newsletter
Autumn 200
www.alzheimers-brace.org
Supporters Robert Alzheimer’s Remember
on camera Graves answers BRACE
Students put BRACE video A moving account From Professor
A very positive contribution
on YouTube. Read more by his nephew Seth Love .
to BRACE’s work, page 10
on page 14 Richard on page 6 See page 12
Memories of
Baroness Hale completes the presentation by handing the certificate to Mark Poarch
Bristol calendar,
(right). Also depicted are Dr Pat Kehoe (centre left) and Canon John Rogan. see page 4
University honours BRACE
The University of Bristol On the University’s Charter Day Chief Executive Mark Poarch to sign
in May, BRACE was thanked for the Roll of Benefactors. She then
has recognised BRACE’s the millions of pounds it has raised presented BRACE with a certificate
and used to fund research under to mark the charity’s contribution
contribution to the the direction of the University over many years.
funding of dementia of Bristol.
The University has honoured not
research over nearly a Leading researcher Dr Patrick just the charity itself, but the
Kehoe gave a vote of thanks, after thousands of people who have
quarter of a century. which the University’s Chancellor, supported BRACE’s fundraising in
the Right Honourable the Baroness myriad ways since 1987.
Hale of Richmond, invited BRACE We are proud to receive this
Chairman Canon John Rogan and recognition on their behalf.
| BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org

Programme
of Events 200
SEPTEMBER
SAT 18 BRACE Appeal Office and
BRACE Centre Open Day
(10.00am to 2.00pm)
OCTOBER Dear Friends, ve moved
e and BRACE Centre ha
SAT 2 the News letter, the BRACE Offic
Autumn Fair Newman Hall, Since the last issue of lly elsewhere in this iss
ue.
Westbury on Trym to Frenchay Hospita l, as reported more fu
cked
(10.00am to 12.30pm) years, we have been tu
new possibilities for BRACE. For many As a result,
FRI 15 SAT 16 This creates exciting steadily withdrawing.
e fro m which the NHS was
Collection at Morrisons, away on a hospital sit it might have been.
BRACE has be en far less visible than
Fishponds at ways to
ation, we are looking
FRI 15 Quiz Night, Newman Hall, nities pr esented by the new loc other
With the new opportu aware of BRACE. With
Westbury on Trym passers by and make more people should gradually
catch the attention of they develop, BRACE
(7.15pm for 7.30pm start) ll hear more about as on to be positive
initiatives that you wi rs. We have every reas
an d attract new supporte
THU 21 Collection at Tesco, become better known
Mark, Lesley and Lynda outside the new office Golden Hill about our futu re.
d with
mes sadness connecte
SUN 30 Linda Alvis’s Christmas e future, however, co
Our new home
about th our founder
Bazaar, at 94 Worrall Road, With positive thoughts , David Pockney, one of
BRACE’s past. As mo st readers already know Professor Gordon
Clifton (10.00am to 4.30pm) te to David written by
Ju ne. We included a tribu vid made a
Trustees, died on 1st able on our website. Da
NOVEMBER date , and this is still avail everyone
Wilcock in our July Up d he will be missed by
ACE in its formative years, an
BRACE has finally moved! We can now be found in a SAT 6 Collection at Mall Galleries, huge contribution to BR
converted World War II building next to the restaurant Broadmead who knew him.
at Frenchay Hospital. DECEMBER John Rogan,
The BRACE Centre and the BRACE researchers and medics. “The SUN 5 BRACE Carol Service St Mary Chairman of Trustees
Appeal Office are now in the same move will give BRACE a new lease Redcliffe Church, Bristol
building, which is good news for of life,” says Mark Poarch. (3.00pm)
BRACE has started sales of books in MAY 2011
many reasons.
Our competitions continue to be very popular and
The Office is at the end facing the
main road through the site, and
its reception every Friday afternoon MON 16 BRACE Annual Meeting
from 12 to 3pm and is also selling (7.30pm) 200 Competition Winners our thanks to everyone who has taken part. All
the proceeds from the competitions go to support
we hope that this will help make Christmas cards and calendars. TUE 24 BRACE Golf Day dementia research funded by BRACE.
