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Chairman’s Brief
For over a decade, I have been active in Alzheimer’s issues. I began my ‘career’ in Alzheimer’s with the Alzheimer’s Association and its support for caregivers. They helped me understand the disease that was affecting members of my family, my mother’s brothers. My focus has been on Alzheimer’s research since Senate President John McKay appointed me to the Board of Directors of the state funded Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute in 2003 and the subsequent reappointment by Governor Bush on August 26, 2006. I am honored to be currently serving as the Chair of the Board.
Recently the Board of Directors has been evaluating the structure of the Institute and its effectiveness as we move forward into the next important phase of its life as an organization. The completion of the Institute’s 108,000 square foot research center on Fletcher Avenue on the University of South Florida campus could not be more exciting. Completion of the building symbolizes the Institute’s new direction as a functioning research center with scientists in its laboratories, treatment tested in its clinic, and meeting its goals in education altogether making the world a better place for Floridians dealing with Alzheimer’s.
Over the last quarter, the Board has conducted a review of the Institute. After that review, we decided to continue under Dr. Huntington Potter’s leadership to make inroads against Alzheimer’s disease.
The readers of this newsletter are well aware of the successes of the Institute in its short history. Personally, I am proudest of the fact that the National Institute of Health (NIH) designated the Institute, through USF, as an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center of excellence in 2005. Our grant program has supported important research carried out by the many researchers at Universities and research centers throughout the state of Florida. Scientists that we have recognized with grant awards have gone on to receive substantial NIH grants. The Institute’s recognition of the promise of their research projects accelerated their projects to a level sufficient to garner the attention of the NIH.
Every organization is a reflection of the people and personalities that govern it. A certain amount of organizational introspection is good, but there are vast gaps in services as well as research in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease in Florida. When we have the opportunity to use our positions of influence it is better spent motivating our audience to come together to address the needs of the many Floridians facing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease today and tomorrow. The needs of the Memory Disorder Clinics is but one of the issues that we can address with the power of our collective ‘bully pulpit.’
Thomas R. Conklin
Chair, Board of Directors
Ask A Pharmacist
Question: What kinds of medications can worsen memory and interfere with the benefits of memory enhancing medications for Alzheimer’s patients?
Answer: Many commonly used prescription, nonprescription, and herbal products can impair cognitive function by causing drowsiness/sedation, confusion or dizziness. Some also cause the inability to form new memories, and may also diminish insight. Patients may experience impairment without being aware of it. Healthcare professionals can instruct patients on appropriate timing of administration, particular formulations, and other strategies to minimize the cognitive-impairing effects.
Many patients choose to use non-prescription drugs rather than prescription medications to treat a variety of problems. What most patients don’t realize is that even though these drugs might help some conditions, they may also cause cognitive impairment.
It is vital that patients with signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment are fully evaluated to recognize and treat any reversible causes of cognitive impairment, such as medications. As seen above, many can cause impairment and this may possibly give the appearance or increase the symptoms associated with dementia. Please keep in mind that the level of impairment varies from patient to patient, between different medications within the same therapeutic class, and in combination with other medications or alcohol.
Dr. Massey can be contacted at (850) 599-8415 or by E-mail at angela.massey@famu.edu.
Partner Spotlight - HARC
HARC was started in 1953 as the Hillsborough Association for Retarded Children and in 1972 became the Hillsborough Association for Retarded Citizens. In 2006 HARC changed their name to the Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Centers. This was done to reflect the changes the organization has made over the past 54 years in their mission. While they initially served only children, today they serve all people with disabilities in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Down syndrome, a congential disorder causing mental retardation and certain distinct physical characteristics, is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Causes of Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease are found on the same chromosome.
By age 40, 50% of individuals with Down syndrome will also have Alzheimer’s disease. The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute has begun to educate mothers of Down syndrome children about their children’s greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
In 2001, HARC opened one of the first residential homes for people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Because of the relationship with the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute and HARC, these individuals are receiving state-of-the-art care with staff that have the best training possible. The home has been a much needed resource in the Hillsborough County Community. Families caring for a person with both Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease have a place to turn for quality care.
In the next year, HARC will build a second home for people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. As a result of this partnership and success in treatment, Mrs. Virginia Kaul donated the funds to build the Ralph Kaul Home, a residential center for people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. This will be constructed on a new $5 million campus located in the Egypt Lake area of Tampa and funded through HUD and Hillsborough County. In addition to the Ralph Kaul Home, HARC will have a day-facility to serve their clients with Alzheimer’s disease. The day facility will also be open to the local community for those who have a need for day services.
For more information call Richard Lilliston, HARC’s CEO at (813) 273-6364.
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