Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation Honors Researcher

Port Washington-based Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation Peter Davies, PhD. Davies, director of the Litwin-Zucker Research Center for The Study of Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, was honored at LIAF's 25th Annual Remembrance Ball at the Garden City Hotel on Saturday, October 27.

Davies has served as a researcher of Alzheimer’s disease for more than 35 years. The LIAF honored Davies for his work and forward-thinking vision, which epitomizes the organization’s mission to help improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, and their caregivers.

“I’m flattered to be honored by the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation and am pleased that research in Alzheimer’s disease is being recognized,” Davies said, in a statement. “Alzheimer’s disease affects as many as 5.1 million Americans and is devastating for patients and their loved ones. Organizations such as LIAF are important to support those who are currently affected, and ongoing research is critical for discovering new treatments that can help those affected in the future.”

One of Davies’ current projects is a large-scale, whole-genome sequencing project, designed to understand the genetic basis of why some people are susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. There is very little known about the genetic basis of Alzheimer’s disease, and knowing more will help evaluate a person’s lifetime risk for developing it. This knowledge will also help scientists develop more effective ways of early detection and identifying new treatments. Partnering with the New York Genome Center and basing a major genome center in Manhasset will offer surrounding communities the opportunity to participate in science and hopefully find answers surrounding Alzheimer’s disease.

To learn more or to participate in this initiative or other clinical research, call 877-GO-NSLIJ (466-7545).

Others being honored at the 25th Annual Remembrance Ball were: Max Rudansky, MD, of Rudansky & Winter Neurology and Neuropsychiatry (A Division of ProHEALTH), and Rachel Schindler, MD, of Pfizer Inc. Janet Schaberg, LIAF’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her role in starting and growing LIAF. LIAF, an independent nonprofit organization founded 25 years ago, has offered support and programs to thousands of Long Island families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.