That's just one of over 40 new findings from studies led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis that will be presented at the Alzheimer's Association's 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in Philadelphia from July 17-22.
"Studies like these ranging from basic science to clinical trials are rapidly improving our understanding of this devastating disease," says John C. Morris, M.D., who is principal investigator of the University's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) and sees patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
"Each step brings us closer to our ultimate goal: developing effective treatments that will change the outlook from hopeless to hopeful," adds Morris, who also is the Harvey A. and Dorismae Hacker Friedman Distinguished Professor of Neurology.
Highlights of Washington University's studies to be presented include:
To read more about any of Washington University's studies to be presented at the conference, go to http://alzheimer.wustl.edu/adrc2/Images/FINAL%20ABSTRACT%20BOOKLET.pdf.
References:
1) Dong H, Goico B, Martin M, Csernansky CA, Bertchume A, Csernansky JG. Effects of isolation stress on hippocampal neurogenesis, memory, and amyloid plaque deposition in APP (Tg2576) mutant mice. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 19, 2004.
2) Csernansky JG, Wang L, Miller JP, Gado M, McKeel D, Miller MI, Morris JC. Hippocampal shape and volume predicts the onset of dementia in the elderly. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 17, 2004.
3) Csernansky JG, Wang L, Ngo C, Miller MI, Morris JC. Hippocampal shape predicts response to donepezil. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 17, 2004.
4) Morris JC, Price JL, McKeel DW, Higdon R, Buckles VD, NNA study group. The neuropathology of nondemented aging. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 18, 2004.
5) Fagan AM, Christopher E, Spinner M, Han X, Morris JC, Holtzman DM. Probing for antecedent biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease through analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from middle-aged individuals. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 20, 2004.
6) Brendza RP, Bacskai BJ, Simmons KA, Skoch JM, Klunk WE, Mathis CA, Bales KR, Paul SM, Holtzman DM. In vivo dynamics of amyloid associated neuritic dystrophy before and after anti-Abeta immunotherapy. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 19, 2004.
7) Roe CM, Behrens MI, Xiong C, Miller JP, Morris JC. Co-occurrence of dementia of the Alzheimer's type and cancer. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 19, 2004.
8) Storandt M, Powlishta KK, Mandenach TA, Hogan E, Grant EA, Morris JC. Depression in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease does not affect psychometric test performance. 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 18, 2004.
Washington University School of Medicine's full-time and volunteer faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient care institutions in the nation, currently ranked second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.