BRACE more visible to the general
For further information about any
public. The BRACE Centre is at the Dr Katy Chalmers helps Dr Judy Our latest competition offering asks you to work out
of the above events please contact
rear, where carers can drop off Haworth test the equipment in the the names of ‘Places in the UK’. The closing date for
the BRACE Appeal Office
patients safely. new treatment room
your entries is Friday 29th October 2010.
Most of the building will be part of
Well done to the winners of the “Body Parts”
the BRACE Centre, where NHS care
competition in the January Update, Mr Mrs S Day
and research by the University of
from Westbury on Trym, who won a £20 gift voucher.
Bristol work hand in glove.
“This is a much happier location for The Spring Newsletter winner of the Body Parts
our work,” says Dr Judy Haworth, Competition was Joan Phelps from Downend who
who runs the BRACE Centre. won a £20 gift voucher and the winner of the Flowers
“Patients and carers can find us competition was Mrs. C Powell from Fishponds,
more easily and we are close to the Bristol. Mrs Powell won a £30 bouquet donated by
charity staff and the researchers in The Florist Ltd, Broad Quay, Bristol.
the John James Laboratories.”
Congratulations to all our winners and good luck with
The Appeal Office staff are equally our latest competition.
enthusiastic about being able
to work more closely with the
2 | BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org call the BRACE appeal office on 0117 340 4831 Autumn 200 |

Memories of Bristol News in brief...
In addition to the Autumn Fair
and Quiz Night, the following
are confirmed Christmas events
at which the calendar and a
full selection of our Christmas
cards, including Brian Sanders The BRACE sales table and its new
card of Ashton Court, Bristol banners have had their first outings
will be available: of 2010, at Mangotsfield Festival
in June and Page Park (Staple Hill)
Centenary and Frenchay Flower
Show in July.
Thank you to all the volunteers who
turned out to help.
As well as our aim of raising the
profile of the charity almost £800
was raised from the 3 events.
BACKWELL CARD SALE,
Parish Hall, Backwell In addition, the BRACE sales table
Saturday 23 October, was present at the Backwell ‘Pick
10am to 12noon and Mix’ on 17th July. This raised
Summer
over £200, and the event organisers
The photos used to make up this year’s calendar are CHRISTMAS BAzAAR @ LINDA’S kindly donated 50% of the day’s
previously unpublished photographs of Bristol from 94 Worrall Road, Clifton proceeds to BRACE, bringing our
Fairs
the 1950s to the 1990s. There are some wonderful 30th October 10am-4pm total to £1,157.
photographs including images from the Festival of ST PETER’S HENLEAzE CARD SALE, Our thanks to everyone involved
Britain and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. St Peters Church Henleaze in this event.
30th October 10am-2pm
All the photographs were This unique calendar is
taken by Geoff Packer
who was a keen and gifted
now available for sale
from the BRACE Appeal
From 1st November at
HAIGH AND SONS,
Chair’s choice boosts BRACE
amateur photographer. Office, on our website Estate Agents, North View, BRACE would like to thank South Gloucestershire Council for raising
Being one of the younger and at all events we Westbury Park, Bristol well over £2,000 for the charity in the past year. When Cllr Shirley
photographers in Bristol are attending with our (open Monday- Friday 9am-6pm Holloway was made Chair of Council in May 2009, she selected BRACE
during the 1950s, his sales table between now and Saturday 9am- 5pm). and the Alzheimer’s Society to be jointly her “Chair’s Charity”.
interest lay in capturing aspects of Bristol and Christmas. You can
In the twelve months of
in colour while most of his contemporaries also order it with your MALL GALLERIES, Broadmead
Cllr Holloway’s term of office,
were still using black and white film. His Christmas card order on 6th November 9am-6pm
the Council raised £4,500 to
hobby was a labour of love and he hoped the enclosed form.
