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Bryan D. James, PhD

@bryandjames.bsky.social

3.4K followers 750 following 390 posts

Epidemiologist, @rushalzheimers.bsky.social Host, Epi Counts podcast https://serepidemiologycounts.blubrry.net/ Social media editor, American Journal of Epidemiology @amjepi.bsky.social #EpiSky #Geronsky #ADRD #scicomm Proud papa of three crazy kids

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 27

For #AAIC2025 attendees: #ADRD researcher starter pack! Thanks @tyk314.net for promoting me to share this again

go.bsky.app/22DpUEy

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · 15d

I know a lot of neuropsychologists—all of you should be voting for @drmlamar.bsky.social as the head of INS! Any professional society would be lucky to have her as president.

Melissa Lamar PhD @drmlamar.bsky.social · 15d

1st week of International Neuropsychological Society voting!

I am honored to be a candidate for President. My focus: global engagement across regions and interests.

For details see my platform, and those of all candidates, at the-ins.org/ins-election...

Thank you for your consideration!

INS Election 2026 – The International Neuropsychological Society

the-ins.org

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · 20d

Rodgers is nonbinary, spread the word.

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · 26d

Please see this story of my program officer @tyk314.net’s father and what cuts to funding mean to people like him and all of us

Save Health Research @savehealthresearch.bsky.social · 26d

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · 26d

You got it

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Sep 6

Truly disgusting. I don’t know how anyone can support this. The “It’s just a meme” claim falls short when it’s the president posting it and it will literally lead to deaths, pain, and sadness in an American city. Sadistic fascism.

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · Sep 6

The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.

This is not a joke. This is not normal.

Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.

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Reposted by Bryan D. James, PhD

Gabrielle N. Pfund @gabriellepfund.bsky.social · Sep 4

Our new paper in JG:PS is out!

In a sample of over 3100 older adults assessed each year for 12 years, loneliness & sense of purpose were unique predictors of cognitive decline, though past research has underestimated the reciprocal nature of this relationship.

www.researchgate.net/publication/...

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Reposted by Bryan D. James, PhD

American Journal of Epidemiology @amjepi.bsky.social · Sep 2

September Editor Spotlight of the Month! ✍️ Next up is Sunni Mumford (@sunnimum.bsky.social) ✨, Associate Editor at AJE & Professor of Epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This month, we chatted with her about her work with AJE.

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Aug 29

🛎️ 🛎️ 🛎️

George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 @gtconway.bsky.social · Aug 29

Reposted by Bryan D. James, PhD

Dennis Goris @dennisgoris.bsky.social · Aug 28

I miss the old brand #CDC

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Aug 28

Another insane day in America

All In with Chris Hayes @allinwithchris.bsky.social · Aug 28

After refusing to change vaccine policy, CDC Director Susan Monarez was reportedly ousted by RFK Jr—prompting several top officials to resign and plunging the agency into turmoil, though her lawyers say she has not formally resigned nor been fired.

CDC in CRISIS: Director fights firing, top officials resign over RFK Jr anti-vaxx push

YouTube video by MSNBC

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Bryan D. James, PhD

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Aug 28

Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."

My resignation letter from CDC.

Dear Dr. Houry,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested.

This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough.

While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.

It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.

Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc.

I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information.

The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.

The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed.

For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.

Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically.

Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Aug 12

Our latest @rushalzheimers.bsky.social study on the #MINDdiet and brain health led by Puja Agarwal: MIND diet associated with lower likelihood of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and more neurons in the hippocampus. The MIND diet association with reduced dementia was partially mediated by HS #neurosky

JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com · Aug 7

The Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay #diet was associated with a reduced likelihood of hippocampal sclerosis, age-related neuronal loss, and lower risk of #dementia. ja.ma/3Hi5Vz6

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Aug 8

🤮

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Aug 6

The GAO just confirmed what we all knew: this administration illegally withheld congressionally approved funds to research by canceling grants and slowing new awards. This destruction of US scientific research has to stop.

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · Aug 6

Trump administration violated impoundment law by canceling NIH grants, slowing new awards, GAO finds www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/g...

Trump administration violated impoundment law by canceling NIH grants, slowing new awards, GAO finds

The Government Accountability Office found that the Trump administration, by abruptly canceling NIH grants, had violated a 1974 federal law

www.statnews.com

Reposted by Bryan D. James, PhD

Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · Aug 5

Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.

Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · Aug 5

Release from HHS: HHS will wind down its development of the mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

HHS Winds Down mRNA Vaccine Development Under BARDA

WASHINGTON, DC—AUGUST 5, 2025—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), including the cancellation and de-scoping of various contracts and solicitations. The decision follows a comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments initiated during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”

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Reposted by Bryan D. James, PhD

Ian Kremer @leadcoalition.bsky.social · Aug 5

Just Diagnosed With Mild Cognitive Impairment? What To Look For And What It Means beingpatient.com/what-to-do-a...

#Alzheimers #dementia #health #wellness

Just Diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment? What to Look for and What It Means | Being Patient

An MCI diagnosis doesn’t always mean Alzheimer’s. Identifying and treating underlying causes can slow progression — or even reverse symptoms.

beingpatient.com

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Aug 1

Honored to be the first @amjepi.bsky.social Editor Spotlight! If you ever have any questions about the journal or the peer review process, or using social media for research, please feel free to hit me up!

American Journal of Epidemiology @amjepi.bsky.social · Aug 1

Introducing... 🥁 our new series: Editor Spotlight of the Month! ✍️ First up is Bryan James (@bryandjames.bsky.social‬)✨, Associate Editor for Social Media at AJE & Associate Professor at Rush University Medical Center! This month, we chatted with him about his work with AJE.

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

Got to finally meet Xian Wu in person instead of zoom! Have enjoyed working with her on these two projects that she presented as posters today at #AAIC2025

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

@bucklr01.bsky.social killing it on the big stage, unveiling the X chromosome’s role in Alzheimer’s disease! #AAIC2025

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

Actually, Dr Freeze more apropos

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

@rushalzheimers.bsky.social colleagues showed up to support!

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Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

Also comparing across countries can lead to ecological fallacy (ie differences across groups don’t prove that intervening on these behaviors in individuals will lead to better health in those individual)

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

A lot to say about this: while I agree with your recommendations, we need to base them on scientific evidence. And here the outcome is cognitive function, not life expectancy (may not necessarily have same determinants)—not much evidence that prevalence of dementia is lower in Europe than US

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

Love my Alzheimer’s research peeps!

Crystal M. Glover, Ph.D. @cgster.bsky.social · Jul 28

Back together! Cheers! #AAIC25 @bryandjames.bsky.social
@bucklr01.bsky.social

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · Jul 29

Check out @lamhine.bsky.social’s poster 749 showing multiracial Americans are the racial group with the SECOND highest prevalence of subjective cognitive decline 🤯 Much more research needed in this understudied population (that Tracy and I happen to be a part of) #AAIC2025

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