Dr. John Cirrito, Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust (CART) Fund
The Rotary Club of Carolina Forest was proud to host Dr. John Cirrito of the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, MO at the club meeting Wednesday. Dr Cirrito is a District 7770 and
Rotary International grant recipient. The major research grant of $250,000 s named as a memorial to Roger Ackerman and was fully funded by Rotary District 7770. Dr. John Cirrito led a scientific discussion on how certain proteins are associated with cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease. His research studies pathologies like amyloid-beta plaques, tau tangles, and lewy bodies. Plaques are abnormal
clusters of protein fragments, build up between nerve cells. Tangles are made up of twisted strands of another protein found in dead and dying nerve cells. And 60% of Alzheimer’s case contain these lewy
bodies. The club asked Dr. Cirrito what preventative measures individuals should take to avoid Alzheimer’s. The answer is increased brain activity. Keep your mind active Rotarians!
Pictured:
Dr. John Cirrito
