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25 Years of DiscoveryMINDMattersIN THIS ISSUE25 years of discovery10th Annual Gala receives record supportWhy I support UCI MINDMaria Shriver boosts sex disparities researchA potential vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease?In memory of Dr. Frieda Rapoport CaplanWINTER 2020SPECIAL FEATURE25 years of discoveryThe year was 1995. Amazon sold its first book online,the “Macarena” went viral, and UCI MIND wasestablished as an Organized Research Unit, or ORU.What is an ORU? An ORU is a unique and competitive distinctionon UCI’s campus, reserved for interdisciplinary researchprograms tackling critical topics through collaborative efforts.To facilitate new research initiatives across the UC system,ORUs rarely receive support past three five-year cycles. But,because Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD)are escalating healthcare crises and because of UCI MIND’strack record of research discoveries and community impact, theUniversity has sustained support for this one-of-a-kind Institute,now beginning its 25th year.As eloquently penned by Founding Director Carl Cotman, PhD inthe original ORU application: “Discovering how some individualslive the last years of life unhindered by debilitating cognitiveimpairment has the potential to extend to others the sameprivilege. Other medical advances have added years to life; thegoal of our program is to put life into years.” This vision remainsat the heart of UCI MIND’s mission.continued on page 3UCI MIND Founding Director, Dr. Carl Cotman
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORFor the latest news, stories, and resources,visit www.mind.uci.edu/blogDear Friends of UCI MIND,Happy New Year from the faculty, staff, and traineesof UCI MIND. 2020 promises to be an exciting andimportant year in the mission to rid the world ofAlzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This isthe 25th year that UCI MIND has held the prestigiousdistinction of an Organized Research Unit on theUCI campus (p. 1, 3). In many ways, our organizationideally fulfills this campus structure, which is meantto bring together experts from various corners ofthe campus to work together to enhance a researchmission. We hope you will join us as we celebrate ouranniversary throughout 2020. Numerous events areplanned, and the year of celebration will culminatewith our annual A December to Remember Gala onDecember 5th.us to bring more investigators into our work andpermitting innovative research that might otherwisenot be possible (p. 6-7). Leaders like Harriet Harrisand Keith Swayne (p. 5) have brought UCI MIND tonew heights in this arena.Lastly, every year we say goodbye to patients,caregivers, and champions of our cause. Alreadyin 2020, we have lost a remarkable partner, FriedaCaplan. A tiny piece of Frieda’s story is told onpage 7 and our Blog. We are grateful to Frieda andthousands of others who have donated their time tohelping advance our understanding of Alzheimer’sdisease and related dementias.The 2019 Gala was our most successful ever,thanks to the leadership and commitment of ourhonorees, Harriet Harris and Betty’s Foundation, aswell as numerous generous event sponsors (p. 4).Philanthropy remains vital to our mission, allowingJoshua D. Grill, PhDDirector, UCI MINDFaculty membersAnatomy & NeurobiologyAileen Anderson, PhDTallie Baram, MD, PhDChristine Gall, PhD, ChairKei Igarashi, PhDGary Lynch, PhDSteven Schreiber, MDJohn Weiss, MD, PhDXiangmin Xu, PhDChemistryJames Nowick, PhDDevelopmental & Cell BiologyAli Mortazavi, PhDDiane O’Dowd, PhDEpidemiologyMaria Corrada, ScDKaren Edwards, PhD, ChairDaniel Gillen, PhDMedicineMasashi Kitazawa, PhDSteven Tam, MD2 // mind.uci.eduMolecular Biology &BiochemistryCharles Glabe, PhDAndrea Tenner, PhDNeurobiology & BehaviorMathew Blurton-Jones, PhDJorge Busciglio, PhDCarl Cotman, PhDChristine Gall, PhDKim Green, PhDJoshua Grill, PhDClaudia Kawas, MDFrank LaFerla, PhD, DeanMichael Leon, PhDCraig Stark, PhDVivek Swarup, PhDLeslie Thompson, PhDMarcelo Wood, PhD, ChairMichael