Alzheimer’s researcher receives six million from Hjärnfonden
Bildtext
Charitable foundation Hjärnfonden has been willed SEK 70 million to conduct Alzheimer’s research. Six promising research projects will now share SEK 30 million, with the possibility of a further grant once their progress has been evaluated. Uppsala researcher Stina Syvänen is one of those who is benefiting from this substantial bequest.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the very greatest challenges facing brain researchers; in Sweden alone, some 100,000 people suffer from Alzheimer’s, while globally the figure is in the region of 20 million. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia illnesses are the third most common cause of death in Sweden and, as we live longer lives, so the number of dementia sufferers increases.
Alzheimer’s disease is currently incurable; however, it is possible to alleviate the symptoms by administering drugs that reinforce the brain’s damaged signal system. This medication can improve concentration, memory and language for a limited period of time.
“This exceptionally generous bequest makes it possible for us to make a greater investment in vital Alzheimer’s research. Our hope is that researchers will be able to make new findings that will bring us closer to a solution to the riddle of Alzheimer’s,” says Anna Hemlin, general secretary of Hjärnfonden.
Stina Syvänen, a researcher in molecular geriatrics at the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, is one of six researchers to share in the large bequest to Hjärnfonden. Her research project will receive a grant of SEK 6 million.
“I think that it’s splendid to see these bequests to brain research. This is a selfless act given that the benefactor has nothing to gain from their donation. It touches me. I hope that more people discover this lovely method of supporting brain research,” says Stina Syvänen.
Stina Syvänen and her research group are working on diagnostic tools for Alzheimer’s disease. It is currently difficult, expensive and time consuming to conduct clinical tests. The hope is that research can assist in making objective assessments of the state of the disease – thereby evaluating the efficacy of drugs.
“It is thrilling to receive this grant from Hjärnfonden. It takes us to a new level of long-term thinking, meaning that we can recruit to accelerate the pace of our research,” says Stina Syvänen.
The six researchers who will receive grants for their Alzheimer’s research are:
- Christer Betsholtz – Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University
- Kaj Blennow – University of Gothenburg
- Per Hammarström – Linköping University
- Martin Hallbeck – Linköping University
- Jan Johansson – Karolinska Institutet
- Stina Syvänen – Uppsala University
Anna Malmberg