NYU Researcher Honored for Publication of 'Most Impactful Study in Last Two Years' at Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

LOS ANGELES, JULY 16, 2019 — The Alzheimer’s Association presented its Inge Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research to Shane Liddelow, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at NYU Langone Health. The Award was presented during the plenary session on Tuesday, July 16 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2019 in Los Angeles.

The Inge Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research is presented to the first author of the most impactful study published in Alzheimer’s research during the two calendar years preceding AAIC.

Dr. Liddelow received the award for his research on the role of reactive astrocytes in driving cell death in neurodegenerative disorders. He and his colleagues have shown that these reactive astrocytes are induced by neuroinflammation, such as that which occurs during brain injury. In addition, blocking these cells was able to prevent neuronal death. As a result, reactive astrocytes may serve as a potential therapeutic target in neurodegenerative disorders. Their findings were detailed in a paper, “Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,” published in Nature, in January 2017.

Dr. Liddelow received his Bachelors of Science and Biomedical Science and his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Melbourne, Australia. In 2012, he joined the laboratory of Ben Barres, M.D., Ph.D., at Stanford University as a postdoctoral fellow. He is currently an assistant professor at NYU Langone Medical Center.

The Alzheimer’s Association created the Grunde-Iqbal award to honor Inge Grundke-Iqbal, Ph.D., who served as professor and head of Neuroimmunology at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Development Disabilities from 1977 until her passing in September 2012. A world-renowned scientist and Alzheimer’s disease researcher, Dr. Grundke-Iqbal made several seminal findings in the biology of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions.

The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to accelerating the global effort to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease and to recognizing the efforts of researchers who further our understanding about this devastating disease. As the worldwide nonprofit leader in funding Alzheimer’s research, we continue to directly fund cutting-edge research with approximately $165 million accelerating advances in more than 450 best-of-field active projects in 25 countries around the world.

About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference^® (AAIC^®)
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world’s largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer’s and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community.
AAIC 2019 home page: aaic.alz.org
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About the Alzheimer's Association^®
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org or call +1 800.272.3900.

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