PORTISHEAD CARD SALE be divided between the two
to publish a book of memories of Bristol
Please note that this year Somerset Hall, High Street, charities. Fundraising initiatives
one day. Fiona Bolt and Stuart Smith were
we have changed the Portishead included an auction among two of the several volunteers who
Sadly, Geoff died in 1991 at the age of format of the calendar to 6 November, 10am to 12noon Council staff, a golf day and helped with the BRACE collection
67, long before the cost of colour printing show the photographs to a quiz. and information stand at The Mall,
became viable for such books of local the best advantage. Whilst CLOTHES SALES AND SHOPPING Cribbs Causeway in July
interest. Luckily, his family had taken it is a larger size we have EVENING, Portbury Village Hall BRACE would like to thank
great care with the photographs and over been able to maintain 18th November 7pm – 10pm Shirley and the many officers
the last few years his daughters, Jan the price at £5 as tear-off and councillors who helped with
and Shirley, have been able to review postcards are not included. CAROL SERVICE, great enthusiasm to raise funds
and catalogue them and have had huge ST MARY REDCLIFFE CHURCH for research into dementia. As
pleasure recalling with their Mum, Doreen, Calendars are now 5th December 3pm – 4.30pm well as raising funds, they have
the places and events that he captured. available for sale at approx. helped to make people in South
Melanie’s Kitchen, Gloucestershire more aware
The Packer family have been supporters Downend, St Mary For more information of the work we are doing. We
of BRACE over the last few years and Redcliffe Church Shop and about the above events hope that other people in South
Cllr Shirley Holloway with Mark Poarch
were more than happy to allow us to use Broadwalk News, Knowle please contact the Gloucestershire will follow
of BRACE and Andy Richardson of the Lynda Checkley at the BRACE stand at
some of Geoff’s photographs for the 2011 and the BRACE Appeal BRACE Appeal Office Alzheimer’s Society outside Kingswood Shirley’s lead and join with us the Best of Bristol Business Exhibition,
calendar for which we are very grateful. office, Frenchay Hospital. on 0117 340 4831. Civic Centre in the fight against dementia. Ashton Gate Stadium
| BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org call the BRACE appeal office on 0117 340 4831 Autumn 200 |

Robert Graves and Alzheimer’s
His family as Robert
Graves hoped to
find them again in
Wimbledon
[L to R] Charles,
Clarissa, Rosaleen,
Alfred (with Richard’s
father John on his
lap); Robert and Amy.
The poet and novelist
Robert von Ranke
I met him once or twice when I was a
child, but the time when I got to know
him well was after I had gone to
For a time his most recent memories
were of the Great War, and once again
shells burst around him and bullets
00 golfers for BRACE
Graves (1895-1985) St. John’s College Oxford in 1964, whistled overhead. More years were
was one of the most at a time when Robert was the wiped away from his memory. On
At Henbury Golf Club on Tuesday 25th May, one hundred players gathered
brilliant literary men Oxford Professor of Poetry. He was a visit to London, he tried to reach to take part in this year’s BRACE Annual Golf Day.
of his generation. now in his early seventies, and still Wimbledon where with the memory
had a formidable brain. His lectures of his eight-year-old self he believed After last year’s deluge, everyone Glass. These prizes were presented We look forward very much to
He fought in the were immensely popular among the that his mother and father were living was delighted with the warm, by Professor Seth Love, Professor the next Golf Day, which will be
undergraduates, partly because he and waiting to welcome him into the
trenches during the dry weather. of Neuropathology at Bristol on 24th May 2011.
seemed to have access to ancient home from which he had somehow University, who answers common
Great War of 1914- wisdom of a kind that was particularly become separated. The winning team, Your Works Ltd,
questions about dementia research
1918, was the friend appealing to adolescent minds. was presented with the Noel Elliott The winning team receive their prizes
elsewhere in this issue.
of other soldier-poets It was kinder when Robert’s memory Memorial Rosebowl and £75 which
I was fortunate to know him then, faded almost to nothing. Sometimes they kindly donated back to BRACE. The event raised over £4,500 and
such as Siegfried
because within a decade he was briefly as he was waking up in the Once again Noel Elliott’s daughters we would like to thank all the
Sassoon and Wilfred suffering from Alzheimer’s – which morning he seemed to be half-aware made the Rosebowl presentation. volunteers and all the players
Owen, and became plagued him for the last ten years of – and then he was gone again into a lost, who took part. Special thanks go
Following the tradition in this event
world-famous as the his life. I visited him for his eightieth closed and very private interior world. each player in the winning team
to Roger and Pat Higgins, without
author of Good-bye birthday on 24 July 1975, and at this whose hard work this successful
and the 2nd and 3rd placed teams
time he was still recognisably himself, His old friends had mostly deserted annual event could not take place.
