Professor Kivipelto receives 2020 Ryman Prize

Professor Miia Kivipelto

Professor Miia Kivipelto has been awarded the 2020 Ryman Prize, recognising more than 20 years of research into Alzheimer's Disease and dementia.

The annual prize was presented to Professor Kivipelto by the Right Honourable Jacinda Arden, Prime Minister of New Zealand, at a special ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand. Professor Kivipelto joined via video link from her home in Sweden because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Kivipelto is Chair in Neuroepidemiology and Director of the Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit in the School of Public Health. She is the principal investigator for the world leading Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGERS study).

The FINGERS study was the first large scale trial to show multi-domain lifestyle-based interventions can reduce the risk of cognitive and functional decline among elderly persons. Professor Kivipelto is now expanding the FINGERS study model into an international network in more than 30 countries.

Tireless dedication to research

The Ryman Prize is an annual international award for the best work carried out that has enhanced the quality of life for older people. The Prize consists of a $250,000 grant and is administered by the New Zealand based Ryman Foundation. Each winner is chosen by an international jury of experts from across many disciplines.

Professor Kivipelto was singled out for this year’s prize for her tireless dedication to her research, and her far-reaching impact around the world.

“Our jury thought she was an outstanding candidate. Professor Kivipelto’s research is world leading, practical and influential. She leads a team of 100 researchers and clinical staff working on the challenge and her colleagues describe her as a very hard-working scientist who is absolutely dedicated to understanding disease and improving life for older people,’’ Ryman Prize Director David King said.

“She’s a great advocate for her field of research and there is no doubt she will use this recognition to her work. She’s an inspiration and this prize is a thank you for all the work she has done, and will no doubt continue to do.’’

We caught up with Professor Kivipelto to find out more about her career, research and the award:

Congratulations on receiving the Ryman Prize! How did you react to the news?

"I am extremely happy and grateful for this prize. It was a big surprise! David from Ryman Foundation called me late in the evening and asked me to sit down and I am glad that I did! The Ryman prize is a great honour and gives extra energy and encouragement for me and my whole team to continue our research and efforts to improve the brain health, functional level and quality of life for older persons. Especially now during the Covid pandemic which has affected our lives and work this means a lot for us!"

Can you tell us about your career and what led to you researching dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?

"I have always been interested in brain health and research. My grandmother who lived in the same house as me when I was young developed dementia. I think this experience gave me insight into what dementia is and how important it is to see the person behind the diagnoses. I think it also stimulated me to work with elderly persons. Later, I developed a great interest in prevention and the question of whether we can do something to reduce risk. We have identified several modifiable risk factors and developed the first dementia risk score to target the interventions to those most at risk. After several years with epidemiological research I initiated the FINGERS trial in 2009 which was the first large-scale RCT showing that the multi-domain lifestyle based intervention can prevent cognitive and functional decline among at risk elderly persons from general population. The main results were published in the Lancet in 2015 and yielded huge interest globally. In 2017 I launched the Word-Wide FINGER network."

What are your ambitions with your research and the rolling out of the worldwide FINGERS network?

"The WW-FINGERS is the first global network of multi-domain dementia prevention trials. It includes now 30+ countries from all continents. The goal is to share experiences and data and to test, optimize and adapt the FINGER model in different settings, populations and cultures. Prospective harmonization is the key and will enable generating big data and solid basis for recommendations for dementia risk reduction. We are also developing FINGER 2.0 concept where we combine updated and more individualized FINGER lifestyle intervention with disease modifying drugs. This is paving the way to future precision prevention in dementia and Alzheimer's Disease."

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your work?

"Several WW-FINGERS studies have been paused. We are developing a new E-FINGERS concept where we can use new technology to facilitate feasible interventions and implementation (eg digital tools, remote visits) when/if face to face visits are not possible.

For me and my team; we have not been able to travel but have had a huge amount of digital meetings! One day I had a lecture in South-Korea, Japan and Malaysia before lunch."

What advice would you give to students or new researchers looking to work in the field of age-related neurodegenerative diseases? 

"Given the ageing of the populations, this is a key strategic area for future research. There are also several research gaps and much more research is needed. Broad multidisciplinary research is possible (from cell to society). I can strongly recommend it!"