Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders:
Lunch In-Person (12-1)
&
Research Education & Appreciation Program (1:00-4:00)
-Focus on Posterior Cortical Atrophy Syndrome-
June 23, 2025
Krugman Conference Hall, CU Anschutz Medical Campus
Program Overview
Treating diseases that cause dementia is becoming more promising. However, individuals with rare or atypical forms—such as Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA) syndrome—still face significant challenges. At the University of Colorado School of Medicine, we’ve conducted a series of studies aimed at understanding the early signs and progression of PCA to reduce barriers to clinical trial participation, and we have developed a program to share these insights.
In this program, we’ll highlight key findings from our PCA research and explore important considerations for treatment and clinical trials.
To RSVP scroll below the schedule. For program details and speaker biographies, see the information provided further below.
Program Schedule
| Time | Event | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00–1:00 | Attendee social hour and lunch | In-person |
| 1:00–1:15 | Welcome and Awards: Dr. Pelak | In-person and Virtual via Zoom |
| 1:15–1:45 |
Presentation (30 min): Dr. Pelak 1. Key findings from PCA research at the University of Colorado: Dr. Pelak 2. Highlight ongoing efforts, including an NIH-sponsored ADRD/PCA clinical trial readiness study: Dr. Pelak |
In-person and Virtual via Zoom |
| 1:45–2:45 |
Presentations (45 min): Dr. Pelak 1. Introduction to next talks: Dr. Pelak (5 min) 2. What is Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia: Dr. Brianne Bettcher (20 min) 3. Current Anti-Amyloid Therapies: Real World Experience: Dr. Tara Carlisle (20 min) Panel Q&A (15 min): Drs. Pelak, Bettcher, Carlisle |
In-person and Virtual via Zoom |
| 2:45–3:00 | Break | In-person and Virtual via Zoom |
| 3:00–3:30 |
Attendee feedback session: What outcomes matter most to patients and families? Moderator: Dr. Pelak |
In-person and Virtual via Zoom |
| 3:30–3:50 |
Panel discussion: Regulatory considerations for ADRD related disorders and rare phenotypes Moderator: Dr. Kavita V. Nair Panel: Drs. V. Pelak and P. Subramanian |
In-person and Virtual via Zoom |
| 3:50–4:00 | Wrap-up: Dr. Pelak | In-person and Virtual via Zoom |
| 4:00–4:30 | Interact with our sponsors | In-person |
Sponsors
For those joining the program virtually via Zoom, presentations and interactive sessions will be available in listen-only mode to help ensure a smooth experience for all attendees. Thus, the Zoom option will not be interactive.
Speaker and Panelist Biographies:
Chair
Dr. Victoria Pelak, MD is the Charles Elliot Morris Endowed Chair in Neurology and a Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM). She is the Director of PCA Research at the CU Alzheimer's and Cognition Center (CUACC). Her clinical subspecialties include behavioral neurology and neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Pelak is the Executive Vice Chair of Neurology and the Interim Section Chief for Behavioral Neurology at CUSOM. She serves on the Board of the North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society. She specializes in assessing and treating people with visual problems related to the nervous system, and her research focuses on vision symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease, Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease, and similar disorders. Since 2012, she has directed the only patient support group and resource hub for PCA in the United States. Dr. Pelak is the Principal Investigator on multiple studies related to vision and aging and on the PCA syndrome, including The Colorado PCA BioRegistry study, The ProBioPCA study, and the TRAC-PCA study.
Dr. Tara Carlisle, MD., PhD is an Assistant Professor at CUACC and developed the Advanced Therapy in Neurodegenerative Disorders (ATND) Clinic since 2025 where anti-amyloid therapies (AAT) are prescribed. Dr. Carlisle has an interest in the real-world response to anti-amyloid therapies including in atypical and early onset presentations of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Carlisle also has particular interests in predicting cognitive decline and cognitive reserve. She is leading projects to develop a clinical tool focusing on modifiable and/or reversible risk factors to predict those at high risk of developing cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease, as well as projects investigating sex differences in Alzheimer’s disease risk and contributions of sex hormone exposure to cognitive reserve. She is acting as a dementia expert on a team developing a roadmap as a tool for making decisions about care along the cognitive spectrum and developing shared decision-making tools for consideration of AAT.
Dr. Brianne Bettcher, PhD, ABPP-CN is an Associate Professor and Neuropsychologist in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Dr. Bettcher’s research laboratory is focused on the neurobiology of aging and seeks to understand the role of immune system dysfunction in aging and Alzheimer’s disease with the use of neuroimaging, cognitive testing, blood markers, and molecular imaging. Ultimately, her research aims to understand better what puts people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and what protects aging adults from developing Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Bettcher is the Principal Investigator on several studies
Dr. Prem Sagar Subramanian MD., PhD. is the Clifford R. and Janice N. Merrill Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology and is professor of ophthalmology, neurology, and neurosurgery and vice chair for academic affairs at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers University of Colorado Eye Center/School of Medicine. He is also Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He received his MD with high honors and PhD in molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He is a founding member of the medical staff of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, which serves to improve the functioning of patients with traumatic brain injury through intensive outpatient rehabilitation. He is also an active orbitocranial surgeon with a specific interest in tumors of the skull base and small-incisional approaches. His current research is focused on finding more effective medical treatments for patients at risk for progressive thyroid ophthalmopathy, developing better treatments of vision problems in patients with increased intracranial pressure, and using vestibular and visual therapies to overcome visual and balance dysfunction after traumatic brain injury. He is Chair of the Board of Directors of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Chair of the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and member of the AAO Board of Trustees and serves on the Board of Directors of the North American Society of Academic Orbital Surgeons; in addition, he has published over 250 research articles, book chapters, and web-based educational materials and is a dedicated educator in several countries around the world.
Kavita V. Nair, PhD. Is a Professor of Neurology and Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Neurology (School of Medicine) and Department of Clinical Pharmacy (Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences). Dr. Nair is a health outcomes researcher in neurological disease which includes multiple sclerosis, rare neurological disease and Alzheimer’s disease to name a few. Dr. Nair has pioneered education/research/preceptorship type relationships with the pharmaceutical industry to develop these programs in multiple sclerosis and NMOSD.