December 8, 2002

Alzheimer's Hope

A disease more frightening than cancer is Alzheimer's - named for the doctor who first recognized its cause as a fatal withering of the brain.

There is no known cure as yet. Nonetheless, radiology brain-scanning promises to become an early diagnosis to distinguish ordinary "senior moments" from the dreaded disorder.

This is an important advance because Alzheimer's also strikes at an early age. Medicines to slow the onset are now available. Drugs to prevent and halt - if not cure - Alzheimer's are under intense investigation.

In the forefront of a ten-year clinical study to learn more about Alzheimer's -- and other infirmities of old age -- are 418 residents of Charlotte County.

The Healthy Aging study began in 1996 with 456 randomly chosen volunteers. Since then, 38 have died - their case histories important contributions to medical science.

Not surprisingly, the study confirms that retirees moving to Florida tend to be healthier, happier and more socially involved than oldsters elsewhere.

Principal investigator of the Healthy Aging Study is Dr. James Mortimer, director of the University of South Florida Institute On Aging.

The study is funded in part by a million-dollar grant from the Charlotte County Foundation endowed by on-going contributions for health and education. Jack Price is the executive director with headquarters in the historic Freeman House at Punta Gorda.

Monitoring progress of the study is Community Advisory Council of civic leaders. In a recent update, Dr. Mortimer and local coordinator Dr. Amy Borenskin reported on the first two phases of the research findings.

"Memory loss is not a definitive test of Alzheimer's," said Dr. Mortimer. "The speed and extent of pupil dilation, and elasticity of veins, are more important.

"Loss of the sense of smell is a five-to-ten-year predictor. Of those people from families with a history of the disorder, about half may become afflicted.

"Shrinkage of that portion of brain known as the hippocampus is ninety-five percent predictive," he declared. "This can be easily detected by a harmless, painless injection of radio-active dye and magnetic resonance imaging.  

"Until recently this procedure was expensive. In addition to the use of a million-dollar radiology scanner, it took five hours for a highly paid clinician to evaluate the series of individual scans.

"Now, our scientists at South Florida have developed a computer program that will evaluate the scans in five minutes and is 90 percent effective. Testing as part of routine physical exams is more practical."

Dr. Borenskin says the Charlotte County study will be re-contacting individuals who participated in the first assessment five years ago for a major follow-up. The initial examination showed that Charlotte County seniors - as a group - were remarkably healthy and performed well above their peers in other regions of the country.  

The most famous Alzheimer's victim is President Ronald Reagan, still living with his devoted wife Nancy at their California home. He has no recollection of family, friends or the powerful position he once held.

Dennis C. Revell, Reagan's son-in-law by marriage to the late Maureen Reagan, serves on the National Alzheimer's Association board of directors. As such, Revell leads the National Alzheimer's Awareness Month in November each year.

Ironically, President Reagan had proclaimed November as a national awareness month on Nov. 5, 1982. He chose that month and day in 1994 to announce in a poignant letter to the American people about his own diagnosis.

* * *

 My Fellow Americans:

I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.

In the past, Nancy suffered from breast cancer; and I had my cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures that we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result, many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal, healthy lives.

So, now we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.

At this moment, I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes, I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.

In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home - whenever that day may be -- I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.

I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there always will be a bright dawn ahead.

Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you.

Ronald Reagan

* * *

Revell points out that when Ronald Reagan sounded his battle cry against Alzheimer's in 1982, an estimated two million people were suffering from the affliction. Today, the number has grown to more than four million.

An additional 19 million family members suffer the emotional and financial impact - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

 "Unfortunately as many as 14 million baby-boomers will be the next large pool of victims over the next 50 years," says Revell, "unless we find ways to further slow down or stop the changes in their brains that might be taking place in their brains."

Nancy Reagan admitted in a recent television interview: "The worst part of Alzheimer's disease is that there's nobody to exchange memories with."

 Local Assistance  

In Charlotte County, caregivers of Alzheimer's victims can find support through the Alzheimer's Association, 22107 Elmira Blvd. in Port Charlotte, phone 235-7470 - and the Alzheimer's Association Help Line 624-5727.  

Author: Lindsey Williams

Cutlines - 3 columns each

1 -- patient  in scan machine

Photo by Lindsey Williams

[ Jeff Johnson, marketing director of Southwest Florida Regional Imaging Center in Punta Gorda, pretends to be a patient to demonstrate the comfort of scanning by a magnetic resonance imaging device. Ray Rankl, nuclear technician, right, monitors the process. ]

2 - brain image

MRI scan by Southwest Florida Regional Imaging Center

[ A scan of the hippocampus area of Lindsey Williams' brain. Some of his readers may be surprised to see that his thinking apparatus is perfectly normal. ]

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