Leading the Way in Alzheimer's Disease Research

Dr. Jim Simpkins, executive director of the Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research, directs the internationally recognized Aging and Alzheimer's program at the UNT Health Science Center. He and his researchers are making solid progress toward understanding Alzheimer's, finding treatments and developing a cure. They are more than leading scientists - they are people who care deeply about alleviating the suffering of Alzheimer's. Dr. Simpkins works closely with the Healthy Aging Council to ensure a better quality of life for Fort Worth's seniors. Thanks to Dr. Simpkins and his team, our city is playing an important part in finding solutions. With your help, the Healthy Aging Council and the UNT Health Science Center can partner to make Fort Worth a nationally recognized destination for healthy aging, Alzheimer's research and care.

The excellent research team at the UNT Health Science Center is focused on early detection of Alzheimer's, estrogen's role in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, stroke therapy and identification of oxidation processes to measure brain aging.

They are also working to take our research from the bench to the patient bedside.  Currently, the research team has several drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke. Additionally, they are partners with private-sector biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the development of treatments for neurological disorders. By working with the Healthy Aging Council, the local Alzheimer's Association and others, they are supporting educational and health promotion programs that encourage healthy brain aging in our community.

Some of the highly respected, funded research projects in progress at UNTHSC include:

• Assessment of estrogens in brain protection from traumatic brain injury;
• A program project grant (now in its 16th years of funding) to study novel treatments for Alzheimer's disease. This program has resulted in three drugs in clinical trials for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease;
• A program project grant  to describe the mechanisms normal aging of the brain and its cognitive decline;
• A predoctoral Training in the Neurobiology of Aging (funded for 5 years to support the training of 6 predoctoral fellows). This grant was recently renewed;
• A study on the role of Quinols in estrogen neuroprotection;        
• A study on "Estrogens for Alcoholism and its Neurological Consequences";
• A "Survey of age-associated carbonylation of proteins";
• A study of the role of menopausal vasomotor symptoms in determining risk of dementia;
• A study of pain and dysfunctional behaviors in demented elderly patients.

We all hope for good health and a high quality of life as we get older. However, dementia and Alzheimer's Disease pose serious threats to thousands of seniors locally and millions nationally. Some of us already know the suffering of Alzheimer's from personal experience or from caring for a relative. Others will be affected in the future. The Healthy Aging Council and other concerned citizens are looking to our leaders and medical experts to find answers. Fortunately, we have such leaders in Fort Worth at the UNT Health Science Center.