Yassa, PhDNeurologyTallie Baram, MD, PhDMaria Corrada, ScDCarl Cotman, PhDDavid Cribbs, PhDMalcolm Dick, PhDNeurology (continued)Mark Fisher, PhDLisa Flanagan, PhDClaudia Kawas, MDIra Lott, MDMark Mapstone, PhDTahseen Mozaffar, MD, Int. ChairS. Ahmad Sajjadi, MD, PhDSteven Schreiber, MDGaby Thai, MDJohn Weiss, MD, PhDMichael Yassa, PhDPathology & LaboratoryMedicineElizabeth Head, PhDRonald Kim, MDEdwin Monuki, MD, PhD, ChairMari Perez-Rosendahl, MDPediatricsTallie Baram, MD, PhDVirginia Kimonis, MDIra Lott, MDAndre Obenaus, PhDPhysical Medicine &RehabilitationAileen Anderson, PhDBrian Cummings, PhDPhysiology & BiophysicsKevin Beier, PhDPsychiatry & Human BehaviorRuth Benca, MD, PhD, ChairJoshua Grill, PhDGary Lynch, PhDBryce Mander, PhDJoan Steffan, PhDDavid Sultzer, MDLeslie Thompson, PhDMichael Yassa, PhDPsychological ScienceDaniel Nation, PhDRadiation OncologyCharles Limoli, PhDStatisticsDaniel Gillen, PhD, ChairBin Nan, PhD
25 years of discovery: continued from page 119951988UCI ADRCreceives firstbrain donation1985UCI/USCbecomes jointNIH-designatedAlzheimer’sDisease ResearchCenters (ADRC)2020Institute becomesUC-designatedOrganizedResearchUnit isease ResearchConferenceInstitutecelebrates 25years of discoveryas an ORU2010Inaugural UCIMIND gala2000UCI becomesindependentNIH-designatedADRC2015UCI becomesfirst NIH ADRC tocreate an inducedpluripotent stemcell (iPSC) bankIn 1995, over 25,000 people were afflicted with ADRDin Orange County, and the cost to the U.S. healthcaresystem was 80 billion a year. Each of these numbershas more than tripled over the lifespan of UCI MIND,a frustrating reality that fuels our determination todo more, faster.While our capacity and knowledge has expanded overthe past 25 years, there is still much work to be doneto achieve our mission of a world without ADRD.With the support of our University and partnershipwith our local community, the future is bright forUCI MIND.To this end, we continue to grow our interdisciplinaryteam and prioritize training students so thatmore researchers from diverse backgrounds arecollaborating to answer important scientificquestions. Since its inception, UCI MIND hasmore than doubled its faculty researchers, nowrepresenting 16 academic departments at UCI (p. 2).The Institute has formally trained over 300 graduatestudents and postdoctoral scholars in ADRD. As ourteam has grown, so has our research productivity andsuccess in securing more grant funding.As an ORU in 2020 and beyond, the Institutewill pioneer improved disease models,develop new treatment targets, and conductthe most promising clinical trials.Leadership:1995-2009Carl Cotman, PhDSince 1995: 150 millionin NIH grantfunding1,500 publications ofresearch discoveries2009-2014Frank LaFerla, PhD1,000 brains donated byresearch participants300 new scientists trainedby UCI MIND faculty2014-2016Andrea Tenner, PhD2016-2018Frank LaFerla, PhD/Joshua Grill, PhD2018-presentJoshua Grill, PhDMIND Matters // 3
PHILANTHROPY10 th Annual Gala receives record supportUCI MIND Honoree, Harriet Harris with Director, Dr. Joshua GrillCommunity Leadership Honorees, Karah, Clint, & Holly WoesnerUCI MIND raised a record net total of 473,000 forAlzheimer’s research at its 10th Annual A Decemberto Remember Gala presented by the BrethrenCommunity Foundation. Top sponsors who helpedreach this record include Julia and George Argyros, Billand Harriet Harris, Joe Gonzalez, in honor of BarbaraGonzalez, and Chris and Kathy Taylor.the Woesner family to honor their grandmotherBetty, who passed away after a 16-year battle withAlzheimer’s. Betty’s Foundation has brought anew generation of supporters to the fight againstAlzheimer’s through innovative programming, suchas their Remember the Music Festival.We are grateful that the work of UCI MINDand this signature fundraising event areincreasingly recognized and supported by thelocal Orange County community, where over80,000 people are living with Alzheimer’sdisease. Community support is vital to thecutting-edge research performed at UCIMIND in the race to find a cure.The UCI MIND Award honoree was Harriet Harris,President