Badri N. Vardarajan, PhD, MS, associate professor of neurological science, talks about the results of a recent study led by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain(link is external and opens in a new window) at Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Researchers examined the role of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), a chemical compound that transports fatty acids to the brain, which either advance the development of Alzheimer’s or protect against it. “Over a century ago, Alois Alzheimer observed unusual fat deposits in the brains of dementia patients. We’ve now found the early warning system: blood metabolites that reveal this fat transport breakdown decades before symptoms appear. By targeting the lysophosphatidylcholine transport system that ferries protective fats into the brain and tailoring interventions to APOE ε4 genetic status, we could prevent or treat the disease, translating his discovery into preventive therapy,” explains Dr. Vardarajan. [read more]

Source: CUIMC Newsroom

Congratulations to Adam M. Brickman, PhD, Professor of Neuropsychology in the Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, for being named the 2025 recipient of The Department of Neurology Leadership Award!

This honor recognizes Dr. Brickman’s outstanding contributions to Alzheimer’s disease research, academic leadership, and mentorship. [read more]

On October 18, 2025, teams from the ADRC Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement (ORE) Core, WHICAP, Arts & Minds, and Old School Hip-Hop came together for CaringKind’s 37th Annual NYC Alzheimer’s Walk & Brain Health Day. The group, coordinated by Tarialy Hernandez, brought staff, partners, and community members (pictured above) together for a meaningful morning of connection and advocacy.

A highlight of the day was the recognition of Dr. James Noble (pictured above center and below left) as a 2025 Walk Honoree. CaringKind celebrated him as a “visionary neurologist and advocate, using science, art, and community to improve the quality of life for those living with dementia and their care partners.” In his remarks, Dr. Noble emphasized the importance of science that drives meaningful change for patients, families, and caregivers—a message that deeply resonated with the crowd. His recognition underscores the wide-reaching impact of his work.

Didi Sanchez and the WHICAP team also rallied community members from Washington Heights and Harlem (pictured with Didi [center] below right), who joined the walk in a strong show of support for dementia care and research.

The event reflected the strength of our partnerships and our shared commitment to advancing care for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

October 30, 2025

The Department of Neurology is proud to announce that Adam M. Brickman, PhD, Professor of Neuropsychology in the Division of Cognitive Neuroscience has been named the 2025 recipient of The Department of Neurology Leadership Award. Established in 2020 in honor of Dr. Richard Mayeux, Chair of Neurology and a distinguished clinician-investigator, this annual award recognizes a faculty member who has made an exceptional contribution to the department’s clinical, research, or educational mission. 

An internationally recognized leader in Alzheimer’s disease research, Dr. Brickman has helped reshape how the field understands the role of vascular factors in dementia. “Dr. Brickman’s primary area of research has crucially elucidated the contribution of cerebrovascular disease in the pathogenesis and course of Alzheimer’s disease, in community, clinical, and genetic populations at risk for AD, including adults with Down syndrome,” explains a member of the nominating committee. 

His research integrates neuroimaging, biofluid biomarkers, and neuropsychological assessment to uncover how vascular and inflammatory processes influence brain aging and neurodegeneration. His lab has developed advanced methods for quantifying white matter hyperintensities and has analyzed more than 40,000 MRI scans. He has been continuously funded by the NIH since 2004. 

Dr. Brickman holds several key leadership roles in Columbia’s neuroscience community. He serves as Associate Director of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, and Co-Director of the Columbia University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, where he also leads the Biomarker/Neuroimaging Core. He is also a member of the Admissions Committee for Columbia’s Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, helping shape the next generation of neuroscientists. At the national level, he serves as an ad hoc member of the NIH’s Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Institute on Aging (NIA). 

His work also extends globally. This past year, Dr. Brickman secured a multi-site award from the National Institute on Aging to lead a neuroimaging study in South Africa, which “leverages mobile MRI technology to generate cutting-edge neuroimaging data in settings where such data have been scarce,” as noted by a nominator. “This effort not only elevates global neuroscience but also provides a model for studying rural and underserved communities in the United States.” 

Dr. Brickman is deeply committed to mentoring future scientists. He co-directs Columbia’s NIH-sponsored Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (AD RCMAR), and co-led the STAR U program, which offered immersive summer training in aging research for undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds. In his own words, Dr. Brickman views “mentorship not only as an ethical obligation of being a faculty member in a university setting, but also as something I immensely enjoy, in which I take great pride, and to which I dedicate tremendous effort.” 

Beyond his research and mentorship, Dr. Brickman serves as Chair of the Department’s Committee on Appointments and Promotions, where he has helped streamline and strengthen the faculty promotion process. “He has transformed the operations of the Committee such that the Committee deliberations have become a crucial contributor to the academic advancement of neurology faculty members,” writes a nominating colleague. “Undoubtedly this has led to much success in these promotion efforts.”

For his extraordinary contributions to research, mentorship, academic leadership, and global collaboration, the Columbia Neurology community proudly celebrates Dr. Brickman and congratulates him on this well-deserved honor.

