The Trump administration has fired workers at that National Institute of Health's Alzheimer's research center, including its incoming director.
The firings at the Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementia's affects a tenth of the nearly 100 employees.
Neurologists say the downsizing at CARD could be a blow to the scientific quest for new Alzheimer's treatments.
Scientists their work with external scientists to turn early discoveries into treatments and medicines.
The most shocking termination was the lead researcher, Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, who was announced internally as the organization's next acting director and was expected to bring significant advancements to the research field.
An Alzheimer's research and global conference is being held Monday at the University of Pittsburgh.
KDKA Radio reached out to the Pittsburgh Alzheimer's Association, who declined to comment.