Former President Ronald Reagan is now the longest-lived president of the United States, having turned 92 on Thursday.

Suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Reagan spent his birthday at his Bel-Air home where he has been cared for by his wife Nancy for almost 10 years.

Last September, Ms. Reagan said she was no longer sure that her husband recognized her, adding that she missed reminiscing about their past together. The golden years are when you can sit back, hopefully, and exchange memories, and that's the worst part about this disease,'' she explained. "There's nobody to exchange memories with, and...we had a lot of memories."

To read the full story go to nytimes.com.

THE 11TH NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE EDUCATION CONFERENCE

The Alzheimer's Association holds its national education conference from July 20-23, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. At this conference you can join leaders from across the country in sharing state-of-the-art information and resources related to Alzheimer care and research.

For more information go to alz.org.

Nancy Reagan announced in a letter to Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) that she supports cloning for the purposes of medical research, a controversial new field of science involving destruction of days-old embryos.

The former first lady used the 92nd birthday of her husband, Ronald Reagan, to endorse legislation sponsored by Hatch and others that prohibits cloning for the purpose of creating a person, but permits the use of nuclear transfer technology, described by supporters as "therapeutic cloning."

She wrote, "There are so many diseases that can be cured, or at least helped, that we can't turn our back on this. We've lost so much time already. I can't bear to lose any more."

To read the full story go to washingtonpost.com.

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UCLA and University of Queensland (Australia) neuroscientists used magnetic resonance imaging to show how Alzheimer's disease systematically engulfs the brains of living patients.

Paul Thompson, assistant professor of neurology who led the study, commented,"For the first time, you can see Alzheimer's disease progressing in living patients." "We were stunned to see a spreading wave of tissue loss. Initially confined to memory areas, this loss moved across the brain like a lava flow, destroying more and more tissue as the disease progressed."

The videos show the sequential destruction of brain areas that control memory function, then emotion and inhibition, and finally sensation. They also show how the disease spares small brain regions that control vision and other functions that remain intact in Alzheimer's patients. To see time-lapse images go to ucla.edu.

To read the full story go to abcnews.com and boston.com.

A measure recently introduced to the Arizona State Senate would expand the Alzheimer's care demonstration project currently in place in the state. Under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Senate Bill 1179 raises the number of eligible persons who would receive assisted living-based Alzheimer's care to 200 persons in 2003 and to 300 persons in 2004-2005. The "Alzheimer's Treatment Assistive Living Facility Demonstration Pilot Project" provides for the reimbursement of Alzheimer's care services, but not "room and board," for qualified residents of assisted living communities currently in the pilot.

In addition, the program also calls for a report to be released by January 2005 that evaluates the program including recommendations for making the program permanent, assessments of the services provided, identification of service costs and residents served, and determination of any deficiencies.

To read the complete bill click here.

Canadian researchers found that people with early-stage Alzheimer disease can use other areas of their brain to pass memory tests.

Dr. Cheryl Grady, a senior scientist with The Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, explained, "We found that patients who were able to recruit the prefrontal cortex of the brain 'to a greater degree' than other patients, performed more accurately on memory tests."

The study is published in the February 1, 2003 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

To read the full story go to sciencedaily.com and news.bbc.co.uk.

MOBILE PHONES AND AD

Researchers from Lund University Hospital in Sweden say that there may be a link between the use of mobile phones and the early onset of Alzheimer's disease.

The controversial study looked at the effects of radiation on laboratory rats, who were bombarded with radiation equivalent to that from mobile phones.

Professor Leif Salford said, "We have already shown that mobile radiation can allow harmful proteins and toxins through the blood-brain barrier in rats. Now we see a significant degree of damage to neurons in the brains of what you could call adolescent rats."

To read the full story go to itv.com.

CAREGIVERS AT GREATER RISK OF HEART PROBLEMS

A University of California, San Diego, study found that the stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease may place the caregiver at greater risk of heart problems.

The researchers collected information from 54 men and women providing home care for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease.

They found higher incidence of blood clotting indicator which may predict heart attacks and other coronary problems.

To read the full story go to healthcentral.com.

TENNESSEE CAREGIVER TELECONFERENCE

Marcia Wall, director of the Alzheimer's Association of Highland Rim, says that most people are not familiar with the stress on caregivers, stress that can decrease the entire household's quality of life.

So on Feb. 11 from 7 to 8 p.m., the Alzheimer's Association and Homewood Residence will host a teleconference that focuses on bathing, dressing and toileting. At that time, participants may call (800) 789-6311 and request to join the Alzheimer's teleconference.

For more informatioj go to zwire.com.

LOW TESTOSTERONE LINKED TO DEMENTIA

An Australian study suggests that men with low levels of testosterone may be at risk of developing brain diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's later in life.

The research was based on 100 men between the ages of 29 and 80 with low levels of testosterone. Ninety-six per cent of them went on to experience "loss of interest mentally and loss of motivation" and 85 per cent suffered memory loss, lapses in concentration and loss of mental clarity.

The findings follow a recent conference in London which examined the relationship between the male hormone and the brain, and the potential role of testosterone in preventing dementia.

To read the full story go to hearldsun.news.com.

White lab coats, restraints and locked doors, antiseptic smells, people yelling in pain could spark vivid flashbacks for Jews with Alzheimer's disease who endured Nazi cruelty during The Holocaust.

The hoarding of food in pockets and drawers and under mattresses, as if hiding it from soldiers, is a common occurrence, said David Bier of the Council for Jewish Elderly. If a worker tries to take the food away from them, they often lash out.

