Boston – Cure Alzheimer’s Fund recently awarded Dr. Nicholas Seeds, with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, a $100,000 grant for novel research on Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 5.2 million Americans and their families and is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly.

“This research has the potential to unlock a new understanding of the causes and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease,” said Tim Armour, President and CEO of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. “It could bring us a step closer to ultimately stopping or even reversing its effects.”

The grant will allow Seeds’ lab to continue research on neuroserpin, a protease inhibitor in the brain that is a possible contributor to the onset of Alzheimer’s.  The lab’s research on mice shows that the deletion of the neuroserpin gene can lead to a reduction of Amyloid-Beta, a protein in the brain that is commonly linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and may result in restoration of normal cognitive behavior.  Most importantly, Seeds aims to identify small molecules that block neuroserpin. The goal is to create Alzheimer’s therapeutics for future patient studies.

“With university budgets stretched thin, the Fund’s support is critical in helping further this important research on this devastating disease,” said Seeds, a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Colorado medical school.

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has no endowment and passes funds raised directly to selected research. The Fund has no financial or intellectual property interest in the research funded, and will make known the results of all funded research as soon as possible. Over the past ten years the federal government’s investment in Alzheimer’s research and education has decreased. Since it’s inception in 2004, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has raised more than $15 million, investing all of it directly into research.

“Research is key to finding a cure and better treatments for Alzheimer’s disease,” said Armour.  “With the advances in technology over the past 10 years, great strides have been made in Alzheimer’s research and we are on the cusp of major breakthroughs. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund believes the pioneering work of the University of Colorado School of Medicine researchers and others could bring us one step closer to our goal of finding a cure.”

###

About Cure Alzheimer’s Fund

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™ is a 501c3 public charity whose mission is to fund research with the highest probability of slowing, stopping or reversing Alzheimer’s disease. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is characterized by a venture approach to philanthropy, which targets funding to specific research objectives. All expenses and overhead is paid for by its founders and all contributions go directly to research. The Foundation has no financial or intellectual property interest in the research funded, and will make known the results of all funded research as soon as possible. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is a national organization with offices in Boston and Pittsburgh. For more information, visit www.curealzfund.org.

About University of Colorado School of Medicine

Faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine work to advance science and improve care. These faculty members include physicians, educators and scientists at University of Colorado Hospital, The Children’s Hospital, Denver Health, National Jewish Health, and the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Degrees offered by the School of Medicine include doctor of medicine, doctor of physical therapy, and masters of physician assistant studies. The school is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus, one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system.