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Dean study looks at preventing Alzheimer's-related impairment

Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) - 4/20/2014

April 20--The Dean Foundation is screening 2,000 older adults for a study of genetic risks for cognitive impairment that can precede Alzheimer's disease -- and the potential of a diabetes drug to prevent the condition.

The foundation, affiliated with Dean Clinic, plans to enroll about 200 people in the five-year, international study of mild cognitive impairment, which can progress to Alzheimer's.

The study, to include about 5,000 people overall, is sponsored by Takeda, maker of the diabetes drug pioglitazone, or Actos. The study involves 50 top medical centers, including Duke University and Cleveland Clinic.

"It's a really big honor for us to be part of that group," said Dr. Anne Koplin, medical director of the Dean Foundation, based in Middleton.

Enrollees must be cognitively healthy, ages 65 to 83, and have a range of genetic profiles, including variations of APOE, TOMM40 and other genes tied to Alzheimer's. To find the proper distribution of participants, many people have to be screened, Koplin said.

Those in the study get blood tests and undergo cognitive testing every six months. Some will take pioglitazone, at doses much lower than used for diabetes, to see if it helps prevent mild cognitive impairment.

Nancy Graham, 77, a study participant from Madison, said she has no family history of Alzheimer's but is concerned about the disease like most people her age.

"It's scary," she said. "I just hope I don't get it."

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(c)2014 The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.)

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