NJISA experts to discuss science, impact and current state of Alzheimer's disease in America

Beginning January 1, 2011, the 79 million-member baby boom generation will begin - at a rate of 10,000 per day - reaching the age of 65. Growing older, while not the cause of Alzheimer's, is the single most significant factor in gauging a person's risk of the disease. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that the number of Americans with this devastating disease will balloon from just over 5 million today to 7.7 million by the year 2030 and could reach nearly 16 million by the middle of the century.

The New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging (NJISA) at the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine, one of the country's leading providers of geriatric care, research and education, is making experts available who can discuss the science, impact and current state of Alzheimer's disease in America. NJISA experts available for comment include:

Robert Nagele, PhD, is a researcher whose work includes exciting findings on the cellular origins of Alzheimer's disease. Nagele's published research includes studies that show the relentless progression of Alzheimer's begins as much as a decade before the first outward symptoms of the disease appear.

Stephen Scheinthal, DO, is a geriatric psychiatrist and the associate director of the NJISA. Dr. Scheinthal can discuss the current state of Alzheimer's therapy, the effectiveness of medication and strategies that can help individuals with this disease continue to live independently.

Nancy Alterman, LCSW, is a licensed social worker who can provide advice for families and caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The impact of Alzheimer's on families can be overwhelming. Alterman can discuss ways that caregivers can reduce stress and create a better quality of life for the patient and family.

Robert Ruchinskas, PsyD, is a geriatric psychologist who can discuss the impact of memory problems and how to determine whether an individual's memory problems are a normal part of aging or an early symptom of a disease such as Alzheimer's.