NEW YORK, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute for the Study of Aging (ISOA) today announced that it is funding the first clinical trial to evaluate the use of a cholesterol-lowering statin to treat Alzheimer's disease. The study, headed by D. Larry Sparks, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at the Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, will examine the effects of the class of cholesterol-lowering agents known as statins in the treatment of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The Institute has provided partial funding of $450,000 in support of the trial.

"There has been an increasing body of evidence suggesting a link between cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. There is a great need to support scientists like Dr. Sparks with novel ideas for treating Alzheimer's disease," said Howard Fillit, M.D., Executive Director of ISOA. "We believe that this study is an important part of this effort, and we're pleased to work with Dr. Sparks and his colleagues at the Sun Heath Research Institute to help make it happen."

Dr. Sparks has pioneered research that shows people with high blood pressure and coronary artery disease may be at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. He has also shown that increased cholesterol can produce Alzheimer's disease-like pathology in the brain. These findings have helped to demonstrate a link between cardiovascular disease, elevated blood cholesterol levels and the development of Alzheimer's disease.

"We believe this placebo-controlled study will further the efforts to substantiate a link between heart disease and Alzheimer's disease," stated Dr. Sparks. "We would like to commend ISOA for funding this major research trial. The Sun Health Research Institute relies on grants from sources such as the ISOA to evaluate new treatments for Alzheimer's disease."

According to Dr. Sparks, recruitment for the trial is underway with final results slated to be reported in 2003. For more information about the Alzheimer's Disease Statin Treatment Trial, contact Dr. Sparks through Sun HealthLine® at 1-800-815-0115.

The mission of the non-profit Sun Health Research Institute is to conduct scientific research and develop solutions for aging and age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.

The mission of the Institute for the Study of Aging (ISOA) is to catalyze and fund the discovery and development of new therapies to prevent and treat cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease. Since 1998, the ISOA has committed more than $15 million in support of 45 global drug discovery and drug development projects at leading academic institutions and biotechnology companies. The ISOA is a New York-based private nonprofit medical foundation funded by the Estee Lauder Trust. Mrs. Estee Lauder is the Founder and Honorary Director of the ISOA, with Leonard A. Lauder and Ronald S. Lauder as Co-Presidents. For more information about the Institute visit http://www.aging-institute.org/.

SOURCE: Institute for the Study of Aging

WEB SITE: http://www.aging-institute.org/

CO: Institute for the Study of Aging; Sun Health Research Institute; Estee Lauder Trust