August 16, 2010

UW Researches Discover Key To Predicting Alzheimer's



Guests:
Dr. Mark Sager, professor of medicine UW School of Medicine and Public Health director, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute

Alzheimer's Disease is rising in epidemic proportion. Currently more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. No cure or efective treatments exists particularly for people in the advances stages. That is why the research recently presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Honolulu by UW researches, Dr. Mark Sager and Dr. Sterling Johnson garnered national attention. Their two new studies involving a newly identified gene (TOMM40) show that Alzheimer's deisease could be diagnosed as much as 20 years before symptoms develop. This gene is a new research tool to identify people at risk and possibly intervene before the disease advances. Dr. Sager discusses UW's important role in Alzheimer's research, what we know now, and the prognosis for the future.

For more information, contact the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute: 608.829.3300