Center for Alzheimer Research at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Abstract

AbstractCenter for Alzheimer Research (CAR) is a hub for the research in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias conducted at Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm, Sweden). CAR started in 2014 with Professor Bengt Winblad to unite basic, clinical, and epidemiological dementia research from several divisions of the department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS). Since then, the goal of CAR is to (i) promote the connection between the CAR’s research and the clinics at adjacent Karolinska University Hospital, (ii) strengthen and promote the visibility of dementia research, and (iii) coordinate and increase the quality of the research and education on dementia.CAR has around 300 affiliates and is supported by administrative personnel of NVS. Director and steering group composed of one member from each of NVS’s divisions run the center. This representation of basic, clinical, and epidemiological research provides the foundation for a unique model of translational science and education.CAR accelerates Alzheimer’s and dementia research through extensive activities. Some examples are the role of CAR’s researchers in leading world‐recognized projects such as FINGER, SNAC‐K, and SVEDEM, as well as participation in EU and NIH projects like MOPEAD, EPAD, and RADAR‐AD. CAR researchers contribute to developing biobanks like GEDOC, which includes brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples; and support clinical trials in collaboration with Karolinska University Hospital and pharma industry situated around hospital and institute. Education is central activity with many CAR affiliates involved in under‐ and post‐graduate teaching.CAR catapults the Alzheimer’s research community by providing the structure for social interaction and gathering. Examples are research seminars every Wednesday, monthly theme‐specific seminars, opponent lectures connected to PhD dissertations, initiation of working groups, and organization of workshops, webinars and open‐house days for patients and relatives. All these are open and announced at ki.se/en/nvs/center‐for‐alzheimer‐research. In 2019 and 2022, CAR organized a national conference for Alzheimer’s research.CAR increases social awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementias through collaborations with main Swedish foundations like the Aging Center from Stockholm Region, Silviahemmet, and Alzheimer Funding. Recently, CAR coordinated with Alzheimer Funding a national popular science report about Alzheimer’s disease, with participations from all across Sweden.