CHICAGO, May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Alzheimer’s Association has named Hugh C. Hendrie, M.B., CH.B., D.Sc., the medical honoree at its 18th Annual Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala. Hendrie, research scientist at the Indiana University Center on Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute and co- director of the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders at Indiana University’s School of Medicine, will be recognized for his outstanding contributions to Alzheimer’s research at the Civic Opera House on May 7.
“The field of Alzheimer’s has only a handful of pioneers that have made landmark contributions, which opened new avenues of research or redirected the research,” said Zaven Khachaturian, senior science advisor to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Council. “Alzheimer research is indebted to Dr. Hendrie for his inspiration and leadership, his efforts to train another generation of scientists and his international studies of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”
Hendrie is widely known for his research on environmental risk factors related to Alzheimer’s disease. His Indianapolis/Ibadan Dementia Project looked at two populations of African origin living in drastically different environments. From this research, Hendrie has been able to show that one’s environment may play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Over his career, Hendrie has aided the development of Alzheimer research by serving as an academic and scientific leader. He has chaired the Department of Psychiatry at Indiana University for twenty-five years, served on numerous boards and committees and has been an advisor to many organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association where he helped frame the Association’s Maintain Your Brain(TM) consumer education program.
Research by physicians like Hendrie has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge about Alzheimer’s. For the first time, there is real hope that the growing threat of Alzheimer’s disease can be reduced through breakthroughs in disease prevention in the next 10 years. New discoveries are occurring regularly that hold great promise to shorten the duration of the disease or lessen its effects. Continued and significant research funding is crucial to maintaining and accelerating the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Hendrie received his bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery from the University of Glasgow, a diploma in psychiatry from the University of Manitoba and a master of science from Wayne State University. He received his doctor of science degree (in Medicine) from the University of Glasgow in July of 2002.
For more information about the gala or to order tickets, call the Alzheimer’s Association at (312) 604-2453. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan serves as honorary chair of the event, which is an annual tribute to her mother, Hollywood legend Rita Hayworth, who died with Alzheimer’s disease. All funds raised through the Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala directly support the Alzheimer’s Association in its goal of delaying the disabling symptoms and eventually
preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Since its inception in 1987, the Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala has raised more than $13 million.
There are currently 4.5 million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As baby boomers age, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease could increase to 7.7 million by 2030. Not only is it a devastating disease for those afflicted and their families, but it also threatens to overwhelm our economy and bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. For 25 years, the donor-supported, not-for-profit Alzheimer’s Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.
Alzheimer’s Association
CONTACT: Kate Meyer of the Alzheimer’s Association, +1-312-604-2435
Web site: http://www.alz.org/