Penn Institute on Aging

07/27/2026

“The findings provide some of the clearest human evidence to date that anti-amyloid therapies may limit the accumulation of tau and slow the brain changes that lead to memory loss and cognitive decline,” says co-senior author David Wolk, MD, co-director of the IOA and Penn Memory Center, and director of the Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

A rare look inside the human brain is offering new answers on Alzheimer’s disease.

In a ground-breaking study published in JAMA, Penn Medicine researchers analyzed the brain of a deceased clinical trial participant to see how clearing amyloid plaques impacts disease progression.

The findings were stark: areas where therapy successfully cleared amyloid had minimal damage and tau tangles, while neighboring regions with leftover amyloid showed significant inflammation and neurodegeneration.

This side-by-side evidence suggests that early, widespread amyloid clearance may help stop tau accumulation—offering a crucial blueprint for slowing memory loss and cognitive decline.

07/15/2026

Today at | July 15

From advancing our understanding of the genetics behind Alzheimer's disease to improving dementia care and engaging the next generation of scientists, Penn researchers are tackling Alzheimer's from every angle.

Explore some of today's posters and presentations from below.

07/14/2026

Today at | July 14

Showcasing the breadth of Penn's Alzheimer's research—from mapping brain changes and uncovering the genetic drivers of disease to evaluating policies that affect dementia care in nursing homes, here are some of today's posters and presentations

07/13/2026

07/13/2026

As amyloid-targeting therapies become part of Alzheimer’s care, researchers are working to better understand who is most likely to benefit and who may face greater risk.

At , Christopher Brown, MD, PhD, will present research using plasma proteomics to study response to amyloid-targeting therapy.

His work looks at protein changes during treatment that may help predict cognitive benefit or higher risk of side effects.

07/13/2026

AAIC 2026 is underway in London, bringing together researchers and clinicians from around the world as advances continue to reshape Alzheimer’s disease research and care.

In a new NeurologyLive interview, Penn Memory Center Co-Director David Wolk, MD, previews several themes shaping this year’s conference, including plasma biomarkers, disease heterogeneity, anti-amyloid therapies, and emerging technologies.

He also discusses how new research is moving into clinical practice and what these changes mean for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

Read the full interview: bit.ly/451R9Vm

07/13/2026

Sometimes, what appears on a brain scan does not fully explain what a person is experiencing.

At , Christopher Brown, MD, PhD, will present research on mismatches between tau burden and cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease.

His work may help identify people more likely to have additional brain pathologies, including LATE or Lewy body disease.

07/13/2026

What makes a decision a good one?

At , Emily Largent, PhD, RN, will share work exploring how Alzheimer’s disease stakeholders understand decision-making.

Her research brings in the perspectives of people connected to Alzheimer’s disease care and research, offering a closer look at how choices are judged in real-world settings.

07/13/2026

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) continues in London, with Penn researchers presenting work across dementia science and care.

Many memory concerns first come up in primary care. That makes primary care a critical place for improving early detection of cognitive impairment.

At , Kyra O’Brien, MD, MS, will present findings from a six-month pilot testing a digital cognitive screener and an electronic health record-integrated cognitive assessment pathway.

The work looks at how primary care systems can better support patients when memory or thinking changes begin.

07/13/2026

How does education shape memory later in life?

At , Shana Stites, PsyD, will share research examining educational attainment as a structural intervention across six low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Stites' work explores how access to education may influence late-life memory and offers a broader view of the social conditions connected to dementia risk.