Felicia Goldstein, Ph.D.
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia

2003 Senator Mark Hatfield Award for Clinical Research in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is often complicated by circulatory system disorders such as high blood pressure or heart disease, which can reduce blood flow to the brain. This reduced blood flow is associated with a dementia called vascular dementia that can coexist with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, there is growing evidence poor blood vessel function in the brain can contribute to, or accelerate, the neurodegenerative processes of Alzheimer’s. Scientists must tease apart the relative contributions of circulatory problems and Alzheimer’s disease pathology in order to be able to treat each condition effectively.

Felicia Goldstein, PhD, and colleagues are conducting a study of more than 100 people who have been referred to a memory clinic to assess possible dementia. At the beginning of the study, each participant will have a comprehensive set of tests that probe for circulatory risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Participants will also undergo a variety of tests of memory, problem-solving and other psychological functions. After one year, the tests will be repeated. Results of this study will help researchers understand the overlap between Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, as well as to identify groups of people vulnerable to either, or both, of these disorders.