dementia-related care through the Memory Diagnostic Center.
Together, ADRC and HASD structures support over 200 University personnel (faculty, staff, fellows, residents, students) in advanced study of cognitive aging, Alzheimer's disease and other dementing disorders.

The Aging and Dementia Section is also closely affiliated with the Washington University Center for Aging (WUCFA), a University-wide Center under the leadership of John C. Morris, MD, which promotes research, education, policy, and service initiatives that enable older adults to remain healthy, active, empowered, contributing, and independent for as long as possible. Members of the Aging & Dementia Section collaborate frequently with community organizations, such as the Alzheimer's Association, in educational, service and research efforts.

The ADRC provides educational programming on aging and dementia for health professionals, the lay public (e.g., family caregivers), University trainees (including students, residents, fellows), and others. An extensive website, multimedia programs, bi-annual newsletter and weekly seminar series help to disseminate information within the University community and beyond. A fellowship program in Geriatric Neurology provides opportunities for clinicians from the US and abroad to learn about Alzheimer's disease from clinical and research perspectives. The needs of rural clinicians are addressed through an innovative Clinician Partners Program. The biennial Leonard Berg Symposium highlights important research findings for an international audience of clinicians and basic scientists. A number of related and complimentary educational programs are coordinated through the Center for Aging.

Many Neurology faculty are involved in the ADRC and HASD, including: Randall Bateman, Virginia D. Buckles, David B. Carr, Mary A. Coats, James E. Galvin, David M. Holtzman, Terri L. Hosto, Eugene M. Johnson Jr., Thomas M. Meuser, Pamela Millsap, John C. Morris, Anne Fagan Niven, Janice Palmer, B. Joy Snider, Martha Storandt, Christy M. Tomlinson. Click here for an additional listing of ADRC faculty and staff organized by Core affiliation