Poster Presentations at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD), Vienna 2009

The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center presented a variety of poster presentations at this year’s International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in July of 2009.

A summary of the top stories relating to subject recruitment in clinical research trials is found at each of the links below. Tamara Markgraf, a Program Director with the Wisconsin ADRC, summarized key findings of the top AD research organizations in the world relating to this topic. Without volunteers in research trials, it would be impossible to continue medical advancement in new therapeutic strategies for memory and AD. For more updates on research and Alzheimer’s disease, please visit http://www.alz.org/icad/overview.asp.

5/1/2009 - W-ADRC In the News

The W-ADRC has been honored with outstanding coverage with the release of the press release from the Office of the Governor, Jim Doyle. See what all the news is about!

Announcing the New Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (W-ADRC)

Researchers announce the creation of Wisconsin’s very first Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (W-ADRC). The Wisconsin ADRC is funded by a grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Health (NIH). The Wisconsin ADRC will be a research facility based out of the UW-Madison’s Department of Geriatrics in the School of Medicine and Public Health, and the Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. The Wisconsin ADRC was the only new facility to be recognized by the NIH with this award for the funding year of 2009.

This grant award will further fund the research of the former Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's (WCMP) efforts in areas of Alzheimer’s disease treatment and prevention research. The major focus of the Wisconsin ADRC is on preclinical and early diagnosis and progression of AD. It will expand the scientific objectives of the NIH-funded Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP), significantly enhancing care of Wisconsin residents suffering from the devastations of AD.

The major focus of the Wisconsin ADRC, and perhaps the most important characteristic of this Center, is to identify novel diagnostic tests and potential therapies for the prevention of AD at a stage when patients have no clinical symptoms (preclinical stage). It is anticipated that such therapies will help reduce the burgeoning number of individuals projected to suffer from AD.

While most function Centers are based in the fields of neurology and psychology, this is the first time in NIH history that a geriatrics-based ADRC has been funded. The Wisconsin ADRC will build upon the remarkable strengths of the University of Wisconsin and the work of the WCMP to provide state-of-the-art resources, infrastructure, and expertise in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related illnesses.

July 2008 - Lab Scientists Awarded ICTR Grants

Both Dr. Cathy Gallagher and Dr. Michele Ries were recently awarded pilot grants through the University of Wisconsin’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. Dr. Gallagher’s project will focus on MRI measurements of basal ganglia perfusion and connectivity in Parkinson disease. Dr. Ries’ project will use functional MRI to examine alterations in brain physiology relating to impaired awareness of memory deficit in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

July 2009 - Wisconsin Researchers to Share Results with International Colleagues

Researchers from the W-ADRC were in Chicago for the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, July 26-31, 2008. The program's research was featured in several oral and poster presentations.

Posters Presented:

Authors: Khosropour, C, Dowling, M Wharton, W, Edwards, D, Carlsson, C, Asthana, S, Gleason, C
Title: Influence of Vascular Risk Factors on Cognitive Performance in Community-Dwelling African Americans

Authors: Bendlin B, Thiel B, Jabbar B, Kastman K, Fitzgerald M, Gliori G, Asthana S, Sager M, Alexander A, Lazar M, Johnson S
Title: Parental family history is related to microstructural brain changes in presymptomatic middle aged and older adults. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on prevention of Dementia

Authors: Carlsson, C, Barnet J, Blazel, H, Puglielli L, Atwood, C, Gleason, C, Johnson, S, Sager, M, Asthana, S
Title: Relationship of Atherogenic Lipid Profiles and Gender with CSF Biomarkers in Middle-Aged Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors: Carlsson, C, Dowling, M, Asthana, S, Gleason, C, Johnson, S, La Rue, A, Hermann, B, Sager, M.
Title: Increased Duration of Statin Use Is Associated with Better Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults at Risk for AD: The Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP)

Authors: Dowling, M, Hermann, B, LaRue, A, Sager, M
Title: An Examination Of The Latent Structure Of The Neuropsychological Test Battery Of The Wisconsin Registry For Alzheimer’S Prevention (WRAP)

Authors: Fitzgerald, M, Bendlin, B, Xu, G, McLaren, D, Kastman, E, Newman, L, Sager, M, Asthana, S, Johnson, S
Title: Regional Gray Matter Brain Volume Differences in Individuals with a Maternal vs. Paternal Family History of Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors: Gleason C, Dowling N, Wharton W, Khosropour C, Carlsson C, Asthana S
Title: Cognitive Benefits of Hormone Therapy Use in Women Matched for Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Accepted for presentation at International Congress on Alzheimer's Disease

Authors: Blazel H, Gilbertson L, Asthana S, Sager M, Carlsson C
Title: Lumbar Puncture Procedures Are Not a Barrier to Recruitment Into Clinical Trials For Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

Authors: Kastman E, Bendlin B, Xu G, Ries M, McLaren D, Fitzgerald M, Jabbar B, Kosmatka K, Johnson S
Title: Rate Of Whole Brain Volume Decline In A Cohort Of Cognitively Normal Participants With Family History Of Alzheimer’S Disease: A Longitudinal Study

Authors: La Rue, A, Hermann, B, Dowling, M, Wright, N, Sager, M
Title: Interactive effects of family history of AD and childhood learning difficulties on midlife memory performance

