Wiesje van der Flier

At a glance

• Wiesje van der Flier is a Dutch professor of Alzheimer’s research at Amsterdam UMC and scientific director of the Alzheimer Center Amsterdam.
• She leads large studies on the early stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort, which follows thousands of memory-clinic patients.
• Her research focuses on biomarkers, such as brain scans and measurements in spinal fluid and blood, that help diagnose dementia earlier and more accurately.
• She also studies the role of blood vessels and cardiovascular health in memory problems, and how to inform patients well about their diagnosis and prognosis.
• She is a well-known voice in the Dutch media on dementia and new treatments.
• For longevity, her work helps detect brain changes early, when lifestyle and any treatments can make the most difference.
• Takeaway: what is good for your heart and blood vessels — exercise, not smoking, healthy blood pressure — is also good for your brain.