Aging Mind Foundation

Our Mission

The Aging Mind Foundation raises money to fund scientific research that seeks the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Our Story

Founders: Laree Hulshoff & Bill Booziotis

Both Laree Hulshoff and Bill Booziotis watched close friends suffer and ultimately succumb to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. They saw firsthand the way this incredibly cruel disease takes a toll on caretakers and families. In 2013 Laree and Bill came together to fundraise for the Center for Vital Longevity (CVL) at UT Dallas, a Dallas-based research center where scientists study the cognitive neuroscience of aging. The result of Laree and Bill’s efforts was an incredible fundraiser that honored Dallas’ beloved Bob Wilson, father of Luke, Owen and Andrew Wilson.
While working on this event, Laree learned how little money is given to Alzheimer’s research in comparison to other deadly diseases. Many of the top ten deadly diseases, like cancer and HIV, are on the decline, but the negative impact of Alzheimer’s is only growing. As an active philanthropist, Laree was motivated. She became extremely passionate about raising money to fund research that will ultimately lead to the cause and cure for the dementias and Alzheimer’s disease and so the Aging Mind Foundation was created.
Since inception, the Aging Mind Foundation has raised over $4.8 million to fund high-quality, medical, scientific dementia and Alzheimer’s research. In 2014, the Dallas Foundation agreed to be the fiscal sponsor of the Aging Mind Foundation, a component fund of the Dallas Fund, 501(c) (3) publicly supported charity, Federal Tax ID 75-2890371.

Our Impact

2023: HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL’S THE PAUL F. GLENN CENTER FOR THE BIOLOGY OF AGING RESEARCH

$517,500

• The research study entitled, Developing Human Cellular Models of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease, led by Dr. Bruce Yankner, Professor of Genetics and Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Harvard Neurodegeneration Training Program, and Co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging. Dr. Yankner has received several awards including the Zenith Award from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Nathan W. Shock award from NIA, and the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award and Transformative Research Award
• Investigate a new molecular pathway using human brain cell models which will focus on understanding the earliest changes in the aging brain that lead to Alzheimer’s disease, as well as new preventative and therapeutic strategies

2022: THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH’S ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTER

$584,622

• The research study entitled, In vivo assessment of neuroimmune response to AD pathology and neurodegeneration, led by Dr. Victor L. Villemagne, recognized as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Mind” based on his citations ranking in the top 1% globally in the field of Neuroscience and currently ranked #19 in the world among Alzheimer’s disease experts (2022)
• Ascertain the association of astrogliosis with Alzheimer’s disease pathology, cerebrovascular disease, and neuro degeneration, which will provide critical knowledge for the design of future preventative strategies for Alzheimer’s disease

2021: THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION

$296,215

• The research study entitled, Circulating Inflammatory Factors in Early Stage Dementia, led by Dr. Lynn Bekris, co-director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Aging and Neurodegeneration Biobank and Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Biomarker Core Director
• Identify and define key inflammatory factors that are active in the early stages of dementia

2020: COLUMBIA MEDICAL SCHOOL’S ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTER

$500,000

• The research study entitled, Alzheimer’s-related endosomal dysfunction and CSF tau, led by Dr. Scott Small, Director of the National Institute of Aging Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Columbia University
• Investigate the cause of cerebro-spinal fluid elevation of the protein tau in Alzheimer Disease and to further research on the trafficking hypothesis as the cause of Alzheimer’s disease

2019: YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE’S CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE, NEURODEGENERATION AND REPAIR PROGRAM

$600,000

• The research study entitled, High Fidelity Alzheimer’s Disease Models for Pathophysiological Investigation and Therapeutic Development, led by Dr. Stephen M. Strittmatter Director of Yale University School of Medicine’s Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair Program
• Develop therapeutic methods to protect synapses, the specialized connections between nerve cells, from Amyloid-beta triggered degeneration. Success will rescue the brain’s neural network from Alzheimer-associated damage without a need to remove or reduce Amyloid itself

2018: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER

$700,000

• The research study entitled, Presymptomatic Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Tauopathies, led by Dr. Marc Diamond, Director of the Center for Alzheimer’s, and Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Identify molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets that play a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The research also seeks to develop new therapies and diagnostics for Alzheimer’s that will allow diagnosis and treatment in people before the onset of cognitive problems

2017: BAYLOR AT&T MEMORY CENTER

$398,757

• The research study entitled, Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Genomic Study, led by Dr. Claudia Padilla and the research study entitled Pilot study of Triheptanoin in patients with mild impairment, led by Dr. Terry Bottiglieri, Center Director for Research, Dr. Claudia Padilla, neurologist, and Dr. Cindy Marshall, Director of the Baylor Neuroscience Center’s AT&T Memory Center
• Conduct a gene sequencing study on “outlier” Alzheimer’s patients, so that the disease can be predicted because of a known genetic mutation. The research seeks to ascertain differences in metabolites between the normal brain and an Alzheimer’s disease brain to help identify affected pathways and lead to the possible development of targeted therapies

VIEW DR. BOTTIGLIERI’S RESEARCH (PDF) ›

2016: CENTER FOR BRAIN HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

$220,000

• The research study led by Dr. Namrata Singh and by Dr. Das, part of The University of Texas at Dallas’ School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
• Explore cognitive behavior and other biomarkers found in early mild cognitive impairment by using experimental modalities

2015: CENTER FOR VITAL LONGEVITY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

$208,950

• The research study led by Dr. Sara Festini, specializing in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience and Dr. Koen, post-doctoral scientist, and Dr. Michael Rugg, Distinguished Chair in Behavioral and Brain Science and Director of Center for Vital Longevity, University of Texas at Dallas
• Support research to further advancements in the field of cognitive neuroscience of aging which focuses on cognition and brain function in busy people versus people who are less active and more relaxed

VIEW DR. FESTINI’S RESEARCH (PDF) ›

Our Board of Directors

Laree Hulshoff, Founder
Bill Booziotis, Founder, 1935–2016
Dan Owen, President 
John Clutts, Vice President 
Derek Blount, Treasurer 
Shannon Bolton
Greg Creed
Brendon Fischer
Carol Hatton
Jan Jones
Ben Lee
Jo Marie Lilly
Andy Meyercord
Jonika Nix
Carolyn DeVan Payne
Stacy Phillippe
Tom Shoaf
John Waggoner
Tia Wynne

Get the Facts

Get the facts about Alzheimer’s and dementia.

DOWNLOAD OUR FACTS AND FIGURES SHEET

Source: https://agingmindfoundation.org/