“Alzheimer’s Association Research Update” presented by Maria Carrillo, PhD, Chief Science Officer, Medical & Scientific Relations, Alzheimer’s Association.

Dr. Carrillo was part of the leadership team that developed the revised National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer’s Association diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease in 2011, which define the disease based on changes in biological markers in the brain instead of relying solely on the memory and thinking symptoms.

Since taking over scientific leadership of the Alzheimer’s Association as chief science officer in 2015, Dr. Carrillo has advanced the Association’s international research initiatives, including a robust and diverse portfolio of

Alzheimer’s and dementia research projects. Under her direction, the Association has grown to be the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research.

Dr. Carrillo has also expanded the Association’s scientific footprint to include conducting research. She is a co-primary investigator for the Alzheimer’s Association-funded and -led U.S. POINTER study, a landmark clinical trial investigating whether lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.