#McCanceBrainDiscoveries

6 daily habits to slow aging, from a Harvard brain expert Harvard scientist Rudolph Tanzi shares his plan for brain health and aging well, including habits for sleep, stress and social interaction.

McCance Center Director, Dr. Rudy Tanzi, shares his "SHIELD" method for brain health in this Washington Post piece. washingtonpost.com/health/2026/01/21/brain-aging-tips-harvard/ #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

Protect your brain health by keeping a close eye on your plate during holiday festivities. Make a plan in advance with our tips for making brain-healthy choices. For more healthy habits: massgeneral.org/neurology/mccance-center/about/shield #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

The Protein Destroying Alzheimer's Brains May Have Once Saved Them Tau tangles have long been treated as cellular garbage, the unmistakable debris of a brain in decline. Pathologists find them packed inside dying neurons,

More coverage of the study out in Nature Neuroscience this week. Read the @scienceblog.com post featuring McCance Director, Dr. Rudy Tanz here: scienceblog.com/the-protein-destroying-alzheimers-brains-may-have-once-saved-them/
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6 natural ways to protect your brain—backed by a neurologist Top neurologists told Newsweek of natural, science-backed ways to protect your brain from aging and disease—before symptoms start.

McCance Center Director, Dr. Rudy Tanzi, shares key brain health tips in this Newsweek piece: newsweek.com/6-natural-ways-protect-brain-backed-neurologist-11140872
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Come join the McCance Center team! We are recruiting a Clinical Research Coordinator, bilingual in Spanish & English, to help us launch a trial of a natural product combinations for early AD intervention. Learn more & apply: bit.ly/McCanceCRC #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

Don’t miss our last seminar of 2025! Dr. Nanda Kumar Navalpur Shanmugam, presents Inflammation Beyond the Intestine: Colitis-Induced Immune Changes in Alzheimer’s Mouse Model on December 8th at 11 am. Learn more & register here: bit.ly/McCanceEvents #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

The McCance Center research team is working to diagnose and track Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear. Learn more here: bit.ly/Pre-ADI #McCanceBrainDiscoveries #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth

New paper on McCance Center-funded trial by Dr. Edmarie Guzman-Velez shows alleviation of Long COVID symptoms with nicotinamide riboside supplement. Read it here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

The McCance team is growing! We’re recruiting a Clinical Research Coordinator, bilingual Spanish - English, to help us launch a trial of a natural product combinations for early AD intervention. Learn more & apply: bit.ly/McCanceCRC #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Other causes include Lewy body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, & Vascular dementia. Learn how we're working to find treatments for Alzheimer’s long before symptoms show: bit.ly/MCCTP #McCanceBrainDiscoveries #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth

Join us virtually for the McCance Center Seminar Series, featuring leading clinicians & scientists discussing the latest research on brain health. We offer continuing education credits for physicians and nurses. Learn more: bit.ly/McCanceEvents #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

What’s my Alzheimer’s risk, and can I really do anything to change it? Can you escape your genetic inheritance, and do lifestyle changes actually make a difference? Daniel Cossins set out to understand what the evidence on Alzheimer’s really means for him

McCance Center Director Dr. Rudy Tanzi weighs in on Alzheimer’s risk in this recent article in NewScientist: bit.ly/NSrisk #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

Don’t miss the next two presenters in the McCance Seminar Series! Continuing education credits are available for physicians and nurses. bit.ly/McCanceEvents
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Molecular hallmarks of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal resilience to Alzheimer’s disease - Molecular Neurodegeneration Background A significant proportion of individuals maintain cognition despite extensive Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, known as cognitive resilience. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that protect these individuals could reveal therapeutic targets for AD. Methods This study defines molecular and cellular signatures of cognitive resilience by integrating bulk RNA and single-cell transcriptomic data with genetics across multiple brain regions. We analyzed data from the Religious Order Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP), including bulk RNA sequencing (n = 631 individuals) and multiregional single-nucleus RNA sequencing (n = 48 individuals). Subjects were categorized into AD, resilient, and control based on β-amyloid and tau pathology, and cognitive status. We identified and prioritized protected cell populations using whole-genome sequencing-derived genetic variants, transcriptomic profiling, and cellular composition. Results Transcriptomics and polygenic risk analysis position resilience as an intermediate AD state. Only GFAP and KLF4 expression distinguished resilience from controls at tissue level, whereas differential expression of genes involved in nucleic acid metabolism and signaling differentiated AD and resilient brains. At the cellular level, resilience was characterized by broad downregulation of LINGO1 expression and reorganization of chaperone pathways, specifically downregulation of Hsp90 and upregulation of Hsp40, Hsp70, and Hsp110 families in excitatory neurons. MEF2C, ATP8B1, and RELN emerged as key markers of resilient neurons. Excitatory neuronal subtypes in the entorhinal cortex (ATP8B+ and MEF2Chigh) exhibited unique resilience signaling through activation of neurotrophin (BDNF-NTRK2, modulated by LINGO1) and angiopoietin (ANGPT2-TEK) pathways. MEF2C+ inhibitory neurons were over-represented in resilient brains, and the expression of genes associated with rare genetic variants revealed vulnerable somatostatin (SST) cortical interneurons that survive in AD resilience. The maintenance of excitatory-inhibitory balance emerges as a key characteristic of resilience. Conclusions We have defined molecular and cellular hallmarks of cognitive resilience, an intermediate state in the AD continuum. Resilience mechanisms include preserved neuronal function, balanced network activity, and activation of neurotrophic survival signaling. Specific excitatory neuronal populations appear to play a central role in mediating cognitive resilience, while a subset of vulnerable interneurons likely provides compensation against AD-associated hyperexcitability. This study offers a framework to leverage natural protective mechanisms to mitigate neurodegeneration and preserve cognition in AD.

