Overview
Alzheimer’s disease affects women and gender-diverse people disproportionately. Nearly two-thirds of those diagnosed are women, and women make up the majority of caregivers. Research also shows that gender-diverse people often face unique challenges related to Alzheimer’s, from diagnosis to care.
That’s why the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic — based at Cleveland Clinic Nevada in Las Vegas — is dedicated to advancing prevention and research on women and gender-diverse communities.
In addition to prevention and research, the Center prioritizes care partner support. Recognizing the emotional and practical challenges of caregiving, the team works to help those who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s as an essential part of the journey.
Inspired by her personal mission to reshape the future of Alzheimer’s, Maria Shriver led the effort to create the Center, which is the first of its kind in the U.S. This is especially critical as research shows that dementia cases may double by 2060.
While we don’t yet fully understand why women and gender-diverse people are more affected by Alzheimer’s, research points to a combination of factors. These may include:
- Menopause
- Depression
- Being less physically active
- Having a copy of the APOE-4 allele (genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease)
- Diabetes
- Certain types of life stressors
While Alzheimer’s disease affects all races and ethnicities, people who are Black or Hispanic also have an increased risk.
Helping you stay ahead of Alzheimer’s
If you’re between the ages of 30 and 60, you’re probably balancing a lot — a career, caregiving, family. It’s also the time when science shows that preventive care for Alzheimer’s matters most.
We’re here to help you take action that fits your life. At our Center, we focus on you — your concerns, your goals and your unique health profile. We start by listening and working with you to build a personalized plan.
Research suggests that up to 45% of Alzheimer’s cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes, like increasing physical activity, choosing healthy foods and managing any health conditions. While Alzheimer’s can’t always be prevented, our goal is to help you understand your risks and reduce the ones you can control.
If you’re a woman or gender-diverse person between 30 and 60, and you have a family history or known genetic risk of Alzheimer’s, we can help. Our providers are specially trained in Alzheimer’s prevention and offer customized lifestyle recommendations based on your health history. You’ll also have access to optional support for nutrition and activity — plus the opportunity to participate in leading-edge research studies.
Founded in 2020, our Center is powered by philanthropy. Donor support makes our care and prevention efforts possible — and fuels research that’s expanding what we know about Alzheimer’s, how to reduce risk and how to protect brain health for future generations.
We’re actively growing our services in Nevada, with plans to reach more communities through additional Cleveland Clinic locations and to serve adults over 60 in the future.
You can help us shape the future of Alzheimer’s prevention.
Consider a donation to the WAM Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic today.
What to Expect
The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic uses virtual (online) and in-person appointments for a personalized experience. We’ll take a close look at your risks and help you make sustainable lifestyle changes with an eye on Alzheimer’s disease prevention.
Online assessment
At least four weeks before your first in-person appointment, you’ll complete our online assessment. Your answers will give us a better look at your Alzheimer’s disease risks and your background. We’ll use this information to create recommendations to help you lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
In-person visits
After your online assessment, you’ll meet with us in person several times. Feel free to ask questions and share any concerns you may have at these appointments. We want you to feel comfortable and confident going forward. Here’s what you can expect your providers to do at various appointments:
- Measure your height, weight and size of your waist.
- Check your blood pressure and pulse.
- Test your memory and thinking skills.
- Ask about your medical history.
- Order bloodwork at a lab of your choice.
- Go over the results of your tests and touch base about lifestyle changes.
- Give you highly personalized recommendations on how to reduce your medical risks for Alzheimer’s disease — like diet and exercise.
Please Note: For your first in-person visit, no family or friends are permitted in the room. For all other visits, we encourage you to bring a friend or family member along to listen and help take notes.
Our Clinical Team
Zhi "Jenny" Baker, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Sandra Darling, DO
Wellness and Preventive Medicine
Shehroo Pudumjee, PhD
Neuropsychology
Appointments & Locations
The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic — located in Las Vegas, Nevada — offers care for women and gender-diverse people who:
- Are between the ages of 30 and 60
- Have a family history of Alzheimer’s or a known genetic risk
- May be at higher risk — Alzheimer’s affects women of all backgrounds, but Black women are twice as likely and Hispanic women 1.5 times as likely to develop the disease compared to white women
- Haven’t been diagnosed with memory loss and are not currently seeking a diagnosis
We’re here to support you in taking proactive steps — before symptoms begin. If you’re interested in learning more about this program and whether it is right for you, email womenpreventalz@ccf.org for more information.
