Alzheimer's Association, Orange County and UCI MIND Unite at 26th Annual Alzheimer's Disease Research Conference

    IRVINE, CA, August 12, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Early-bird registration is now open through Aug. 28 for the 26th Annual Southern California Alzheimer's Disease Research Conference, "Healthy Brain Aging: Considering the Possibilities." Hosted by UCI's Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, Orange County (AAOC), the one day conference on Friday, Oct. 2, will bring together renowned Alzheimer's researchers to present the latest findings on healthy brain aging.

The event at the Irvine Marriott Hotel is expected to draw more than 500 healthcare professionals, researchers and families who will hear from experts on the complexities of the aging brain, as well as cutting-edge research on the cause, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is the fourth-leading cause of death in Orange County with more than 84,000 Orange County residents currently living with the disease. Alzheimer's cannot be slowed, prevented or cured, and the numbers continue to climb with a new diagnosis every 67 seconds. In 2009, there were more than 39.6 million people age 65 or older - representing 12.9 percent of the U.S. population; by 2030, that number is expected to double. The increasing number of older Americans is fueling interest and research in healthy brain aging, including studies that reveal lifestyle and age-related factors that may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Presentations will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include:

Morning sessions:
• Healthy Brain Aging - Considering the Possibilities, Maria C. Carillo, Ph.D., chief science officer, Alzheimer's Association
• Cognitive Training Interventions for Delaying Cognitive Decline, Jessica Langbaum, Ph.D., Banner Alzheimer's Institute
• Prevention Clinical Trials: Taking the Next Steps Responsibly, Joshua Grill, Ph.D., UC Irvine
• Public Policy Update, Jim McAleer, president/CEO, Alzheimer's Association, Orange County

Afternoon sessions:
• Sleep Fragmentation and the Risk of Incident Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline in Older Persons, Alon Yosefian Avidan, M.D., MPH, UCLA Health
• The Role of Vascular Aging in Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's disease, Daniel A. Nation, Ph.D., University of Southern California
• Exercise and Alzheimer's Disease Research, Carl Cotman, Ph.D., UC Irvine
• Memory and Movement Interactive Session, Kelli Sharp, Ph.D., UC Irvine

Continuing education units will be available for physicians (CME) and a variety of other health care professionals, including social workers (BBS), nurses (BRN), nursing home (NHAP) and residential care facility (RCFE) administrators. Early bird registration for these professionals is $195 or $230 after Aug. 28. Early bird admission for family caregivers, students and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia is $85. Registration includes food, beverages and written materials.

For additional event information or to register, visit act.alz.org/healthybrainconference or contact Emi Kitahara at [email protected] or 949-757-3721.

About Alzheimer's Association, Orange County

The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Since 1982, Alzheimer's Association, Orange County has been providing programs and services, free of charge, to Orange County residents with Alzheimer's and related disorders, their families, caregivers, and the community. Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative illness that weakens the memory and other cognitive and emotional functions. For more information, call the 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900, or visit http://www.alz.org/oc. Find AAOC on Facebook and Twitter.

About UCI MIND

Dedicated to the mission of researching ways to make memories last a lifetime, the University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) is engaged in cutting edge interdisciplinary research to uncover the basic mechanisms of brain aging, characterize the transition from normal aging to Alzheimer's disease, develop new treatments, and identify strategies to maintain brain health. Internationally recognized, UCI MIND is one of 28prestigious Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRC) funded by the National Institute on Aging, one of the 10 California Alzheimer's Disease Centers, and a leading national site for clinical trials. UCI MIND is Orange County's only federally and state-designated Alzheimer's disease research and clinical center. For more information, call (949) 824-2382 or visit http://www.mind.uci.edu

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