Still Kicking at 88

If Alzheimer's were cured, people would simply age, rather than disappear into the unforgiving vortex of the disease. There are many octogenarians and nonagenarians who age as nature meant them to. Take for example: Warren Buffet, 83, who is called the "Sage of Omaha" and is noted for his adherence to the value investing philosophy and for his personal frugality -- probably because he recently was demoted to the third richest person in the world. Or Betty White, 90, the vibrant comedian known for her expert timing and for never going down on a line. Or Fidel Castro, 88, who

What Seth Rogen Can Teach Silicon Valley About Alzheimer's

For Alzheimer's, the old Dickensian paradox holds: we are in the best of times and the worst. Times are bad because there is no effective way to treat or prevent Alzheimer's, and global rates of the disease are going to double by 2030 and reach 135 million by mid-century. Families are financially and emotionally devastated by the disease, and national budgets are becoming overwhelmed by the disease's extraordinary costs. And even though Alzheimer's is a greater burden than cancer, diabetes, and other age-related non-communicable diseases, only rarely does Alzheimer's receive adequate attention. But times are also good. The fight against

Living with EOAD

Editor’s note: This story is taken from a speech given recently by Steve at a church in North Carolina Hello, my name is Steve Ponath I am honored to of been asked to come before you today and speak about a disease that has affected me personally. I'd like you to understand that in doing so, I step out of my comfort zone and walk in faith that what I am about to say is Christ centered, and not Steve centered. I now have to read what I want to say rather than just express it freely, this disease takes

Exciting News on the Research Front

With the approaching launch of two exciting new clinical trials, there’s a feeling of optimism in the air. Dr. Suzanne Craft, Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine and Genny Matthews of the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study ( ADCS ) joined a recent ActivistsAgainstAlzheimer’s Network teleconference to discuss the latest developments. The SNIFF study and the A4 Trial are getting under way. Dr. Craft is leading SNIFF and the A4 Trial is led by Dr. Reisa Sperling of Harvard Medical School. Both trials are conducted through ADCS. SNIFF is enrolling participants at several sites now

My New Year’s “Wish List” for a National Alzheimer’s Agenda

As a caregiver for my wife, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in 2009 at the age of 63, here’s my brief “wish list” for a national Alzheimer’s agenda. Funding changes: First and foremost, our leaders in Congress must make Alzheimer’s a priority in the FY2014 budget by increasing funding for treatment and NIH research. Beyond that, the government must also provide funding for states to disburse to local research labs working on neurodegenerative diseases. Funding should also subsidize clinical trials for potentially new AD medications, but medication labels must note that medication was proven effective only for the number of