Memorypreserving your Summer 2008 The Magazine of Health and Hope 10 Outdoor Activities to Enhance Your Loved One’s Summer Learn about the Benefits of Gardening from Is an Effective HGTV Host Justin Cave Alzheimer’s Treatment at Hand? MetLife Foundation Awards Scientists An Expert Speaks for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease (Page 34, Exercise Your Memory) +1* )'!&+ )', $!.!+ + + ', +'$0 !%)1* &!&'-)/',) +1*. /')'-)/)* +! 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An Expert Speaks Dr. Paul Greengard, Nobel Prize recipient, answers today’s most pressing questions on the causes and treatments of Alzheimer’s disease. 8 MetLife Foundation Awards Scientists for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease MetLife Foundation honored three scientists who have made significant contributions to the understanding of 14 Alzheimer’s. 10 Outdoor Activities to Enhance Your Loved One’s Summer Discover tips to help preserve memories— and create new ones. 20 Easy Summer Gardening Soothes the Soul Learn about the benefits of gardening from HGTV 26 host Justin Cave. summer 2008 www.ALZinfo.org 3 Contents 5 From the Editor’s Desk Summer is a season for memories. 6 News Briefs Read the latest news on Alzheimer’s disease and brain health. 8 Is an Effective Alzheimer’s West 46th Street & 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036 Treatment at Hand? 1-800-ALZ-INFO • www.ALZinfo.org An Expert Speaks Michael Stern, Publisher Richard Shortway, Associate Publisher 10 Food and Nutrition Betsey Odell, Editor in Chief Fresh fruits deliver good nutrition and great taste. Alan White, Managing Editor 14 MetLife Foundation Awards William J. Netzer, PhD, Science Editor Jerry Louis, Graphic Designer Scientists for Research in Toby Bilanow, Bernard A. Krooks, Contributing Writers Alzheimer’s Disease © Copyright 2008 by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. 18 Long-Term Planning No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by Elder-law expert Bernard A. Krooks discusses long- any means without written permission from the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. Articles in this publication are written by professional term planning and the role of the spouse. journalists who strive to present reliable, up-to-date health information. However, personal decisions regarding health, finance, exercise, and other 20 10 Outdoor Activities to Enhance matters should be made only after consultation with the reader’s physician or professional adviser. All editorial rights reserved. Opinions expressed herein are Your Loved One’s Summer 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 23 Fisher Center Research Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express MicroRNA brings new hope for memory preservation. freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy. 24 Caregiver Voices A daughter shares her thoughts on time spent with her dad. 26 Easy Summer Gardening Soothes the Soul Preserving Your Memory is published by Vitality Communications 28 Ask the Experts 407 Norwalk St., Greensboro, NC 27407 Learn how you and your loved one can stay safe (336) 547-8970 outside this summer. Jennifer Sellers, Managing Editor 30 Fitness Traci Shelton, Senior Art Director Kathy White, Account Manager Aquatic exercise offers many options for all fitness levels. Jan McLean, Creative Director 32 Take Action Lauren Croughan, Editorial Assistant Learn how the government is addressing Alzheimer’s Traci Marsh, Production Director disease—and what you can do to help make a Contributing Writer, Michelle Porter Tiernan difference for Alzheimer’s research. 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 gives her perspective on checkups. A leader in finding an Alzheimer’s cure 4 Preserving Your Memory summer 2008 From the Editor’s Desk A Season for Memories ore than any other season, summer tends to bring back memories from the past. A warm breeze may make it seem M like only yesterday when you were running through sprinklers, eating homemade ice cream, and chasing fireflies. Here at the Fisher Center, we’re working diligently to preserve precious memories like these by searching for a cure and more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. In “MetLife Foundation Awards Scientists for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease,” on page 14 of this issue, you can read about Alzheimer’s advancements being made by some of the world’s top scientists. And our feature story on page 8 asks the question: “Is an Effective Alzheimer’s Treatment at Hand?” Also in this issue, we have plenty of articles that will help you incorporate your favorite things about summer into your life as a caregiver. We’re covering healthy summer fruits; gardening, with Justin Betsey Odell Cave, host of the HGTV show Ground Breakers; and aquatic exercise. And if you’re still looking for more ways to enjoy your summer, we have 10 more suggestions for you on page 20. So, get to reading … And once you finish this issue of Preserving Your Memory, put it down and head outside to enjoy your summer. We hope this season will bring back many warm memories for you—and help you create new ones, too. 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. Oprah’s O Magazine lists us as the top charity to give to for Alzheimer’s. For more information or to make a donation, go to www.ALZinfo.org. summer 2008 www.ALZinfo.org 5 News Briefs The Latest News on Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Health Retired Supreme Court Justice protein in the brain plaques associated and Alzheimer’s Caregiver with Alzheimer’s disease, damaged Sandra Day O’Connor Recently blood vessels in the brains of the mice. Addressed Congress on The damage took place before plaques Alzheimer’s Impact appeared, but the mice still suffered At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Spe- GINA will prevent employers from memory loss and inflammation in cial Committee on Aging, Sandra Day from discriminating against the brain. Previous studies have shown O’Connor, former Associate Justice of individuals on the basis of that diabetics have a 30 percent to 65 the Supreme Court, gave testimony genetic information. percent higher risk of developing Al- on the financial and emotional burden zheimer’s disease than non-diabetics. Alzheimer’s disease places on Ameri- cans, and urged Congress to aid in the GAO Report on Nursing Home funding of the disease. She referenced Quality of Care Released, the rapidly aging American popula- Senators Call for Action tion as evidence of increasing need to In May, the Government Account- combat the disease. O’Connor was the ability Office (GAO) released a report first woman appointed to the U.S. Su- highlighting quality-of-care deficien- preme Court. She retired in 2006, after that a small molecule known as DAPH cies in nursing homes. In response, 25 years, to care for her husband John, can selectively take apart amyloid fibers, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. some of which are related to Alzheimer’s Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) recommended an disease. “[DAPH] selectively targets overhaul of nursing home standards, A Cup of Coffee a Day May the areas that hold fibers together, and calling for adequate investigative skills Help the Brain converts fibers to a form that is unable for state surveyors to identify prob- A recent study in the Journal of Neu- to grow,” says the study’s senior author, lems; federal penalties strong enough roinflammation showed that caffeine James Shorter, PhD. The study suggests to achieve accountability and encour- in an amount equivalent to one cup of that it is possible to generate small mol- age compliance; and consumer access coffee a day could protect the blood- ecules that can attack the amyloid fibers to accurate, meaningful, and current brain barrier (BBB) from damage from associated with Alzheimer’s disease. data. “Our legislative reform effort a high-fat diet. BBB leakage often oc- is about securing transparency,” said curs in neurological disorders such as Researchers Explain Link Senator Grassley.