Memory Center Research

The Memory Center’s faculty conduct basic and applied research in epidemiology, brain imaging, genetics, and clinical interventions aimed at understanding the nature, causes, and treatments of memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal degeneration and other dementias. Taking a comprehensive approach to affecting quality-of-life for patients and their families, the research team also examines the role of the caregiver and end-of-life issues. The Memory Center research group is addressing the disease from all possible angles – from genetic studies to new drug development and models of care for patients and their family members. Below is an overview of current research: 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Long-term Baltimore study of depression’s link to dementia.  Johns Hopkins is now in its 21st year of a longitudinal study of residents of East Baltimore that is revealing the strong links between depression and dementia. Researchers are studying depression as a precursor or risk factor for dementia, and depression that results from dementia.

The Cache County Studies.  Johns Hopkins is collaborating with two other universities in a study involving a large population sample in Cache County, Utah. Researchers are closely monitoring transitions from normal to mild cognitive impairment to dementia to the end of life, while studying the genetic and biologic predictors of these changes. Having examined more than 85% of older county residents, researchers are able to pinpoint the earliest warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, thus gaining insights that will promote effective early treatments.

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Johns Hopkins is collaborating with the National Institute on Aging in a landmark clinico-pathologic study of brain pathology in a select cohort followed over decades. The aim is to identify the earliest brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Maryland Assisted Living Study. This pioneering study, funded by the NIH for several years, is defining the prevalence, course and impact of memory disorders and dementia in assisted living homes. In October 2004, Johns Hopkins published a landmark study on the prevalence of dementia in assisted living facilities. The study resulted in development of clinical-care recommendations and treatment protocols that are changing how facilities care for residents with dementia. Future treatment studies are planned.

BIOLOGY AND GENETICS

Gene studies of Ashkenazi Jewish population.  Hopkins researchers are analyzing the genetics behind Alzheimer’s disease through observation of the Ashkenazi Jewish population, a relatively genetically isolated and homogeneous population. Research results will be used to determine the generalizability of these findings to other populations.

Pharmacogenomics studies.  Hopkins faculty are studying genetic predictors of a positive response to SSRIs – a class of antidepressant medications – in Alzheimer disease patients.

Depression in Alzheimer’s studies. Studies of the genetic predictors of who with Alzheimer’s develops depression are ongoing in several settings. The aim is to be able to predict who will develop dementia so as to intervene early and with the right treatment.

Biomarkers. Hopkins researchers are developing biological tests for the detection of brain and other biological signatures of Alzheimer’s disease prior to the appearance of symptoms. This information will allow direct biological measurement of treatment effectiveness, significantly accelerating development of new treatments to delay—or prevent—disease progression.  Biomarkers under development include blood, urine, and brain imaging indicators. This line of research includes participation in a multi-University collaboration with the National Institute on Aging to develop brain imaging for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s dementias, known as the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.

PHARMACOLOGY

New drug development.  Johns Hopkins researchers are developing unique innovative medications, and also working with the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer’s Disease Collaborative Study, and several pharmaceutical companies to develop and test new compounds for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Study.  Johns Hopkins is a leader in one of the world’s largest Alzheimer disease prevention studies, ADAPT, which examines the effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in preventing the onset of dementia. 

Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease with Estrogen. This prevention study is following a group of women randomized to hormone replacement therapy or placebo.

Multi-center study on treating depression in Alzheimer’s disease patients.  The Depression in Alzheimer disease study (DIADS), based at Johns Hopkins involving five other universities, is studying whether the drug sertraline (Zoloft) improves mood, increases quality of life, and prevents functional decline in patients with AD. The study has broad implications, as up to 50% of AD patients suffer from depression.  Treatment promotes an improved situation for caregivers as well as patients.

SECONDARY TRANSLATION

MIND@HOME. Funded by a unique private philanthropy coalition through the Associated Jewish Charities in Baltimore, this project is developing cost efficient ways to deliver dementia care in feasible ways to home based patients in underserved communities.

Maryland Assisted Living Study: MD-AL-3.  Currently in planning phases, this effort is aimed at bringing standard-of-care dementia therapies to the almost 1.5 million, and growing, assisted living residents in the USA, two-thirds of whom suffer from dementia.