Bart De Strooper receives prestigious $200,000 Alzhe...( Leuven Belgium Alzheimers disease i...),Health

Leuven, Belgium Alzheimers disease is the most prevalent form of dementia in the Western world. Due to its growing significance in a graying society, some people are calling it the disease of the century. Bart De Strooper (VIB, K.U.Leuven) has been playing a prominent role in researching the processes that underlie this degenerative disease. He has received widespread recognition for his work, both nationally and internationally − and today he receives the MetLife Foundations USD 200,000 Alzheimer Prize. This prestigious prize is awarded to emphasize the importance of fundamental research on Alzheimers disease and highlights the significance of De Stroopers research in the quest for a cure.

Alzheimers disease

Some 24 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, and about half of these people have Alzheimers disease. The growing number of older people is raising the incidence of this disease, and thus scientists predict that, by 2050, there will be some 70 million cases of dementia. In part because were living longer, but also because, within the next 25 years, the post-World War II baby boomer generation will become older than 70 or 80 years of age. Therefore, it is vital that we continue the fight against this disease of the century.

For years now, Bart De Strooper has been conducting pioneering research on Alzheimers disease. He has discovered important mechanisms that lead to this disorder and has uncovered the central role that presenilin plays in the onset of the disease. This finding was the impetus for the global search for remedies. Since then, Bart De Strooper and his research team have continued to unravel the disease processes even further in the ongoing quest for new therapies.

The MetLife Foundation Prize

Since 1986, MetLife Foundation has awarded major prizes to scientists who have made significant contributions to a better understanding of Alzheimers disease. This award program is based on
'/>"/>