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MAY 2005

Annual Blackman Lecture at Teachers College Focuses on Downs & Alzheimer’s
By Richard Kagan

Dr. Warren B. Zigman, a researcher in the field of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities, spoke at the recent Leonard and Frances Blackman Lecture held at Teachers College, Columbia University recently. Dr. Zigman’s presentation: “Alzheimer’s Disease in Adults With Mental Retardation: The Impact of Individual Differences on Risk” gives hope that people with Down’s syndrome can age successfully without contracting Alzheimer’s disease.

The Leonard and Frances Blackman Lecture has been given each spring since 2000 by leading specialists in the fields of Mental Retardation and Special Education. Teachers College’s Center for Opportunities and Outcomes for People with Disabilities sponsors the event.

Dr. Zigman, who has spent more than 15 years engaged in research on Aging and the development of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with mental retardation, has been conducting studies in collaboration with scientists at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Development Disabilities and Columbia University.

Dr. Zigman noted that 50 percent of a sample population of approximately 300 people who have Down’s syndrome did not have Alzheimer’s disease at age 60.  Initially, it was thought that all patients with Down’s syndrome who lived into their 60’s and 70’s would eventually get Alzheimer’s. “It is not something that has to happen,” says Dr. Zigman.

Zigman and his associates are looking into various factors why adults with Down’s syndrome did not also have Alzheimer’s disease. “We’re still following this up,” said Zigman. Much more research in this area needs to be done. Zigman noted that women with Down’s syndrome who had higher estrogen rates had a later onset when they did get Alzheimer’s. He also cited research done by Dr. Nicole Schupf of Columbia University, who found that certain genetic markers in Alleles pointed out if someone with Down’s syndrome would have an earlier or later onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Joel E. Mittler, Professor of Education, at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University, attended the lecture and was impressed by Dr. Zigman’s research. “There is a lot to ponder,” said Dr. Mittler.

Dr. Blackman, who attended the Lecture with his family, was awarded the Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service in 1998. Dr. Blackman set up a fund for Teachers College to present leading experts in Special Education and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Zigman was the sixth presenter in the Blackman Lecture series.#

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