Regional Symposium on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in the
Middle East
Investigator(s): Robert P. Friedland, MD
Institution(s):
Duration: 2005
Alzheimer's disease is a major health problem and the leading cause of
dementia in the Americas and Europe. Although there has been little work done
on dementia in the Middle East, there is evidence from our studies in Arabs residing
in IsraelÁthat AlzheimerÁ¦s disease has a high prevalence in Arabs
(20% over 60, 60% over 85 years of age). This high prevalence is over three
times higher than in other populations, even after correcting for the effects
of age, gender and education. This is an important issue because of the
progressive aging of the population of the Middle East as we enter the 21st
century.
Public awareness of dementia in the Middle East is low, and in many cases
does not receive medical attention. The goals of this Symposium are to focus
attention on neurodegenerative disorders of the aged in the Middle East, to
raise scientific, medical and social awareness of these disorders, and to
enhance communication between Arab and Jewish medical and scientific personnel.
It is anticipated that the meeting will lead to other studies in Middle East
populations, an area with unique features valuable for research, including a
high rate of consanguinity, high fat diet, and smoking.
Attendees will be from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon
and other Arab states, as well as from Europe, Israel and North America.
Topics to be covered include dementia, basic science, diagnoses, history,
management and treatment, and ethics, with consideration of the unique
cultural traditions of Arab and Jewish populations.