Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation Launches New Science Lecture Series as Nation Marks Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

New Series Features Latest Science of Distinguished Melvin R. Goodes Prize Awardees

The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), a nonprofit solely focused on funding the development of drugs for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, is hosting a new lecture series titled Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs Today, providing updates on the latest research advances. Open to the public, each lecture will feature a world-class scientist who is leading clinical research into a potentially new treatment for Alzheimer’s and will take place from 4:30-6:00 p.m. on Nov. 17, Jan. 31, and April 26 at the Norton Museum of Art.  

This inaugural lecture series was founded by Heidi and Tom McWilliams, notable Palm Beach residents and longtime ADDF supporters. Mr. McWilliams serves as the Co-Vice Chair and Treasurer on the ADDF’s Board of Governors.

“The ADDF is on the cusp of exciting breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research,” said Heidi McWilliams. “We are thrilled to share these developments with the greater Palm Beach community. It is important for people to learn first-hand from these amazing researchers about the complexities of the science and what this will mean for the field of research, and for patients.”

Dr. Howard Fillit, Founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer at the ADDF, will serve as the moderator for the lecture series. “We are grateful for the enthusiasm and support from donors like the McWilliams, who share the importance of our mission with the community and beyond,” said Dr. Fillit. “Alzheimer’s research has progressed dramatically in the last five to ten years, and today, there are more drugs being studied for Alzheimer’s than ever before.”

To defeat this devastating disease, the ADDF works to advance a robust and diverse drug research pipeline. Since its founding in 1998, the ADDF has advocated a theory, now well accepted, that Alzheimer’s is not caused by one single problem. Instead, Alzheimer’s is caused by a combination of biological factors that change—and weaken—as people age. The “biology of aging” theory holds that, like other diseases of aging such as cancer, it will likely take a combination of drugs addressing multiple target pathways to effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease, noted Dr. Fillit.

All lectures are being given by winners of the ADDF’s prestigious Melvin R. Goodes Prize, which is awarded annually to an innovative researcher who has made a significant and lasting impact in the field. It was created thanks to the generosity of Mr. Goodes and his wife, Nancy Goodes, who is also on the ADDF's Board of Governors, and is co-chair, along with Bonnie Lautenberg and Heidi McWilliams, of the upcoming Fifth Annual Hope on the Horizon dinner on March 3.

Each of the presenting researchers are supported by the ADDF and have progressed their research to a phase 2 clinical trial. Leading off the lecture series on Nov. 17 will be Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton, who will present the lecture Vibrant Brains: Developing New Drug Therapies. Dr. Brinton is the Director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona. She is currently leading a clinical trial of a neuro-steroid drug, allopregnanolone, that activates stem cells to generate new brain cells. This process, called “neurogenesis,” could restore lost cognitive function. If successful, allopregnanolone could become the first regenerative therapy for Alzheimer’s.

On. Jan. 31, Dr. Frank Longo will discuss Advancing New and Novel Alzheimer’s Therapies. Dr. Longo is the George E. and Lucy Becker Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University and the founder of the biotech company, PharmatrophiX. He is currently leading a clinical trial on an innovative approach that is identifying and developing small drugs that can be taken orally and mimic the function of normal brain proteins that protect the brain’s nerve cells.

The third lecture, on April 26, will feature Dr. Jeffrey Cummings’ lecture, Renewed Hope for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Cummings is the Joy Chambers-Grundy Professor of Brain Science at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is conducting a clinical trial of the drug, rasagiline, which is already used for Parkinson’s disease. The drug’s ability to protect brain neurons may mean it can also treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Aerin and Jane Lauder to be Honored at Fifth Annual Hope on the Horizon

In addition to the lecture series, the ADDF will honor Aerin and Jane Lauder at the Fifth Annual Hope on the Horizon dinner on March 3^rd for their leadership and outstanding support of the ADDF’s mission to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease. The event will also include an informative and in-depth scientific panel discussion, led by Dr. Fillit and Dr. Miia Kivipelto, Professor in Clinical Geriatrics at Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research and senior geriatrician and Director for Research & Development of Theme Aging at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

To purchase tickets, please click here.