to All That, and of received an item of Bristol Blue
but his memory was failing. him by this time – he was only the shell
best-selling historical of the man they had known; and until
novels such as He could still recall his childhood and his death in 1985 it was his immediate
I, Claudius. early manhood, but all that followed
was gradually being erased from his
family, many of whose lives appeared
to be ‘on hold’, who carried a frightful
Annual Meeting Report Both speakers were well received and their talks
prompted much discussion after the meeting. We
would like to thank them both for their time and
He was also my uncle. mind, and on the very day of his party burden of hopelessness and despair.
he met his adult son William and for
At the BRACE Annual Meeting this year for their stimulating talks.
the first time had no idea who he Fortunately Robert’s books still provided we had two guest speakers. As a departure
The other main features of the meeting were a
was. What followed was shocking. He enough income to pay for a small and from our normal practice of having scientific review of the previous year’s developments by the
Written by Richard was a writer, but he could no longer devoted band of nurses, without whose presentations, we asked Professor Ruud ter Chairman of Trustees, Canon John Rogan, and an
Perceval Graves. concentrate for long enough to write. help that burden would have been
intolerable. To me it seemed a mercy Meulen (Professor of Ethics in Medicine at outline of the charity’s financial position by the
Richard is Marketing His short-term memory became so Honorary Treasurer, Dr Richard Varcoe.
brief that if he had been doing nothing not only to Robert Graves but also to Bristol University) to talk about ethical issues
Director of GWS
for more than about five minutes, it everyone close to him when, after ten in dementia, and Chris McGrail (a solicitor at The meeting was also attended by a large number
Media Ltd, who created seemed to him that he had been doing years of living in this twilight world, he Alan Hodge Solicitors in Thornbury) to speak of BRACE-sponsored researchers including, for the
the BRACE website. nothing for ever. finally passed away.
about Lasting Power of Attorney. first time, scientists from UWE and Cardiff.
www.gwsmedia.com
| BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org call the BRACE appeal office on 0117 340 4831 Autumn 200 |

Keep on running Main photo Ashley
White, right Laura Blake,
Bottom Susan Wensley.
“I was moved
to do
… and swimming, and cycling, and skydiving… Quotes from various something
supporters mentioned to help”
in the article
The Bristol 10k took place on 9 May
when three runners raised well over
£650 for BRACE.
Laura Blake, who works as a
graduate trainee fundraiser
for Bristol University said “As a
University, we do some ground
breaking research into Alzheimer’s
Photo: James Sandercock, www.sanpix.com
and I was moved to do something to
help.” Of the run she said, “All in
all it was a great day, lots of support
from the wonderful public who really
keep you going when you feel like
giving up; I may even be tempted to
do it all again next year!”
Andrew Casagran told us, “My
Grandmother in Chile has had
Alzheimer’s for the past 10 years and
it’s been very hard on all the family
both in Chile and England. She had
always been a big robust woman but
when she got Alzheimer’s she started “I know first “because it is a
to lose lots of weight and also her hand what a
memories, which was the hardest
“I wanted to cause that is
devastating “this year help towards “[I] know what close to home”
thing of all. She is always afraid “because I think
when she wakes in the morning as disease it is” I ran for my research” it’s like to have
most of us have
she doesn’t recognise any of my grandma!” a family member
been touched …
aunties, uncles or cousins. But she is with the disease”
well looked after by everyone as she by dementia”
is what links us all. I remember when
I went to see her with a friend she BRACE had a team of runners in my grandma and great grandma Rosie Munro Kerr collected Sarah King bravely took part in the Phoebe Hicks, aged 17, ran in
thought my friend was her grandson the London Marathon in April and suffered from it. So this year I ran £1,372.20 sponsorship; Ewan Turner Stratford 2020 Triathlon on 9 May. the Forest of Dean Half Marathon
and me the friend. This is why I ran between them they have raised for my grandma!” – and raised raised £366.41; and Joanne Field The triathlon combines swimming raising £155. Phoebe said “I
the Bristol 10k for BRACE as I know well over £7,000. Susan Wensley £1,134.20 in the process. Others who ran in memory of her granddad 400m, cycling 23km and running decided to choose BRACE because
you guys do a fantastic job and will said “Many of the patients I deal who ran were Ryan Belshaw who who suffered from dementia before 5km in one race and is certainly not my grandfather is starting to suffer
help future Alzheimer’s sufferers by with on a daily basis at work suffer has raised £1,114.81 so far; Edward he died in 2008 and raised £708.68. something for the faint hearted! from Alzheimer’s and therefore
finding a cure.” from Alzheimer’s disease. As I work Kreft who works for the Mercure However, she completed the course know what it’s like to have a family
at Frenchay Day Hospital next to Holland House Hotel in Bristol and Participants in other sponsored and raised £395 sponsorship. Sarah member with the disease”.
