Alzheimer's Club

ROBERT KATZMAN: 1925-2008 - Physician's research brought more attention to Alzheimer's. Keith Darcй. UNION-TRIBUNE (September 18, 2008)

Dr. Robert Katzman, who in the mid-1970s recast Alzheimer's disease as a major illness rather than a natural part of aging, died Tuesday after battling heart disease for several years. He was 82.

Dr. Katzman's work triggered an explosion in interest in Alzheimer's disease, which led to increased funding to study the disease and search for treatments and a cure.

Dr. Katzman, who lived in La Jolla with his wife, Nancy, was the founding director of the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of California San Diego. He held the Florence Riford Chair for Research in Alzheimer's Disease at UCSD from 1984 until his retirement in 1995. Read Article Full Text...

Labels: Alzheimer's research, Alzheimer's treatment

PET Scan Can Detect Alzheimer's Symptoms
eMaxHealth.com - Hickory,NC,USA
A type of brain imaging named positron emission tomography (PET) scan may allow physicians to detect early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

By Susan J. Landers

Health care disparities and low minority enrollment in clinical trials interfere with crafting solid treatment plans for blacks and other minorities.

Washington -- As research findings coalesce around a collection of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, it is becoming obvious that poor and minority populations -- the ones most likely to harbor risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes --also are more likely than whites to encounter this brain disorder.

The age-specific prevalence of dementia already has been estimated to be from 14% to as much as 100% higher in blacks than in whites by the Alzheimer's Assn., an advocacy and educational group based in Chicago. And the disease is expected to surge among Hispanics in the coming years. Currently, about 200,000 Hispanics in the U.S. have Alzheimer's. That number could climb to 1.3 million by 2050, according to the association.

Cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and fewer years of education all are factors that may increase an individual's risk for Alzheimer's disease, and minorities are overrepresented in all of these factors.

Since there is unlikely to be a cure for dementia anytime soon, a Plan B for addressing the needs of this group of aging, at-risk minorities was offered at the Annual Conference of the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging, held March 26-30 in Washington, D.C.

Presented by Richard E. Powers, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist and medical director of the Alabama Dept. of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in Tuscaloosa, the approach covers the reduction of risk factors, early recognition of disease, aggressive therapy, caregiver support and research. Dr. Powers also is the chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, a national, nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and based in New York City.

The fact that few members of minority groups are enrolled in clinical trials to examine the links between risk factors and cognitive decline can lead to treatment complications, Dr. Powers noted. That has to change, he stressed.

"We need to be able to show an African-American that if you don't take your antihypertensive when you are 50, you will end up like your father -- who had terrible dementia -- when you are 70 or 80."...

Source: Susan J. Landers, AMNews (28 April 2008) [FullText]

Labels: Alzheimer's demography

By Nanci G. Hutson

For Bob Brophy, a musician and Manhattan sightseeing tour guide with an off-beat sense of humor, nothing is even slightly amusing about Alzheimer's disease.

"I'm angry about it," said Brophy, whose mother, Peggy, died of Alzheimer's six years ago and whose beloved father-in-law, Joe Michael, 90, the retired national sales director for Encyclopedia Britannica, was diagnosed with it 18 months ago.

Brophy used his anger to become a driving force behind New Milford's first Memory Walk for the Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. The May 3 event will raise money for research.

The 10 a.m. walk -- 1.5 to 3 miles -- around the New Milford Village Green will be preceeded by registration at 9 a.m.

Brophy learned about the walk, a national event, from the Senior Center Alzheimer's support group his mother-in-law, Mieke Michael, attends.

He engaged Joe, a born salesman, to ask store owners to hang fliers in their windows.

"Who could say no to Joe?" Brophy queries.

Brophy enlisted his wife, Felicia Michael, and their band, The Blue Yodels, to play for the walk's early March kick-off.

They then formed a 12-member Blue Yodels' team, with his in-laws as honorary members. To date the team, one of about 30, is the event's top benefactor, raising $5,000 of its $10,000 goal. The walk has some $16,500 in pledges.

Brophy also arranged for a pasta dinner fundraiser Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at S. J. Barrington's Cafe & Grill on Route 7. Admission, $10 per person, includes a dinner, cash bar and raffle prizes.

Brophy is a nearly constant companion for his father-in-law, regularly taking him to play pool, darts or run errands.

"Joe's always itching to do so something," Brophy said.

