Largest Gathering of Alzheimer Scientists to Introduce Latest Research; Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, Costs Gain Global Focus 7/9/2002
From: Elizabeth Wilson of the Alzheimer's Association (USA), 312-335-4078 (office), e-mail: media@alz.org CHICAGO, July 9 -- Researchers from around the world are assembling in Stockholm July 20-25 for the largest-ever global gathering of Alzheimer's scientists at the 8th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. The conference is expected to attract nearly 4,000 leading researchers who will present, review and discuss as many as 2,000 studies on the latest research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and costs of Alzheimer's, a disease that will affect an estimated 22 million people worldwide by 2025. This year's conference, hosted by the Alzheimer's Association, is attracting nearly twice as many studies than the previous meeting held in 2000, a trend the Association's William H. Thies, Ph.D., vice president of medical and scientific affairs, says reflects the considerable growth and momentum in Alzheimer's research in just two years. "More researchers than ever before are working to advance our understanding of Alzheimer's and improve our ability to prevent and more effectively treat this devastating disease," Thies says. "The sheer volume of scientific abstracts submitted for presentation in Stockholm, along with the number of scientists attending the Conference, reflects the significant activity in Alzheimer's research." According to Thies, "The Alzheimer research being presented ranges from basic science and cellular studies to sophisticated technology with the potential to accelerate the pace and sharpen the focus of Alzheimer research. In addition, research addressing cost and quality of life issues for Alzheimer's sufferers and their caregivers, will also be presented." Prevention Since the last global Alzheimer scientific gathering in July 2000, there has been an expansion of research that significantly advances our understanding of the link between various risk factors and Alzheimer's. New studies will be released in Stockholm that examine the relationship between Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, factors already known to contribute to cardiovascular disease. Several studies specifically focus on homocysteine levels and Alzheimer's. High levels of homocysteine, a compound found in the blood, have been linked to Alzheimer's disease as well as to damage of the arteries, which may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problems. Research being presented in Stockholm on the relationship between body weight, diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and physical activity examines whether modifying any or all of these risk factors can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Diagnosis Researchers have made dramatic advances in brain imaging in recent months. Research presented in Stockholm will show the results of human brain imaging which for the first time, allows the scientific community to actually see the impact of Alzheimer's disease in the living brain. According to Thies, "The advances in brain imaging being presented in Stockholm could have profound implications for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease before symptoms appear, and open new doors for Alzheimer research." Treatment Researchers have made considerable progress in understanding what is happening in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease. Much of the treatment research in Stockholm will focus on the search for compounds that block the production or accumulation of beta-amyloid. A key question that will be addressed at the conference is whether beta-amyloid is the right target for drug development and whether inhibiting amyloid also inhibits the progression of the disease. Collectively, drug development research points to the promise of combination therapies, where drugs for treating symptoms are used together with drugs that alter the course of the disease. Costs Policy-makers are increasingly concerned about the serious health challenge Alzheimer's disease presents in the 21st century. The impending epidemic is largely due to the anticipated longevity of the aging baby boomer generation. Research being presented in Stockholm examines the national as well as global prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, the care its sufferers receive, and funding levels for research that leads to new approaches in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. These critically important public policy issues involve the enormous and rapidly growing impact of Alzheimer's disease on health care costs and related out-of-pocket medical expenses, the savings achieved through effective therapies and treatment, and the affect Alzheimer's is having and will continue to have on workplace and healthcare system costs. The Alzheimer's Association is the premier source of information and support for the 4 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. The largest private funder of Alzheimer research, the Association has committed nearly $120 million toward research into the causes, treatment, prevention, and cure of Alzheimer's. Conference information is available at http://www.alz.org/internationalconference. | |