Ready to schedule? We’re here to help
- Request an appointment
- Or call us at 833.966.3623 to find a time that works for you
Are you 60 or older? We’re planning to expand our age range. Complete this short form online form and we’ll notify you when appointments open for your age group.
Once you have a confirmed appointment
Please complete all online forms at least two weeks before in advance. These forms help us understand your health history, your risk factors —and your strengths — so we can personalize your care. If you don’t complete these forms before coming in to see us, we’ll need to reschedule your visit.
Cost & Insurance
A visit to our center is a billable medical appointment. Your insurance plan’s guidelines will determine your out-of-pocket costs.
You can speak with a Cleveland Clinic financial counselor if you need help preparing for a conversation with your insurance provider. To learn more, review our billing and insurance information.
Your support helps us grow — and reach more people.
We’re deeply committed to serving women and gender-diverse communities at risk for Alzheimer’s. Generous donations power this work, allowing us to sustain and expand our efforts.
With your help, we aim to grow our services to reach more people — including those over 60 and in new locations.
Every gift makes a difference. Consider a donation today.
Research
Patients of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic may be eligible to participate in research studies.
Our current study assesses stress, hormone levels, immune system function and brain function.
To learn more, please email us at womenpreventalz@ccf.org and put “Research Interest” in the title. You can also call the WAM Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic at 833.966.3623. We will set a time to speak with you by phone to discuss the details.
Risk Reduction Resources
Reduce medical risks
Protecting and prioritizing your medical health is a key part of reducing your Alzheimer’s disease risk. Talk with your provider about how to best prevent or treat:
- Depression.
- Diabetes.
- Excessive drinking
- Hearing loss.
- Head injury.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Obesity.
- Smoking/Nicotine dependence.
Challenge your brain
Studies show that finishing high school is associated with less risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Challenging your brain is also important to your brain health. While science hasn’t shown there’s one best way to do this, it has shown challenging your brain is better than just keeping it busy. A few ways to push your brain to the next level are:
- Doing challenging crossword puzzles or brain games.
- Picking up a new skill or hobby like learning a new recipe, language or instrument.
- Reading a book on a topic that’s new to you.
- Taking a different way to work or the store.
- Using your non-dominant hand (left, if you are right-handed) for daily tasks.
Avoid air pollution
Air pollution has recently been identified as an Alzheimer’s disease risk. So, it’s important to reduce your exposure to air pollution as much as possible. For example, if your city issues a warning about poor air quality, follow its guidelines about spending time outside.
Improve your mental health
You probably don’t think about your mood or psychological health playing a role in reducing your Alzheimer’s disease risk. But your mental and social health are very important. You should prioritize:
- Staying connected to friends and loved ones — and making new friends.
- Practicing mindful meditation.
- Keeping physically and mentally active.
- Treating depression.
Exercise
Exercise positively affects your health, including your brain health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. Scientists are currently working on identifying the best types of exercise. And, while more studies are needed, high intensity interval training (HIIT) may have particularly strong benefits for keeping your brain (and memory) healthy. The benefits of exercise are cumulative (build up), so after getting approval from your doctor, start small and move daily.
Examples of higher intensity exercises include:
- Aerobics.
- Cycling.
- Hiking.
- Running.
Examples of lower intensity exercises include:
- Swimming.
- Tai Chi.
- Walking at a moderate intensity.
- Yoga and stretching.
Remember that you don’t have to have a gym membership to keep moving and exercising. There are lots of ways add movement into your daily activities like:
- Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walking to a nearby errand instead of driving.
- Walking or standing while on a phone call.
- Cleaning and gardening.
Adopt a healthy eating plan
Good nutrition helps both your brain and body work. Certain foods and diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help slow down brain degeneration and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Foods to incorporate into your diet:
- Fruits and vegetables like berries and leafy greens.
- Whole grains.
- Fish and lean meats.
- Olive oil.
Foods to avoid:
- Red meat.
- Highly processed foods.
- Whole-fat cheese.
- Butter.
- Fried foods and sweets.
Brain health treatment guide
This guide provides a roadmap for your journey to the best possible brain health. Where supportive evidence is available, recommendations are based on the most current clinical, epidemiological and nutritional data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented?
