The Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Miami is seeking volunteers for the largest Alzheimer's study in history. The National Institutes of Health is funding the research. Lead researcher Michael Weiner of the University of California-San Francisco says the study comes at a critical time.
"Over 5.5 million seniors have Alzheimer's disease and that number is going to go up to almost 14 million by 2050," said Weiner.
The disease affects 540,000 people in Florida.
Dr. Weiner says Alzheimer's disease is caused by two proteins that can be detected on brain scans and then treated. But, he says, scientists haven't shown yet that these treatments can slow the progression of the disease.
He says the goal of the study is to find the best way to diagnose Alzheimer's, even before people exhibit memory loss, in an effort to prevent, treat and cure the disease.
The study seeks healthy volunteers without memory problems, as well as people who have mild memory problems, and those who have been diagnosed with mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information on how you can participate at the Wein Center in Miami, please contact Isael Santos at (305) 674-2121, ext. 50728 or via email at isael.santos@msmc.com.