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New Mexico Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Advancing Alzheimer’s Research Across New Mexico

The New Mexico Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (NM ADRC), funded by the National Institutes of Health and based at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, is a statewide collaboration uniting UNM, the Mind Research Network, and urban and tribal communities across New Mexico.

Our mission is to partner with diverse communities to advance understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) and to expand access to clinical research. Through observational studies, we work closely with Hispanic/Latino and American Indian populations in both urban and rural settings to better understand risk, resilience, and disease progression.

NM ADRC combines comprehensive clinical evaluations, advanced neuroimaging, and cutting-edge biomarker research to uncover the vascular, inflammatory, and metabolic factors that contribute to cognitive decline.

As a hub for innovation and collaboration, we support researchers across the state, train the next generation of dementia scientists and clinicians, and explore promising prevention strategies—including emerging vaccine-based approaches—to reduce the burden of memory loss and cognitive impairment.

Our efforts remain focused on understanding the disease, distinguishing it from normal aging, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and ultimately developing effective treatments for what has become the most common neurodegenerative disorder.

Gary Rosenberg, MD, Founding Director of the UNM Center for Memory & Aging / NM ADRC

What We Do

NM ADRC is dedicated to improving dementia diagnosis, care, and research access in rural and minority communities.

Key Initiatives:

  • Mobile MRI and community health workers reaching remote communities, including Zuni and Acoma Pueblos
  • Training a culturally responsive dementia care workforce
  • Community partnerships to improve care and research access
  • Shared resources to support researchers statewide

Our Research

NM ADRC advances cutting-edge Alzheimer’s and dementia research to improve early detection, prevention, and treatment.

  • Blood and imaging biomarkers for early detection
  • Vascular and inflammatory drivers of cognitive decline
  • Neuropathology and metabolism to assess risk
  • Vaccine development to prevent cognitive impairment
  • Longitudinal studies in diverse populations to refine diagnosis and care

Alzheimer's Day

Meeting with Governor Lujan Grisham as part of Alzheimer's day at the Legislature

 

 

Directions to NM ADRC

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Contact Us

Our Main Location:

UNM Center for Memory and Aging
Pete and Nancy Domenici Hall
1101 Yale NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 (map)
Phone: 505-272-3315
Fax: 505-272-7652
Email: nmadrc@salud.unm.edu

 

 

Make an Impact: Support Memory & Aging Research