There’s currently no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s. But according to the Lancet Commission, up to 45% of cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes like improving diet, increasing physical activity and managing chronic conditions.
That’s why our clinic focuses on personalized risk-reduction strategies for everyone we see. While we can’t eliminate risk entirely, we’ll work with you to help reduce the factors we can control.
How do I make an appointment, and how much do services cost?
For more information, please visit Appointments & Locations and Cost & Insurance information.
How many appointments will I have?
You’ll typically have three in-person visits at our clinic and a check-in visit that can either be in-person or virtual. Here’s what will happen at each of these appointments:
First visit
- You’ll do some testing during your first visit. Because of this, no support people are allowed in the testing room with you. They can stay in our waiting room if they come with you to this visit. Also, anyone who accompanies you to any of your visits must be 18+.
Second visit
- On your second visit, you’ll meet with a neuropsychologist (a psychologist who specializes in how your brain works). They’ll talk with you about your test results and make recommendations. You are welcome to bring one family member or friend (18+) along for this visit.
Third visit
- At your third visit, you’ll meet with a medical provider. We’ll talk more about your results and recommendations. You’re welcome to bring one family member or friend age 18+ along for this visit.
Fourth visit
- Your fourth visit will take place a couple months after your third in-person visit to our center. You’ll check back in with your provider — either in-person or virtually. They’ll go over your bloodwork results and touch base with you about your lifestyle changes. Feel free to ask any questions or share concerns with your provider. You’re welcome to have one friend or family member join you for this appointment.
Why do I have to provide my insurance information?
When you come for your visit, you’ll need to review and sign the Financial Responsibility terms in Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health – Las Vegas’ Patient Acknowledgment and Consent Document. It’s also available via MyChart. You’ll also be financially responsible for the services related to the blood draw and the medical provider visit.
We recommend you check with your insurance carrier before your appointments start to verify your benefits and coverage. Otherwise, you may have to pay out of pocket for these services.
Philanthropic donations cover certain services provided by The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention Center. These include your cognitive and physical testing, visit with a neuropsychologist, online resources and support for scheduling and patient questions.
Please contact a Cleveland Clinic Patient Financial Advocate, at 216.442.1600, with any questions you may have about your financial responsibility for the services our center provides.
How will Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic communicate with me throughout my prevention journey?
MyChart, our electronic medical record, is the best and fastest way to reach us. We’ll also use email to reach out with reminders or opportunities. So, it’s important to keep an eye on your email for any updates or additional questionnaires we may send to you.
- Visit clevelandclinic.org/mychart to get started.
If you’re not yet a patient, you can feel free to ask us general questions by emailing us at womenpreventalz@ccf.org – however, if you are a patient with questions that relate to your medical care, please use our secure MyChart.
Are lab draws mandatory for patients of this clinic?
Lab draws are mandatory for WAM Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic to provide full, comprehensive feedback and recommendations.
Are there opportunities to participate in research?
WAM Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic seeks to improve clinical processes for Alzheimer’s disease prevention.
We offer all participants the opportunity to allow us to use your de-identified clinical data (that is, scores and ratings with no name or identifying information attached) to help us assess quality of our services and improve them in the future. We also have an ongoing study of stress and estrogen that you may be eligible to participate in. We’ll go over these opportunities at your visit.
We will also periodically offer other types of research that are designed to help us understand why Alzheimer’s disease is different in this population — and what we can do about that. Click here to see if any current research applies to you.
How do I get more information?
Email us at womenpreventalz@ccf.org or call 833.966.3623.
Why do I need to have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a known genetic risk to participate in the program?
Our clinic is designed for Alzheimer’s disease prevention and risk reduction in people at increased risk for the disease. Although many of our recommendations can be applied for brain health generally, each participant’s specific plan is designed for Alzheimer’s disease prevention — and preventing other conditions or for general healthy aging.
What if I have had memory changes or have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia?
WAM Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic is designed for participants who currently don’t have memory issues. If you’ve had memory changes or a diagnosis of a memory disorder, our team of neurologists at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health provides diagnosis and ongoing treatment for these cognitive disorders. We also offer support services for family members who care for you.
Why are Black and Hispanic people at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease?
Researchers are still working on this question. One part of the answer that has been studied is that Black and Hispanic people are more likely to face systemic factors that can increase Alzheimer’s disease risk, like reduced access to medical care, education opportunities and healthy foods.
