Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute facts for kids
The Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute is a special center that helps speed up research into Alzheimer's disease. It was started by former United States President Ronald Reagan and his wife, First Lady Nancy Reagan. This institute is connected to the National Alzheimer's Association in Chicago, Illinois. It officially opened in 1995.
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What is the Reagan Institute?
The creation of this institute was a big step forward for Alzheimer's research. Before, most research looked at general questions about the disease. The Reagan Institute helped focus more on the biological side of Alzheimer's. This means studying how the disease affects the body and brain at a very detailed level.
Helping Research with Money
The institute has given out a lot of money, about $12 million, to help scientists do their research. They also created the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute Award. This award honors people who have made huge contributions to understanding and fighting Alzheimer's disease.
The Reagans' Connection to Alzheimer's
President Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994. He bravely shared this news with the American people in a letter. His decision to talk openly about his illness really changed how people viewed Alzheimer's. It helped reduce the negative feelings or "stigma" often linked to the disease.
In 1995, President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan started the institute. As President Reagan's health declined, Nancy Reagan became a strong supporter of research using stem cells. She hoped this research could lead to a cure for Alzheimer's. She also stayed an important honorary board member of the research institute. The Reagans' daughter, Maureen Reagan Revell, was also very involved with the research center until she passed away in 2001.
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Over time, it makes it hard to do even simple tasks. It's the most common cause of dementia, which is a general term for memory loss and other thinking problems serious enough to affect daily life.
How Many People Have Alzheimer's?
In 2007, about 5.1 million Americans were estimated to have Alzheimer's disease. This included 4.9 million people who were 65 or older. About 200,000 people younger than 65 had "early-onset" Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association says that someone in America is diagnosed with the disease every 72 seconds.
Looking for Cures and Treatments
Right now, there isn't a treatment that can stop or reverse the damage to brain cells caused by Alzheimer's. However, scientists are working hard and have found many new ways to try and treat the disease. These new ideas are being tested in people through clinical trials.
The Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute helped fund a book written by top Alzheimer's researchers. This book shared the latest progress in new treatment ideas for both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Researchers are hopeful that new discoveries will lead to better treatments in the future.
