A major scientific focus of the New Mexico Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is understanding how inflammation, disruption of the blood–brain barrier, and vascular disease contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The Neuropathology Core supports this mission by studying post‑mortem brain tissue to identify disease‑related changes with precision.
The Neuropathology Core works closely with all other components of the NM Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, including the Clinical, Outreach, Data, Biomarker, and Imaging Cores, as well as the Research Education Component. This integrated approach supports research across a diverse statewide population that includes many underrepresented ethnic groups and rural communities.
The core collects brain donations from individuals who underwent neuroimaging, vascular imaging, cerebrospinal fluid biomarker testing, and cognitive assessments during life, as well as from age‑matched community members who choose to donate. Each donation includes a complete neuropathology evaluation linked to available clinical and imaging data.
The University of New Mexico Brain Bank currently contains more than 265 brains with detailed examinations, tissue blocks, and slides. A secure digital inventory supports access for researchers. More than 60 percent of these donations come from underrepresented groups, and at least 45 percent show hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
The Neuropathology Core is advancing several innovative approaches, including:
These methods will be shared widely for use with archival brain‑bank specimens.
The core will continue to collect, store, annotate, and share biospecimens and data with researchers at the University of New Mexico and beyond. The well‑characterized materials and broadly applicable protocols generated by the core will support studies aimed at translating biomarker discoveries into potential therapeutic targets and improving understanding of dementia across diverse populations.
Aim 1: Collect, analyze, store, and share high‑quality post‑mortem brain tissue from diverse New Mexico populations to support Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research.
Aim 2: Develop and apply histopathology approaches to better understand vascular and inflammatory contributions to cognitive impairment.
Aim 3: Expand Spatial Transcriptomics in Dementia Research
Aim 4: Promote understanding of brain donation and dementia research through culturally responsive education.
