Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research in South Carolina

Congressional staffers from Senator Lindsey Graham's (R - SC) office recently visited the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to learn more about Alzheimer's disease research. Led by Vice President for Research, Dr. Lori McMahon, the visit offered a unique opportunity for policymakers to gain insights into the groundbreaking work in the field of neuroscience related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. As Chair of the Society for Neuroscience's (SfN) Government and Public Affairs Committee and Vice President for Research at MUSC, McMahon shed light on the importance of robust funding and support for Alzheimer's research.

Grant Singleton (middle), Legislative Aide, and Walker Truluck (left), Senior Policy Advisor, toured McMahon's laboratory, to learn more about her research, including the use of electrophysiology techniques in animal models. These methods allow researchers to better understand the brain, offering insights into the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease. Beyond the lab, Singleton and Truluck explored the South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at MUSC, where they learned about diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's and the challenges those methods pose to early detection.

The visit underscored the need for policymakers to engage directly with the scientific community. "By witnessing firsthand innovative research and hearing stories of the impact, it's easier to grasp the urgency and significance of allocating federal resources towards Alzheimer's disease research," said McMahon. "The value of visits like this is that it fosters dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that scientific evidence and the needs of society guide decisions about research funding."

Dr. Lori McMahon (front), Walker Truluck (left), and Grant Singleton (middle) talk to Michelle Ackerman (right) about brain autopsies for definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Partnerships between academia and government are pivotal in driving progress in Alzheimer's research. By continually nurturing these collaborations and providing platforms for dialogue and exchange, the pace of discovery is accelerated, inching society closer to a world where Alzheimer's disease is no longer a devastating reality.