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Grantee in the News: Reisa Sperling in The Boston Globe on intervening during preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease

On June 11, 2018, The Boston Globe spotlighted 2003 Beeson Scholar Reisa Sperling, M.D. M.M.Sc.

Can this doctor figure out how to stop Alzheimer’s before it starts?” spotlights Dr. Sperling’s research on the preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s disease through the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles. The article states:

“Sperling thinks early intervention may soon emerge as the treatment of choice for a huge swath of patients. Her work on the preclinical phase over the last decade has led to a new biological definition of Alzheimer’s: one based on the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, as identified by PET scans and other biomarkers.”

Dr. Sperling explains the importance of early intervention: “It’s important to intervene in the preclinical phase to stop people from progressing…we have to give patients the right drug at the right time.”

Dr. Sperling’s trial called the A4 study is also highlighted in the article. The A4 study will focus on people with a high amount of amyloid, but without memory or behavior problems. The participants will be given a drug called A4, and the study will test if the drug can prevent Alzheimer’s in people without symptoms.

Read the full article here.

Read more about Dr. Sperling’s A4 trial here and here.


Reisa Sperling, MD, M.M.Sc., is the Director of the Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment and Co-Director, Neuroimaging Core at the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and a Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School.

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