The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) at Cleveland Clinic hosted its first WAM Forum on May 19, 2025, at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center in Las Vegas. Founder Maria Shriver welcomed leading scientists, advocates, and researchers to celebrate progress in women’s brain health research and recognize the work still ahead.

Understanding Has Evolved

“Way back when I first got involved in Alzheimer’s advocacy, it was believed that it didn’t discriminate against women … that it was a normal part of aging,” Shriver said in an interview with Casey Harrison of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “All of that has been debunked. This is an ongoing, living, breathing arena of study that will only change because of research.”

The forum also marked the fifth anniversary of the WAM Prevention and Research Center, which has made meaningful strides in understanding women’s unique Alzheimer’s risk factors.

Five Years of Progress

Since opening in 2020, the WAM Prevention and Research Center has:

• Served 457 women from 31 states across nearly 1,700 patient visits
• Enrolled 281 women in research studies exploring stress, estrogen, and lifestyle factors
• Secured $8 million in federal grant funding
• Published 26 research papers and presented findings at conferences nationwide

Supporting Future Research

At the forum, three Cleveland Clinic researchers received WAM Research grants to continue investigating how sex differences, immune responses, and gut health influence Alzheimer’s progression. These grants represent the 51st round of WAM funding, which has helped attract over $83 million in additional research support.

The event also recognized leaders in the field: Emma Heming Willis received the Caregiving Award for her advocacy work, MOSH – The Brain Brand® received the Corporate Leadership Award, and philanthropist Elaine Wynn was honored posthumously for her contributions to women’s health research.

Looking Ahead

With dementia cases potentially doubling by 2060—and women representing the majority of new cases—prevention-focused research remains critical. The WAM Prevention and Research Center continues building on evidence that up to 45% of Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented through lifestyle modifications.

Watch the complete WAM Forum video above to hear the full conversation with Maria Shriver, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, and other leaders working to advance women’s brain health research.