As part of our mission to deepen public understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, we had the honor of speaking with Dr. Susan Farr, a leading behavioral neuroscientist whose work at Saint Louis University focuses on the biochemical pathways of aging and dementia. Her lab studies the intricate relationship between Alzheimer’s and risk factors such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), diabetes, and oxidative stress—factors that are often overlooked in everyday discussions about the disease.
Dr. Farr emphasized the importance of examining brain inflammation and oxidative stress, describing them as “silent drivers” of memory loss. These changes often begin before outward symptoms appear, making early research and intervention crucial. “We’re not just looking at plaques—we’re trying to understand the entire environment of the aging brain,” she explained. Her lab’s goal is to develop and test new compounds that target these internal processes to prevent or slow cognitive decline.
What stood out in our conversation was how interconnected Alzheimer's is with other systemic conditions. “People don’t realize how much something like diabetes affects your brain health,” Dr. Farr shared, emphasizing the need for broader awareness of how physical and cognitive health are linked.
Dr. Farr also described the process of translating lab findings into actionable treatments, from running behavioral tests in animal models to analyzing genetic and biochemical shifts at the molecular level. While much of the work remains in the preclinical stage, she stressed the importance of understanding these mechanisms in order to lay the groundwork for future breakthroughs.
In discussing awareness and advocacy, she encouraged us to think beyond the traditional Alzheimer's narrative. “There are so many modifiable risk factors,” she said, “and that’s where education plays a huge role.” Her insights reinforced the importance of community-driven outreach and science communication—two of the pillars of our initiative.
When asked about prevention, she emphasized the power of proactive choices such as lifestyle factors. She highlights the importance of exercise and health as these are things that we can control and can ultimately make a real difference in brain aging. Her insights reinforced the importance of community-driven outreach and science communication—two of the pillars of our initiative.
Dr. Farr’s work reminds us that Alzheimer’s is not a one-pathway disease, but a complex intersection of biology, environment, and lifestyle. Our conversation reaffirmed our commitment to sharing nuanced, research-backed information with the public, and to spotlighting the scientists who are pushing the boundaries of what we know. For more on our meeting, click on the audio above!