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June 16 2020 – June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to educate the community about Alzheimer’s and dementia. On June 30, the Florida chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association will host a free educational event for people with early-stage dementia, caregivers, professionals and the community. The Dementia Research Symposium: Dementia Research – A Focus on Brain Health will feature keynote speakers Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Ph.D. and Kevin Groom, Ph.D.
 
As director of Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Edelmayer leads efforts to accelerate the scientific agenda of the Alzheimer’s Association through the creation and delivery of ongoing research education. She engages with more than 75 Alzheimer’s Association chapters across the country. Prior to joining the association, Dr. Edelmayer spent more than six years as a pharmacologist in the Neuroscience and Immunology Discovery Divisions at Abbott and AbbVie, where she was recognized as an emerging scientific leader. As a senior scientist, she led a digital pathology team, conducted research and supported the development of clinical therapeutics in chronic inflammatory diseases of the nervous system and the skin.
 
Dr. Groom is a licensed psychologist specializing in Clinical Neuropsychology more specifically the assessment of cognitive dysfunction in persons who have sustained neurological damage such as brain injury, stroke and dementia. He is currently involved in clinical research trials involving the scope of his specialties.
 
Topics discussed during the event will include latest advancements in local, national and global research, dementia risk factors and brain health, clinical trials and how they work and information on the virtual brain bus program.
 
“We all start of cognitively unimpaired but then it is possible we move into a stage of mild cognitive impairment. This is a phase of cognitive impairment that doesn’t necessarily interfere with the activities of daily living. However, the impairment with two or more cognitive functions move you into this continuum where you are either starting the dementia phases of the disease this is mild dementia, moderate dementia or severe dementia, again this is a continuum,” says Dr. Edelmayer. “We believe that if we can prevent new cases of mild cognitive impairment, we will be able to prevent new cases of dementia”
 
The Research Symposium will be hosted via the online platform BlueJeans and will begin at noon ET. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Register online at crf.org or call 800.272.3900.
 
 
About Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, available resources and how you can get involved to support the cause. Visit alz.org/abam to learn more about Alzheimer’s, share your story and how you can support the cause during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. 
 
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®. For more information, visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.