April 30, 2008

SIU Med School Sponsors Alzheimer’s Disease Conference

Environmental risk factors, prevention measures and early intervention are the topics of a conference on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.  It will be offered 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, for health care professionals as well as family caregivers.  A series of presentations will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield.

The conference is sponsored by the Center for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (CADRD) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, one of three state-supported centers in Illinois.

“The conference will share important information about the latest findings in pioneering research on nutrition, physical and mental exercise and interventions for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease,” said Ron Zec, Ph.D., SIU associate professor of neurology and psychiatry.  “It is appropriate for health care providers as well as anyone interested in maximizing brain health.”

Sessions begin at 8:45 a.m. with “Overview of Environmental Risk and Protective Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease.”   The other morning sessions are “Nutrition and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk and Preventive” (10 a.m.) and “Enhancing Cognition and Brain Function of Seniors:  Effects of Intellectual Engagement and Physical Activity” (11 a.m.).

Afternoon sessions begin at 1 p.m. with “Review of Evidence for Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Early Stage Dementia.”  The other afternoon sessions are “Active Recreation as an Intervention for Early Alzheimer’s Disease:  Outcomes of a Three-Year Community Based Intervention Program” (2:15 p.m.) and “An Update on Pharmacologic Interventions for Alzheimer’s Disease” (3:15 p.m.).

Zec and Dr. Tom Ala, SIU associate professor of neurology and interim director of SIU’s Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, are the course co-directors and presenters.  They will be joined by four guest presenters.

The course meets the requirements for 5.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  The registration fee is $80 for physicians and $50 for allied health professionals and caregivers and includes lunch.  Registration can be done online at www.siumed.edu/cme.  For information, contact Leslie at SIU’s CADRD, (217) 545-7181 weekdays.

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