Laura Palmer said “I ran for BRACE the dedicated researchers that look raised £1,070 through sponsorship, events include Jack Mitchell who said “I chose BRACE because I think
for a number of reasons: they at the causes and treatments, I with an additional £1,300 being heard about BRACE through his most of us have been touched, or Kate Moorman raised £350 by taking
support the South West Dementia thought this would provide an ideal raised by an event at the hotel; Grandma’s treatment and raised unfortunately may be touched in part in a Skydive and chose to raise
Brain Bank for which I work, they opportunity to raise a bit of cash for £207 sponsorship by running in the future, by dementia”. money for research into Alzheimer’s
sponsor my part time PhD with BRACE.” £1,471 – quite a bit of cash the Bath Half Marathon on 7 March. disease and dementia through
the University of Bristol and lastly actually Susan! Jack said “Both my grandfather Ashley White, a pupil at Westonbirt BRACE, “because it is a cause that
because my gran suffered with and grandma had forms of School, continued her support is close to home as my grandmother
dementia. I know first hand what Kathryn Hurd said “I ran the London dementia. I think it’s such a of BRACE in memory of her suffered from it, so I have seen
a devastating disease it is and Marathon last year and I enjoyed terrible illness and I wanted to grandfather by raising £430 in the first hand how hard it can be for
anything we can do to learn about it so much that I thought I’d have help towards research into it.” Hogweed Trotters Half Marathon. everyone involved to live with.”
and treat it is very important.” another go! Alzheimer’s research is
a cause close to my heart as both Thanks to everyone for raising a combined total of over £10,000 so far this year
| BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org call the BRACE appeal office on 0117 340 4831 Autumn 200 |

2,000 reasons BRACE goes
to Cardiff
to thank Bunzl BRACE has awarded
a grant for a one year
Earlier this year, BRACE involved in the development or research project to
received two donations progression of Alzheimer’s disease scientists at Cardiff
and other forms of dementia. It is University.
totalling nearly £23,000 very important to our immediate
from Bunzl Healthcare, research work but also to our
part of Bunzl plc, the function in hosting the South West
Dementia Brain Bank where we
international outsourcing can provide high quality samples
and distribution Group. for dementia research not only in
Bristol but also in an international
The research teams that benefited context.”
were those at the John James
Laboratories at Frenchay and Neil Macdonald, Bunzl Healthcare
the Dorothy Hodgkin Building in Sales Director said, “Alzheimer’s
Bristol. Over £15,000 was spent is an illness that has a devastating
on a single item of equipment effect on both the sufferer and
for the Frenchay team. This is a their families. The need for
research is urgent and we are very
Remember BRACE
“BioAnalyser with the DNA/RNA
module”, which is needed for pleased to be able to provide funds
measuring the integrity of the for equipment that will make
message that genes produce to an immediate difference to the Dr Emma Kidd (left)
make proteins. research projects. We wish the and Dr Rhian Thomas (right)
teams at BRACE much success.”
Dr Emma Kidd and Dr Rhian
Dr Pat Kehoe said, “This piece
We are very grateful to Bunzl Thomas are investigating the
of equipment will help us to
Last year BRACE received contribution after death. If you die
Remember a Charity (a maximise the quality of the work for their generous support for importance of caveolin proteins
without a will, the law will decide how the research teams that we help in the production of β-Amyloid,
over £380,000 in legacies. your possessions should be divided, and
campaign run by the we do on genes and corresponding
Institute of Fundraising) to fund. a substance that occurs in
This was the greater part biological pathways that may be
this could be very different to what the brain and is associated
says “74% of the UK
of our income for 2009 and you might have wished.
population support charities with dementia. This research
it will enable the Trustees and when asked, 35% of will help to establish whether
When you have ensured that you have these proteins are a factor in
to fund more research provided properly for your family and
people say they’d happily
the development of dementia
leave a gift in their will
in future. friends, will you consider leaving a
once family and friends had and could thereby identify
legacy to BRACE? Your gift will help us new diagnostic markers and
been provided for.