The Holocaust Community Services program visits nursing homes in Chicago and the suburbs, giving history lessons and sensitivity seminars. They train nursing home employees to understand what Holocaust survivors may be going through and offer tips on how to avoid triggering bad memories and violent reactions.

To read the full story go to sanluisobispo.com.

BRAIN CHANGES IN AD MOUSE

Jeffrey Redwine of Neurome, Inc. and colleagues, have published a paper describing regional brain volumetric changes in the PDAPP mouse model of Alzheimer's disease using high-resolution magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM).

The measurements taken revealed that reduced volume in certain regions of the brain can be detected by MRM prior to the deposition of beta-amyloid, the protein that forms thick deposits, or plaques, in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Floyd Bloom, M.D., of The Scripps Research Institute commented, "We were quite surprised that pathology was evident this early in the animal's life. This is important since it suggests that at least in this animal model, therapeutic interventions can and should be tested in fairly young animals -- well before the appearance of more advanced reflections of Alzheimer's disease pathology."

To read the full story go to northernlight.com.

PFIZER, YALE TEAM UP FOR DRUG RESEARCH

Pfizer Inc. and Yale University will collaborate on a new clinical research center to study drugs for neurological disorders and other diseases.

Pfizer will spend about $35 million to build the center where its scientists will work with Yale School of Medicine researchers to study high-tech scanning technologies that are used to track the effects of new drugs in the body.

To read they full story go to northernlight.com.

MEMORY CONSTRUCTION

Professor Mark D'Esposito and colleagues of UC Berkeley has verified that the same area of the human brain is used in the development of two separate types of memory – working and long-term memory.

D'Esposito explained that working memory holds and processes information for a short period of time, like the seven digits of a phone number being dialed. Once information is transferred to long-term memory it can be recalled after the subject has moved on to other tasks.

The researchers hope to use their discovery to help the elderly and Alzheimer's patients with memory loss.

To read the full story go to dailycal.org.

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A study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that middle-aged and elderly people with high blood sugar had a smaller hippocampus, the brain region crucial for short term memory. Blood sugar was a natural suspect because scientists have long known that diabetics are at higher-than-normal risk for memory problems.

The good news is that simple diet and exercise could help many people protect their brains.

To read the full story go to nytimes.com.

POLICE PROMOTE ALZHEIMER'S PROGRAM

Chesterfield (VA) police are working with Tara Beatty of the Alzheimer's Association's Richmond Chapter to promote Safe Return, a national program that assists in the identification and safe return of those stricken with the disease and other types of dementia.

Registrants receive jewelry that is engraved with the program's toll-free line and an identification number. If they become missing, Safe Return, once notified, can identify the member's identification number in their database and immediately fax the person's information and picture to local police.

To find out more about Safe Return call (888) 572.8566

To read the full story go to zwire.com.

HOUSE LEADER TO FOCUS ON ALZHEIMER'S

Nearly 400,000 Floridians have Alzheimer's disease. Johnnie Byrd, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, says that among the goals for the legislative class of 2003, are a focus on time and money for Alzheimer's disease.

Byrd pledged to members in November,"We must increase public awareness of the disease and provide more support to early detection efforts, not to mention support for caregivers, the victims and their families."

To read the full story go to naplesnews.com.

MEDICARE PAYMENTS UNLIKELY FOR DAUGHTER

A daughter asks:"I'm living with my mother, who has the beginnings of Alzheimer's. She is unable to function on her own because of her dementia. Physically, she is in good shape. Mentally, she gets quite confused and doesn't even remember sometimes that I'm living with her. Can I get any reimbursement from Medicare for being a live-in caregiver? I am not getting paid anything..."

Ed Long is an attorney who specializes in elder law. To read his answer go to sfgate.com.

THE WAR AGAINST AGE DISCRIMINATION

The St. Petersburg Commission on Aging says that the most dangerous issues facing our elderly today is the prevalence of ageism (or age discrimination). Misunderstandings about aging have reached the levels of racism, sexism, homophobia and other bigoted "-isms."

Myths abound. They explain that failing to understand the intricacies of the "dot-com" world is not a sign of Alzheimer's, nor is a slower gait or dimmer vision a sign of mental deficiency. Yet many store clerks, medical caregivers and service workers tend to cast aside seniors who have lived beyond what they believe to be their productive years.

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs is determined to make St. Petersburg a "Community for a Lifetime," which would enhance communication and dispel myths among the generations.

To read the full story go to sptimes.com.

REVERSE MORTGAGES HELP SENIORS

Senior citizens with money problems are getting help from reverse mortgages. A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not have to pay back as long as you live there.

The funds can be used for home improvements, supplemental income, health care, debt, drug prescriptions, travel, etc. The loan comes due when the borrower permanently moves out of his or her home. If the value of the house exceeds what is owed at the time of the homeowner's death, the rest goes to the estate.

A retired, well-to-do man whose finances were zapped by the falling stock market was faced with having to put his Alzheimer's-stricken wife into a nursing home. Instead, he got a reverse mortgage with monthly payments to avoid the problem.

To read the full story go to sun-sentinel.com.

CHROMOSOME SHRINKAGE - A CLUE TO DISEASE AND AGING

The tips of the chromosomes in many cells shrink as people age. A preliminary study now suggests this shrinkage might promote age-related disease and even death.

Scientists found that people over 60 with shorter-than-average chromosome tips were nearly twice as likely to die over the next 15 years from heart disease and pneumonia.

To read the full story go to intelihealth.com.

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