Spreading the word about the value of medical research

Sudha Seshadri, MD, is founding director of the UT Health San Antonio Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Did you know that older Hispanic adults are estimated to be at 1.5 times greater risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias than non-Hispanic whites? That fact alone makes research efforts in the area of brain health essential for improving the lives of South Texas residents.

More genetic variations for Alzheimer’s disease are known today than ever before, thanks in part to the international collaboration being advanced by faculty of UT Health San Antonio. Sudha Seshadri, MD, and Habil Zare, PhD, are among researchers at the UT Health San Antonio Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases making great strides in this global effort to discover genetic variations for Alzheimer’s. As their work reveals more clues about the biology of the disease, it brings hope for the possibility of new drug therapies.

Habil Zare, PhD, is part of a team of Biggs Institute investigators making strides in Alzheimer’s research.

The public’s participation is critical

For more than 50 years, the university’s missions of education, discovery and patient care have contributed to the public good across South Texas. As the largest research university in South Texas, UT Health San Antonio is investing its annual research portfolio of $350 million in critical areas like Alzheimer’s disease treatments. Likewise, as part of the South Texas Alzheimer’s Research Center, Biggs Institute investigators are dedicated to bringing more members of this region’s Hispanic population into these genetic studies and clinical trials, a much-needed step to improve this ongoing gene discovery and worldwide discussion.

Because increased participation from the public is so critical, UT Health San Antonio is making a concerted effort to spread the word about its work and how medical research directly contributes to a healthier society. That effort includes the placement of sponsored content in local and regional publications like this recent San Antonio Report message and feature article.

Appearing this month and in coming months, look for additional messaging about the importance of UT Health San Antonio’s breakthrough research discoveries in both online and print editions of these publications:

  • San Antonio Business Journal
  • San Antonio Express-News
  • San Antonio Report
  • San Antonio Magazine.

More about the Biggs Institute

The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases is dedicated to providing comprehensive dementia care while advancing treatment through clinical trials and research. The Biggs Institute is a National Institute on Aging (NIA)-designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC). In addition to patient care and research, the Biggs Institute partners with the School of Nursing at UT Health Science Center San Antonio to offer the Caring for the Caregiver program.



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