MD Anderson expert to lead Dallas panels on Alzheimer’s disease

Two programs focus on finding a cure and living with the disease

MD Anderson News Release March 20, 2017

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center brings Jim Ray, Ph.D., head of Neuroscience, to Dallas on Thursday, April 20, to lead two panel discussions exploring the scientific, social and emotional challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

The panel discussions are:

  • A “lunch and learn” session, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Belmont Village Turtle Creek, 3535 N. Hall St.
  • An evening program, 7:30-9 p.m. Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest Road

Among the panelists at both events will be Theresa Hocker, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association North Central Texas Chapter; Paul Chafetz, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, private practice; Beverly Sanborn, gerontologist and vice president, Program Development, Belmont Village Senior Living; and Peggy Papert, LCSW, founder and owner, Elder Care Consultants of Texas. At Belmont Village, the panel will be joined by a family caregiver, who will share experiences and insights from her journey with her loved one.

Ray will represent the Neurodegeneration Consortium (NDC), a collaboration of MD Anderson, Baylor College of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The NDC was established in 2012 with a $25 million gift from the Robert A. and Renee E. Belfer Family Foundation. The NDC seeks to better understand the underlying biology of the disease and translate this knowledge into therapeutic interventions to effectively alleviate symptoms by delaying, reversing and/or eliminating the pathology of the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading cause of death and most expensive disease to manage in the U.S. health care system, afflicts 5.4 million people today. It is estimated that 16 million people will have the disease by 2050.

Seating is limited and registration is required for the Belmont Village session. Complimentary valet parking will be provided. Please RSVP to 214-559-5402. For those interested in the program at Temple Emanu-El, RSVP at participate.tedallas.org/alzheimerspanel.