[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E 2086]]


     IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, November 1, 1995

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 1st of November to 
recognize National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.
  Alzheimer's is a neurological disorder that affects nearly 2 million 
Americans and is one of the primary causes of mental illness in the 
elderly. The affects of Alzheimer's disease increase significantly with 
aging. Nobody is immune to Alzheimer's, nor can anyone reduce their 
odds of acquiring it. All Americans are at risk.
  Demographic projections indicate that the number of Alzheimer's cases 
is expected to rise exponentially during the next several decades. The 
current number of Americans age 65 and over with Alzheimer's is 33.6 
million, but this statistic is expected to increase to 70.2 million by 
the year 2030.
  The course of the disease is progressive and irreversible, beginning 
with simple forgetfulness, followed by noticeable and severe changes in 
memory and personality. Eventually, victims of Alzheimer's cannot care 
for themselves, and life expectancy is usually reduced. Although this 
disease was first discovered in 1906 by the German physician Alios 
Alzheimer, the exact cause of the disease is unknown.
  Researchers are aggressively attempting to find out what causes 
Alzheimer's and how to effectively diagnose, treat, and prevent this 
disorder. One emerging consensus among the scientific community is that 
a principle goal of research efforts should be aimed at delaying the 
onset of symptoms of aging-dependent disorders such as Alzheimer's 
disease. The National Institute on Aging [NIA] of the National 
Institutes of Health [NIH] is the Federal Government's lead agency for 
Alzheimer's research.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join with me in support 
of the efforts to overcome this devastating disease.

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