ADACC NETWORK
About the Conference
The Alzheimer’s Diagnosis in older Adults with Chronic Conditions (ADACC) Network is a broad
group of multidisciplinary stakeholders focused on developing evidence-based strategies for the use
and implementation of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers among older adults with cognitive impairment
and multiple chronic conditions at the population level. Funded by the National Institutes on Aging
and developed in collaboration with NIA scientists, the ADACC Network brings together important
data from several existing observational and real-world cohorts, awards annual pilot projects to
further the science in this field, convenes working groups to address specific questions, and will host
an annual conference to enhance discussion and to develop best-practice guidelines.
The purpose of the ADACC Annual Conference in 2024 is to formally establish the scientific
objectives of the network with our existing collaborators, to provide information on the current state of
the science with regard to biomarkers, discuss work already underway, and gather input from key
stakeholders on needs in the field to prioritize and address over the next few years.
Monday, April 29
The Mews Conference Room
Agenda items
8:00 AM
8:15 AM
9:00 AM
12:30 PM
3:10 PM
4:35 PM
5:00 PM
Welcome and Introductions
Overview of ADACC Network
Marcel Salive, MD, MPH
Project Officer
Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology
National Institute on Aging
​
Michelle M. Mielke, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Epidemiology and Prevention
Division of Public Health Sciences
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
​
State of the Science
Heather Whitson, MD, MHS
Professor of Ophthalmology, Head & Neck Surgery, Neurology, Communication Sciences
Director of the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development
Duke University School of Medicine
​
Michelle M. Mielke, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Epidemiology and Prevention
Division of Public Health Sciences
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
​
Heidi Klepin, MD, MS
Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
Section on Hematology and Oncology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
​
Ambar Kulshreshtha, MD, PhD, FAHA, FAAFP
Associate Professor
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
Department of Epidemiology, Division of Hospital Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
​
Antoine R. Trammell, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics
Emory University School of Medicine
​
Nicole Fowler, PhD, MHSA
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director of Research
Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
Indiana University School of Medicine
​
Kyra O-Brien, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
University of Pennsylvania
​
Mary Manchester, MPH
Research Coordinator
Dept. of Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences
School of Public Health
Georgia State University
​
Break-Out Sessions
Attendees will be asked to select the Primary Care or Specialty Care track. Both groups will participate in guided discussions led by members of the ADACC Steering Committee as we ask for your help in identifying the critical areas that need to be addressed.
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Primary Care: discussions will include how to implement and interpret biomarkers in primary care for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease among patients with multiple chronic conditions; development of guidelines as to when the biomarkers should and should not be incorporated; examination of concerns around reimbursement and patient disclosure.
Specialty Care: discussions will include how biomarkers can be implemented in specialty care (e.g., cardiology, oncology) in addition to neurology; considerations of how to interpret the biomarkers among patients with the chronic conditions seen by specialists; when patients should and should not receive the biomarkers and developments of guidelines.
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Participants in both tracks will also be asked to consider the ethical impacts of incorporating blood-based biomarkers into the medical record and potential harm, the provision of biomarker results to patients, the interpretation of biomarkers in underrepresented groups and possible effects on social determinants of health and racial/ethnic differences, concerns regarding cost and reimbursement in the choice to undergo biomarker testing, the need for guidelines in the field, and further policy implications.
Overview of Pilot Studies Funded in 2023
“Comparing the effects of MCC’s on plasma P-tau and brain-derived tau levels”
Kerry Sheets, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Minnesota
Geriatrician, Hennepin Healthcare
​
“Impact of MCC’s on ADRD Biomarkers in a Real World Population of Veterans”
Jeffrey L. Dage, PhD
Senior Research Professor of Neurology
Stark Neurosciences Research Institute
Indiana University School of Medicine
​
“Evaluating ADRD biomarkers in older adults following critical illness”
Jessica Palakshappa, MD, MS
Assistant Professor
Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Immunologic Diseases
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
​
Announcement of 2024-2025 Pilot Awardees
Nicole Fowler, PhD, MHSA
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director of Research
Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
Indiana University School of Medicine
Adjourn
Tuesday, April 30
The Mews Conference Room
Agenda items
8:00 AM
9:30 AM
10:15 AM
11:15 AM
11:45 AM
12:00 PM
Presentation of Information from Break-Out Sessions
Speakers to be selected from Breakout Session attendees
​
Overview of Data Coordinating Center and Cohort Studies
Nick Pajewski, PhD
Professor
Department of Biostatistics and Data Science
Division of Public Health Sciences
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Overview of Working Groups
Effects of Co-Morbidities on Biomarkers
Priya Palta, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Neurology
UNC School of Medicine
​
Biomarkers for Risk Prediction and Prognosis
Jeffrey L. Dage, PhD
Senior Research Professor of Neurology
Stark Neurosciences Research Institute
Indiana University School of Medicine
Ethical Considerations
Allyson Rosen, PhD, ABPP-CN
Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center
Palo Alto VA Medical Center
Clinical Professor (Affiliated)
Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Stanford University School of Medicine
​
Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD
Professor
Department of Neurological Sciences
Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center
Rush University Medical Center
Future Plans and the Direction of the ADACC Network
Jeff D. Williamson, MD, MHS
Professor and Section Head
Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
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Closing Remarks
Michelle M. Mielke, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Epidemiology and Prevention
Division of Public Health Sciences
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
​
Adjourn