August 6, 2025
By Lisa O’Mary

Caghan Kizil, PhD, MSc, Associate Professor of Neurological Sciences, comments on compelling results of a recent study that used an artificial intelligence (AI) method to develop a precision-focused treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. “This good example sets the standard for next studies about how computational biology, big data, clinical data, translational neuroscience, and animal models can come in to create faster or smarter therapeutics,” Dr. Kizil said. [read more]

Source: Medscape

July 28, 2025
By Linda Carroll

Adam M. Brickman, PhD, Professor of Neuropsychology, talks about the importance of physical activity in keeping our brains cognitively healthy. Two recent studies showed that walking and a healthy lifestyle may benefit significantly, especially those who have an APOE4 gene mutation and are at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

“Sometimes initiating new healthy behaviors is difficult for people," Dr. Brickman said. "Knowledge of being at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease by virtue of having an APOE4 allele(link is external and opens in a new window) may help inspire or motivate lifestyle changes to mitigate that risk.” [read more]

Source: NBC News Online

July 29, 2025

Davangere P. Devanand, MD, professor of psychiatry and neurology and director of geriatric psychiatry, led a study at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons that aimed to examine the connection between Alzheimer’s disease and antiviral medication such as valacyclovir. Previous studies have shown that there may be a possible link between treatment for herpes infection and decreased likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. “Based on those previous studies, there was hope that valacyclovir could have an effect,” said Dr. Devanand. “But no one had conducted a clinical trial to test the idea.” [read more]

Source: CUIMC Newsroom

June 25, 2025
By David J. Craig

James M. Noble, MD, MS, Professor of Neurology at Columbia University, is helping Maryam Zolnoori, a data scientist and assistant professor of health-sciences research at the Columbia School of Nursing, prepare a clinical study that will use new AI-based technology to screen people who may be at risk of developing dementia later in life. “The reality is that most cognitive assessments don’t happen unless a patient or family member raises concerns, and that often doesn’t happen in the beginning,” says Dr. Noble. “If you could identify people who ought to be tested just by listening to them talk during a checkup, that would obviously make a big difference.” [read more]

Source: Columbia Magazine

June 25, 2025
By Mohana Ravindranath

James M. Noble, MD, MS, Professor of Neurology at Columbia University and the author of Navigating Life With Dementia, described the difficulties that families face when their loved one is diagnosed with a cognitive disorder and shares strategies on how to better adjust. Families try to correct, rationalize, or reason with a family member who has dementia with the best intentions of attempting to recover their cognitive abilities, but it usually does not produce the desired effect. Dr. Noble says that “Not only does it not work, but it often backfires,” Dr. Noble said: Arguing or getting frustrated with a dementia patient can make them anxious or agitated, which can hasten decline and make caregiving more difficult. [read more]

Source: The New York Times Note: Accessing this article requires The New York Times subscription

June 3, 2025
By Linda Carroll

Yian Gu, MD, MS, PhD, associate professor of neurological sciences at Columbia University, described the MIND diet, which, in the most recent long-term study, showed how it may decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia later in life in those who follow it. “In general, the MIND diet is in line with the principles of the two diets it’s built from, said Dr. Gu. “Each of those diets has unique characteristics.” [read more]

Source: NBC News Online

May 25, 2025
By Mill Etienne

James Noble, MD, MS, Professor of Neurology at Columbia University and author of Navigating Life With Dementia, was invited by the writer of the article Dr. Mill Etienne, former resident and epilepsy fellow of the Department of Neurology at Columbia, to speak about the FDA’s recent approval of using Lumipulse blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Lumipulse blood test is for the early detection of Alzheimer’s in those older adults who show signs of memory loss. It is not recommended for those who are asymptomatic. “Given that there is no specific treatment indicated for asymptomatic persons, there is a risk of introducing psychological harm at this stage,” explains Dr. James Noble. “Healthy approaches to lifestyle will remain central in adulthood whether or not someone has a positive test, and that advice will not really change. [read more]

Source: Forbes

April 25, 2025

Columbia Neuropsychologist, Miguel Arce Rentería, PhD, whose research focuses on studying aging and factors that impact Alzheimer’s and other cognitive diseases in the Latinx population, is interviewed by the CUIMC’s Health Insights about the physical and intellectual health benefits of activities such as pickleball. Dr. Arce Rentería describes pickleball's cardiovascular benefits, reduction in sedentary time, social engagement, and its positive contribution to brain health in the aging population. “For me, healthy aging means living independently, both physically and intellectually, for as long as possible,” said Dr. Arce Rentería. [read more]

Source: CUIMC Health Insights

March 25, 2025

Host Dr. Sperling and interviewer Grace Goodwin, in their Meet the Authors Podcast, produced by the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology discuss with Miguel Arce Rentería, PhD, Columbia Neuropsychologist, findings from the study that he led on the impact of multilingualism on cognition later in life. Participants in this study were from a wide spectrum of socioeconomic and educational backgrounds across India. The results vary between the groups that have formal education and those without. Similarities between the languages individuals knew were also a factor. This research provides a better understanding of how knowing multiple languages may strengthen cognition in aging. [listen to the podcast]

Source: Spotify