Veteran’s Association looking for participants in new Alzheimer’s study

Dr. Cindy Carlsson, a geriatrics provider at the William S. Middleton Memorial Hospital and a researcher in the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Madison, is seeking volunteers for an 18-month study on Alzheimer’s disease. Participants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be a veteran eligible for VA services
• Possess normal memory and thinking
• Be between the age 50-75
• And a parental history of Alzheimer’s disease.

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple to 15 million by the year 2050. Dr. Carlsson works with and studies Alzheimer’s among the veteran population, who for a number of reasons some of which are still not entirely understood, are far more likely to develop the condition than the general population. Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, although numerous studies also indicate a racial gap in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. African Americans are twice as likely and Hispanics one-and-a-half times as likely to develop the disease as whites.

The new study by Dr. Carlsson will seek to determine whether fish oil supplements favorably alter early brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease by improving blood flow to the brain. The study will require nine visits spread over 18 months at the William S. Middleton Memorial Hospital and the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

“Alzheimer’s disease is devastating,” Dr. Carlsson said. “The health and science communities are working on treating this disease on many fronts, from drugs and treatments that stop and reverse the disease, to lifestyle changes like diet and exercise that help delay the onset of symptoms. The BRAVEEPS study is looking at another possible intervention – utilizing a supplement we know is safe and has hearthealth benefits and determining if it can contribute to slowing the disease in veterans with a family risk for the disease.”

Those interested in participating or learning more about the study are encouraged to contact the study coordinator, Elena Beckman either by telephone 608-256- 1901 (ext. 11199) or email elena.beckman@va.gov.