What Does HBO's Uncle Junior Have to Do with Memory?
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Memorypreserving your Spring 2008 The Magazine of Health and Hope The Museum of Modern Art Offers Special Programs for Alzheimer’s Patients Tony and Uncle Junior from HBO’s The Sopranos Is There a Link Between Alzheimer’s What Does HBO’s Disease and Uncle Junior Have to Parkinson’s Disease? Answers by Nobel Prize Winner Do With Memory? Dr. Paul Greengard TV Chef Marvin Woods Shares Healthy Cooking Tips +1* )'!&+ )', $!.!+ + + ', +'$0 !%)1* &!&'-)/',) +1*. /')'-)/)* +! 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Together, the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research and The Michael Stern Parkinson’s Research laboratories work to find new treatments. 8 The Power of a Song Dominic Chianese of HBO’s award-winning series The Sopranos discusses how music has made a difference in his life and the lives of others. 12 Can Art Help Unlock Memory? Alzheimer’s patients benefit from the Museum of Modern Art’s special programs. 16 Music Is a Tool in Alzheimer’s Care Research shows that music has power for people with Alzheimer’s. 20 spring 2008 www.ALZinfo.org 3 Contents 5 From the Editor’s Desk Welcome 6 News Briefs Read the latest news on Alzheimer’s disease and brain health. 8 Is There a Link Between West 46th Street & 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036 Alzheimer’s Disease and 1-800-ALZ-INFO • www.ALZinfo.org Parkinson’s Disease? Michael Stern, Publisher Richard Shortway, Associate Publisher 10 Caregiver Voices Betsey Odell, Editor in Chief Dorothy Pierce shares excerpts from her journal. Alan White, Managing Editor 12 The Power of a Song William J. Netzer, PhD, Science Editor Jerry Louis, Graphic Designer 15 Preserving Your Memory Update Toby Bilanow, Bernard A. Krooks, Contributing Writers The movie we featured in our first issue has gone on to achieve numerous awards and nominations. 16 Can Art Help Unlock Memory? 20 Music Is a Tool in Alzheimer’s Preserving Your Memory is published by Care Vitality Communications 407 Norwalk St., Greensboro, NC 27407 (336) 547-8970 22 Food and Nutrition Chef and Emmy® Award-nominated television host Jennifer Sellers, Managing Editor Marvin Woods shows that comfort food can be healthy. Traci Shelton, Senior Art Director Kathy White, Account Manager Jan McLean, Creative Director 27 Fisher Center Research Lauren Croughan, Editorial Assistant Fisher scientists discover a possible way to prevent Traci Marsh, Production Director tau tangles in the Alzheimer’s brain. Contributing Writers: Susan L. Comer, Sam Gaines, 28 Ask the Experts Ginny Gaylor, Jason Schneider Home-modification tips can ease the burden on the © Copyright 2008 by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. caregiver and increase the independence, safety, and No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s dignity of the person with dementia. Research Foundation. Articles in this publication are written by professional journalists who strive to present reliable, up-to-date health information. 30 Graceful Exercise However, personal decisions regarding health, finance, exercise, and other matters should be made only after consultation with the reader’s physician or The ancient practice of tai chi is a low-impact way to professional adviser. All editorial rights reserved. Opinions expressed herein are stay healthy. not necessarily those of the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. This project was supported, in part, by a grant, number 90AZ2791, from the 32 Long-Term Planning Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express Elder-law expert Bernard A. Krooks gives advice on freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, elder care costs. necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy. 34 Keeping Your Mind Sharp Cover photo: Josh Wolff Give your brain a workout with these brainteasers. Made possible by a grant from 38 Medicinal Laughter Agnes the Wellness Woman offers her own unique brand of help. A leader in finding an Alzheimer’s cure 4 Preserving Your Memory spring 2008 From the Editor’s Desk Welcome s this issue of Preserving Your Memory goes to press, spring is almost here. This time of year, Mother Nature seems to have A music all her own, so what better time for us to bring you an issue highlighting the many benefits of music—especially the role it plays in preserving memory. In this issue we’ll explore music as a phenomenal therapeutic tool for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. We’ll also learn how Emmy- nominated actor Dominic Chianese of The Sopranos shares his musical gifts with patients facing dementia. Music isn’t the only cultural avenue for those with memory loss. