Core D: Neuropathology Core

NEUROPATHOLOGY CORE – CORE D: PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Neuropathology Core (Core D) of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (JHADRC) has several overarching goals: It is responsible for conducting postmortem neuropathological assessments for JHADRC participants, and for distributing autopsy brain tissue to researchers. It is also responsible for training young physicians and neuroscientists in the neuropathology of dementias and neurodegenerative diseases. To accomplish these goals, the Neuropathology Core will focus on the following aims: (1) to arrange and perform autopsies on clinically well-characterized individuals enrolled in the JHADRC, and to facilitate the clinical- pathological conferences during which these cases are reviewed (collaborating with the Clinical Core), (2) to store optimally prepared tissues from the autopsies and to make these specimens, and the data derived from them, available to investigators associated with the JHADRC and at other institutions, (3) to integrate the neuropathologic data from these cases with the clinical and biomarker data acquired in the same participants, using the JHADRC database, and to submit the neuropathology data to the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC), working with the Data Core, (4) to facilitate the assessment of genetically engineered mouse models relevant to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), and 5) to train basic investigators and clinical neuroscientists in the morphological and diagnostic neuropathological concepts relevant to ADRD (including those in the REC). Faculty in the Neuropathology Core also conduct research using this valuable brain tissue collection. This is facilitated by a unique brain tissue collection of individuals 25-65 years of age, as well as by the implementation of state-of-the art methodologies, including AI-assisted image analysis, spatial transcriptomics, and other approaches. Through these efforts, Core D strives to: 1) support investigators associated with the JHADRC with key resources, 2) provide expertise and mentoring to both junior and senior investigators working in AD and related disorders, and (3) promote an understanding of the importance of neuropathological assessment of well-characterized cases for clinical/translational research in the field.