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Grants a treasured trove for Alzheimer's research by Dick Peterson Public Relations Alzheimer's dismal prognosis was pierced by a $1.7 million ray of hope recently. Dr. Jacobo Mintzer Actually, it was a convergence of grant announcements received by Institute of Psychiatry's Jacobo Mintzer, M.D., co-director of MUSC's Alzheimer’s Research and Clinical Programs. Federal and private grants totaling the $1.7 million arrived at nearly the same time. But for Mintzer the thrill goes beyond the significant total amount of funding, and beyond the rarity of receiving 12 grants in one month.  “This is the first time we will be able to observe all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss at once,” Mintzer said. Until now, Alzheimer’s disease has only been observed in its late stages, and any of the earlier stages of the disease—occasional memory loss, or momentary confusion—went undiagnosed until later when the disease had progressed. Mintzer said that the grants offer him the opportunity to evaluate treatments from memory problems to relieving suffering in the later stages. He'll seek to answer these questions affecting the Alzheimer’s patient and the patient’s family: Are there safe and effective treatments to slow the progression of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease? What are safe and effective interventions impacting behavioral disturbances in both nursing homes and in the home setting? Can progression of mild memory loss be delayed in normal elderly adults? “We now have treatments, especially for the earlier stages of the disease,” Mintzer said. “The grants will let us follow our patients over time to get a full picture of the disease and learn the key points in the progression of the disease when intervention can be effective.” Mintzer is testing compounds that not only relieve symptoms, such as aggression, but stimulate brain cells to reproduce and actually replace damaged tissue. And compounds with neuro-protective capabilities will be tested in combination with a cognitive improvement agent and an agent for symptom relief. “We’re testing the hypothesis that new medicinal “cocktails” could be more effective and equally safe. This is an incredible change from the past when we would ask if we had anything at all to treat the disease. Now when we can affect the disease from different avenues at once.” MUSC is conducting the research over a two-year period, beginning this May, for the benefit of the South Carolina community. Approximately 50,000 in the state are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and the numbers are increasing. Mintzer is faced with the task of recruiting about 100 new volunteers. “I would invite anybody in the community,” he said, “anybody with even the slightest memory problem, or who knows somebody with a memory problem, and strongly encourage them to give us a call.” Mintzer has been conducting research at MUSC for nine years. He is currently investigating new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and memory loss in several national and international clinical trials. The research studies conducted at Alzheimer's Research and Clinical Programs are voluntary and available at no cost to qualified participants. More information can be obtained by calling 740-1592.