Cure Alzheimer's Fund Hosts Major Symposium on New Paths to Discovery for Alzheimer's disease

WELLESLEY, Mass., Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Three of the world's leading Alzheimer's researchers discussed their latest findings in the effort to slow and prevent the disease during a major symposium at the Boston Public Library on Wednesday, October 19^th.

Cure Alzheimer's Fund, which hosted the 6^th annual symposium on Alzheimer's disease, focused this year's event on "New Paths to Discovery." The organization has issued more than $6 million in research grants this year to scientists looking to advance our knowledge of Alzheimer's disease leading to the development of effective therapies to treat or cure it.

"Cure Alzheimer's Fund is pleased to be working with those on the cutting edge of Alzheimer's research," said Tim Armour, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization which funds research to treat, slow or prevent the disease.  "Over the past few years, the medical community has made some important discoveries, which are bringing us closer to finding effective treatments for the disease.  The symposium is a way for those researchers to share their knowledge with the public."

The event featured a presentation from Duke University's Murali Doraiswamy, Ph.D., who is studying sex-based differences and Alzheimer's disease, since women are twice as likely to get the disease as men. Beth Stevens Ph. D. of Boston Children's Hospital, also presented her research study on the role that microglia play in synapse loss among those suffering from Alzheimer's.  Rudy Tanzi, Ph.D. of Massachusetts General Hospital and co-researcher on the breakthrough "Alzheimer's in a Dish" updated attendees on the progress being made in understanding the complex pathology of Alzheimer's disease. 

Cure Alzheimer's Fund is providing grants to all three researchers.  Doraiswamy's study will use novel "big data" computational methodologies to look at the relationship between sex-based differences and cognitive decline in people at risk for Alzheimer's. Stevens is researching the possibility that microglia – brain immune cells - are crucial components to synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease patients.  Tanzi is the chair of the Cure Alzheimer's Fund Research Consortium and is also pursuing research on the relationship between sex-based differences and Alzheimer's risk as well as looking at the role of the brain's immune system when it comes to the disease.

"It is an exciting time for those researching Alzheimer's disease. Over the past several years, we've learned a considerable amount about how the brain functions and how the disease is formed," said Tanzi.  "As we learn more about Alzheimer's, we are also exploring new possibilities in both prevention and treatment.  Cure Alzheimer's Fund is an important part of these discoveries, as the organization provides crucial early stage funding for so many researchers."

Prior to the research symposium, Cure Alzheimer's Fund hosted a film screening of four short films focused on living with Alzheimer's, along with a discussion with award-winning author David Shenk and prize-winning filmmaker Eric Latek. 

At the event, Cure Alzheimer's Fund board member Sherry Sharp presented the organization with a $500,000 donation from the Rick Sharp Alzheimer's Foundation, an organization she formed in memory of her husband, former Circuit City chief executive officer Rick Sharp, who died of the disease in 2014.

About Cure Alzheimer's Fund
Cure Alzheimer's Fund is a non-profit dedicated to funding the most promising research to prevent, slow or reverse Alzheimer's disease. Since its founding in 2004, Cure Alzheimer's Fund has contributed over $45 million to research, and its funded initiatives have been responsible for several key breakthroughs – including the groundbreaking "Alzheimer's in a Dish" study. Cure Alzheimer's Fund has received a score of 100 percent regarding its overall financial health from Charity Navigator and a four star rating from the organization five times.  With 100 percent of funds raised going directly to research, Cure Alzheimer's has been able to support some of the best scientific minds in the field of Alzheimer's research. For more information, please visit http://www.curealz.org/

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SOURCE Cure Alzheimer's Fund

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