Evidence-Based Medicine Debate Series Addresses Controversial Topics in the Diagnosis and Management of Alzheimer's Disease

PHOENIX, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Powered 4 Significance LLC, a Blue Ocean Pharma company, launched the first installment in its virtual EBM Debates™ series yesterday on the topic, "What is the role of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease?" The series will include four debates over the course of the year focused on Alzheimer's disease, and will address other healthcare issues in future series. "We are extremely pleased to hold the inaugural event here in Phoenix with Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, and Director of the Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, Arizona, as our moderator," said Alden E. Masonis, PhD, co-founding partner of Powered 4 Significance and Blue Ocean Pharma. Dr. Sabbagh is also Founding Director Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research and Senior Scientist Haldeman Lab for Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics at Banner; Research Professor Department of Neurology University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix; and, Steering Committee Member for the Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.

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The unique EBM Debates™ program has been developed based on an identified need for an open dialog among physicians involved in Alzheimer's disease research and disease management to understand what we know and what we must still document to make informed decisions. "The program will provide the opportunity to gain insights into what treating physicians think about the level of evidence available on these topics and provide a forum for open and honest commentary," said Dr. Sabbagh. "This will benefit all involved in the field of Alzheimer's by combining thought leader responses with feedback from the broad field of treating physicians."

The distinguished panel of debaters included: Dr. Liana Apostolova, Associate Professor in Neurology Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Director UCLA/Easton Neuroimaging Laboratory; Dr. James Brewer, Associate Professor in Radiology and Neurosciences University of California, San Diego; and Dr. Adam Fleisher, Director of Brain Imaging at Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix and Associate Professor of Neurosciences University of California, San Diego. Each provided valuable information on the direction and results of their research and lessons to be learned from their findings related to neuroimaging.

Virtual participants were able to register for the event and send in questions before and during the debate. In addition, polling questions were posted, which gave participants another tool to actively take part in the Alzheimer's discussion. The aim was to have the experts present their research and apply their observations and conclusions, to answer questions from the larger medical community involved with Alzheimer's.

The debate fostered an active exchange between the participants on the subject of using neuroimaging in the Alzheimer's diagnosis process and produced a significant number of audience questions. The debate will be archived and available for playback through the EBM Debates™ website (www.ebmdebates.com). Those interested in accessing this first debate or registering for future debates can reach out through the website. The next debate -- on the question, "Why are there so many late-stage drug development failures in Alzheimer's disease?" -- is scheduled for June 15, 2012.

Evidence-Based Medicine Debates (EBM Debates™)
The EBM Debates™ series has been created by Powered 4 Significance (www.powered4significance.com) based on an identified need for an open dialog among physicians involved in disease research and management, for a better understanding of important and controversial issues in disease diagnosis and treatment. The goal is to bring together researchers, thought leaders, and treating physicians to gain insight into the evidence base and enable informed decision-making. For more information on the EBM Debates™, please visit www.ebmdebates.com.

Blue Ocean Pharma LLC
Blue Ocean is on the forefront of developments in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Our services span the clinical development and commercialization needs of our clients and focus on supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device development, giving healthcare professionals the opportunity to optimize patient care and improve outcomes. The Blue Ocean Pharma Group of companies consists of Percolation Communications LLC, i.e. Strategy LLC, and Powered 4 Significance LLC. Together, the Group offers complementary and unique services that provide synergistic support addressing client needs. To learn more about Blue Ocean Pharma, please visit us at www.blueoceanpharma.com.

Blue Ocean Pharma Contact:
Marco Winkler
+1 917 376 3019
[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Ocean Pharma LLC