 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Spring 2007 NewsletterADC Researchers Brief Congressional Task ForceOn Tuesday, January 16, 2007, Dr. Robert Green, Director of the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center (BU ADC) Clinical Core, and Dr. Robert Stern, Associate Director of the BU ADC Clinical Core, gave a joint presentation to the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Green gave an overview of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and he spoke about risk factors relating to AD in special populations. Dr. Green also presented new findings in the genetics of AD (see “New Alzheimer’s Gene Discovery” feature article in this issue). Dr. Stern presented information pertaining to recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of AD as well as the important public health issue of AD among minority populations. In particular, he emphasized the need to diminish health care and research disparities among African-American elders. Both Drs. Green and Stern emphasized the critical need to increase National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for AD research. Former BU ADC trainee Dapo Akinleye discussed the importance of an NIH diversity training grant that supported a portion of his graduate education. He received his Master’s in Public Health from the Boston University School of Public Health while working with Dr. Green at the BU ADC. Mr. Akinleye described to the Congressional Task Force his experiences working in the African-American community and methods for overcoming the reluctance of this population to seek medical care for this devastating disease. Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey, who invited the BU ADC researchers to present at the Congressional briefing, expressed his appreciation to the speakers and provided strong support for the need for increased federal funding of AD research and clinical care. Congressman Markey has been a leading national advocate for new grant programs for AD research and additional funding for the NIH. “This invitation was an honor for our entire institution as it recognized the groundbreaking work in AD being carried out at Boston University Medical Center,” said Dr. Green. “The experience of briefing Congress also gave us a rare opportunity to speak directly to the people who are deliberating about the NIH budget, particularly funding for AD, about the critical need for increased funding at this time. We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Markey in rallying efforts to preserve and extend research to defeat AD.”
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|