Florida Hospital collaborates with VTT of Finland to explore research for early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
ORLANDO, Fla., September 18, 2013 – In an effort to better understand the development of Alzheimer’s disease, Florida Hospital Neuroscience Institute and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland are collaborating to identify the biomarker assay that may predict early onsets of the disease.
Scientists from VTT and the University of Eastern Finland recently teamed up to discover a serum biochemical signature which predicts progression to Alzheimer’s disease. From this, VTT was able to develop a biomarker assay. Florida Hospital and VTT have since come together to evaluate screening, diagnostic and prognostic potential of the biomarker essay.
“Our commitment as a hospital to researching how Alzheimer’s disease begins is extremely important for early detection studies and eventually finding a cure for the disease,” said Debbie Spielman, AVP Florida Hospital Neuroscience Institute. “Early disease detection can assist in discovering which pharmacological treatment or lifestyle changes would be most beneficial for the patient approaching the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease. There are an increasing number of new cases diagnosed annually with increasing aging populations. Florida Hospital and VTT’s study will utilize the biomarker assay to harness research on Alzheimer’s disease and specifically target which types of precautions to take when approaching early stages of the disease.
Further information:
For media inquires only, call Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Prof. Matej Orešič, tel. +358 40 705 5156,
matej.oresic@vtt.fi.
Florida Hospital
With eight hospitals and 21 urgent care locations, Florida Hospital is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than a million patient visits per year – that’s more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association. The more than 2,000-bed system, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the country.
Florida Hospital provides a wide range of health services, including many nationally and internationally recognized programs in cardiology, cancer, women’s medicine, neurosciences, diabetes, orthopedics, pediatrics and advanced surgical programs. Florida Hospital is a designated statutory teaching hospital and also trains physicians from all around the world on the newest technologies. With advanced research and industry partnerships, Florida Hospital seeks to extend and improve the quality of lives through the translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. For more information, please visit www.floridahospital.com.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a leading multitechnological applied research organization in Northern Europe. VTT creates new technology and science-based innovations in co-operation with domestic and foreign partners. VTT’s turnover is EUR 290 million and its personnel totals 3,100. www.vtt.fi
Further information on VTT:
Olli Ernvall
Senior Vice President, Communications
358 20 722 6747
olli.ernvall@vtt.fi
www.vtt.fi
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