Newswise — Stopping the progression of a brain disorder affecting society’s most vulnerable – is this mission impossible? By 2038, more than one million Canadians will suffer from Alzheimer’s or related dementia, and 690,000 will occupy long-term care beds due to these illnesses, according to the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s latest report. While women aged 65 and over are the most at risk, Alzheimer’s doesn’t discriminate. Researchers are taking action today to ensure tomorrow’s healthy aging population.

In light of Alzheimer Awareness Month, experts from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are available to discuss the impact of Alzheimer’s on people and the health care system, and the newest potential interventions.

Experts:

Reversing the days of confusion: slowing down cell deathDr. Rémi Quirion, CIHR-funded researcher from the Douglas Research Centre (Montréal)

Baby-boomers at risk: the impact of Alzheimer’s on the aging populationDr. Ken Rockwood, CIHR-funded researcher from Dalhousie University (Halifax)

Short- term memory, but long-term care: relying on nursing homes and community care Dr. Susan Elaine Slaughter, CIHR-funded researcher at the University of Alberta (Edmonton)

Alzheimer’s disease: a degenerating economic situationDr. Anthony Phillips, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (Vancouver)

Memory and lifestyle "workouts" for a healthy brain: mental stimulation to keep memory loss awayDr. Nicole Dianne Anderson, CIHR-funded researcher at Baycrest Hospital (Toronto)

Caring for the caregiver: preventing distress in Alzheimer's caregivers Dr. Francine Ducharme, CIHR-funded researcher at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal Dr. Neil Andrew Drummond, CIHR-funded researcher at the University of Calgary

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s agency for health research. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca Ce document est également disponible en français.

MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact details