Alzheimer's Association Hosts Free Research Forum

The Alzheimer’s Association is opening up the world of Alzhemer’s research for a public presentation Tuesday, March 31 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Westin Waltham Hotel, 70 Third Avenue, Waltham, On the Cutting Edge of Alzheimer’s Research: The Search for Answers. The program, which is open free to the public, will highlight the advances in Alzheimer’s research since the 1980 founding of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter and where science is headed through the Association’s Research Grant program.

“We are making exciting breakthroughs, particularly in the area of pre-clinical studies that look at Alzheimer’s before the familiar symptoms become evident,” said Jim Wessler, president and chief executive officer. “Some of the most important research is going on right here in Boston, so we are able to give people an insight into where the science is headed.”

Featured are Brad Dickerson, MD, MGH, Harvard Medical School and Maria C. Carrillo, PhD, Chief Science Officer, National Alzheimer’s Association. Presenting researchers will discuss psychosocial and behavioral research, the evolution of biomarkers, advances in clinical trials and potential new drug targets.

Panelists include John Growdon, MD, Founding Director, MA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Memory & Movement Disorder Unit, MGH, Professor, Harvard Medical School; Ann Hurley, RN, DNSc, Medical & Scientific Committee Member, Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter, Dennis Selkoe, MD, Vincent and Stella Coates Professor of Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Co-Director, Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women’s; Reisa Sperling, MD, MMSc, Director, Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment: Co-Director Neuroimaging Core, MA Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Professor Harvard Medical School; Benjamin Wolozin, MD, PhD, Professor, Boston University School of Medicine, Primary Investigator, Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center; Bruce Yankner, MD, PhD, Professor, Genetics & Neurology, Harvard Medical School.

To register for On the Cutting Edge, call 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org/MANH.

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and the only disease in the top 10 causes of death without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. With the signing of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) into law, the federal government aims to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. A trajectory report released by the Alzheimer’s Association in February of 2015 calculates a treatment introduced in 2025 that delays the onset of Alzheimer’s would cut the number of people in 2050 who have the disease by 42% – from 13.5 million to 7.8 million.

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About the Alzheimer’s Association:

The Alzheimer’s Association, with headquarters in Watertown, has regional offices in Springfield, Raynham, and Worcester, MA and Bedford, NH. The Alzheimer Association provides services and programs for those with Alzheimer’s, family and professional caregivers in the form of support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, research funding and education programs. For more information about Alzheimer programs, visit www.alz.org/MANH or call 617.868.6720.