of Harris Taylor Management, Inc. “Harriethas had a transformative impact on UCI MINDbecause of her dedication and commitment tosupporting the critical work of the Institute. Shehelped make the 2019 event the best-attended gala,resulting in a sold-out venue, and it also raised themost funding for UCI MIND’s research,” said UCIMIND Director, Dr. Joshua Grill.UCI MIND also honored Betty’s Foundation forthe Elimination of Alzheimer’s Disease with theCommunity Leadership Award. Betty’s Foundationis a family-operated nonprofit established by4 // mind.uci.eduThe evening culminated with a live performanceby singer-songwriter Ashley Campbell, whoselate father, musician Glenn Campbell, sufferedfrom Alzheimer’s disease. Ashley’s personal story,commitment to raising funds for Alzheimer’sresearch, and incredible talent were a movinghighlight for guests of the Gala.To date, UCI MIND’s Annual A December toRemember Gala has raised more than 2 million to fund Alzheimer’s research.Musical Guest, Ashley Campbell
DONOR SPOTLIGHTWhy I support UCI MINDMy wife, Judy, succumbed to Alzheimer’s in2014, and I have committed myself to doingwhat I can to help find a cure and treatment.For me, UCI MIND offered that opportunityto support efforts that will have an impact.Laurel HungerfordIt is humbling to be recognized as the 2019 OrangeCounty Philanthropist of the Year, particularly whenI think about the many individuals who are workingto make a difference in the world. The OC NationalPhilanthropy Day event brought together OrangeCounty philanthropists and non-profit organizationsto celebrate our shared vision of improving ourcommunity. This is what drives me. I wish to use myvoice to connect people and organizations to achievemore and help others. I have strived to do this overthe last five years with my involvement with UCIMIND.I wish to say thank you to UCI MIND, Orange CountyCommunity Foundation and the other organizationswho nominated me for this award.Alzheimer’s disease is devasting and its impact onthe afflicted and the family is overwhelming. Thecost to society is immense and the outlook is for thesituation to become dramatically worse over the nextfew decades.Keith Swayne2019 Orange CountyPhilanthropist of the YearThank you to our donorsGifts of 100,000 (since Jan. 2019)Brethren Community FoundationWillard V. Harris, Jr. &Mrs. Harriet A. HarrisMr. Robert A. KleistLiving Legacy FoundationKeith SwayneIn memory of Elsa C. Watson,by the Ray and Elsa WatsonCharitable TrustWomen’s Alzheimer’s MovementGifts of 50,000 (since Jan. 2019)AnonymousAmbassador &Mrs. George L. ArgyrosThe Crean FoundationDraper Family FoundationHarris Taylor Family FoundationDrs. James B. Pick &Rosalyn M. LaudatiThe Leandro P. Rizzuto FoundationGifts of 5,000 (since Jan. 2019)AnonymousJoan and Don BeallMs. Mary L. BehrensBelmont Village, Aliso ViejoBetty’s Foundation for theElimination of Alzheimer’s Disease 5,000 (continued)Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.Lorna Seema Carlin, M.D.Mr. Marc William Carlson &Jacqueline M. Dupont, Ph.D.Mr. Jerry W. Carlton &Dr. Lucyann CarltonMr. John Caster &Mrs. Deni M. CasterMr. & Mrs. Dan ClarkMr. Donnie CrevierMr. Richard H. DeihlBarbara J. Dove, CPAThe Eichenberg-LarsonCharitable FoundationF. Michael & RobertaSimmons-Wong FoundationDaniel Timothy Flynn, Ph.D. &Emily Crean Vogler, Ph.D.Frieda’s Specialty ProduceMr. James C. Gianulias &Mrs. Janet GianuliasMr. Richard R. Godber &Mrs. Mary B. GodberMr. Joseph R. GonzalezHarris Taylor Management, Inc.Mr. Bill P. Harris &Mrs. Sheila Finnegan HarrisCarole A. Harris, LCSW, PsyDMrs. Julie A. Hill / AnthemTo make a gift, call 949.824.3793or visit www.mind.uci.edu/donate 5,000 (continued)J.P. Morgan Chase & CompanyMs. Karen J. JordanJoseph H. Stahlberg FoundationMr. Farouk J. Kubba &Mrs. Patricia A. KubbaThe Loeb FamilyMs. Mary Lynn LowryAlberto Manetta, M.D. &Mrs. Nancy M. ManettaMr. Joseph Robert Marziello &Mrs. Lisabeth Ellin MarzielloMasonry Fireplace Industries, Inc.Mr. Phillip D. Matthews &Mrs. Lois S. MatthewsMrs. Suzanne G. MelinMr. Anthony R. Moiso &Mrs. Melinda