The University of Southern California's Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute will be renamed the USC Epstein Family Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute, recognizing the support of Life Trustee Daniel J. Epstein, his wife Phyllis, and their family. The Epsteins have played a leading role in advancing USC’s research efforts to address Alzheimer’s disease.
Paul S. Aisen, MD, founding director and holder of the Epstein Alzheimer's Disease Director's Chair, leads the institute. Under his leadership over the past decade, the institute has contributed to important developments including blood tests that detect changes associated with Alzheimer’s in the brain and treatments designed to slow disease progression.
"We now have effective disease-slowing interventions and a clear path toward prevention of Alzheimer's disease - progress only possible with the inspired support of people like Dan Epstein and his family," Aisen said. "Our work at ATRI thrives in partnership with Dan's visionary leadership and brings us closer to the day we defeat this terrible disease."
The Epsteins’ commitment is rooted in personal experience. Daniel Epstein’s identical twin brother David lived with Alzheimer’s for 15 years before passing away in 2021. This experience motivated the family to take action.
Their initial investment supported the establishment of the Epstein Family Alzheimer's Research Collaboration between USC and UC San Diego in 2022. This contribution enabled advanced clinical trials, data sharing initiatives, and furthered research into blood biomarkers that could identify brain abnormalities before traditional scans reveal them.
Researchers at what will now be known as USC Epstein Family ATRI envision routine annual blood tests that can detect Alzheimer’s decades prior to symptoms appearing, followed by preventive treatments based on USC research.
"The work of the USC Epstein Family ATRI is urgent," said Carolyn Meltzer, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "The sooner we can achieve accurate, early detection and effective prevention, the more memories we can protect and the more lives we can save."
Meltzer emphasized that Dan and Phyllis Epstein’s support benefits both researchers at USC and families worldwide who may gain hope for preventing Alzheimer’s.
"The Epsteins' leadership makes it possible," Meltzer said, "for Dr. Aisen and the ATRI team to lead in the global fight against Alzheimer's disease."
