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For decades, the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has helped shape how the world understands Alzheimer's disease and related dementias - from groundbreaking discoveries to leading clinical trials that are changing what's possible for patients and families.
Now, that legacy is taking center stage in a uniquely Kentucky setting.
On Monday, May 18, Sanders-Brown will host its 18th annual Mind Matters Health Summit at Fasig-Tipton, bringing cutting-edge research and expert guidance directly to the community in a new venue known for its deep ties to the horse industry.
With its "Saddle Up for Brain Health" theme, this year's summit blends the spirit of Kentucky with the latest in healthy aging - creating an accessible, engaging experience for adults ages 55 and older.
"I think the impact of Sanders-Brown cannot be overstated," said Greg Jicha, M.D., Ph.D., a neurologist and director of clinical trials at Sanders-Brown. "There's impact here in the community - increasing awareness of good brain health practices and helping people recognize early when memory changes might be a problem."
That impact spans generations. From helping debunk early misconceptions about Alzheimer's disease to identifying new forms of dementia and advancing therapies that target the disease itself, Sanders-Brown researchers have long been at the forefront of discovery.
"For the first time, there's a glimmer of hope in our Alzheimer's patients," said Jicha.
The Mind Matters Health Summit is a direct extension of that mission - translating complex science into practical knowledge people can use in their everyday lives.
The free event will feature more than 20 interactive booths, free health screenings and opportunities to connect one-on-one with experts. Attendees can also enjoy a photobooth, art station and complimentary lunch while exploring ways to support lifelong brain health.
Educational sessions will include healthy aging presentations from T. Shawn Caudill, M.D., chief of general internal medicine, and Brooke Beech, Ph.D., along with an "Ask the Doc" session featuring Jicha and Pete Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.
For Nelson, director of neuropathology at Sanders-Brown, the work is both professional and deeply personal.
"We've gotten on the hill of success in terms of trying to work on therapeutic strategies," Nelson said. "We need to climb further … to make it so more people are free of this horrible specter."
That sense of purpose - and progress - is what organizers hope attendees will take away from the summit.
By bringing world-class researchers and clinicians together in an approachable, community-focused setting, the event offers a rare opportunity for Kentuckians to learn directly from leaders in the field - and to take proactive steps toward protecting their own brain health.
The summit is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 18, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. Registration for free here.
