Can Foods Rich in Anti-Oxidants Help Delay Memory Loss in Older Adults?
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™ USF HEALTH BYRD ALZHEIMER’S INSTITUTE FALL 2010 3 The Blueberry Study: Can foods rich in anti-oxidants help delay memory loss in older adults? 4 Clinical trials offer patients new medicines – and hope 6 Q&A with David Chiriboga, PhD 8 Planned giving to fund Alzheimer’s research 1 2 Caregiver Seminars: Support built on science USF HEALTH BYRD ALZHEIMER’S INSTITUTE Welcome The Blueberry Study: It is finally fall: football, crisp morn- ings, holidays and family get-togethers, beginning to think about the end of Fall 2010 Can foods rich in anti-oxidants another year. What a great season. In July, I was named as CEO and Director Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA help delay memory loss in older adults? of the Institute. We are nearing the end Sr. Vice President for USF Health Dean, USF College of Medicine of our first full year as part of the ould a mega-dose formula of anti-oxidants found in For her latest study, she is teaming up with Brent Small, University of South Florida, and I want ALEX STAFFORD Dave Morgan, PhD Chief Executive Officer C blueberries and green tea, and other nutrients PhD, a professor in USF’s School of Aging Studies who has to thank all of our community partners and supporters for found in everyday foods, boost declining memory function studied life span and aging issues in humans for more than their involvement and hard work in the last year. Progress Amanda G. Smith, MD Medical Director in ordinary older adults? two decades. in Alzheimer’s research used to be discussed in five-year That’s the question two USF researchers hope to answer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Melanie Meyer in a clinical trial with volunteers. The researchers have increments. Now the breakthroughs are starting to come Director, External Affairs researchers’ investigational use of high doses of cell-boost- every year, and this past year, we had exciting news almost already found promising results in preliminary tests using ing nutritional supplements to see if it will enhance mental Holly Lisle older laboratory rats. fitness among older adults. every quarter. Associate Director of Development The rats used in the study were approximately 1½ years USF’s Neuroscience Collaborative is funding the study as Editor old (roughly the equivalent of people ages 60 to 65) and part of a two-year, $50,000-a-year grant awarded to the In this issue, we want to share with you some of the Melanie Meyer the test animals were exhibiting age-related memory decline. researchers, who will be conducting their study at the USF family and community related aspects of our work with Creative Director “We looked at learning and memory and saw that in the Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute in Tampa. Alzheimer’s. Our caregiver education seminars prepare Steve Smith segment of animals that showed impairments – and not CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 families with practical skills that help them through the Art Director every rat at that age showed impairment long Alzheimer’s journey. Our clinical trials research Donald A. Adamec in memory – it seemed there was an volunteers partner with us as a research team, with some Writer improvement in memory in that subset of “If we can target therapies toward [stem] cells, that may participating for seven years. We value the time they Mark Zaloudek animals in the intervention group that we help many aspects of aging mentally, and it may also would have expected to show a memory donate, and they enjoy contributing to the work that will Contributing Writers lead us to prevention and cure of this disease. Our Kelly Retrievi deficit,” said Paula Bickford, PhD, a profes- have broader effects on the body overall.” Carol Wight sor in the Center of Excellence for Aging Paula Bickford, PhD education and clinical services join research as the three and Brain Repair at USF Health and the pillars of our mission. In this issue you will also meet Graphic Designer Rosie White James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Hospital. research colleagues from other parts of the USF community. Bickford has been studying USF researchers Dr. Paula Bickford (Neurosurgery) and Dr. Brent Small Photographer Paula Bickford, PhD Alex Stafford rats for more than 30 years. (Aging Studies) are studying the potential of molecules and Brent Small, PhD. in food to improve brain health. Dr. David Chiriboga is an expert on healthcare access and health disparities in Brain Research Discoveries is published by the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, part of USF Health, a partnership of the minority communities. The USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s colleges of medicine, nursing and public health at the Univer- Institute continues to focus attention on the needs of sity of South Florida, the fastest growing research university in the United States. what are historically underserved