Rockefeller Announces Groundbreaking Alzheimer's Disease Partnership at BRNI

Outreach and Registry Program Will Help Combat and Treat Alzheimer's

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Senator Jay
Rockefeller announced an unprecedented and powerful partnership to help combat
and treat Alzheimer's disease in West Virginia. The Alzheimer's Outreach and
Registry Program (AORP) at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
(BRNI) at West Virginia University, brings together some of West Virginia's
most important leaders in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. In addition
to BRNI, the partners include the West Virginia Medical Foundation; the
Alzheimer's Association, West Virginia Chapter; and the West Virginia Bureau
of Senior Services. The launch of AORP is made possible through the
sponsorship of the West Virginia Cable Telecommunications Association (WVCTA),
led by Suddenlink, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. The statewide program has
been in development for nearly two years thanks to funding by the state of
West Virginia and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

For the more than 44,000 West Virginians (age 65 and over) who have
Alzheimer's disease and the approximately 85,000 caregivers who care for them
every day -- sometimes for more than a decade -- diagnosis, treatment and care
during the progression of the disease is uncertain, confusing and
catastrophically expensive. To meet these needs, BRNI has designed a unique
program to intensify education and data collection aimed at physicians and
other healthcare providers across West Virginia. The goal is to help
physicians improve diagnosis and to insure their access to the latest in
treatment of the disease. The program will also make certain that physicians
and providers know how to connect families and caregivers to vital support
networks in communities across the state.

"To help those battling memory disorders, we need to arm our entire network of
health care providers and caregivers with the tools they need to diagnose,
treat and care for them," said Senator Jay Rockefeller, founder of the
Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute at West Virginia University.
"Through strong support of key groups in West Virginia, we will now be able to
offer them education and information essential to carrying out this crucial
mission. And I'd like to thank the West Virginia Cable Telecommunications
Association and everyone involved for making it possible."

AORP will host live programs for physicians and other providers across the
state beginning in October consisting of:

1. A continuing medical education program to help keep physicians informed
and proactive in the latest diagnostic techniques and treatment;
2. A continuing medical education program to help physicians and other
healthcare providers connect caregivers to local resources, education
and
support and ensure a better link between treatment and care; and

3. The first ever West Virginia Alzheimer's Disease Registry to collect
data on the disease across the state.

These live continuing medical education programs, led by the West Virginia
Medical Foundation and presented in cities around the state by WVCTA, will
intensify the education effort targeting physicians.

"We are proud to bring the Alzheimer's Outreach and Registry Program at the
Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute to physicians and other
healthcare providers across West Virginia as a component of our long-standing
commitment to the people of this state," said Jerry Kent, Chairman and CEO of
Suddenlink Communications on behalf of the West Virginia Cable
Telecommunications Association. "We applaud Senator Rockefeller and others for
their leadership to improve Alzheimer's research, education, and outreach."

West Virginia is only the third state in the country to create an Alzheimer's
Disease Registry. The registry will allow physicians to input data on
individuals and the disease that in turn will help better allocate state
resources and support research.

"Today, there is no reliable early diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease, and
there is no cure or consistently reliable treatment," said William Neal, M.D.,
pediatric cardiologist and board member of the West Virginia Medical
Foundation. "This puts a special burden on physicians to stay up on the latest
advancement in care, and to understand community resources available that can
help caregivers."

The Alzheimer's Association, West Virginia Chapter and West Virginia Bureau of
Senior Services will provide critical educational and support resources and
services for the outreach program.

"It is imperative that physicians and families recognize the early warning
signs of Alzheimer's. Early diagnosis is critical," said Jane Marks,
Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, West Virginia Chapter. "In
addition, physicians can play a key role in empowering individuals with the
disease and their caregivers by connecting them to available support and
education resources. Until we find the cure, knowledge and support will
enable those facing the challenge of Alzheimer's to navigate this difficult
journey knowing they are not alone."

"As the state's population continues to age, the impact of Alzheimer's disease
becomes more profound," said Dr. Sandra Vanin, Commissioner of the West
Virginia Bureau of Senior Services. "These initiatives will help those of us
at the state level to better understand the needs of Alzheimer's families and
to allocate our resources as effectively and efficiently as possible."

The Alzheimer's Association estimates that the disease costs West Virginia
families and caregivers who care for those with Alzheimer's disease more than
$800 million in direct costs and lost wages annually (2009 Facts and Figures
report).

Governor Joe Manchin III has signed laws passed by the West Virginia
Legislature to contribute $1 million toward the outreach program and $100,000
to create the Alzheimer's Disease Registry. The Benedum Foundation has
contributed $200,000 to further Alzheimer's research and outreach at the
Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute at West Virginia University.

WVCTA will lead the production of an education video, in coordination with all
of the partners, that will tell the stories of Alzheimer's families and
caregivers through their individual experiences, in ways that address the
urgent gap in understanding between physicians, patients and caregivers. These
will be made available to every physician in West Virginia.

To learn more about the Alzheimer's Outreach and Registry Program, visit
www.wvaorp.com. To learn more about each of these partners, visit:

www.brni.org
www.wvsma.com/foundation
www.alz.org/wv
www.wvseniorservices.gov
www.wvcta.com

SOURCE Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute

Dan Rothfield of Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute,
+1-703-741-7040, drothfield@golinharris.com