More than 110,000 people in Wisconsin are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and far more are experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a risk factor for dementia that involves a noticeable decline in memory or thinking. 

A news story focused on the importance of clinical research on MCI at UW-Madison. Barbara Bendlin, PhD (pictured at upper right), associate professor, and Nathaniel Chin, MD (pictured at lower right), assistant professor (CHS), both of Geriatrics and Gerontology, described ongoing studies aimed at understanding why some people living with MCI eventually develop dementia while others stabilize or even improve. 

"We have ongoing research studies here in Wisconsin. We really appreciate when people volunteer for research because we can't really understand the disease unless people [do]," said Dr. Bendlin. 

Examples of ongoing studies include studies that use advanced brain imaging techniques to visualize processes that occur during MCI initiation and progression, and others that evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions in preventing or slowing MCI. 

Resources:

• "Researchers ask for volunteers for Alzheimer's disease studies," NBC 15, June 22, 2018
• Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center - Why Participate in Research  

Photo (top): Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist Heidi Walaski, APNP works with Bucky Badger during Bucky's visit to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in 2016. Photo credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine