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JOAN’ BLOG – MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010 – YOUNG ONSET STUDY AT EARLIEST POINT

After 5 years of reading about every study for every “POSSIBLE” new drug that is supposedly “THE ONE” to “SOMEDAY” cure Alzheimer’s Disease, I am understandably skeptic concerning any study related to Alzheimer’s Disease. However, when I received the following e-mail concerning a study that looks at changes in the brain very early, before overt symptoms appear, in an effort to identify the disease at its earliest point, it caught my interest. I am printing the letter in its entirety for those who may be interested in participating in this study. If you know anyone to whom this applies, please forward the e-mail to them.

Hi Joan,

With a husband suffering from Alzheimer's, you have certainly experienced what it is like for a loved one to be unable to recall things which were once so simple to remember. And you may know how devastating the effects of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be. An estimated 5.3 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s, and every 70 seconds another person develops this disease! I am contacting you today on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS)  to raise awareness about AD and to encourage otherwise healthy adults with early complaints of memory problems to participate in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Grand Opportunity (ADNI GO). ADNI GO will build on the unprecedented momentum and success of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a landmark study to find more sensitive and accurate methods to detect AD at earlier stages and track its progress through biomarkers.

By being able to recognize changes in the brain, scientists hope to treat memory loss and other symptoms of AD before they appear, but the only way to recognize what these changes are and learn more about who is at risk is through the participation of volunteers. “We cannot end this terrible disease unless we know more about it,” says Dr. Paul Aisen, M.D., director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS). “That is where the amazing volunteers, their friends and their families can make the difference in our success.”

Dr. Maya Angelou - the eminent poet, author, educator, historian and professor at Wake Forest University - is working with researchers to ask you and your loved ones to be part of the ADNI GO study that may help bring us one step closer to finding a cure. Click here to hear from Dr. Maya Angelou.

If you, a friend, or a family member is experiencing early signs of memory loss, you may be eligible to participate in this groundbreaking ADNI GO study. Please visit http://adcs.org/Studies/ImagineADNI.aspx or call the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center at 1-800-438-4380 for more information on study sites in your area. I invite you to share this information with your blog readers to help shed light on this devastating disease, and encourage participation in ADNI GO.

Thank you for your time and please feel free to get in touch with any questions at information@westglen.com

I have been to many conferences in which the discussion by the doctors has centered around someday being able to treat Alzheimer’s Disease as we now treat high cholesterol. Take a blood test which shows a slight elevation, and begin medication immediately to keep the cholesterol low. For AD – When early neuro imaging shows a slight change in brain function, begin medication immediately to keep the changes from escalating. It is just my opinion, but I feel that is a far better approach than trying to stop a tsunami (AD) once it starts. I realize this is probably decades away, but to me, it seems a worthwhile study that may someday help our grandchildren or their children.

 

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©Copyright 2010 Joan Gershman 
The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
2010 All Rights Reserved
Under penalty of copyright laws, this information cannot be copied or posted on any website, media, or print outlet, without referencing the author and website from which it was taken.

 

  

         

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