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Irving Medical Center
Neurological Institute
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News
2026 - present | 2025 - 2011
'Longevity gene' may protect the brain from Alzheimer's by boosting DNA repair, study finds
By Melissa Rudy
May 19, 2026
Caghan Kizil, PhD, MSc, an associate professor of neurological sciences at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, recently received a research grant from the American Brain Foundation(link is external and opens in a new window) to study the APOE4 gene, a genetic variant linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
In a separate study, another research team looked at a different version of the same gene, called APOE2. Their findings suggest that, unlike APOE4, APOE2 may help protect the brain and may even support recovery.
“This study goes beyond the long-known observation that APOE2 is linked to longevity and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and aims to explain why this protection may occur,” said Dr. Kizil, who was not involved in the study. “What I find especially interesting is the idea that Alzheimer’s may partly reflect the brain losing its ability to stay resilient with age,” he added. “Growing evidence suggests that APOE-related risk is not only about amyloid buildup, but also about how aging, inflammation, blood vessel health, and the brain’s repair systems work together over time.” [read more]
Source: Fox News Digital
Broadening the Reach of Alzheimer’s Research
April 28, 2026
Adam M. Brickman, PhD, a professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University and in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease, uses advanced neuroimaging technology to study cognitive aging and the processes that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. His research includes both clinical and community-based settings. “With this technology, we're starting to understand the types of biological changes that are happening in the brain as we age and how they can be modified by different health and social conditions,” explained Dr. Brickman.
He recently launched an initiative that brought the first portable MRI scanner to Agincourt, located in rural South Africa, to help scientists there identify the unique set of factors that shape cognitive decline in that environment. “In five years, I would love to see our efforts help establish an MRI research program in Agincourt that has even branched out to study other conditions. If successful, our efforts could also help pave the way for similar research programs in other under-resourced environments, including some rural parts of the United States,” said Dr. Brickman. [read more] [watch video]
Source: CUIMC Newsroom
An Alzheimer’s blood test is getting popular. But who really needs it?
March 31, 2026
Richard Mayeux, MD, MSc, Chair of the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Co-Director of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain(link is external and opens in a new window), comments on the ongoing TRAILBLAZER-3 trial, a study in which he is not involved. “People keep thinking or talking about early treatment,” says Dr. Mayeux. “What you want to do is get to that fine area just before cognitive impairment starts to occur.” He also discusses findings from his research involving data from over 8,500 individuals in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, focusing on identifying the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease—a presentation he delivered at the Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease (AD/PD) meeting last month in Copenhagen, Denmark. [read more]
Source: Science
Neurology Experts Explain Early Warning Signs of Dementia
By Marisa Cohen
May 8, 2026
Elise A. Caccappolo, PhD, Director of the Neuropsychology Service at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and two other experts describe the different types of dementia, explain early warning signs— including symptoms that are often overlooked or mistaken for something else—and share tips for maintaining a healthy brain.
Dr. Caccappolo explains that experiencing a few mild symptoms associated with dementia does not necessarily mean you have the condition. “For someone to be diagnosed with dementia, they have to have a significant decline in more than one cognitive area, and those changes have to affect their daily living,” says Dr. Caccappolo. [read more]
Source: Prevention
‘Mentally active' sitting may reduce dementia risk, study finds
By Kaan Ozcan
March 29, 2026
Adam M. Brickman, PhD, a professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University, weighed in on findings from a newly published study he was not involved in, suggesting that sedentary lifestyles and mentally passive activities may substantially raise the risk of cognitive decline and dementia later in life. He also pointed to the growth of short-form content such as TikTok as a driver of more passive behavior. “When you consider how kids—and even adults—spend time passively consuming content that few would call stimulating or engaging, it’s clearly much more common today than it was in 1997,” Brickman said. [read more]
Source: NBC News
Leading the Way: Black Women Closing the Gap in Brain Health
February 24, 2026
In celebration of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, UsAgainstAlzheimer’ — an advocacy organization committed to ending Alzheimer’s disease — recognizes Jennifer J. Manly, PhD, Professor of Neuropsychology at Columbia University, as a scientific leader transforming brain health research and advancing equitable access to cognitive assessment and care.
Dr. Manly’s pioneering research has demonstrated how educational and socioeconomic experiences influence cognitive testing outcomes and the interpretation of diagnostic results. Her work has helped shape more accurate, culturally informed approaches to identifying cognitive impairment in Black and other historically underrepresented communities. [read more]
Source: UsAgainstAlzheimer’s
January 30, 2026
The Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) has named Adam M. Brickman, PhD a 2025 Senior Mentor of the Year. Dr. Brickman was one of four faculty members selected from across the medical center for this honor, which is presented annually in recognition of exceptional and sustained commitment to mentorship, and meaningful impact on the professional development of others.
Dr. Brickman is Professor of Neuropsychology in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a faculty member in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain and the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center at CUIMC.
Dr. Brickman’s laboratory studies how white matter abnormalities and small vessel cerebrovascular disease contribute to cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease. His work combines advanced brain imaging with population-based research to track changes in brain health over time and identify early markers of disease progression.
As a mentor, Dr. Brickman is recognized for his ongoing dedication to training the next generation of scientists. He provides close, thoughtful guidance while encouraging independence and collaboration, and is known for helping mentees develop strong scientific judgment, produce high-quality research, and build successful careers across academia and clinical research.
Congratulations to Dr. Brickman on this well-deserved recognition.
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