Triumph Over Alzheimer’s Forum And Dinner Features A Rock-Star Researcher, Actress Mariel Hemingway — And Reason For Optimism

Nov 26, 2019 9:30 AM by Glenn Hunter, My Sweet Charity

Dr. Rudy Tanzi, a “rock-star” Alzheimer’s researcher, looked very happy during an appearance at Leslie Ann Crozier‘s Triumph Over Alzheimer’s 2019 International Forum and Dinner in Dallas on Tuesday, October 22. That very day, it seems, news reports had circulated about the surprising early-trial success of a new Alzheimer’s disease drug called aducanumab. The reports were said to be surprising because aducanumab targets something called amyloid proteins — it’s believed they help “cause” Alzheimer’s — and earlier tests of amyloid-targeting drugs had failed to succeed.

ROGER ROSENBERG, KATHERINE WYNNE, MICHAEL HAYDEN, LESLIE ANN CROZIER, MARIEL HEMINGWAY AND RUDY TANZI
Photo credit: Sharon Ellman

“The [financial] press has led you to believe that amyloids don’t matter, and that’s not true,” Tanzi said during a discussion with Dr. Michael Hayden at the fundraiser, which was held at the George W. Bush Institute. “I think this will reinvigorate interest in amyloid drugs. It’s good news. It will get the media off attacking amyloids.”

The comments by Tanzi (a former keyboard player for the Aerosmith rock group) regarding the amyloid controversy underscored the fact that Alzheimer’s research is still in its infancy, with competing theories about its causes and treatments. The field is taking on more urgency, however, because of the increasing prevalence of the disease. Hayden and Tanzi, who were introduced at the event by Dr. Roger Rosenberg, pointed out that more than one in three people will develop Alzheimer’s by age 85, and that the disease already is killing more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

The sold-out gathering of 250 at the Bush Institute was a testament to interest in the deadly disease — and to Leslie Ann’s Triumph Over Alzheimer’s Foundation, which is focused on and benefits Alzheimer’s research and prevention. Attended by the likes of Lee Bailey, Barbara and Stan Levenson, Gail Corder Fischer, Carol Seay, Jimmy Westcott, Laurie Harrison, Pete Delkus, Billie Leigh Rippey, Connie and Denny Carreker, and BvB Dallas members (Jenny Deely, Kara Kirkby and Holley Caldwell) the event featured a cocktail reception, a dinner, and a discussion with actress and mental health advocate Mariel Hemingway, in addition to the forum with the scientists.

During the reception, Mariel said she’d met Leslie Ann in New York this past spring at an event presented by The Carlyle Group, the giant private-equity firm. Mariel has long had an interest in mental and emotional health issues, she said — “any kind of brain issue … it’s all related.” (Her grandfather, writer Ernest Hemingway, and her sister, supermodel Margaux Hemingway, both committed suicide.) She speaks on mental/emotional health topics about 12 times a year, she added, and has been to Dallas several times, including to appear in “a couple of plays here back in the ’80s.”

Mariel was in the audience for the forum, where Hayden and Tanzi said there’s reason for hope and optimism in Alzheimer’s research, despite the increasing incidence of the disease. There may be blood tests soon to detect the “plaques” — they form when protein pieces called beta-amyloids clump together in the brain — that are suspects in causing cell death and tissue loss in Alzheimer’s patients, Tanzi said. That will help detect the disease much earlier, before the brain begins degenerating. “We’ve been treating patients way too late,” he said.

Added Hayden: “Hopefully, Alzheimer’s will be treated soon like cardiovascular disease.”

In the meantime, Tanzi noted, there are things you can do to lower your risk for Alzheimer’s. His six-point SHIELD mantra recommends that you get at least eight hours of Sleep; Handle stress; Interact with others to prevent loneliness; Exercise; Learn new things; and focus on a good Diet. Tanzi recommends the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes the importance of fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

Once everything was added up, the 2019 fundraiser netted a record total of $170,000, Leslie Ann and her Event Co-Chair Katherine Wynne said. The money will be used to provide Hayden and Tanzi with grants of $75,000 apiece, and Rosenberg with a $10,000 grant. This year’s total means the Triumph Over Alzheimer’s Foundation has awarded $430,000 in Alzheimer’s research grants since its founding in 2017.

2019 Forum Speakers

Since her days as Senior Class President at Stanford University and Class President at SMU while earning her MBA, Leslie Ann has always been a leader. She is the Founding Partner of Hot On! Homes, the advertising and digital platform utilized by America’s homebuilders for 25 years.

Philanthropically, her passion is Brain Health. In 2017 she founded the Triumph Over Alzheimer’s foundation, focused on research and prevention. With tireless energy and endless enthusiasm, Leslie Ann is dedicated to finding answers and solutions for this life-altering and deadly disease that affects so many of our lives.

Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School

Co-discovered all three familial early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) genes

Called the “Rock Star of Science” by GQ magazine. (Tanzi is a former keyboardist with Aerosmith)

One of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2015

New York Times bestselling co-author of Super Brain, Super Genes, and The Healing Self

Abe Morris and William Zale Distinguished Chair in Neurology at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute at UT Southwestern

In final development stages of a DNA vaccine that has the potential to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s

Former President of the American Academy of Neurology

Named one of the “50 Canadians Born in the 20th Century Who Have Changed the World”

Most cited author in the world for Huntington disease; has authored over 850 publications

In 2017 was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Pete Delkus is a native favorite, and is the Chief Meteorologist at Tenga-owned and ABC-affiliated WFAA-TV in Dallas. He joined the WFAA-TV weather department in 2005 and quickly won the respect of North Texas viewers. Pete’s steadfast and thorough approach has won him eleven Emmy Awards for weather anchoring and special show hosting. He attended Mississippi State University for his masters level meteorology courses, and holds a Bachelor’s of Science from Southern
Illinois University at Edwardsville. Delkus made his mark in Cincinnati where he worked from 1996 to 2005 as the “severe weather leader” coined from his exclusive coverage of the deadly 1999 Tornado.

2019 Forum Sponsors

2019 Forum Co-Chairs & Committee