Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

What Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center does

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (Wisconsin ADRC) is an academic research center housed within the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, established in 2009 with funding from the National Institute on Aging. It is one of more than 30 federally funded, NIA-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers in the United States, operating as the hub for aging and dementia research at UW-Madison. The center supports 42 investigators and more than 100 scientists-in-training, runs approximately 50 research studies per year, and maintains a Clinical Core of over 1,100 research volunteers and a Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP) cohort of 1,500+ participants followed longitudinally. Its research focuses on early detection of Alzheimer's biomarkers (amyloid and tau imaging, blood plasma testing), risk and protective factor identification, and interventions to delay disease onset and progression, with a particular emphasis on including underrepresented populations (25% of Clinical Core volunteers are African American or Native American).

The center's technology portfolio includes advanced brain imaging (capable of detecting changes up to two decades before symptoms), smartphone/tablet-based digital memory testing validated by Lindsay Clark, PhD, and the standardized imaging and blood plasma biomarker protocols it helped establish through the nationwide CLARiTI consortium (launched 2023). It operates a portfolio of educational and community programs including the Dementia Matters podcast, the Healthy Living with MCI series delivered across 10 Wisconsin counties plus the Oneida Nation, the Get Movin' exercise program, the Precious Memories Choir, and the Research Recruitment Registry.

Wisconsin ADRC is a non-commercial, state-entity research institution under the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System; it does not generate product revenue. Its funding model rests on continuous NIH/NIA federal grants, supplemented by private donations, and its "customers" are research volunteers, trainees, collaborating researchers, healthcare providers (via UW Health), and community partners such as the Black Leaders for Brain Health coalition. Geographic operations center on Madison, Wisconsin, with statewide community outreach and a globally distributed podcast.

Name

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

Legal name

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

Website

https://adrc.wisc.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center is an NIA-designated academic research hub at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that supports 42 investigators and over 1,100 clinical volunteers studying early Alzheimer's biomarkers, risk factors, and interventions to prevent or delay disease onset.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Clinical Research Center (Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias)

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology (Dementia/Memory Disorders) (HLAKAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dementia Care Coordination & Care Planning (HSABAEAJ), Family Caregiver Training & Dementia Coaching (HSABAEAI), Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care Management & Behavioral Support (HLADALAF)

Keywords

• Alzheimer's disease research
• Clinical research center
• Biomarker imaging research
• Longitudinal dementia studies
• Neuroscience research center

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Grants: Established in 2009 with funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of over 30 federally funded NIA-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers across the United States
2. Donations and Private Giving: Accepts private donations through the Give page; study visits funded by grant funding and/or private donations

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center conducts clinical and translational research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, supporting 42 investigators and 100+ scientists-in-training across approximately 50 research studies annually. It operates the Clinical Core (1,100+ research volunteers), the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP) longitudinal cohort (1,500+ participants), and provides community education through the Dementia Matters podcast, Healthy Living with MCI series, Get Movin' exercise program, and the Precious Memories Choir.

