She Stood Up for Everyone Else. Now It's My Turn.

A Daughter’s Story That Becomes a Call to Action for Alzheimer’s Research by Catherine Patterson When I was six years old, my father died suddenly. The ground shifted beneath our family in a way that never fully settles back into place. But my mother — she steadied herself, and then she steadied us. She went back to work. She became a third-grade teacher at my elementary school, which meant I had a front-row seat to who she was not just as a mom, but as a person. And what I saw was this: Ms. Dowd did not play around. If

5 Surprising Facts That Could Change How You Protect Your Brain

In honor of Brain Health Awareness Week, led by our partner the Dana Foundation, we are spotlighting important facts about Alzheimer’s that often go overlooked. While Alzheimer’s affects millions of families, there are still many misconceptions about what it is, who it impacts, and what you can do to reduce your risk. Understanding what’s fact (and what’s not) can make a real difference when it comes to protecting your brain health. Here are five things you might not know about Alzheimer’s and why they matter. 1. Alzheimer’s Is Not a Normal Part of Aging It’s one of the biggest myths

Leading the Way: Black Women Closing the Gap in Brain Health

As we celebrate Black History Month and head into Women’s History Month, one thing is clear: progress in Alzheimer’s research has never happened without bold, intentional leadership. And today, some of the most powerful forces reshaping the future of brain health are Black women scientists. Two leaders whose impact stands out are Lisa L. Barnes and Jennifer J. Manly. Their work has transformed the conversation around brain health, particularly in Black communities that face a disproportionately higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease yet have historically been underrepresented in research. Dr. Barnes, the Alla V. and Solomon Jesmer Professor of Gerontology