Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders Program

Support compassionate care and cutting-edge research that can transform the Alzheimer’s disease journey.

Your Donations Make a Difference for Patients and Their Loved Ones

Alzheimer’s disease has a profound and devastating impact on both patients and their loved ones. At first, those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s may forget important dates, events, and directions to familiar places. As the disease progresses, they can lose their sense of time and place and may experience drastic changes in mood or personality.

The most difficult part of Alzheimer’s comes when a loved one no longer remembers their spouse of 50 years or their children and grandchildren. This is the painful reality for the nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and the more than 11 million family members providing full-time care.

Your Donations Make a Difference for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

The Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program is committed to providing world-class, comprehensive care to patients and vital support services to their loved ones. Its outreach and support team is 100% funded by philanthropy and impacts more than 2,000 patients and caregivers each year. Some of the ongoing programs and services led by this dedicated team include Memory Cafes, Care Partner Symposiums, educational workshops, support groups, memory screenings, and monthly Spanish Self-Care Workshops for care partners. They also provide educational presentations to community organizations several times a month. These presentations discuss everything from the latest research and treatments, to behavior changes associated with different types of dementia, to general brain health.

Your Support, Their Stories

Grateful Barrow patients and families share how the memory disorders team impacted their lives.

“I am grateful for Dr. Burke and the entire Barrow memory disorders team for giving Connie and I a clear understanding of her diagnosis and for their compassionate sense of support.”

[Name Title]

After Connie was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Barrow provided her with world-class care and David with infinite support.

Your Generosity Accelerates Alzheimer's and Dementia Research

Advanced Imaging Biomarkers

Ashley Stokes, PhD, is investigating how Alzheimer’s disease impairs interactions between different brain regions by applying novel imaging methods to preclinical models of the disease. This could bring us closer to developing new, more effective treatments.

Default Mode Network

Sylvia Perez, PhD, is investigating mechanisms within the brain’s default mode network, which is responsible for memory, that contribute to neuron resilience in specific aging populations.

Alpha-Synuclein in Dementia

Marwan Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, is investigating whether alpha-synuclein is detectable in plasma and can be used as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Working Memory Training

Yonas E. Geda, MD, is leading a study to determine whether implementing daily working memory training activities can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by improving executive functioning and psychological flexibility.

Repurposing Drugs for Alzheimer's

Marwan Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, is evaluating whether the FDA-approved drugs Revlimid (used for bone cancer) and Mayzent (used for multiple sclerosis) can be repurposed to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

You Inspire the Next Generation of Alzheimer's Specialists

Thanks to a generous endowment from the Steele Foundation, Barrow launched the Dan Cracchiolo and Pam Grant Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship in the Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders Program. The fellowship trains physicians in world-class care and research to meet the needs of the growing population of patients and families living with Alzheimer’s. In 2024, Barrow welcomed DeJarra Johnson, MD, as the inaugural Dan Cracchiolo and Pam Grant Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellow.

Discover More Programs

At Barrow Neurological Foundation, your donation is crucial in supporting three key areas: advanced patient care, curative research, and education for the next generation of neuroscientists. Learn more about how your donation impacts each of the areas we treat.