Mieke, 88, is Joe's main caregiver but requires regular respite.

Alzheimer's Association education and training coordinator Carolyn DeRocco said the Michaels are fortunate to have caring family members to offer support as they cope with the disease.

"They're so creative in compensating for what (Joe) can't do," DeRocco said. "They keep him very active."

In past years, Brophy and his wife have donated their time and talents to other charities, including two AIDS bike rides from Manhattan to Boston. This cause, though, touches a much deeper chord.

In the words of his wife, Brophy said, there are two reasons to perform: "Love or money."

This is clearly for love, he said.

"If this is the least we can do for my mom and for Joe, then we should do the least."

Memory Walk pasta dinner benefit
WHAT -- complete pasta meal with cash bar and raffle prizes. Music by The Blue Yodels and Doug Mahard.

WHEN -- Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

WHERE -- S.J. Barrington's Cafe & Grill, 48 Kent Road (Route 7 North), New Milford.

HOW -- $10 tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the restaurant at (860) 355-9222.

For more information -- visit blueyodels@aol.com or call (646) 354-0041.

Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk

WHAT -- the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.

WHEN -- May 3 with 9 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. walk (1.5 to 3 miles)

WHERE -- New Milford Village Green

HOW --Sign up with a team of friends or family, with an organization, or as an individual participant.

Source: newstimes.com (23 April 2008) [FullText]

Labels: Alzheimer's advocacy

People with Alzheimer's disease who take vitamin E appear to live longer than those who don't take vitamin E.

For the study, researchers followed 847 people with Alzheimer's disease for an average of five years. About two-thirds of the group took 1,000 international units of vitamin E twice a day along with an Alzheimer's drug (a cholinesterase inhibitor). Less than 10 percent of the group took vitamin E alone and approximately 15 percent did not take vitamin E.

The study found people who took vitamin E, with or without a cholinesterase inhibitor, were 26 percent less likely to die than people who didn't take vitamin E.

"Vitamin E has previously been shown to delay the progression of moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. Now, we've been able to show that vitamin E appears to increase the survival time of Alzheimer's patients as well," said study author Valory Pavlik, PhD, with Baylor College of Medicine's Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center in Houston, TX, and member of the American Academy of Neurology. “This is particularly important because recent studies in heart disease patients have questioned whether vitamin E is beneficial for survival.”

In addition, the study found vitamin E plus a cholinesterase inhibitor may be more beneficial than taking either agent alone. "Our findings show that people who took a cholinesterase inhibitor without vitamin E did not have a survival benefit,” said Pavlik. “More research needs to be done to determine why this may be the case.”

In addition to vitamin E supplements, some vegetables oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables are main food sources of vitamin E. Some fortified cereals in the United States also contain vitamin E. “The daily amount of vitamin E taken by patients in this study was much higher than what is currently recommended for the general population,” said Pavlik.

Source: eMaxHealth (23 April 2008) [FullText]

Labels: Alzheimer's research

By Nanci G. Hutson

Snuggling arm and arm on a couch in their Sullivan Farm living room, every now and then sneaking a tender kiss, Joe and Mieke Michael seem the epitome of newlywed bliss.

They are, however, approaching their 68th wedding anniversary.

Theirs is an abiding love, one that has long inspired their four adult children, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, in-laws, friends and strangers.

"They're unbelievable," says their youngest daughter, Felicia, born on her father's 43rd birthday. "They were always in love. Sure, they've had their conflicts and struggles like any couple, but what prevailed was this underlying devotion to each other. It was astonishing to witness. Very rare."

Even today, when half of this whole is suffering from a disease that robs its victims of their memories, Joe and Mieke, at 90 and 88 respectively, are true lovers.

Eighteen months ago, Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive terminal illness with no known cure.

On May 3, New Milford will have its first Memory Walk to benefit Alzheimer's research.

"I love him more than ever, and now is when he needs me most,'' said Mieke, a vivacious and elegant woman who was a Dutch folk singer in the 1950s, performing at Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and the old Danbury Fair. She still receives royalties from the recording "Greetings from Holland" she made with partner Nina Dunkel, who died years ago of pancreatic cancer.

Pulling her close to his side,

Joe displays a toothy smile. "I'm lucky to have this one," he says.
Joe Michael was born in Danbury and lived in Redding for 40 years. He was the national sales director for Encyclopedia Britannica, a chairman of the Redding school board, and in the Eisenhower years ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for state Senate.

