Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A version of this video with audio description track is available here:
youtube.com/watch?v=B6L19pWzHBA
Alzheimer’s disease can begin developing years before memory and thinking problems become noticeable. Iris Broce-Diaz, Ph.D., of UC San Diego is developing accessible, noninvasive, and cost-effective tools to help primary care physicians and neurologists identify people at higher risk earlier. Her models combine information from cognitive assessments, brain imaging, genetics, and PET scans to estimate the likelihood that mild cognitive impairment will progress within five years. Combining multiple measures improves the models’ ability to separate higher- and lower-risk patients. Broce-Diaz also plans to add women-specific factors, including menopause history, hormone therapy, reproductive history, endocrine markers, and symptoms. The goal is to support better referrals, guide monitoring, and help eligible patients consider treatment sooner. Earlier risk assessment could also strengthen clinical trials and make dementia care more useful across different health systems. Recorded on 05/27/2026. [8/2026] [Show ID: 41632]
0:00 Building Tools for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection
5:26 Why Women Face Greater Alzheimer’s Risk
6:57 How Menopause Data Could Improve Prediction
8:18 Adding Hormone Measures to Risk Models
9:19 How Earlier Risk Testing Could Change Screening
12:25 Making Risk Models Work Across Countries
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uctv.tv/donate
Please Note: Knowledge about health and medicine is constantly evolving. This information may become out of date.
More videos from: UC San Diego Women's Health Symposium
(uctv.tv/ucsd-womens-health)
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Explore More Health & Medicine on UCTV
(uctv.tv/health)
UCTV features the latest in health and medicine from University of California medical schools. Find the information you need on cancer, transplantation, obesity, disease and much more.
UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world.
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FAQ
Q: How early can Alzheimer’s disease begin before symptoms appear?
A: The disease process can begin about 10 years before noticeable memory or thinking problems. This makes earlier risk assessment important for monitoring, referrals, and treatment decisions.
Q: How can doctors estimate whether mild cognitive impairment will progress?
A: Risk models can combine cognitive assessments, brain imaging, genetics, and PET scans. In the data presented, combining several measures separates people at higher and lower risk more effectively than using one measure alone.
Q: Why include menopause and reproductive health in Alzheimer’s risk models?
A: Alzheimer’s disease affects women about twice as often as men, and biological changes may occur during the same period when the disease is beginning to develop. Researchers are studying menopause history, hormone therapy, reproductive history, endocrine markers, and symptoms to see whether they improve prediction for women.
A version of this video with audio description track is available here:
youtube.com/watch?v=B6L19pWzHBA
Alzheimer’s disease can begin developing years before memory and thinking problems become noticeable. Iris Broce-Diaz, Ph.D., of UC San Diego is developing accessible, noninvasive, and cost-effective tools to help primary care physicians and neurologists identify people at higher risk earlier. Her models combine information from cognitive assessments, brain imaging, genetics, and PET scans to estimate the likelihood that mild cognitive impairment will progress within five years. Combining multiple measures improves the models’ ability to separate higher- and lower-risk patients. Broce-Diaz also plans to add women-specific factors, including menopause history, hormone therapy, reproductive history, endocrine markers, and symptoms. The goal is to support better referrals, guide monitoring, and help eligible patients consider treatment sooner. Earlier risk assessment could also strengthen clinical trials and make dementia care more useful across different health systems. Recorded on 05/27/2026. [8/2026] [Show ID: 41632]
0:00 Building Tools for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection
5:26 Why Women Face Greater Alzheimer’s Risk
6:57 How Menopause Data Could Improve Prediction
8:18 Adding Hormone Measures to Risk Models
9:19 How Earlier Risk Testing Could Change Screening
12:25 Making Risk Models Work Across Countries
Donate to UCTV to support informative & inspiring programming:
uctv.tv/donate
Please Note: Knowledge about health and medicine is constantly evolving. This information may become out of date.
More videos from: UC San Diego Women's Health Symposium
(uctv.tv/ucsd-womens-health)
More from: Motherhood Channel
(uctv.tv/motherhood)
Explore More Health & Medicine on UCTV
(uctv.tv/health)
UCTV features the latest in health and medicine from University of California medical schools. Find the information you need on cancer, transplantation, obesity, disease and much more.
UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world.
(https://www.uctv.tv)
FAQ
Q: How early can Alzheimer’s disease begin before symptoms appear?
A: The disease process can begin about 10 years before noticeable memory or thinking problems. This makes earlier risk assessment important for monitoring, referrals, and treatment decisions.
Q: How can doctors estimate whether mild cognitive impairment will progress?
A: Risk models can combine cognitive assessments, brain imaging, genetics, and PET scans. In the data presented, combining several measures separates people at higher and lower risk more effectively than using one measure alone.
Q: Why include menopause and reproductive health in Alzheimer’s risk models?
A: Alzheimer’s disease affects women about twice as often as men, and biological changes may occur during the same period when the disease is beginning to develop. Researchers are studying menopause history, hormone therapy, reproductive history, endocrine markers, and symptoms to see whether they improve prediction for women.
