Sunrise Sessions Showcase USU Research to Wasatch Front Audience

The Utah Legislature’s passage of the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative, better known as USTAR, represents a strong vote of confidence in the state’s flagship research universities – Utah State University and the University of Utah. The $250 million program, passed by large majorities in both the House and Senate, is designed to boost the state’s economy through increased scientific research and marketable technological development at both universities.

Utah State is eager to present its varied research successes to audiences throughout Utah and beyond. To that end, the university recently instituted “Sunrise Sessions” to showcase efforts by outstanding researchers to corporate and government leaders in Utah’s population center. At several Salt Lake breakfast meetings hosted by corporate sponsors throughout the year, USU scientists will share findings of critical research -- much of which will have a sizable impact on Utah’s economy.

 

President Stan Albrecht opened the inaugural Sunrise Session April 27 with the message that Utah State, with its massive Cache County Study on Memory, is a key contributor in the study of Alzheimer’s disease. When prevention, treatment and even a cure for the devastating degenerative brain disorder are found, he said, Utah State University will have played a significant role.

 

Ron Munger, director of USU’s Center for Epidemiologic Studies and professor in the College of Agriculture’s Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, was featured speaker for the gathering, which was sponsored by Wells Fargo. Munger is a principal investigator on the Cache memory study, now more than 10 years old, which is funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health, and is a collaborative research project with Duke University, Johns Hopkins, the University of Washington and the University of Utah.

 

What have researchers learned so far?

 

Eating more fruits and veggies in your golden years may stave off memory loss.

 

Men with diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, but the same doesn’t hold true for women diabetics.

 

Combined use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidant supplements, such as Vitamin C and E, can prevent cognitive decline.

 

Statins, drugs frequently prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels, do not influence cognitive performance. 

 

Munger noted that Alzheimer’s disease exacts a huge financial toll, in addition to the emotional cost, from patients’ families. As many as 5 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and that figure is expected to triple by 2050. That projection represents a 44 percent increase nationally and a 127 percent increase in Utah, where residents are known for living long lives. “Families bear most of the burden, but imagine the impact on these caregivers’ employers and other organizations that depend on their efforts,” said Munger. “The disease has far-reaching impacts.”

 

USU’s next Sunrise Session, hosted by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, is slated for June 13. Neurobiologist Timothy Gilbertson, professor in the College of Science’s Biology Department, presents the talk, “Obesity Epidemic: Are Our Taste Buds to Blame?” Gilbertson has conducted extensive research involving how the body recognizes and responds to nutrients.