MoisoMr. Rick Muth/Orco Block &HardscapeRobert Allan Naeve, Esq. &Mrs. Virginia S. NaeveNancy Imlay Edwards FoundationMrs. Artis Jane NevilleThe Nobbs Family FoundationO.L. Halsell FoundationIn memory ofPatricia Ruth O’LearyMr. and Mrs. Jeff OsbornMr. Michael G. Rademaker 5,000 (continued)The Reese FamilyThe Salter FamilySperry Commercial, Inc. &Sperry Equities, Inc.Warren and Jennifer TaylorMr. Chris Taylor &Mrs. Kathy TaylorDr. David Thomsen &Mrs. Kathryn KendallMr. Andrew Thorburn &Mrs. Karen J. ThorburnMr. Michael K. Wanamaker &Leslie Michels Thompson, Ph.D.The William K. ApplebeeFamily Trust 1995UCI MIND Legacy Society(Donors who have includedUCI MIND in their estate plans)AnonymousMrs. Shirley BloomLorna Seema Carlin, M.D.William Robert Chase, D.D.S.Ms. Paula HunterMrs. Carla LiggettMrs. Carol MurrelMrs. Carolyn RormanMrs. Karen Rockel SperosMIND Matters // 5
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPMaria Shriver boosts sex disparities research(Left to Right) Alisha Ballard, Dr. Mathew Blurton-Jones, Dr. Anshu Agrawal, Maria Shriver, Dr. Sunil Gandhi, & Dr. Joshua GrillIn 2017, Maria Shriver’s Women’s Alzheimer’sMovement (WAM), which is committed to helpingresearchers discover why two out of every threepeople with Alzheimer’s disease are women, and UCIMIND announced a funding initiative to encouragetop UCI scientists from multi-disciplinary areasto study sex and gender disparities in Alzheimer’sdisease.The goal of the Initiative, funded throughphilanthropy, is to fund at least one grant each yearto quickly make UCI MIND a national hub for thiscritical area of research. At a press event on campusin January, Shriver and UCI MIND announced the nextphase in their partnership:“While we are still at the beginning stagesof understanding how being a womanaffects the risk and impact of Alzheimer’sdisease, we are very pleased to have takenthese many steps forward in partnering withUCI MIND and with the researchers andthe philanthropists who are committed tofinding answers,” Shriver said.6 // mind.uci.eduInaugural Recipients Achieve Additional 2 Million in FundingThe recipients of the inaugural 100,000 grant challenge,Mathew Blurton-Jones, PhD and Sunil Gandhi, PhD fromthe UCI School of Biological Sciences, announced that theirinitial findings that immune cells of the brain, “microglia,”act differently in males versus females, has now earned anadditional 1.9 million multi-year grant from the NationalInstitutes of Health.Initiative Attracts Large New DonationThe Initiative also announced a new 250,000 donationfrom the Living Legacy Foundation, presented by AlishaBallard, Vice President and Executive Director of theFoundation. The generous gift will allow UCI MIND andWAM to fund more than one grant competition this yearand sustain the Initiative into the future.Year Two Recipient AnnouncedWAM and UCI MIND announced their second 100,000grant recipient, Anshu Agrawal, PhD from the UCI Schoolof Medicine. Dr. Agrawal will examine how sex affectsinflammation and immunity, a critical element of theresearch agenda to solve Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more about this studyat www.mind.uci.edu/blogRESEARCH UPDATEA potential vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease?Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by theaccumulation of two hallmark pathologies withinthe brain – amyloid plaques and neurofibrillarytangles. Together these pathologies lead to theloss of neurons and neuronal connections, drivingthe progressive cognitive impairments observed inAD patients. Amyloid plaques form through theaccumulation of sticky protein fragments knownas beta-amyloid (Aβ). Tangles form when a proteinknown as tau aggregates within neurons, leading tothe destruction of vital transport systems within thecell. Given the importance of these two pathologiesin AD, many studies have sought to develop ways totarget and reduce either Aβ or tau. Yet unfortunately,phase 3 clinical trials of these approaches have thusfar failed to delay disease progression in humans.Strong evidence indicates that these two