Media Advisory

Monday, April 19, 2010

Independent Panel to Present Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline Prevention Findings on Wednesday, April 28; Telebriefing for Media to Follow

What: For many older adults, cognitive health and performance remain stable, with only a gradual and slight decline in short-term memory and reaction times. Others, however, progress into a more serious state of cognitive impairment or into various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to investigating the causes and potential treatments for Alzheimer's and other dementias, researchers have also focused on finding ways to prevent Alzheimer's and cognitive decline. Many preventive measures — mental stimulation, exercise, and a variety of dietary approaches — have been suggested, but their value in delaying the onset and/or reducing the severity of decline or disease is unclear. Questions also remain as to how the presence of certain conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, may influence an individual’s risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

An impartial, independent, state-of-the-science panel will hold a press telebriefing to discuss its findings and implications for the public following the NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline, April 26-28, 2010. The panel’s statement will incorporate its assessment of the available evidence from a systematic literature review, expert presentations, and audience input to inform public and provider decisions regarding preventing Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline and future areas for research. Additional information is available at http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/alz.htm.

Who: Members of the state-of-the-science conference panel, to be announced Monday, April 26, 2010.

When & Where: Public presentation and discussion of panel's draft state-of-the-science statement:

• Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. EST
• Natcher Conference Center on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland
• Also available via webcast: http://videocast.nih.gov

Press telebriefing:

• Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EDT
• Available via telephone conference call only
• Pre-registration (optional) and additional resources: http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/alzmedia.htm
• Dial in info: 1-888-428-7458 (US) | 201-604-5177 (international)

(Pre-registration is not required, but relevant material will be e-mailed to pre-registered media prior to the telebriefing.)

Please call in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of the telebriefing. Media will be asked for name and outlet. Interested parties who are not affiliated with a media outlet may listen in, but will not be permitted to ask questions during the call.

Reporters are welcome to attend the state-of-the-science conference in its entirety, starting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 26. Information is provided below; conference registration and further details are available at http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/alz.htm.

Conference Information: The NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline is free and open to the public. Additional information is posted at

• Monday, April 26, 2010 – 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 27, 2010 – 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 28, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Live and archived webcast: http://videocast.nih.gov

Visitors to campus should plan to take Metro, as parking is limited. For information about security procedures, please see http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor.

The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH. Additional information is available at http://www.nih.gov/icd/od.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health^®

###