communities. Board of Directors: Mary Barnes, Johnnie Byrd Jr, John Hehn, Karen Holbrook, PhD, Frank Morsani, Eric Pfeiffer, MD, Sherrill Again, I wish to thank you, our friends and supporters. Tomasino. As we approach the close of 2010, I am thankful for the © Copyright 2010, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute accomplishments we created together: breakthrough Material provided in this publication is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of science, excellent clinical care, and education that teaches your physician. Always consult your physician for individual families and professionals about the best practices in care care. Publication developed by Stephen A. Smith & Associates, 1990 ALEX STAFFORD for Alzheimer’s. We will continue working together… Main Street, Suite 750, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 355-7900. until Alzheimer’s is a memory. USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute Dave Morgan, PhD 4001 E. Fletcher Avenue Tampa, FL 33613-4808 Chief Executive Officer Disclosure: Paula Bickford and Paul Sanberg, USF Senior Associate (813) 396-0606 Vice President for Research & Innovation, are co-founders of Natura alz.health.usf.edu Therapeutics Inc., which has been granted the license to produce NT- 20 patented by USF. 3 USF HEALTH BYRD ALZHEIMER’S INSTITUTE Clinical trials offer patients new medicines – and hope. ALEX STAFFORD ince learning at the age of 53 really works or has side effects,” states Maureen Kerr of Tampa has helped S that he was developing the Dr. Amanda Smith, Medical Director of her 63-year-old husband, Desmond, take early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, Joe the Institute. part in two drug studies in recent years, Furey has taken part in two different Ardila tells prospective volunteers including one that currently involves an drug studies in recent years to try to that well-established drug manufactur- intravenous infusion every 12 weeks, slow his memory loss. ers, such as Pfizer, Bayer, Eli Lilly, with medical checkups and cognitive And he’s already looking ahead to GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth and Bristol- testing every six weeks. next year when he can take part in his Myers Squibb, are behind some of the “The one thing people need to next clinical trial. studies, and that those companies have know is that if you’re in a study, you “I’ve got nothing to lose,” says the already created household staples such get really excellent medical care while former welfare office administrator as, Advil®, Lipitor®, Plavix®, Aricept®, you’re there,” she says. “Fortunately, from Philadelphia, now 62. Furey One A Day® vitamins, and a number of the Desmond is really healthy physically retired just two months before his diag- antibiotics we use. “People don’t always except for Alzheimer’s disease. But nosis but had suspected something was I personally believe that if there’s wrong when he found himself doing anything else going on with him, they’d some of his work over again. “Alzheimer’s disease is an enormous puzzle, and every find it first at USF.” Taking experimental drugs under In addition to having access to close medical supervision at the USF study we do and all of the participants involved provide experts with the latest information Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute is fine valuable new pieces of that puzzle.” about Alzheimer’s, participants are with him. informed about support groups and Jill Ardila “If it works, I’m ahead of the game. If other services in their community they Assistant Director of Clinical Research, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute it doesn’t, I’m where I would have been may have been unaware of otherwise. anyway,” he says. “You’re taking a Maureen Kerr knows that if she has chance, but I don’t want to sit and do any questions about dealing with her nothing.” realize that every drug we use today husband’s advancing illness, help is Furey doesn’t mind going to the Jill Ardila, Assistant Director of L-R: Desmond and Maureen Kerr, Jill had to go through the same research just a phone call away. “We’re very Alzheimer’s Institute in Tampa to partic- Clinical Research at the Institute, Ardila, Bob Bainbridge and Joe Furey. volunteers. “We hold ourselves to the process that we are doing now,” Ardila spoiled at USF because it’s a really good ipate in the drug studies, even though regards the volunteers as medical highest ethical standards, and the FDA says. Other studies at the Institute are team: the (study) coordinators, the he lives 80 miles south in Venice. Bob pioneers helping to advance scientific and university review committees funded by the federal government. nurses, the social workers – all of them. Bainbridge, Furey’s partner of 36 years, research. ensure that.” She also points out that the trial I know that I can call them at any time handles the driving and shares informa- “Alzheimer’s disease is an enormous communication among nerve cells in Prospective volunteers are screened participants never go it alone.