26-author publication on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias harnesses power of collaboration using Team Science approach

As USC leadership and expertise in advancing brain health and healthy aging grows ever stronger, a recent scholarly paper perfectly exemplifies why South Carolina’s flagship university is excelling in these efforts. Led by health promotion, education, and behavior (HPEB) professor Daniela Friedman, 26 researchers representing 16 departments came together to integrate their knowledge and insights related to Alzheimer’s disease research in the Palmetto State. They published their collective perspectives in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports.

 “Producing this interdisciplinary paper on Alzheimer’s disease is important because it brings together perspectives that are not often connected yet critically needed to advance both science and practice,” says Friedman, who serves as the Associate Dean for Research and Leadership Development for the Arnold School of Public Health and whose own research agenda focuses on health and risk communication among older populations in the areas of cancer prevention and Alzheimer’s disease. “Using a collaborative approach is especially appropriate here because it allows us to address complex challenges more holistically and with diverse expertise at the table.”

The authors adopted a Team Science approach for this particular paper – a collaborative method that has grown in recognition over the past two decades for its ability to address complex, multi-factorial challenges. Bringing researchers together who have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise is also a growing trend among advocates of the Team Science approach.

HPEB doctoral student and first-author on the paper Sayema Akter played a major role in not only preparing the manuscript but also in coordinating the contributions of the 25 other co-authors. Borrowing from a recurring loop model framework developed by the USC Cancer Prevention and Control Program, the team organized their areas of expertise across four phases: discovery, development, delivery, and dissemination.

“We used this model to organize the university-wide contributions to Alzheimer’s disease research in the state of South Carolina because it follows the continuum of the research advancement,” Akter says. “Most importantly, it reminds us that research is an ongoing, iterative process where each new insight encourages us to revisit, refine, and strengthen earlier phases, promoting continuous learning and shared innovation across disciplines.”
 

Tackling complex challenges together

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are the seventh leading cause of death and resulted in $345 billion in care costs in 2024 for the nearly 6.9 million Americans currently living with the condition. If no medical breakthroughs are introduced in the coming years that slow or cure ADRD, the U.S. population is projected to double to 12.7 million by 2050, with associated care costs rising to one trillion dollars annually.

The sense of urgency among clinicians and scientists – as well as the individuals and family members impacted by ADRD – stems from the multiple factors. The rapid growth is a major concern, but so is the absence of an effective cure. Current treatment methods simply slow the progression of dementia – if they work at all – and even the most promising new medications available have yet to show the level of efficacy needed to curb this epidemic.

The co-authors on this recent paper represent the USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Group, which is part of the larger state-funded South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The USC group is co-led by Friedman (public health lead) and USC School of Medicine Columbia Associate Dean of Research Leonardo Bonilha (overall lead) and includes four active work groups of faculty members, students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff: Engineering, Molecular Biology, Neuroimaging, and Health Sciences (Public Health/Nursing/Social Work). The Center recently hosted the Statewide Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research Symposium to convene researchers, practitioners, students, and others with an interest in ADRD and solving its challenges.

“This Center’s mission is to advance ADRD research and address the needs of communities across South Carolina who are impacted by these conditions,” Friedman says. “This work extends to translating research findings into practical improvements in diagnosis, care and prevention, which is why publishing updates on what we currently know is essential to keeping all stakeholders engaged in where we stand and where we’re going with regard to ADRD treatment and care.”

Though the paper describes the insights from each work group in much more detail, a summary of their contributions can be found in the following table:

“Together, the USC ADRC work groups demonstrate how a ‘team science’ approach integrates neuroimaging, molecular biology, engineering, and health sciences to form a complete, iterative ‘discovery-to-dissemination’ loop that drives innovation,” Friedman says. “This collaborative model not only advances scientific progress but also ensures that research benefits our communities and reduces disparities in dementia care and outcomes. Our team is grateful to Sayema for guiding our team toward this publication and continued interdisciplinary initiatives.”