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March Madness is built on split-second decisions, emotional swings and the thrill of uncertainty. From game-winning shots and busted brackets to late-night tip-offs and watch parties with friends, the NCAA tournament offers more than drama on the court — it also creates a window into how people think, react, connect and make meaning through sports.
For many Kentuckians, March Madness is more than just a basketball tournament — it’s a shared tradition that sparks excitement, conversation and community across generations. But could the rituals of sports fandom — filling out brackets, debating game strategy and cheering on the Cats — also benefit our brains?
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce that Lance A. Johnson, PhD, has been selected to serve as chair of the UK College of Medicine Department of Neuroscience.
A team of University of Kentucky researchers has uncovered a surprising clue in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease that could help doctors predict, and ultimately prevent, a common side effect of the newest generation of Alzheimer’s therapies.
New research from the University of Kentucky shows that person-centered activities can improve the quality of life for patients living with dementia.
The study found that prioritizing joyful, engaging activities benefits dementia residents while also reducing stress for caregivers.
Scientists at the University of Kentucky have uncovered a new reason why people with Alzheimer’s disease often struggle with sleep, long before memory loss begins. The study, led by researchers at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, reveals that a protein called tau “hijacks” the brain’s energy supply, keeping the brain in a state of overactive excitability that prevents restorative rest.
Each year UK Athletics, UK HealthCare and the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging partner for a game honoring legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt — a beloved leader and fierce Southeastern Conference competitor, who battled Alzheimer’s disease with remarkable courage.
The University of Kentucky is well-represented on a list of the most-cited researchers in the world. In a database compiled by Stanford University in a partnership with Elsevier, 112 current UK scientists and scholars appear among the top 2% of the most-cited researchers across 22 disciplines.
For many Kentuckians with dementia, medical interventions may seem like the only choice, but a new University of Kentucky study shows that prioritizing joy and engagement through enrichment activities is vital for the health of both residents and the caregivers who support them.
Two University of Kentucky College of Medicine students, Carlie Arlinghaus and Riya Patel, have been chosen for the Health Disparities Research Training (HDRT) Fellowship.
Each year UK Athletics, UK HealthCare, and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging partner in the “We Back Pat” basketball game. This game, in honor of the legendary coach, Pat Summitt, who died of Alzheimer’s disease, brings awareness to Alzheimer’s research, care, and education.
Imagine being able to see the invisible—amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and metabolic changes in the living brain. This is no longer science fiction; it’s reality at the University of Kentucky.
Elizabeth Rhodus, PhD, joined Fox 56 News to share about dementia warnings signs families may notice around the holidays as well as best practices for caring for caregivers.
Watch the full interview here.
The University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is home to researchers pushing the field of Alzheimer’s science forward — among them, soon-to-be graduate Bernardo Aguzzoli Herbele, who will earn his doctorate in neuroscience this month.
By Dana G. Smith
Dec. 1, 2025
This article was published by the New York Times. Read the full article on New York Times.
Samuel Lundt, PhD, a trainee in Dr. Maj-Linda Selenica’s lab, joined the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging in 2024 as a T32.
It was not by accident he found his way to UK. He was at an academic lab meeting in Portland where he met BBSRB researcher Dr. Zain Quadri, who knew about the T32 and suggested he apply. Lundt made no hesitation and went for it!
Note: This article was published by the New York Times. Read the article here.
By Pam Belluck
University of Kentucky researchers have developed a new experimental model that could point the way toward more effective Alzheimer’s disease treatments by targeting one of the brain’s most important genes for risk and resilience.
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Awards Convocation recognizes excellence across our institution. During the annual event, faculty, staff, and learners were recognized for their exceptional contributions to education, research, clinical care, and service. On Oct.