Contact: Stacey Harris
212-703-9977

American Federation for Aging Research and The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Fund Alzheimer's Disease Research

New York, September 5, 2006 -- The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is pleased to announce a new collaboration with The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation to support scientists conducting research in the neurosciences, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Alzheimer's Disease will provide up to five $60,000 grants to early-career investigators pursuing research and academic careers in the neurosciences.

It is estimated that AD currently affects up to 4.5 million Americans. Scientists predict that the prevalence of the disease will double for every five-year age group beyond age 65. These numbers become increasingly significant in the future because of dramatic life expectancies and subsequent rapid growth in the older population. By 2050, more than 13 million Americans are forecasted to have AD if no preventive treatments become available.

"Research on the aging brain continues to hold such promise as scientists hone in on the changes that affect healthy brain function," said Stephanie Lederman, executive director of AFAR. "Scientists are pursuing numerous areas of investigation from the role of genetics and inflammation, to exercise and dietary factors to better determine why and how neurodegenerative decline occurs. More resources put toward research may one day allow clinicians to prevent or stall the onset of Alzheimer's disease," she added.

Through The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Alzheimer's Disease, The Foundation will make a meaningful contribution to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease by supporting the promising work of the newest generation of researchers.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation invests in programs in the areas of College Access, Healthcare and Israel. In addition, The Foundation funds Arts Education & Culture in Los Angeles, Jewish Programs in Los Angeles, and Universities in California.

In the area of Alzheimer's disease, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the advancement of research by junior investigators in the United States and Israel and investments in Alzheimer's disease caregiver resources and support.

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AFAR is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support biomedical research on aging. It is devoted to creating the knowledge that all of us need to live healthy, productive, and independent lives. Since 1981, AFAR has awarded nearly $113 million to more than 2,500 talented scientists as part of its broad-based series of grant programs. Its work has led to significant advances in our understanding of the aging process, age-related diseases, and healthy aging practices. AFAR communicates news of these innovations through its organizational web site www.afar.org and educational web sites Infoaging (www.infoaging.org) and Health Compass (www.healthcompass.org).