Instead of focusing on how to cure the disease, Dr. Frost’s team looked at what causes the disease—a buildup of tau proteins inside of cells and amyloid plaques outside of it, which disrupts and eventually kills brain cell function.

He is assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and director of the brain bank at the Biggs Institute.

This finding, if furthered, holds implications for aging in general and perhaps offers an avenue to prevent Alzheimer’s dementia in some people.

The School of Nursing’s Caring for the Caregiver program, directed by Carole L. White, Ph.D., RN, is leading an effort to establish a campuswide, interdisciplinary effort to support family caregivers.