Two gifts support
Alzheimer’s research
and care at Baylor
who also have no family history of the
disease,” Dr. Huentelman said. “Our
rationale for selecting these
individuals is based on the hypothesis
that they are likely to have a strong
In recent months, the Baylor AT&T
genetic risk for the disease but one
Memory Center has received two
that is rooted in genes that are
generous grants. One, a nearly
typically not associated with the very
$200,000 grant from the Aging Mind
early onset forms of Alzheimer’s that
Foundation Fund of The Dallas
typically happen in the mid to late
Foundation, supports research
focused on early-onset Alzheimer’s
40s.”
While the study at the Baylor AT&T
Dr. Claudia Padilla
disease. The second, a $94,000 gift
Memory Center targets only a small
from BvB Dallas, will help support
the care and support specialist at the
Memory Center.
Investigating Genetics
“I evaluate many younger-onset
patients — with symptoms that
develop younger than age 65,” said
Claudia R. Padilla, M.D., a
behavioral neurologist on the medical
staff at Baylor University Medical
Center at Dallas. “Some have a
genetic inheritance, while the
majority are sporadic. They are
healthy individuals who are getting
Alzheimer’s disease, and we don’t
understand it,” said Dr. Padilla, who
also serves as the Memory Center’s
medical director of research.
The grant from the Aging Mind
Foundation will support research
that will help Dr. Padilla and her
colleagues determine why these
sporadic cases happen. The study is
being done in collaboration with
Translational Genomics, or “TGen,”
based in Arizona.
number of individuals, the results
The study’s aim is to enroll 50 could potentially affect a much larger
with early-onset Alzheimer’s, and Alzheimer’s disease, which is
for the disease. 200,000 people.
on patients whose diagnosis can be findings may lead to an increased
mutation. This study, however, will mechanisms and possibly novel
can cause Alzheimer’s when they Huentelman said.
patients who have been diagnosed universe of patients with early-onset
who have no known genetic markers estimated to be approximately
Previous studies have concentrated “The hope is that our genetic
predicted because of a known genetic understanding of the disease
focus on identifying new genes that therapeutic targets as well,” Dr.
“break,” and identifying new ways that
existing known Alzheimer’s genes can
“break” to cause the disease. Knowing
Caring for the Whole Person
Philanthropy is vital to research. It’s
the genetic basis of the disease can also crucial for day-to-day patient
medications. Dallas comes in. Their gift will support
is one of approximately 10 geneticists and Support Specialist at the Baylor
Alzheimer’s disease specialization role has been filled by Linda Jersin.
“We are specifically focusing on role is expiring and that’s why the BvB
the disease at an earlier-than-typical Linda supports patients and
help researchers develop targeted care. That’s where the grant from BvB
Matt Huentelman, Ph.D., at TGen, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Care
in the world with the high level of AT&T Memory Center. Since 2014, this
required to do this research. The original grant that supported this
individuals who are diagnosed with Dallas donation is a welcome gift.
age, in the late 50s to early 60s, but caregivers at the Center by connecting
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