Authors: McLaren D, Ries M, Bendlin B, Kastman E, Kosmatka K, Xu G, Jabbar B, Newman L, Fitzgerald M, Johnson S
Title: Memory Formation In Middle-aged Adults: Dynamics Of The Bold Signal Across Repetitions

Authors: Porayette P, Gallego M, Kaltcheva M, Bowen R, Meethal S, Atwood C
Title: Differential Processing of Amyloid-β Precursor Protein Directs the Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Authors: Ries M, McLaren, D, Fitzgerald, M, Asthana S, Johnson S
Title: Attenuated Functional Connectivity Associated with Impaired Awareness of Deficit in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on prevention of Dementia

Authors: Meethal S, Chan H, Ginsburg E, Wilson A, Bowen R, Vonderhaar B, Atwood C
Title: Identification of a Negative Feedback Loop in the Brain for the Regulation of Neurosteroid Synthesis: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors: Meethal S, Ockuly J, Porayette P, Gallego M, Haworth R, Bowen R, Atwood C
Title: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Signaling in the Aging Brain: A Recapitulation of its Role in Embryogenesis and its Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors: Wharton W, Gleason C, Brinton E, Cedars M, Lobo R, Manson J, Merriam G, Miller V, Taylor H, Lobo R, Santoro N, Harman S, Asthana S
Title: Baseline Cognitive and Demographic Characteristics of Women Enrolled in the KEEPS (Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study) Cognitive and Affective Study

Authors: Xu G, Fitzgerald M, Sager M, Asthana S, Johnson S
Title: Early onset of Alzheimer’s disease study with MR-ASL, FDG-PET, PIB-PET and O15-PET - a multiple-modal neuroimage approach

Authors: Xu G, Mclaren D, Fitzgerald M, Ries M, Rowley H, Sager M, Asthana S, Johnson S
Title: The influence of Alzheimer’s Disease Family History and Apolipoprotein E ε4 on task dependent posterior cingulate activation

Authors: Xu, G, Dowling M, Fitzgerald, M, Kastman E, M, Sager, M, Asthana, S, Johnson, S.
Title: fMRI activation in medial temporal lobe correlates with monthly decline rate of memory function in mild cognitive impairment patients

March 2008 - Tomorrow's Leader in Alzheimer's Disease Grant awarded to Dr. Sterling Johnson

Dr. Sterling Johnson has been honored by three leading Alzheimer's associations as one of 3 recipients of the Tomorrow's Leader Award for 2008. The award from the Alzheimer's Association, Cure Alzheimer Fund and the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute will help support our research on cognitive disorders of memory and self-awareness.

Research Conference Appearances

Exciting research findings from the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center are routinely presented at research conferences across the globe. Such conference appearances allow W-ADRC researchers and staff to share in the knowledge and collaborate in the progress being made globally in this field, and to demonstrate our vision and commitment to the future of Alzheimer's research. To have one of our researchers come and speak to your group, just contact us!

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Resources:

W-ADRC Presentation/Speaker Requests
Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center staff is available to speak to your group of caregivers, professionals, or other community members about several topics including the advances being made in the field of memory research across the globe and right here in Madison. To discuss this opportunity, please contact Tamara Markgraf at (608) 256-1901, ext. 12923 or by email at: tsm@medicine.wisc.edu.

University of Wisconsin Memory Assessment Clinic: part of the Geriatrics Clinic at University Station
The Memory Assessment Clinic provides assessments of persons who are experiencing a decline in memory and cognitive function. The appointment lasts approximately two hours. During the first hour, the patient undergoes neuropsychological testing which helps to define the problem areas. During that time, a social worker meets with the family to obtain a more extensive history and further background information. This is a good time to discuss concerns, possible options, and ask questions and obtain answers.

After that time, the neuropsychologist, social worker and doctor meet briefly to discuss patient assessment. When the physician meets with the patient and family, they already have the preliminary results of the neuropsychological testing, a synopsis of the history and concerns, and background medical information. The physician usually performs a brief neurological examination as part of the evaluation. They may request that a scan or blood work be done to seek the cause of the memory decline. If that is the case, the patient is scheduled for a return appointment shortly after the additional information is collected. The team works with the family and patient to plan for the future as well as for the present.

For questions about the UW Memory Assessment Clinic or to schedule an appointment, call the clinic at (608) 263-7740.

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UW Madison Campus Links
Institute on Aging
The Laboratory of Endocrinology, Aging, and Disease
Neuropsychology Neuroimaging Lab
Neuroscience Training Program
Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute
VA Hospital Madison

Research
Alzheimer's Disease Centers Directory
Alzheimer Research Forum
Dana Brain Web

Associations
South Central Wisconsin Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association
The Alliance for Aging Research
Alzheimer's Association
Benjamin B. Green-Field Library & Resource Center
Alzheimer's Disease Education And Referral (ADEAR)
American Academy of Neurology
American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
American Association of Retired Persons
American Medical Association
American Geriatrics Society
American Psychiatric Association
American Society on Aging
National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
National Parkinson's Foundation
Society for Neuroscience

Other
Alzheimer Europe
Dementia Web
Elder Care
GeroWeb
Timeslips
Memory on the Mind - To the Best of Our Knowledge (National Public Radio), November 11, 2001 (Requires free Real Audio player).

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