Memory in Aging study earns merit
Researchers examining Alzheimer’s disease since 1995 recently brought recognition to USU.
USU researchers for the Cache County Study on Memory in Aging were honored March 3 in Salt Lake City at a gala, entitled “Come Swing for the Cure,” by the Utah Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The group was chosen to be the recipient of this year’s ALEXA – A Lifetime of Exceptional Achievement – Award.
The award was granted to the group for research and discoveries made since initial receipt of funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health in 1995.
Maria Norton, of the department of family and human development and one of the researchers at the Center for Epidemiologic Studies at USU, said over the past 15 years research has included interviewing participants older than 65 in Cache County.
The award recognizes contributions made by the study over the years and how researchers have come to understand risks associated with Alzheimer’s, Norton said.
“We followed them every three years, to continue to watch and monitor and evaluate and to see who developed dementia,” Norton said. “The aim of that parent study, overall, was to look at the genetic and environmental factors that determined or were related to one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
Norton said researchers have published between 80 and 100 articles in top journals in the fields of psychiatry, gerontology and geriatrics, relating various factors he study has discovered to have an influence in Alzheimer’s risk.
JoAnn Tschanz, a professor in the department of psychology and the clinical director of the Cache County Memory Study, said, “I’d like to acknowledge the many investigators and faculty at Utah State University, as well as graduate and undergraduate students who have participated in our studies over time.”
Anna McEntire, a public relations specialist in the Research Office, said the study has brought funding and recognition to USU over the years.
“The money that is brought in for research is not the be all and end all of what we do,” McEntire said. “But we do view it as an indicator of the success in the program.”
Norton’s research contributions have helped the College of Education and Human Services rank among the best in the nation, McEntire said.
Norton said the study has helped researchers examine the factors influencing Alzheimer’s, such as those that may increase susceptibility to the disease, including low amounts of exercise and exposure to pesticides – common among farmers, she said.
On the other hand, researchers found that staying cognitively challenged and stimulated, social engagement with others, a healthy diet and certain classes of medications may lower the risk, she added.
Tschanz said “dementia” is a global term not specific to any particular disease, and it is described as memory impairment and impairment in other cognitive areas that prevent a person from functioning independently in day-to-day activities.
“Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia after the age of 65 or in later life,” Tschanz said. “With progressive deterioration over time, the person experiences language dysfunction, problems orienting themselves in a space and difficulty recognizing other people or really recognizing things.”
Tschanz said these symptoms can cause stress to those close to the patient.
“It’s a very debilitating disorder,” Tschanz said. “Because of how common it is, it creates tremendous burden on society, family and the public.”
Norton said research will continue on the data produced by the study.
“We don’t yet know the full story,” Norton said. “We don’t know definitively, absolutely, what causes Alzheimer’s disease. We’re making a lot of progress. At least we know some of the things people can do in (their) personal lives.”
– keithjjackman@gmail.com