Leading Alzheimer's Disease scientist joins NeuroCog Trials

DURHAM, NC, US - Jul 16, 2018 - Dr. Kathleen Anne Welsh-Bohmer, a specialist in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research, has joined the scientific leadership team at NeuroCog Trials (NCT) as the Vice President of Neurodegenerative Disorders. In her new role she will lead the development of new technology and tools to support customers conducting clinical trials for dementia and other cognitive disorders.

Having dedicated more than 25 years to research surrounding neurodegenerative disorders that occur later in life, Dr. Welsh-Bohmer is a Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at Duke University. She has the highest level of scientific expertise and continues to develop prevention and treatment strategies that help to eliminate the onset of age-related cognitive disorders.   

Her work includes neuropsychology leadership in the Takeda Pharmaceutical’s TOMMORROW STUDY, the largest, industry-sponsored, Phase 3 clinical trial of its kind with a focus on the secondary prevention of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD. The methods her team developed for this study filled an information void and led to the validation of a genetic biomarker that will help to accelerate global clinical trials in AD prevention.

Dr. Richard Keefe, Co-Founder and CEO of NeuroCog Trials, said: “Dr. Welsh-Bohmer has been an esteemed colleague and partner on several global clinical trials and I am delighted to have her join NCT as we continue to offer pharmaceutical companies development solutions to address this enormous unmet need.

Seen as one of the most challenging areas of drug development, the Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention landscape requires quickly evolving regulatory guidance and disruptive therapeutic approaches. As one of the true leaders in the AD scientific research field, Dr. Welsh-Bohmer brings that expertise to our team and our clients’ projects.”

As part of her new role she will also lead the ongoing development of wearables and custom in-house assessments to support sponsor companies conducting clinical trials related to this therapeutic area.  

Dr. Welsh-Bohmer’s work as Director of the Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (Bryan ADRC) at Duke University Medical Center was centered around discovering the biological basis of Alzheimer’s disease and developing methods to enhance early diagnosis and speed drug discovery. She also serves as the Director of Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials within the Duke Clinical Research Institute.

Dr. Welsh-Bohmer received her PhD in psychology from the University of Virginia and completed postdoctoral training in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Iowa.  She is board certified in the practice of clinical neuropsychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.