Dr. Burnden’s proposal is close behind Puglieli’s in terms of proximity to animal model testing, after Brunden does some toxicology. Brudens proposal focuses on a family of aminothienopyridizine (ATPZs) compounds that emerged from 290,000 compound screens for drugs to block tangle formation in AD. He has identified several ATPZs that are worthy of bringing forward in animal studies.

However, all of the various amyloid destroying substances (proteases) are not known. Dr. Leissring is using CART funds to investigate most of these substances and determine which ones are capable of destroying Alzheimer’s amyloids. The results are expected to give new insight into the causes of Alzheimer’s and perhaps help develop new treatment for the disease through drugs or other treatments.

Harry LeVine, III, Ph. D. Associate Professor, Center on Aging, Center for Structural Biology, Dept. of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, 209 Sanders Brown Building, University of Kentucky.

Humans are the only animal that suffers the dementia of Alzheimer’s disease. A molecule called PIB is currently used for imaging the Alzheimer’s disease hallmark deposits of beta-amyloid protein in the brains of living subjects. Animal models – including our closest relatives, the non-human primates – have beta-amyloid deposits, but the deposits do not bind PIB, and the animals do not develop Alzheimer’s disease. Our study seeks to use PIB to understand why only humans experience the brain damage that causes dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes called “the diabetes” of the brain, because, like diabetes, it is common and shares some common features including accumulation of proteinaceous deposits called amyloid. Moreover, until recently, it wasn’t apparent that diabetes itself is a risk factor for AD, and insulin, a key hormone regulating the body’s ability to respond to glucose (“sugar”) levels in the blood and centrally involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes, also has important effects on brain cells and the cellular and molecular processes involved in AD. Dr. Murphy’s exciting research proposal will study the shared mechanisms involved in AD and diabetes, and another new link between them – obesity.
Luigi Puglielli, University of Wisconsin ($150,000 2 yr Grant)

Accumulation of a toxic protein fragment known as the amyloid beta peptide (Aß) in the brain is belieed to play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease., and as such, there is worldwide interest in developing new ways to reduce the build up Aß in the brain as a therapeutic strategy for prevention and treatment of AD. Dr. Puglieili’s CART research grant takes an entirely novel and promising approach to reducing amyloid production in the brain. His research will capitalize on promising preliminary finding s and discovery of new drug-like compounds that appear to change the activity of another key protein, called BACE1 (the Beta Amyloid Converting Enzyme). Further development of these and other related compounds in this research could lead to new drugs that reduce Aß production in a more safe way than other strategies under development.
Kurt Brunden, Pennsylvania State University ($50,000 year Grant)

Dr. Brunden’s proposal is close behind Puglieli’s in terms of proximity to animal model testing, after Brunden does some toxicology. Brudens proposal focuses on a family of aminothienopyridizine (ATPZs) compounds that emerged from 290,000 compound screens for drugs to block tangle formation in AD. He has identified several ATPZs that are worthy of bringing forward in animal studies.

Dr. Pimplikar’s research will explore the possibility that an emyloid percusor protein, called AICD, is the real culprit in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Up to now most scientists have focused on the A-beta part of the amyloid precursor but recent clinical trials targeting A-Beta have unfortunately failed. AICD has been shown to cause tau aggregation which is bad. Dr. Pimplikar states that his hopes are that in addition to confirming that AICD is the cause of AD, his research will screen for drugs that will prevent tau aggregation.

Most research to find the cause of Alxheimer’s disease, unfortunately, has failed. Dr. Pimplikar has shown in his early research that a protein referred to as AICD may be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. This is an area that has been explored by few, if any other scientists. Dr. Pimplikar states that his hopes are that in addition to confirming that AICD is the cause of A.D. his research will screen for drugs that will prevent the effects of this protein. Recent developments indicate that Dr. Pimplikar’s research has great promise. In expressing his appreciation to CART and the Rotarians who make it possible, Dr. Pimplikar stated “CART funding is supporting novel and cutting edge research”.

Dr. Sweatt states that “CART funding will be critical for his laboratory to be able to aggressively pursue the development of a new drug that hopefully will lead to a new type of treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. His lab has discovered that long term memory formation involves changes in chemical and three dimensional structure of DNA. This discovery has allowed he and his colleagues to develop a new line of drug treatments that improve memory formation in laboratory animals. With the CART grant, Dr. Sweatt will be able to genetically test these findings.

Pictured left to right are PDG Jim Puryear – CART Vice President and CART Grants Chairman, Eric Puckett – CART Secretary, Karen Shore – CART President, PDG Bruce Baker – CART President Emeritus, Dr. Todd Golde – Mayo Clinic and Grant recipient, Roger Ackerman – CART Treasurer, and PDG Glenn Hood – CART Vice President

This makes the total CART grants $1,850,000. Rotarians and others have now donated over $2 million for Alzheimer’s research.

Pictured left to right are CART Secretary PDG Dean Kanipe D-7670, Vice President Karen Shore D-7680, Dr. Soto, President Bruce Baker D-7750, Treasurer Roger Ackerman D-7770 and Vice President Jack Bass D-7770. This makes the total CART grants $1,600,000.

WHEREAS, initiated in 1995, The Rotary Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust Fund (CART) utilizes donated change as an effective means to raise funds for research into the prevention, early detection, and cure of Alzheimer’; and

WHEREAS, over the past ten years, the CART fund has raised over $1,000,000 dollars and awarded $1,350,000 in grants for Alzheimer’s research; and

WHEREAS, hosted by the Georgetown Rotary Club, the First Annual Shag Festival honors all those affected or have fallen victim to this disease, including Governor Carroll Campbell, and their families while providing funds for continuing research,

NOW, HEREFORE, I, Mark Sanford, Governor of the Great State of South Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 22, 2006 as

GOVERNOR CARROLL CAMPBELL CART FUND DAY

throughout the state and encourage all South Carolinians to recognize the valuable contributions of the Rotary Club Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust Fund to research into the prevention, early detection, and eventual cure of this devastating disease.

Mark Sanford
Governor of the state of South Carolina

The event was scheduled to follow the closing day of an International Conference on Alzheimer’s Research so that the scientists participating and/or attending could be present. “It was for me one of the most memorable events of my almost 38 years in Rotary,” said CART Treasurer Roger Ackerman. It was planned by and CO-chaired by Dr. John Trojanowski and Dr. Sam Gandy with assistance of four of CART’s grant recipients.

The Symposium included research reports from eight of our nation’s top Alzheimer’s scientists who all were generous in their praise of The CART Fund. Many of the comments explained how their research would not have been possible without CART funding.

A luncheon in honor of the CART representatives followed the presentations and then the group toured Dr. Gandy’s extensive laboratory at the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University of which he is the Director.

“I just wish all of you could have shared this special day with us. It would have made you even prouder than you already are to be a Rotarian. Your generous support of CART has truly made a difference,” said Ackerman.

Dr. Robert Reenan, principal Investigator of this research, was on hand to receive the award and check.

The University of Connecticut was the unanimous choice of the three scientists who reviewed all of the applications and reported their findings in a conference call with the CART Grants Committee chaired by Dr. Jack Bass of the Hilton Head Rotary Club. Initially their were 34 research centers who applied by submitting a synopsis of their proposal. The advisory group of scientists chaired by Dr. Sam Gandy selected 12 of the 34 institutions to receive invitations to apply and from these Connecticut was the clear choice. Dr. Gandy stated that the applications were outstanding.

This brings to $1.1 million total grants made by the CART Fund.