Product overview

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) is a single research center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that serves as the hub for aging and dementia research. The center provides a portfolio of products and services including the core Wisconsin ADRC research program, the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP) longitudinal study, the Dementia Matters podcast for education and outreach, the Healthy Living with MCI Series for patient education, the Get Movin' exercise program for wellness, and the Clinical Core for observational research. Additional programs include the Precious Memories Choir for therapeutic engagement. The center supports approximately 50 research studies annually with over 1,100 research volunteers in the Clinical Core.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) The core research center at University of Wisconsin-Madison that supports 42 investigators, more than 100 scientists-in-training, and approximately 50 research studies annually in pursuit of improved diagnosis, care, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
• Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP) A longitudinal cohort study of 1,500+ participants at varying levels of risk for sporadic Alzheimer's disease, examining how lifestyle factors contribute to or protect against Alzheimer's risk, co-led by Dr. Sterling Johnson.
• Clinical Core Observational Study An observational study cohort of over 1,100 research volunteers who participate in regular research visits including cognitive testing, health assessments, brain imaging, and other procedures; approximately 25% of volunteers are from groups traditionally underrepresented in research.
• Dementia Matters Podcast A podcast about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias produced by the Wisconsin ADRC and hosted by Dr. Nathaniel Chin, providing education on the latest Alzheimer's research and caregiver strategies.
• Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Series A free quarterly support and education series about brain health and living well with mild cognitive impairment, hosted by Dr. Nathaniel Chin, offering science-backed strategies and available in-person at 10 Wisconsin locations or online via Zoom.
• Get Movin' Exercise Program A free gentle exercise program for every fitness level, held live on Zoom and in person at the UW South Madison Partnership Office, including exercise classes and enrichment classes with a Welcome Kit for participants who complete two weeks.
• Precious Memories Choir A choir program for people with memory challenges and their care partners that provides social engagement and therapeutic musical activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Detection of brain changes up to 20 years before symptoms
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Established in 2009 with NIA funding as one of over 30 federally funded, NIA-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers. Part of national network working toward preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's disease.
• University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wisconsin ADRC is the hub for aging and dementia research at UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, supporting investigators across campus departments.
• Wisconsin Alzheimer's InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Sterling Johnson serves as associate director of both the Wisconsin ADRC and Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, facilitating collaboration on dementia research.
• CLARiTI (Consortium for Clarity in ADRD Research Through Imaging)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide collaboration to elucidate multiple intersecting etiologies causing cognitive impairment. Launched in 2023, establishing standardized brain imaging and blood plasma test protocols.
• Black Leaders for Brain Health (BLBH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with BLBH to work toward a future where the Black community, disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's, is included in successes in preventing and treating these diseases.
• Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongitudinal cohort study of 1,500+ people at varying levels of risk for sporadic Alzheimer's disease, co-led by Dr. Sterling Johnson.
• UW HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUW Health partners provide clinical care with researchers seeing patients in the UW Health Memory Assessment Clinic.
• Department of Veterans AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA logo appears on website indicating partnership in research efforts.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Alzheimer's Association: National nonprofit funding AD research, providing educational resources, and convening the wider AD research and care community. Comparable in outreach scale (state conferences, public education) and source of Wisconsin AD statistics cited by the center.

Direct peers

• Banner Alzheimer's Institute: NIA-aligned AD research center focused on Alzheimer's prevention trials, brain imaging, and biomarker-driven studies. Highly comparable in biomarker/prevention research orientation and in operating large cohort studies.
• Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Emory University: NIA-designated ADRC focused on AD biomarkers, vascular contributions, and diverse populations. Comparable federally funded structure and community/education programs.
• Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health: Academic clinical-research hybrid running biomarker, imaging, and clinical trial programs for Alzheimer's and related dementias. Comparable mix of research, clinical care (memory clinic), and community education.
• Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: Another NIA-designated ADRC operating a comparable model of longitudinal cohorts, biomarker cores, and clinical research. Directly comparable in mission, funding structure, and core composition; a natural co-investigator and consortium peer (CLARiTI-adjacent).
• Massachusetts General Hospital ADRC (Massachusetts ADRC): NIA-designated ADRC with parallel longitudinal cohorts, biomarker cores, and clinical trial pipelines. Comparable scale, structure, and federally funded research model.
• Knight ADRC at Washington University in St. Louis: NIA-designated ADRC and longtime leader in autosomal-dominant and preclinical AD biomarker research. Directly comparable peer given shared NIA funding mechanism and similar longitudinal cohort infrastructure.

Others

• Cerveau Technologies: Provider of tau PET imaging agents used widely in AD research and clinical trials. Comparable as a research-enabling partner for the kind of advanced tau imaging the Wisconsin ADRC performs.

Emerging players

• Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute (WAI): UW-Madison affiliate focused on AD early detection, risk factor identification, and community-based outreach across Wisconsin. Closely intertwined with Wisconsin ADRC via shared investigators and overlapping cohorts.
• C2N Diagnostics: Developer of blood-based biomarker tests (e.g., PrecivityAD) for amyloid pathology — closely comparable to the Wisconsin ADRC's CLARiTI plasma biomarker research direction.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WisconsinADRC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCovsBILgQq56zv0OsP_K6Dg
• Facebookfacebook.com/wisconsinadrc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-alzheimer-s-disease-research-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center