Brain health research is topic of Alzheimer's Association online symposium

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to educate the community about Alzheimer’s and dementia.

On June 30, the Florida chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association will host a free educational event for people with early-stage dementia, caregivers, professionals and the community. The Dementia Research Symposium: Dementia Research - A Focus on Brain Health will feature keynote speakers Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Ph.D. and Kevin Groom, Ph.D.

As director of Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Edelmayer leads efforts to accelerate the scientific agenda of the Alzheimer’s Association through the creation and delivery of ongoing research education. She engages with more than 75 Alzheimer’s Association chapters across the country.

Dr. Groom is a licensed psychologist specializing in Clinical Neuropsychology more specifically the assessment of cognitive dysfunction in persons who have sustained neurological damage such as brain injury, stroke and dementia. He is currently involved in clinical research trials involving the scope of his specialties.

Topics discussed during the event will include latest advancements in local, national and global research, dementia risk factors and brain health, clinical trials and how they work and information on the virtual brain bus program.

“We all start off cognitively unimpaired but then it is possible we move into a stage of mild cognitive impairment. This is a phase of cognitive impairment that doesn’t necessarily interfere with the activities of daily living. However, the impairment with two or more cognitive functions move you into this continuum where you are either starting the dementia phases of the disease this is mild dementia, moderate dementia or severe dementia, again this is a continuum,” says Dr. Edelmayer. “We believe that if we can prevent new cases of mild cognitive impairment, we will be able to prevent new cases of dementia.”

The Research Symposium will be hosted via the online platform BlueJeans and will begin at noon. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Register online at crf.org or call 800-272-3900.

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