Dr. Rudy Tanzi is a co-corresponding author on a new paper exploring cognitive resilience in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Read it here: molecularneurodegeneration.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
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2025 WMIF | Emerging Treatments | Alzheimer's Disease

McCance Center director, Dr. Rudy Tanzi, recently spoke at the 2025 World Medical Innovation Forum in Boston. He was joined by Dr. Dennis Selkoe for an insightful discussion on current and emerging treatments in Alzheimer’s disease. Watch here: bit.ly/TanziWMIF
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McCance Clinical Trials Director, Gene Bowman, will present “Fueling Resilience in Brain Aging: Early Detection & Individualized Nutritional Therapies for Dementia Prevention” at the Harvard Medical School Brain Aging Symposium on 10/22. www.agingconsortium.org/brain-aging
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Save the dates for the next three speakers in the McCance Center Seminar Series! Register to attend and receive continuing education credit for physicians and nurses. Learn more & reserve your spot here: bit.ly/McEvents #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

McCance Seminar Series: Dorene Rentz, PsyD. Dorene Rentz, PsyD, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and clinical neuropsychologist at Mass General Brigham, speaks on "Detecting Risk for Cognitive Decline: Feasibility and Utility of Remote Digital Assessment Tools” September 5, 2025 episode of the Mass General McCance Center for Brain Health Seminar Series. https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/mccance-center

Dorene Rentz, PsyD was our McCance Seminar Series presenter earlier this month. Dr. Rentz discussed the advantages of remote digital tools for cognitive assessments. If you missed it, you can watch here: bit.ly/RentzPreso #McCanceBrainDiscoveries @teamcart.bsky.social

Join a vibrant community of professionals for in-depth discussions on the future of brain health! Our seminar series now offers continuing education credit for physicians and nurses. Sign up to expand your knowledge: bit.ly/McCanceEvents
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Don’t miss this opportunity to advance scientific research in the dynamic field of nutrition and neurology! Join the McCance Center’s Brain Nutrition Lab led by Dr. Gene Bowman! bit.ly/McCancePDRF
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Are you a highly organized and experienced project manager with a passion for clinical trials and brain research? We have an exciting opportunity on the McCance Center team for a Clinical Research Project Manager II! See the full job description here: bit.ly/McCancePMII
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McCance Center Brain Fitness Quarterly Email from Don't Miss out on Our Upcoming Seminars - Register Now for CE Credits!   FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK Greetings! The “Dog Days of Summer” have not slowed down the team at the Henry and Allison

Check out the current issue of the McCance Center’s Brain Fitness Quarterly! Learn details of our new fundraising challenge, explore our amazing speaker series lineup, and catch up on science highlights. Read it here: conta.cc/47Czeal #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

McCance Seminar Series: Giulia Menichetti, PhD Giulia Menichetti, PhD, Faculty Member at Harvard Medical School, Affiliated Faculty Member at the Network Science Institute, Investigator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, speaks on "AI for Food Processing" July 7, 2025 Episode of the Mass General McCance Center for Brain Health Seminar Series. https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/mccance-center

Check out last month’s session of the McCance Center for Brain Health seminar series with Giulia Menichetti, PhD. Dr. Menichetti presented AI for Food Processing. See the full presentation here: bit.ly/MenichettiPreso
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McCance Center Clinical Trials Director, Dr. Gene Bowman, spoke at the MGB Neurology retreat this week. He shared insights on the Center’s mission to advance early detection and intervention, to promote brain health, and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

McCance Seminar Series: Zeina Chemali, MD, MPH Zeina Chemali, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the McCance Center for Brain Health, speaks on "Crisis as Catalyst: Opportunities to Anchor Through Brain Health" June 27, 2025 Episode of the Mass General McCance Center for Brain Health Seminar Series. https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/mccance-center

If you missed the recent McCance Center seminar series session with Zeina Chemali, MD, MPH, you can catch it here: bit.ly/ChemaliPreso. Dr. Chemali presented, Crisis as Catalyst: Opportunities to Anchor Through Brain Health. #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

We close out #Alzheimers & #Brain Awareness month by sharing information about brain-healthy foods.
To learn more about brain health, check out the SHIELD Method developed by McCance Center Director, Dr. Rudy Tanzi: bit.ly/SHIELDPlan. #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

Today’s brain-healthy lifestyle tip, for #Alzheimers & #Brain Awareness month, is LEARNING. For more information about brain health, visit: bit.ly/SHIELDPlan
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Today’s brain health tip for Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is EXERCISE!
Exercise increases your heart rate and blood flow, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your brain.
For more #brainhealth tips, visit: bit.ly/SHIELDPlan
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6 Steps To Preserve Brain Health Now To Prevent Dementia As You Age Scientists say to prevent dementia and Alzheimer's, start preserving your brain health by taking these steps in your 20s and 30s instead of waiting until you're older.

McCance Center Director Dr. Rudy Tanzi’s SHIELD Method for preserving brain health is featured in this @forbes.com piece. forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2025/06/14/6-steps-to-preserve-brain-health-now-to-prevent-dementia-as-you-age/. #McCanceBrainDiscoveries

Today’s brain-healthy lifestyle tip, in recognition of #Alzheimers & #Brain Awareness month, is Interaction.

To learn more about brain health, check out the SHIELD Method developed by McCance Center Director, Dr. Rudy Tanzi: //bit.ly/SHIELDPlan
#McCanceBrainDiscoveries