Kirk and Anne Douglas among those honored at Santa Barbara Alzheimer’s luncheon

New information in the battle against Alzheimer’s Disease has been revealed in the third annual “Your Brain Matters” lunch in Santa Barbara.

Honorees included legendary actor Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne who have been generous supporters of Alzheimer’s research and who have provided funding for a hospital facility in Los Angeles. They were presented with a Leadership Award, but were unable to accept it in person from presenter Lady Leslie Ridley Tree. It was accepted by close friend Dana Newquist followed by a video message from Douglas who will turn 100 years old next month.

In the message Douglas spoke of his awareness of Alzheimer’s and related illnesses with close friends including former President Ronald Reagan.

About 500 attended the luncheon Friday at the Fess Parker Doubletree by Hilton.

A leading researcher on Alzheimer’s, Dr. Maria Carrillo says there have recently been new discoveries in the efforts to identify the cause for the disease and find a cure.

“Before Amyloid imaging we didn’t realize our diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease was not so perfect . That’s a critical discovery that is changing the face of therapeutics in Alzheimer’s disease today,” said Carrillo. She is the Chief Science Officer with Alzheimer’s Association.

For more information for to:http://www.alz.org/

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The website says: Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.