In July the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) brought together researchers, clinicians and professionals from around the world to present new discoveries and progress in the science and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. 

As part of the Upper Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s community education efforts the Upper Valley Walk and Alzheimer’s Association will be sharing highlights from the AAIC describing latest advances in dementia science.

We will review key information presented in Toronto in July, including risk reduction, results from the US POINTER Study outlining the role of prevention, improving access to diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of real-world data in evaluating existing treatments

Liz McCarthy is the Health Systems Director for the Alzheimer’s Association New England region; her work is focused on engaging health systems to drive detection, diagnosis, and person-centered management of Alzheimer’s disease and all dementia. She has been at the Alzheimer’s Association since 2016.

Liz has spent her entire career engaged in healthcare with roles in business development, marketing, training, reimbursement, and in direct patient care.  Her interest in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia began in college, when she explored the topic in a neurophysiology course while working overnight as a paid caregiver for a friend’s grandfather with dementia. Later, when her mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTD), Liz and her family learned firsthand the journey of a dementia diagnosis.

Liz has a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University and holds credentials in respiratory therapy and sleep medicine.  She lives near Boston with her husband, Kevin, and a crazy dog named Juno; her two sons are away at college.