Brain Aging Research Symposium

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Brain Aging Research Symposium

Please join us on September 11, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 1:45 PM for the 2025 Brain Aging Research Symposium presented by the Research Alliance of the State of Mississippi Strategic Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. Note: this is not a CE or CME event.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Neuroscience and brain aging researchers and research staff currently engaged in active study within Mississippi and the surrounding southeastern states

OBJECTIVES:

Evaluate emerging immunotherapy strategies for modifying the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, including current pipeline updates and clinical implications.

Analyze recent breakthroughs in blood-based biomarkers to improve early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, with emphasis on diagnostic accuracy and accessibility.
Interpret genetic factors contributing to Alzheimer’s disease and explore how advances in human genetics research are shaping risk assessment, personalized medicine, and treatment development.
Assess the evolving role of neuroimaging and neuroinflammation in understanding Alzheimer’s disease pathology, and consider implications for early diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic interventions.

REGISTRATION FEE: $30

Register Here – Pay by Credit Card

Register Here – Pay by Check

For more information contact mindcenter@umc.edu or 601-815-5237.

AGENDA:

Time	Topic
8:30 – 8:40 am	Welcome & Program Overview Kenneth R. Butler, Jr., PhD, MS CT (ASCP) Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS Kevin Sullivan, PhD, MPH Associate Professor of Medicine, Assistant Director of the Neuroepidemiology Research Core, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; Symposium Emcee
8:40 – 9 a.m.	Introduction to the Building our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Dementia Public Health Program and the State of Mississippi Strategic Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Kina White, DrPH, MHSA, FACHE Office of State Health Planning & Research Director, Mississippi State Department of Health, Jackson, MS Denise Lafferty, BSN, RN Chief Organization Executive, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
9 – 10 a.m.	Pipeline Update: Disease Modifying Immunotherapy in Early Alzheimer’s Disease Ronald L. Schwartz, MD Director of the Memory Center Hattiesburg Clinic, Hattiesburg, MS
10 – 10:15 am	Bio/Stretch Break
10:15 – 11:15 am	Advances in Blood Biomarkers for Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Kevin Sullivan, PhD, MPH Associate Professor of Medicine, Assistant Director of the Neuroepidemiology Research Core, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
11:15 am – 12:15 pm	Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Myriam Fornage, PhD Professor, IMM-Center for Human Genetics, Laurence and Johanna Favrot Distinguished Professor in Cardiology, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases at McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
12:15 – 12:30 pm	Bio/Stretch Break
12:30 – 1:30 pm	*Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging and the Role of Neuroinflammation* Petrice Cogswell, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
1:30 – 1:45 pm	Wrap-up Dr. Ken Butler & Dr. Kevin Sullivan