NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Memory evaluations
are critical to the early diagnosis and effective treatment of
people with Alzheimer's disease, according to Dr. Gary Small,
director of geriatric psychiatry at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human
Behavior.
While more than 5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's
disease, less than half are diagnosed1.
"A simple memory evaluation is a critical first step toward
addressing dementia in its earliest stages," said Dr. Small, who is
also a member of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's medical
and scientific advisory board. "Early assessment of memory and
other cognitive abilities will identify people who may benefit from
treatment. It is vital to treat Alzheimer's disease as early as
possible because medicines that target the cholinergic system can
have a very positive effect if administered early."
Axovant Sciences Ltd., as part of its commitment to dementia
solutions, is working with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America
(AFA) to optimize treatment for people with dementia. Part of that
is communicating the importance of AFA's National Memory Screening
Program.
A memory screening is recommended for2:
- Anyone concerned about memory loss
- Individuals experiencing the warning signs of dementia
- Individuals whose family and friends have noticed changes in
cognitive abilities
- Individuals who believe they are at risk because of family
history of Alzheimer's disease or related conditions
AFA provides free, confidential screening events at
multiple locations across the country and a national toll-free
helpline (866-232-8484) that is staffed solely by licensed social
workers, who are trained to answer general questions about
dementia, offer caregiving tips and strategies and provide
referrals to local resources.
A memory screening consists of a series of questions and tasks
designed to test memory, language skills, thinking ability and
other cognitive functions. For more information on AFA's National
Memory Screening Program, visit
www.nationalmemoryscreening.org.
"We are pleased to help raise awareness of the services that AFA
provides to people who are at risk for dementia," said Axovant
Chief Development Officer Larry
Friedhoff, M.D., PhD. "There are therapies currently
available that can help if they are diagnosed with Alzheimer's
disease."
"A memory screening can be a first step in identifying a memory
issue and putting a person on the path to proper treatment," said
Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's
president and chief executive officer. "Early detection of memory
issues can afford an individual the opportunity to participate in
clinical trials or take advantage of medications that may help slow
the progression of symptoms. It also can provide the chance for the
individual to participate in important long-term care, legal and
financial planning conversations and to ensure their wishes are set
forth."
AFA, Dr. Small and other medical experts suggest that people
make memory screenings a priority in September as part of World
Alzheimer's Month.
Introduced as National Memory Screening Day, in 2003, the
Alzheimer's Foundation of America's National Memory Screening
program is now in its 13th year. Two and a half million
people have been screened since the program's inception.
J. Wesson Ashford, M.D., Ph.D., and
clinical professor (affiliated) at the Stanford VA Aging Clinical
Research Center, director of the War Related Illness and Injury
Study Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System is chairman of
the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's Memory Screening Advisory
Board. He has done extensive research on brain health and cognitive
screening and provides ongoing counsel to AFA in administering the
program. AFA's National Memory Screening proved so popular that
Foundation expanded screenings to year-round, with a particular
emphasis on the month of November, which is Alzheimer's Awareness
Month.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a
general term for memory loss and loss of other intellectual
abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. It is a
progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over
a number of years. According to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC)3, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause
of death in the United States.
Axovant Sciences Ltd. (NYSE: AXON) is a leading clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and
commercializing novel therapeutics for the treatment of dementia.
Axovant intends to develop a pipeline of product candidates to
comprehensively address the cognitive, behavioral and functional
components of dementia and related neurological disorders.
Axovant's vision is to become the leading company focused on the
treatment of dementia by addressing all forms and aspects of the
condition.
About Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA):
The
Alzheimer's Foundation of America, based in New York, is a non-profit organization that
unites more than 2,600 member organizations nationwide with the
goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals living
with dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services
include a national, toll-free helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by
licensed social workers, educational conferences and materials, a
free quarterly magazine for caregivers, the National Memory
Screening Program, and "AFA Partners in Care" dementia care
training for healthcare professionals. For more information about
AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter,
or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Russo Partners, LLC
Scott Stachowiak or Victoria Meissner,
M.D.
(646) 942-5630
(646)
942-5627
Scott.stachowiak@russopartnersllc.com
Victoria.meissner@russopartnersllc.com
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Amanda Secor
(866) 232-8484 x121
Investor/Media Contact:
Jonathan Neely
Head, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Axovant Sciences
(212) 634-9744
1 Solomon PR, Murphy CA. Geriatrics 2005;
60:26–31
2 http://nationalmemoryscreening.org/memory-screening-who-should-be-screened.php
3 http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
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SOURCE Axovant Sciences Ltd.; The Alzheimer’s Foundation of
America