Alzheimer Disease is the arch enemy of Dr. Ken Rockwood. His tireless battle for a better understanding of Alzheimer Disease will result in a higher quality of life for people suffering from this devastating disease.
Until recently, Alzheimer Disease has been understood as a memory loss disease. Dalhousie’s Weldon Chair in Alzheimer Research knows Alzheimer affects much more than memory. “People with Alzheimer also have problems with such brain functions as making judgements, relating to others, taking initiative and forming opinions,” explains Dr. Kenneth Rockwood.
The implications of this new understanding of Alzheimer Disease are enormous. Memory resides deep within the brain, while the other functions are performed in the front of the brain. Current therapy enhances memory by replacing lost neurotransmitters in deep brain structures – it’s not certain to what extent they address the front-brain functions. To find out, Dr. Rockwood is leading a clinical trial, measuring patient’s performance in more than a hundred specific deep and front-brain functions.
Ultimately, the findings could lead to new therapies. Meanwhile, they will help physicians better understand how the current drugs work and why they work differently for different people. “This will help patients and families understand their symptoms and results better, which helps them cope better,” he says.
A big part of Dr. Rockwood’s work is making life better for people with Alzheimer. He’s working with colleagues in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science to develop smart technologies‚ such as personalized systems in the house to control things like heat, lights and alarms, and a portable memory device. “These tools will free peoples’ minds from mundane detail, relieving stress and allowing them to use their brains more effectively,” he explains. “It’s all about creating more supportive environments so people with Alzheimer can move more comfortably in the world.”