The UW–Madison crest.

UW Alzheimer’s prevention study marks 20th anniversary

By Kyle Jones, Channel3000.com

20 years ago, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health launched its landmark Alzheimer’s Prevention study.

The Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention study started with just one person but has since grown to over 1,700 participants, the largest family history study of Alzheimer’s in the world.

70% of participants have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. The study follows them over time, learning about how biological and lifestyle factors may affect the disease.

Participants check in with researchers every two years for memory testing, blood draws, and interviews.

Researchers said that the longer participants stay with the study, the more can be learned about how Alzheimer’s progresses. Read more …