Alzheimer S Association

Former President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, announced Tuesday that they will lend their names to a "research institute without walls" dedicated to the study of Alzheimer's disease. The Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute will work with the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Assn. to give research grants to scientists, drug companies, universities and medical centers for work on the crippling brain disorder.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia may afflict about half a million Americans ages 55 to 64, said a report that challenges the widely held view that the conditions only affect elderly patients. The report from the Alzheimer's Assn., a Chicago-based research and advocacy group, said that 480,000 people from age 55 to 64 had cognitive impairments severe enough to be considered disabling.

Semiconductor giant Intel Corp. and the Alzheimer's Assn. joined forces last week to develop technology aimed at helping patients, caregivers and families. The focus won't be on finding cures but on using new technology to improve care for patients by compensating for impairments and simplifying the tasks of caregivers. Such tools could help delay or even prevent the need to move the patient to a residential care facility.

Semiconductor giant Intel Corp. and the Alzheimer's Assn. joined forces last week to develop technology aimed at helping patients, caregivers and families. The focus won't be on finding cures but on using new technology to improve care for patients by compensating for impairments and simplifying the tasks of caregivers. Such tools could help delay or even prevent the need to move the patient to a residential care facility.

Members of 25 Rotary Clubs in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys will make up a sizable portion of the thousands expected to prowl around the L.A. Zoo and Griffith Park in Saturday's Alzheimer's Memory Walk. The 200 commitments and donations received so far from Rotarians is exceptional in the event's five-year history, said Christina Martinez of the Alzheimer's Assn. The event, which begins at 8 a.m., will include a three-mile walk and five-kilometer run.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia may afflict about half a million Americans ages 55 to 64, said a report that challenges the widely held view that the conditions only affect elderly patients. The report from the Alzheimer's Assn., a Chicago-based research and advocacy group, said that 480,000 people from age 55 to 64 had cognitive impairments severe enough to be considered disabling.

When former President Ronald Reagan announced that he had Alzheimer's disease in November, calls to the Alzheimer's Assn. increased by 150%. Today, when the organization releases several public service announcements with Nancy Reagan discussing the effects of the disease on families, officials expect the phones to ring off the hook.

Members of 25 Rotary Clubs in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys will make up a sizable portion of the thousands expected to prowl around the L.A. Zoo and Griffith Park in Saturday's Alzheimer's Memory Walk. The 200 commitments and donations received so far from Rotarians is exceptional in the event's five-year history, said Christina Martinez of the Alzheimer's Assn. The event, which begins at 8 a.m., will include a three-mile walk and five-kilometer run.

Former President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, announced Tuesday that they will lend their names to a "research institute without walls" dedicated to the study of Alzheimer's disease. The Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute will work with the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Assn. to give research grants to scientists, drug companies, universities and medical centers for work on the crippling brain disorder.

When former President Ronald Reagan announced that he had Alzheimer's disease in November, calls to the Alzheimer's Assn. increased by 150%. Today, when the organization releases several public service announcements with Nancy Reagan discussing the effects of the disease on families, officials expect the phones to ring off the hook.