Six Scientists Receive Awards for Contributions to Alzheimer's Disease Research

VIENNA, Austria, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Association
recognized four scientists for their extraordinary achievements in advancing
Alzheimer's research at its 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer's
Disease (ICAD 2009) in Vienna, Austria. Two top papers on neuroimaging were
also recognized.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090529/ICADLOGO )

"We are beginning to reap the benefits of Alzheimer's scientific advancements
made in the last two decades, including a robust pipeline of anti-dementia
drug therapies and advances in early detection," said William Thies, PhD,
Chief Medical & Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer's Association. "The
contributions of these leading researchers will help us defeat Alzheimer's,
solve the health epidemic of the 21st century, and save future generations
from this progressive and fatal disease."

Lifetime Achievement Awards in Alzheimer's Disease Research
Henry Wisniewski, MD, PhD, Khalid Iqbal, PhD, and Bengt Winblad, MD, PhD, were
the founders of ICAD in 1988. Lifetime Achievement Awards named in their honor
are given to three outstanding scientists who have dedicated their careers to
helping millions around the world through their research.

At ICAD 2009, the 2009 Henry Wisniewski Lifetime Achievement Award was
presented to Richard Mayeux, M.D., M.S., Gertrude H. Sergievsky Professor of
Neurology, Psychiatry and Epidemiology and Director of the
GertrudeH.SergievskyCenter at ColumbiaUniversity in New York City. The Center
is devoted to the epidemiologic investigation of neurological diseases. Mayeux
is also the Co-Director of The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's
Disease and the Aging Brain. For nearly 20 years, Mayeux has led studies that
have provided the most current information on the rates of Alzheimer's and
other age-related disorders among African-American, Caribbean Hispanic and
Caucasian elderly. His research focuses on Alzheimer's disease causes and risk
factors, and their often complex interactions, with special emphasis on
diverse communities.

The 2009 Khalid Iqbal Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Virginia M.-Y.
Lee, Ph.D., M.B.A., director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease
Research at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. Dr. Lee's
research focus includes determining the genesis and roles of various normal
and abnormal brain proteins (amyloid, tau, etc.) thought to be the keys to the
cause and progression of numerous brain diseases, including Alzheimer's.

The 2009 Bengt Winblad Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Martin
Rossor, M.D., head of the Division of Neurology and Director of the Dementia
Research Centre at the UCL Institute of Neurology and the NationalHospital for
Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London. Dr Rossor's research
includes studying familial Alzheimer's disease and familial frontotemporal
lobar degeneration. Longitudinal studies of at risk individuals from affected
families has helped identify the first clinical and imaging changes that
signal the onset of disease.

Zaven Khachaturian Award
At ICAD 2009, William R. Markesbery, M.D., was recipient of the 2009 Zaven
Khachaturian Award. This award, named in honor of Zaven Khachaturian, PhD,
consultant, lecturer and author, recognizes an individual whose compelling
vision, selfless dedication and extraordinary achievement has significantly
advanced the field of Alzheimer science.

Dr. Markesbery is professor of Pathology and Neurology at the University of
Kentucky, College of Medicine, and director of the Sanders-BrownCenter on
Aging.He has been a leader in uncovering the step by step development of
Alzheimer's and the chain of events that leads to the disease. His research
also includes studies of free radicals and other oxidative damage in
Alzheimer's, and the various changes that happen in the brain in normal aging,
mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's.

Best Paper in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Awards
At ICAD 2009, Brian Bacskai, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital in
Charleston is the winner of the 2009 Best Paper in Alzheimer's Disease
Neuroimaging Award for his article entitled Ab Plaques Lead to Aberrant
Regulation of Calcium Homeostasis In Vivo Resulting in Structural and
Functional Disruption of Neuronal Networks. Dr. Backsai will receive $5,000.

Jennifer Whitwell, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, New York is the
winner of the 2009 Best Paper in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging: New
Investigator award for her paper entitled MRI correlates of Neurofibrillary
tangle pathology at autopsy: a voxel-based Morphometry Study. Dr. Whitwell
will receive $1,000.

For more information about Alzheimer's disease, ICAD or these awardees, please
visit www.alz.org.

About ICAD 2009
The 2009 Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's
Disease (ICAD 2009) brings together more than 3,000 researchers from 70
countries to share groundbreaking research and information on the cause,
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and related
disorders. As a part of the Association's research program, ICAD 2009 serves
as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a
vital, collegial research community. ICAD 2009 will be held in Vienna, Austria
at Messe Wien Exhibition and CongressCenter from July 11-16.

About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in
Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's
disease 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. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more
information, visit www.alz.org.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer's Association media line: +1-312-335-4078, media@alz.org; or ICAD
2009 press room, July 11-16: +43 (0)1 931020 7501