pathologiesinteract with one another to drive downstreamneurodegeneration. Therefore, a combined therapythat targets both Aβ and tau might be needed toeffectively treat AD.To this end, our team at UCI MIND and the Institutefor Molecular Medicine generated a novel combinedanti-tau/anti-Aβ vaccine. In collaboration withMathew Blurton-Jones’ lab, we tested the therapeuticefficacy of the vaccine, administered in combinationwith a specialized immune-stimulating therapy,in mice with AD. The results, recently publishedin Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy, suggest thatthe new vaccination approach could induce strongimmune responses against both of the hallmarkpathologies of AD. Taken together, these findingswarrant further development of this vaccinetechnology for eventual testing in human AD.Hayk Davtyan, PhDAssociate Researcher, UCI MINDIn memory of Dr. Frieda Rapoport CaplanDr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, founder of Frieda’s Specialty Produceand a tremendous advocate for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research,passed away at the age of 96 on January 18, 2020. Frieda was apioneer in many powerful ways. A leader in the U.S. wholesaleproduce business since 1962, Frieda was the first woman to ownand run her own firm. Her specialty was introducing unusualproduce to the U.S. market. She brought more than 200 fruits andvegetables from around the world to America. She marketed eachnew product with instructions on how to prepare and overcamemany obstacles through her bold, creative, and gritty style ofcommunicating. She changed the way we eat.Frieda’s connection with UCI MIND began when she visited witha group of female business leaders. She learned that researchadvances in treatment and care for AD rely on the willingnessof people to participate in studies. Frieda asked, “Where canI sign up?” She wanted to make a difference and became aspokesperson, encouraging others to do the same. As a pioneer inthis area, as well, Frieda found a way to be a part of helping endAD, including donating her own brain to further research at UCIMIND. UCI MIND joins thousands of others in celebrating the richlife and amazing contributions of our friend, Frieda.Dr. Frieda Rapoport CaplanMIND Matters // 7
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGEPAIDSanta Ana, CAPermit No. 1106Institute for Memory Impairmentsand Neurological Disorders2643 Biological Sciences IIIIrvine, CA 92697-4545National Institute on AgingDesignatedAlzheimer’s DiseaseResearch CenterCONTACT USGeneral Informationmind.uci.eduucimind@uci.eduEducation & Outreach949.824.9896cgcox@uci.eduGiving Opportunities949.824.3793ddharper@uci.eduResearch ect with uson social media!UPCOMING EVENTSSleep and the Aging BrainRuth Benca, MD, PhD, Director of UCI Sleep CenterSenator Pat Bates Senior Day OCFriday, March 13, 2020 8:00 am - 12:00 pmNorman P. Murray Senior Center24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692RSVP: seniordayoc.com 949.598.5850ASK THE DOC PanelJoshua Grill, PhD, Director of UCI MINDDavid Sultzer, MD, Geriatric PsychiatristDaniel Nation, PhD, NeuropsychologistElizabeth Head, PhD, NeuroscientistTuesday, March 31, 2020 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmUCI Beall Applied Innovation @ the Cove5270 California Ave #100, Irvine, CA 92617RSVP: www.mind.uci.edu/ATD 949.824.9475Savethe date!31st Annual SoCal Alzheimer’s Research ConferenceThursday, September 10, 2020Irvine Marriott Hotel11th Annual A December to Remember GalaSaturday, December 5, 2020Balboa Bay Resort2020 Facebook LIVE Q&A SeriesGuest experts from UCI MINDFirst Friday of every month 11:00 - 11:30 am PSTLearn more about our upcomingevents at www.mind.uci.edu/calendar
In memory of Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan . The year was 1995. Amazon sold its first book online, the "Macarena" went viral, and UCI MIND was established as an Organized Research Unit, or ORU. 2 // mind.uci.edu Anatomy & Neurobiology Aileen Anderson, PhD . Brian Cummings, PhD Physiology & Biophysics Kevin Beier, PhD Psychiatry & Human .