As an illustration, this is more than six support research into dementia and treatments.
times the grant to Cardiff University could save people in later generations
“The problem is only 7%
featured on page 11. Think how much from the horrors of this disease. The research project will start
actually do. That’s why, if
we could do to increase urgently we all leave some money in in November.
Many people think they are not wealthy
needed research if we had that sort our wills for charity as well
enough to leave anything of real value, Although, as we reported in
of income from legacies every year. as our family, we can make
but any amount is gratefully received our last issue, BRACE recently
Unfortunately, it is not every year a huge difference. In fact,
and will go towards funding important started supporting research
that we receive such a large amount if we can raise this figure to
research projects. led by Bristol University in
in this way. just 11% we would create
cooperation with Cardiff
BRACE has its own recently updated an additional £1 billion for
For many people, when they make University, this is the first time
Guide to Making and Changing a Will, charities in the UK every
their wills, being able to support we have supported research
a copy of which can be obtained free year, which would ensure Dr Pat Kehoe (Bristol University) explains to Neil McDonald of Bunzl Healthcare
a charity of their choice is one of based solely in Wales.
from the BRACE Appeal Office. that their work lives on.” (centre) and Mark Poarch of BRACE why the BioAnalyser is an invaluable tool
the best ways to make a positive
0 | BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org call the BRACE appeal office on 0117 340 4831 Autumn 200 |

Science Overview “I am confident that the next 10-15 years will see the introduction
of medicines that do indeed slow or halt Alzheimer’s”
Do you feel that it is What has been the most “Because dementia is so common, it is not unusual for How significant is the
realistic to think of curing important development in it to affect more than one member of a family.” South West Dementia
Alzheimer’s one day? dementia research in the Brain Bank in research?
If so, are we talking past few years?
years or decades? What should people do Many people worry that, The SW Dementia Brain Bank is one
There have been so many recent of the main UK providers of brain
to try to reduce their risk if one of their parents had tissue for research into dementia
I think it realistic to think about developments that it is difficult to
pick a single ‘winner’. of dementia? dementia, they will get it and contributes to many large
slowing or halting the progression
of Alzheimer’s. too. What would you say national and international studies in
Some would point to the A lifestyle that is healthy for the this field.
Professor Seth Love answers to them?
Over the past 10-15 years we have demonstration of the partial heart is also good for the brain.
some of your most frequently For example, the SW Dementia
gained a great deal of information reversibility of Alzheimer’s Risk factors for dementia include
asked questions about dementia. The contribution of the genes we Brain Bank contributed to the
about what goes wrong within pathology in patients immunised obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a diet
with amyloid β (the abnormal inherit to the development of recent genome-wide association
Seth Love is Professor of nerve cells in Alzheimer’s. Although that is high in saturated fats, and
chemical that accumulates in the dementia is complex. study in Alzheimer’s which lead
Neuropathology at the University we still have much to learn, we elevated blood pressure.
brain in Alzheimer’s), although to the discovery of several new
of Bristol and Director of the are at a stage when it is possible In only a very small proportion of
the lack of concomitant clinical The one major risk factor we Alzheimer genes – the first to be
South West Dementia Brain Bank to design drugs that prevent families is dementia caused by a
improvement in these patients has cannot mitigate is age but if we identified in almost two decades.
at Frenchay. He is also Scientific many of the abnormalities from single abnormal gene that is passed
Adviser to the BRACE Trustees. developing in experimental models been disappointing. modify our behaviour to avoid
down from one generation to the In addition, the Dementia Research
of Alzheimer’s. preventable risk factors we can
Others would highlight the recent next. Amongst the rest of the Group which runs the Brain Bank
keep our brains healthy for longer.
