This interesting presentation is from TED, a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.

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When George Perry began studying Alzheimer’s disease less than 30 years ago, few scientists knew of the condition, let alone the public, which now cannot have a day pass without new revelations in the press.

What is this disease that so closely touches all our lives and seems so intractable to treatment? Is the heightened awareness due to our increased longevity, or its incidence?

While most therapeutics are directed to the effects of the disease, the future lies in modifying responses to aging to maintain normal function throughout our lifespan.

Dr. Perry is Dean and Professor of Biology, University of Texas-San Antonio, joining the UTSA faculty in 2006 from Case Western Reserve University where he was Professor of Pathology and Neurosciences and Chair of the Department of Pathology. He is also distinguished as one of the top 20 Alzheimer’s disease researchers with over 800 publications; one of the top 100 most-cited scientists in neuroscience and behavior research; and one of the top 25 scientists in free radical research. He is Past President for the American Association of Neuropathologists, on the editorial board of over 60 journals, and is Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

*About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.