Alzheimer's Association Commemorates 20 Years of Progress, Sees Dramatic Breakthroughs Ahead

November Marks the 20th Anniversary of National Alzheimer's Disease Month 
as Established by President Ronald Reagan in 1983

St. Louis - The Alzheimer's Association said November 13, 2003 that tremendous progress has been made in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease in the 20 years since President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer's Disease Month.

"The emotional, financial, and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease are so devastating it deserves special attention.  Research is the only hope," the former President said 20 years ago this month. 

"Ronald and Nancy Reagan have dramatically changed the face of Alzheimer's by raising public awareness and boosting research efforts," said Sheldon Goldberg, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association.  "The past 20 years have produced tremendous progress and have laid the foundation for major breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in the years ahead."  The breakthroughs are the result of collaboration among the federal government, the Alzheimer's Association, and the pharmaceutical industry.  

Breakthroughs in Alzheimer research over the past 20 years

* Improved diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's disease.  Improved assessment tools help providers diagnose people with more than 90 percent accuracy.  

* Identification of genes that may place people at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.  Scientists identified genes that indicate increased risk for the disease.

* FDA approval of medications that can improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.       The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Memantine, for treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Previously approved drugs only treated mild to moderate Alzheimer's.

* The search for an "Alzheimer's vaccine."  Preliminary research studies point to immunotherapy, a treatment that stimulates the body's immune system, as a potential approach to preventing and treating Alzheimer's. 

* Increased knowledge of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.  In addition to known risk factors including age, family history and genetics, substantial new research points to disorders such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  Factors that cause strokes and heart disease are also increasing the risk for developing Alzheimer's.


Providing information and support to individuals and families nationwide

In addition to its commitment to research, the Alzheimer's Association serves community members and caregivers through a nationwide network of 81 chapters and 180 regional centers.  Joan D'Ambrose, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter, leads the local effort.

"Our programs and services are designed to help the increasing number of people in our area who are coping with this devastating disease 24 hours a day, every day of the year," D'Ambrose said.  "We sponsor peer groups and professionally led support groups for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, adult caregivers, children and other groups with special needs.  We also offer education and training for the public and health care professionals, as well as a 24-hour Contact Center staffed with professionals who understand the disease and its impact, and who provide information about the disease, treatments, care strategies, local chapters and community programs. The center can provide access to translation services for 140 languages and dialects."

The Alzheimer's Association also offers the Safe Return Program, a nationwide, government-funded program that assists in the identification and safe, timely return of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who wander off, sometimes far from home, and become lost.

Despite the advances, much more must be done

Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging.  It is a brain disease that results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior.  When President Reagan proclaimed National Alzheimer's Disease Month in 1983, fewer than two million Americans had the disease.  

"Today, the estimated number of individuals with Alzheimer's has more than doubled to 4.5 million, and by 2050, up to 16 million people will likely have Alzheimer's unless a cure or prevention is found," D'Ambrose said.  "We must reinforce our commitment to finding preventions and the cure for Alzheimer's and continue to provide information, care and support for those living with Alzheimer's."

The Alzheimer's Association is the largest private source of funds for research, enabling scientists to pursue a broad spectrum of treatments and interventions for all stages of the disease.  The Alzheimer's Association is also working with Congress to increase federal funding for research from the estimated $640 million the National Institutes of Health will spend in 2003 to $1 billion annually.  

Contact the Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter, by calling (314) 432-3422 or visiting www.alzstl.org