discovery of several new Alzheimer population it is likely that normal has been responsible for a series
It remains a major challenge to variations in a large number of
genes; investigation of these will The risk is cumulative over many of recent discoveries that have
produce drugs that are selective genes influence the likelihood that
undoubtedly lead to new strategies years so the sooner we modify our had a major influence on research
for the abnormalities and safe for a person will develop dementia.
to try to treat the disease. behaviour the better! into Alzheimer’s and other
people to take but I am confident
dementias. These include some of
that the next 10-15 years will see Because dementia is so common, it
The recent development that I think the discoveries noted previously
the introduction of medicines that is not unusual for it to affect more
most important is the recognition (e.g. that some forms of amyloid β
do indeed slow or halt Alzheimer’s than one member of a family. In
that not all amyloid β that are present in high concentration
and that achieve this without most cases the increase in risk of
accumulates in the brain is toxic. in early life, and that endothelin-
unacceptable side effects. dementia to children in that family
Some forms of amyloid β seem to 1 is likely to be involved in the
Restoring the damaged brain to be particularly damaging to nerve “Risk factors is very small. reduction in blood flow to the brain
cell connections, even in relatively in Alzheimer’s).
health rather than solely arresting
the disease presents much more low concentrations. However, for dementia If, however, dementia has affected
a number of family members over In addition, the Dementia Research
of a challenge. However, even other forms are present in high include obesity, several generations, particularly Group has been responsible for
in adulthood the brain has an concentration in early life and may
extraordinary capacity to adapt and well be necessary for normal brain a sedentary if the onset of dementia was
at an unusually early age (e.g.
important new findings concerning
development. This has important the way in which abnormal
compensate when damage occurs,
so that some recovery of function implications for treatment. It is lifestyle, a diet before the age of 55), it would Alzheimer-associated structures
be reasonable for the family to known as neurofibrillary tangles
is likely once the progression of likely that we shall have to be much that is high in discuss this with their GP, who may interfere with the response of
disease is halted. more precise about targeting only
the toxic forms of amyloid β if we saturated fats, advise consultation with a clinical
geneticist.
nerve cells to chemical signals,
are to halt the disease without and for major advances in our
unacceptable side effects. and elevated understanding of the enzymes that
normally break down amyloid β
Dr Shabnam Baig working with one of
the highly sophisticated microscopes at blood pressure.” and prevent it from accumulating
the Brain Bank in the brain.
2 | BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org call the BRACE appeal office on 0117 340 4831 Autumn 200 |

Students make BRACE video Super Supermarkets
You need In recent months, BRACE has seen a steady stream One of our most profitable fundraising tools
of contacts from young people who want to help the
to be in it charity. Many of them have family members with
Alzheimer’s, and they are painfully aware of what it
is the tin collections at supermarkets and
other outlets.
to win it! means to have the disease. Our most recent collection at the time of writing was at
Sainsbury’s Supermarket in Kingswood. This collection
raised a total of £876.61. Michele Morden, Charities
Coordinator for the branch said “We are so pleased
Included with this that Sainsbury’s are able to help raise funds for such a
edition of our newsletter worthwhile cause. We look forward to welcoming them
back again.” During 2009 we raised nearly £5,000 at
is a form for the BRACE
collections in and around Bristol – and we are hoping to
500 club. better that this year. Our thanks to all the places that
have allowed us to collect and a big thank you and well
The BRACE 500 Club is a done to our wonderful band of collectors.
registered lottery with a
weekly draw. The following is a list of collections we have for the
rest of 2010.
The winner receives 25% of the October 15/16th Morrison’s Fishponds
receipts with 75% going straight
October 21st Tesco Golden Hill
into the pot from which future
research will be funded. November 6th Mall Galleries Broadmead
We are always looking for more enthusiastic collectors -
It only costs £1 a week.
if you can spare 2 hours of your time and are able to
If you win one week, enjoy it.
BRACE collectors Mary Morris (left) and Dorothy Bryant help at any of our future collections please contact the
If you don’t you know that your
were warmly welcomed by staff at Sainsbury’s in Kingswood BRACE Appeal Office on 0117 340 4831
£1 has helped build up
our research funds.