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has launched a program that allows Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers to experience museum art in a way that is sensitive to their needs. As you’ll read in “Can Art Help Unlock Memory?,” this MoMA program will be extending across the country. As always, we want to provide you with important scientific Betsey Odell information that will shed light on the work being done to help people preserve memory. At our core, the Fisher Center Foundation is about scientific research. We’re excited to share fascinating research on the link between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and how it may lead to a new understanding of dementia. I hope Preserving Your Memory magazine will show you ways you can enrich your life and the lives of those you love. Take the time to enjoy this beautiful season and add music to your life! Warm Regards, Please send your tips, stories, or questions to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, West 46th St. & 12th Ave., New York, NY 10036, or by e-mail to [email protected] Betsey Odell Editor in Chief For advertising information, please contact: Betsey Odell Kathy White Fisher Center Foundation Vitality Communications (212) 265-0223 (336) 547-8970, ext. 3327 About the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Since 1995, the Fisher Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been providing hope and help to the public by funding research into the cause, care, and cure of Alzheimer’s disease and creating much needed educational programs. We are the world’s largest research team leading the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Our team of internationally renowned scientists, under the direction of Nobel laureate Dr. Paul Greengard, has been at the forefront of research that has provided a conceptual framework for modern-day investigations into Alzheimer’s disease. Of every dollar we raise, 94 cents goes directly to research programs. For more information or to make a donation, go to www.ALZinfo.org. spring 2008 www.ALZinfo.org 5 News Briefs The Latest News on Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Health Clinical Trials Updates For more information Several ongoing, noteworthy Al- on clinical trials, visit zheimer’s drug clinical trials have been www.clinicaltrials.gov updated: • Prana Biotechnology Limited just concluded a Phase IIa trial for its drug, referred to as PBT2. Phase IIa measured the safety of multiple doses of the drug and whether it might slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. It also assessed whether the drug im- proved symptoms. The results of this preliminary study are expected to be available shortly. The drug is de- signed to prevent a toxic interaction between certain metals, such a zinc and copper, and beta-amyloid. • Elan Pharmaceuticals and Transition Therapeutics are currently recruiting patients for Phase II trials for its drug, ELND005, which may prevent beta- amyloid from assuming a toxic form associated with Alzheimer’s. This study will test the multi-dose safety and efficacy (whether it improves mental function) of the drug in treat- ing mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. The study will be completed in about 16 months. • Bapineuzumab, a humanized mono- clonal antibody that binds to and clears beta-amyloid peptide, is en- For more information on clinical tri- patients after the administration of a tering Phase III trials for Elan Phar- als, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov therapeutic protein molecule called maceuticals and Wyeth. The drug is etanercept. designed to provide the patient with Therapeutic Molecule Shows When given by spinal injection, antibodies to beta-amyloid directly. Fast Results in Patients etanercept (also known by its trade This large trial will determine wheth- name, Enbrel®) binds to a substance er the drug will effectively treat Al- A new study published in the Jour- called TNF and renders it inactive. zheimer’s disease. nal of Neuroinflammation documents TNF regulates inflammation in the marked improvement in Alzheimer’s brain and other tissues. Too much of it 6 Preserving Your Memory spring 2008 appears to be produced in Alzheimer’s The protein deposit, disease. By reducing the level of TNF called amyloid plaque, in the brain, scientists involved in the is considered a classic study have predicted an improvement marker for Alzheimer’s. in patients. Such rapid improvement, The drug known as a in fact, has been noted. However, only radioligand molecule about 15 patients were included in this binds to amyloid plaque, study.