Sanders-Brown Markesbery Symposium Focuses on Why Some People Don't Get Alzheimer's or Dementia
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 13, 2017) — Why do some people stay intellectually sharp into their 90s, while others have memory problems? Is there anything we can learn from their lifestyles that can help everyone age successfully?
These are among topics scheduled for the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging's Markesbery Symposium on Nov. 3-4. Keynote speakers are:
- Dr. Claudia Kawas of the 90+ Study which explores the fastest-growing age group in the U.S.: "The oldest old." Kawas appeared in a 2014 “60 Minutes” episode called Living to 90 and Beyond that explored the secrets to a long and happy life.
- Rachel Whitmer, a national expert on risk factors for dementia, including obesity and diabetes.
"Typically we focus on who gets dementia and why, but we can learn just as much from the people who DON'T get Alzheimer's," said Linda Van Eldik, director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. "We are delighted to bring two national experts to Lexington to continue this discourse."
The scientific session will be 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 3 in the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital Pavilion A Auditorium. In addition to presentations by Kawas and Whitmer, there will be a judged scientific poster session and an update on research at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. Click here to register for the Scientific Session or call (859) 323-5474.
The Community Session will be 8:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Lexington Convention Center's Bluegrass Ballroom, 430 W. Vine Street. It will feature an "Ask the Experts" segment where participants can ask questions of Whitmer, Kawas, and researchers from the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.
A free continental breakfast on Saturday will be provided courtesy of the Lexington Legends. The event is free but registration is required. Call (859) 323-5474 or click here to register for the Community Session.
