Kate Dyer-Seeley  

I’m just back from a whirlwind week in Washington at this year’s Alzheimer’s Action Summit.  The Summit broke an attendance record as over 600 of us stormed the Hill yesterday.  There’s so much to report, but frankly I’m jet-lagged and more than a little sleep deprived.  So, I’m off to nap, but in the short term I want to [...]

A little over a year ago Dr. Mario Carrillo, Director of Medical and Scientific Relations for the Alzheimer’s Association, traveled to Portland to give our staff, board members, and donors an update on where we stand in Alzheimer’s research.  I blogged about it at the time because she’s an incredible speaker, completely adept at translating complicated scientific [...]

If you follow me on social media pages I apologize for the repeat post, but I think this story is too fascinating not to share widely.  Last week researchers at OHSU announced they’d completed the first map of  brain cell glutamate receptor structure.  I know this sounds less than enticing as a Monday morning read, but it really [...]

Can it really be true?  The Portland Memory Walk is a mere thirteen days away.  For my faithful blog readers you know what this means, this post will be littered with shameless plugs and calls to action.  So, without further ado…Team Dyer needs you!  Click here to join our team, make a donation, or find a [...]

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard the news that Congress is tackling health care reform.  Who knows where it will all shake out, but it promises to be an interesting fall.  If you’re not content to sit on the sidelines, here’s one quick way you can engage in the debate and give [...]

Current thought in Alzheimer’s research is “What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.”  Researchers and neuroscientists have focused on the benefits of consuming a Mediterranean diet and how food from this region my help enhance brain health.  Last week board members and guests of the Alzheimer’s Association here in Oregon were able to [...]

My apologies for neglecting the blog the past week.  It took the brunt of a week in DC and a bonus layover on the Denver airport floor.  Seriously, what are the odds of a spring blizzard in Denver? I’m all lit up from the Public Policy Forum.   More posts to follow about our federal priorities for 2009 and [...]

A historic day for President Obama as he reversed the embryonic-stem cell ban put in place by the Bush administration.  Any gains made in medical research give the entire community a boost.  Unfortunately in terms of Alzheimer’s disease the current thought is that stem-cells likely won’t be the magic bullet for a cure.  There a number [...]

I just finished watching The Polio Crusade on PBS’ American Experience.  It’s an incredible documentary, and so relevant to today’s science.  I’ve posted in the past about the lengthy clinical trial process a drug must go through before it hits the market.  At the Alzheimer’s Association we’re working on a marketing plan to encourage people with Alzheimer’s to participate in trials.  These are [...]

The week is coming to a close, wet leaves, pumpkins, and political signs liter my front yard.  The leaves need raking, the pumpkins need carving, and I wish the political signs could be packed away today.  If only we could vote and move on.  Instead, Alzheimer’s research (like so many other important issues) will stall out until next year.  [...]