The couple retired to their summer home in West Hampton, Long Island, then moved to New Milford three years ago. Of their children, Felicia lives closest -- just two miles away, while Kim lives in Newtown, Vicki in Virginia, and Richard in Texas.

Joe wags his finger at the woman he proposed to on their first date. He still calls his bride.

"I love you," Joe declares.

"I love you, too," Mieke answers as she hems a pair of his pants.

Joe grins wider.

"Can you believe I was able to convince her to marry me?" Joe asks some visiting guests. He quickly adds, "That's before I had Alzheimer's."

The disease, Mieke said, is " a challenge every day. I never know what's going to happen."

The fireplace in their condominium is chain locked because one morning he apparently placed a burning log on the nearby floor and started a small fire.

"She gives me heck," Joe says with a chuckle. "But I enjoy it. I'm very fortunate."

Felicia's husband, Bob Brophy, becomes teary-eyed.

"They've always been so positive and pleasant all their lives,'' Brophy said of the couple, nicknamed Muzzy and Duzzy. "They can draw on that now. But a lot of these changes are hard."

Joe is a handsome, charming man with thick, wavy white hair who looks far younger than his chronological age. His healthy appearance can deceive those unaware of the debilitating illness that is ever so slowly taking him away.

He no longer remembers his phone number, address, or days of the week. He repeats stories from 65 years ago, but cannot remember what he did a few minutes earlier. He recognizes family, but new acquaintances he is likely to forget.

"He hasn't forgotten me yet," Mieke said.

His family is not certain Joe knows what is happening to him, though he is able to give a few answers.

"You forget," Joe said of his disease. "You don't maintain mentally, so you rely on your old mentality. The best way I deal with it is that I married a brilliant woman."

"We're dealing with it," Mieke said, "and dealing with it in style."

Contact Nanci G. Hutson

at nhutson@newstimes.com

or at (860) 354-2274.

Alzheimer's disease facts

Alzheimer's disease -- a progressive, terminal illness -- is the most common form of dementia, affecting some 5 million people a year. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Age is the top risk factor.

The average illness lasts between three and 20 years.

The leading symptoms are:

Forgetfulness severe enough to affect work, hobbies and social life.

Inability to recall information.

Short-term memory loss.

A decline in ability to write, speak or understand written or spoken words.

Loss of visual spatial abilities, such as map reading skills, and ability to understand symbols and signals.

Inability to make plans, resolve problems or complete tasks.

There is no known cause or cure for Alzheimer's disease.

The Connecticut chapter of the national Alzheimer's Association tries to reduce the risk of dementia by promoting brain health. It participates in national research efforts to find a cure.

For more information, call (860) 828-2828 or visit www. alz.org/ct.

Source: newstimes.com (23 April 2008) [FullText]

Labels: Alzheimer's family stories

Mature Adult continues to carry the torch in our personal media campaign to pressure our legislators on Capital Hill to fund intense research to find the cause of Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's Association wants $1.4billion dollars, but so far Congress has refused to allocate it.

We're certain there are members of Congress with family members or friends or constituents with Alzheimer's, the worst of the mental diseases.

In this region, Alzheimer's claims more victims every day. Without the dollars to increase the research required to find the cause, the statistics will climb dramatically during this decade.

The current issue of the Alzheimer Association's newsletter states that critical funding for Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health will remain flat and fail to keep up with inflation.

President Bush in his fiscal 2009 budget proposal rejected the Alzheimer's Association's funding appeal. The budget also eliminated money for other services and care, including a 243-hour helpline, caregiver support groups and professional caregiver training, the association reported.

How cruel can the administration and Congress be? A lot, it seems, and we can't figure out why Congress feels this way.

"Alzheimer's advocates across the country are mobilized, galvanized and focusedon pushing the government to aggressively pursue an end to this insidious disease," said Fredericka Waugh of the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley chapter. "They are determined make their voices heard and their vote count."

"These Alzheimer's Championswill continue to spread the word among their neighbors, to write letters, send emails and on May 14, they will deliver the message to lawmakers on Capitol Hill that Alzheimer's disease must be addressed and funded as a national priority," Waugh said. To contact Waugh, call (215) 561-2919.

Source: thehammontonnews.com (23 April 2008) [FullText]

Labels: Alzheimer's advocacy, Alzheimer's funding