GHR Foundation’s Health initiative partners with organizations pursuing the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, targeting funding to improve some of the largest research efforts in the field. One such partner is Washington University’s Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU). The DIAN-TU was formed to design and implement prevention trials for dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease, caused by a genetic mutation.

This rare form of Alzheimer’s disease results in early-onset of the disease with symptoms starting as early as a person’s 30s and 40s. The DIAN-TU launched a prevention study in this rare population testing experimental drug therapies that may stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms emerge. The trial is currently fully enrolled for the first two drugs and operational in 24 sites across six countries, with interim results expected in 2017 and final results by 2019.

The DIAN-TU builds on Washington University's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Observational study which collects observational data on persons with these genetic mutations.  The DIAN study is operational in 17 sites across six countries, many of which are also DIAN-TU trial sites.

Washington University is currently planning its DIAN-TU Next Generation trials, which will test two additional potential treatments and novel diagnostic approaches with the dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease population. The DIAN-TU project gained attention recently in Germany during the first meeting of German families with the mutations. Attendees were informed about Alzheimer’s clinical trials and the DIAN-TU trials in particular, and had the opportunity to pose questions to researchers. All eligible attendees indicated interest in enrolling in future studies. Given the requirement for multiple sites to meet recruitment goals in this rare population, the participation of the German families is an important step for the DIAN-TU Next Generation Trials.

To learn more about how GHR is joining forces with industry, other philanthropic partners and the United States National Institutes of Health on the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, contact us. To learn more about the DIAN-TU Study, visit www.dianexr.org or call 1-844-DIAN-EXR (844-342-6397).

GHR Foundation is committed to building a proactive team focused on excellence and impact. This week, we are pleased to welcome a new team member—Chris Berger has joined as our new director of communications. Chris brings more than a decade of experience connecting thought leaders and mission-driven organizations with new audiences and market opportunities. He will be responsible for communications strategies that advance program priorities and enhance the impact of GHR and our partners.

Throughout his career, Chris has advocated for mission-driven organizations using compelling communications and public relations strategies. As principal of Berger Brands and director of global social impact at Weber Shandwick, he has represented clients including Cargill, the American Refugee Committee, Wallin Education Partners, CogCubed, NEED Magazine and Public Radio International. He has supervised teams tackling issues including corporate social responsibility, global development, human rights and environmental sustainability through strategies and programs that engage advocates for social change.
 
Chris supports the business and non-profit community through board service and volunteer work. He is an advisory board member for CogCubed and a board member of Global Minnesota, and previously served on the boards of Urban Boatbuilders and The Push Institute. He recently completed the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Minnesota program, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College.

Chris’s global development and communications strategy experience will be a great asset to GHR Foundation as we continue to amplify the work of our partners. Communications is integral to advancing our work as we build partnerships with public and private funders and support our grantees to most effectively address complex problems. To learn more about how GHR leverages communications to improve lives and build a better future for all, contact us.

GHR's Inter-Religious Action initiative is founded on the belief that when religious leaders and communities collaborate on issues of common concern they can solve difficult problems, build trusting relationships, strengthen social cohesion and advance peace. GHR is not alone in this conviction—we partner with many like-minded individuals and organizations working to promote inter-religious collaboration and share best practices. One such partner is the Alliance for Peacebuilding, which convened a meeting in Istanbul last week as part of its GHR-funded Effective Inter-religious Action in Peacebuilding (EIAP) program.
 
EIAP is a groundbreaking three-year initiative seeking to improve the evaluation practices of inter-religious peacebuilding by addressing three specific gaps in inter-religious peacebuilding efforts—measurement, cooperation and policy. During the meeting, a group of 30 thought leaders and practitioners from Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the United States shared experiences and made recommendations for a new comprehensive and practical guide to evaluating inter-religious action. A draft of the guide will be field-tested in diverse environments during the coming year before it is shared broadly.

Beyond enhancing the guide EIAP is developing, the fruitful conversations had during the meeting made valuable connections that will help build the field of inter-religious action for peacebuilding as a whole. GHR's work with EIAP is a part of our efforts to bring the potential of inter-religious action to new places and partners. To learn more about GHR's inter-religious funding, contact us.