Alzheimers: "Advances and Challenges"

As America ages, an ever greater number of older citizens and their families will face the terrible effects of Alzheimer's disease. Without a prevention or cure, the number of Americans suffering from this brain disorder could triple in the next 50 years. There has been progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's, but many challenges remain. "Advances and Challenges" is the theme of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Conference, February 13 - 14, sponsored by Duke University Medical Center. Lisa Gwyther, director of Duke's Alzheimer's Family Support program, says families are a focus at the event. "At last year's conference, there were 550 people and the largest single group were families and people with memory disorders." The keynote speaker at the conference will be Dr. Allen Roses, who will discuss work being done in genetics to prevent and treat Alzheimer's. Workshops, panels and research updates will benefit those who are confronting the challenges of Alzheimer's. "This conference is really our report to families who are affected or may be affected in the future." For more information on the conference, go to the Bryan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center web site. Information on the conference is also available by calling (919) 660-7510 in North Carolina only, or (800) 672-4213 from outside N.C.