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Research Program

Aging and Cognition

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and a leading cause of death for older Americans. It currently afflicts more than 5 million people across the country—a figure that threatens to triple in the next 40 years. But new therapies are on the way, and the Schaeffer Center is exploring options to facilitate their use, improve clinical trials, and ease the burden of the disease for patients and families.

Upcoming Events

Thu – Fri
10/27 – 10/28
Event Time
Event title
The Science of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) for Social Scientists Program
Event Date
Thursday, October 27, 2022 – Friday, October 28, 2022

Program Leadership

  • Associate Professor, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
    Co-Director, Aging and Cognition Program, USC Schaeffer Center
    Co-Director, CeASES ADRD and AD-RCMAR

  • Co-Director, Aging and Cognition Program, USC Schaeffer Center
    Associate Professor, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology

Resources

USC AD-RCMAR Scientist Monthly Spotlight

“We know that people exposed to chemicals such as organochlorine pesticides may be at higher risk for dementias like Alzheimer’s disease. However, we are still trying to understand how these and many other chemicals impact cognition across the life course. My research attempts to narrow this gap in aging research. If we can pinpoint what chemicals are detrimental to cognitive function, we can potentially reduce the incidence of dementia later in life.”
Marianna Chanti-Kettrl, PhD
2021 USC-AD RCMAR Scientist

Recent Research

Experts in Aging and Cognition

  • Senior Fellow, USC Schaeffer Center
    Associate Professor, USC Price School of Public Policy

  • Fellow, USC Schaeffer Center
    Assistant Professor, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
    2014-2015 RCMAR Scientist, USC Schaeffer Center

  • Senior Fellow, USC Schaeffer Center
    Associate Dean, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, USC Andrus Gerontology Center
    AARP Professor of Gerontology, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
    Director, USC/UCLA Center on Biodemography and Population Health

  • Senior Fellow, USC Schaeffer Center
    Associate Professor, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology

  • Dean and C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Chair, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
    Co-Director, USC Schaeffer Center
    Distinguished Professor of Public Policy, Pharmacy, and Economics, USC

  • Geoffrey Joyce, Ph.D.

    Director, Health Policy, USC Schaeffer Center
    Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics, USC School of Pharmacy
    Associate Professor, USC School of Pharmacy

Related NIH-Funded Centers