BRACE Donation Form
For more information ring Some young volunteers have be a new generation of funding
0117 340 4831 or email helped with fundraising, usually for Alzheimer’s research that can
admin@alzheimers-brace.org by engaging in sponsored events. put an end to Alzheimer’s disease
Some are seeking to involve their destroying lives and communities.”
schools or colleges in raising Please find enclosed a donation of £__________ to BRACE.
They received support from
money or raising awareness
BRACE itself, of course, but also
among young people.
from Bristol University researchers
FULL NAME
Gift Aid Declaration
Two enterprising students at Filton Dr Pat Kehoe and Dr Andrea Tales If you are a UK taxpayer and complete the form below,
ADDRESS BRACE can recover at least an additional 25p for every pound
College in South Gloucestershire and SW Dementia Brain Bank
donated, through the Government’s Gift Aid scheme – at no
decided to use their coursework to Manager Laura Palmer. extra cost to you!
help BRACE - Jack Maddox and
The resulting video has been put I am a UK taxpayer and want BRACE to treat the following
James Reeves were required to donations as Gift Aid donations:
on YouTube and you can view it by
produce a video about a subject of • this donation Yes No
Do you know Heather E. Lees? going to http://www.youtube.com/
their choice and saw an opportunity • all donations I make from the date of this declaration onwards
Is so could ask her to contact watch?v=b0EoYJ3cQUw
to help explain dementia and (until I notify you otherwise) as Gift Aid donations Yes No
the BRACE Appeal Office. research to others of their age. Mark Poarch said, “It is often • this and all past donations I have made Yes No
She has joined the 500 club but supposed – wrongly – that young
Jack Maddox said, “We hadn’t I confirm that I am a UK taxpayer, resident in the UK for tax
we have no contact details for people don’t know about dementia purposes and that I will advise BRACE if this situation should
Heather should she win. much knowledge about Alzheimer’s change.
or are not really interested in
Thank you disease beforehand but after talking
helping to fight it. So many younger
to BRACE we found out what a SIGNED
people encounter it in their lives
A full list of winning numbers devastating disease Alzheimer’s
because a grandparent or another
is available from the BRACE is and how vital it is to stop it POST CODE DATE
close relative has the illness,
Appeal Office (contact details for future generations. We felt
and they are strongly motivated
as above) it was important to let younger Thank you for your donation. Please tick this box if you would like to receive a written acknowledgement:
to help.”
people know this so there would Please return to BRACE Appeal Office, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol BS16 1LE
| BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org call the BRACE appeal office on 0117 340 4831 Autumn 200 |

Website refreshed Don’t miss the
BRACE Autumn Fair
The BRACE website has been updated and
SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER
includes some significant improvements. 10.00am to 12.30pm
It is now much easier to shop online at the BRACE shop and Newman Hall, Grange Court Road,
also to make donations by credit or debit card. Westbury-on-Trym
What a great way to buy your Christmas cards or Refreshments : Cake and Preserves
2011 calendar this year! Beauty and Bath : Plants and Shrubs
Toys and Games : Books/CDs/Jigsaws
BRACE Christmas Cards and
We also have links from our Calendar
home page to a number of
ways you can support BRACE and lots more …
online. Some of these will Put the date in your diary now!
cost you nothing – one of them
could even leave you better
off! They are: Facebook – follow BRACE on the
charity’s Facebook page
eBay – shop at the BRACE Utility Warehouse – BRACE earns
eBay shop for a range of commission when people sign up
easy-to-post items that to Utility Warehouse through us.
have been donated to us Depending on your circumstances,
Buy.at – do your online Utility Warehouse could save you
shopping at a range of a lot of money on household bills
major retailers through and its ‘cashback’ card – and
the BRACE link and we BRACE will be better off too!
get commission E-cards – if you prefer to send your
greetings cards by email, you can
do this via our link and help BRACE
Speaking of BRACE
BRACE has a team of dedicated and
experienced volunteer speakers who go
out and about to explain the work of the
charity and the progress of research.
Recent invitations for BRACE speakers have come from Professor Seth Love briefs BRACE speakers at the
schools, churches, Rotary clubs and the WI. John James Labs about the progress of research
Speakers do a tremendous job for BRACE, making people
aware of what the charity does and explaining why the
research is so important.
If you are part of an organisation which would like a
speaker to attend one of its meetings, please contact
the BRACE Appeal Office.
| BRACE www.alzheimers-brace.org