Alison M. Goate, DPhil, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Trailblazing neurogenetics researcher Alison M. Goate, DPhil, was presented with the Khalid Iqbal, PhD, Lifetime Achievement Award in Alzheimer’s Disease Research during the 2015 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® held recently in Washington, D.C. The award honors individuals who have made significant, fundamental contributions to Alzheimer’s research, either through a single specific scientific discovery or a body of work. Dr. Goate, who has been studying the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease for more than 27 years, reported the first genetic mutation that causes an inherited form of Alzheimer’s and co-led a team of researchers that reported on some of the first disease-causing genetic mutations discovered for frontotemporal dementia. Her current research focuses on understanding the genetic risk factors for the more common, late-onset form of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Goate is Professor of Neuroscience, Genetics and Genomic Sciences, and Neurology for the Mount Sinai Health System and Director of the Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The Mount Sinai Health System Establishes the Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease

Daniel S. Loeb, CEO and Founder of investment advisor Third Point LLC, and his wife, Margaret Munzer Loeb, recently made a $15 million gift to establish the Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease in memory of Daniel’s father. The Center’s mission is to advance research and clinical care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease through discoveries in genomics, neurobiology, stem cell engineering, and other disciplines. (more…)

Memory Screenings at 92nd Street Y

Experts from Mount Sinai’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center provided free, confidential memory screenings on Tuesday, November 18, National Memory Screening Day, at the 92nd Street Y and at Linkage House, a Mount Sinai-affiliated residence for East Harlem elderly. National Memory Screening Day, spearheaded by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, promotes the early detection of memory problems, Alzheimer’s disease, and related illnesses, and encourages appropriate intervention.

Studying the Effect of Vitamin E on Functional Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease

Functional decline, measured as the loss of ability to accomplish activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, planning or cooking a meal, and paying bills, is the major symptom in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and the primary source of caregiver burden. Yet, few studies have focused on ways to slow this functional decline.

In a recently published study in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers, co-led by an investigator from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, reported that vitamin E, also known as alpha tocopherol, reduced functional decline in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

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The Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Connection

Diabetes is a disease that affects all ages. But as people get older it’s particularly difficult to deal with—especially because diabetics are more likely to develop dementia.

In an 11-year study of more than 1,000 people, 27% of those with diabetes developed dementia, compared to 20% of people with normal blood sugar levels. Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease (an advanced form of dementia) are connected in ways that still aren’t completely understood. It’s thought that diabetes contributes to vascular disease, disrupting the flow of oxygen to the brain.

In the last 50 years, the number of people diagnosed has risen from 1.5 million to around 26 million, and it’s estimated that 60 million have prediabetes. So the prevalence of dementia could increase as the U.S. population ages. However, taking steps to control diabetes now may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s later. And that’s important because the treatment for dementia is very limited.

Reducing the risk of dementia is actually quite simple—it’s all about managing diabetes in the best possible way. Here are some steps that can help:

* Follow physician recommendations for monitoring blood glucose, cholesterol level and blood pressure.
* Eat healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat milk and cheese.
* Exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
* Maintain a healthy weight. Losing weight can seriously reduce the negative effects of diabetes. Just 10 to 15 pounds can make a difference.
* Take a doctor-approved multivitamin to help fill nutrient gaps in the diet.
* Take medications on schedule. There are reminder alarms with a vibration feature for people who have trouble hearing. For people who have trouble opening small  pill containers, there are larger, easy-to-open pill containers available. Some include magnifiers for reading medicine labels. And for people with vision problems, there are blood glucose meters that “talk.”
* Keep an updated list of medications and record important information about each one.

Diabetics can significantly reduce the risk of dementia by consistently managing their disease.

For more information and help on managing the disease and caring for elderly diabetics, visit www.friedmandiabetesinstitute.com.

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