Hope Flies Health Series Webinar—Research Connecting Alzheimer’s and Mitochondrial Disease, Presented by the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine

ATLANTA--()--The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine (FMM) is hosting its Hope Flies Health Series Webinar: Research Connecting Alzheimer’s and Mitochondrial Disease on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 12:00 pm EST. The Foundation developed the webinar with partners including the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), MitoAction and Sharecare to bring greater awareness to mitochondrial disease in conjunction with Global Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week, beginning September 21. The webinar is free; however registration is requested in advance at www.mitochondrialdiseases.org/hfhswebinars.

During the webinar, participants can learn more about the scientific connection and interest Alzheimer’s researchers have in mitochondria and mitochondrial function. Experts will share the latest developments from a specific research project the FMM and ADDF co-funded exploring this link. Participants will also gain an understanding of similar challenges mitochondrial and Alzheimer’s patients face and how day-to-day tasks can be managed while treatment options are still being researched in the laboratory.

Panelists for the webinar include Diana Shineman, Director, Scientific Affairs at ADDF; Laura Stanley, Executive Director, FMM; (FMM); Cristy Balcells, RN, Executive Director of MitoAction, and the moderator will be Darria Gillespie, MD MBA FACEP, SVP Clinical Strategy of Sharecare.

Additional topics planned for discussion include an overview of Alzheimer’s and the challenges and progress today surrounding research of Alzheimer’s and mitochondrial function; an overview of mitochondrial disease today and progress being made; and a discussion of how patients and caregivers can manage both Alzheimer’s and mitochondrial disease.

Panelists

Diana Shineman, PhD, Director, Scientific Affairs at ADDF develops and manages the Foundation’s drug discovery and development grant programs and strategic initiatives. www.alzdiscovery.org

Laura Stanley, Executive Director of FMM

Laura joined FMM in January 2010. Her background is in corporate human resources and marketing, yet when her son was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, she was eager for a way to accelerate action. www.hopeflies.org

Cristy Balcells, RN, Executive Director, MitoAction

Cristy Balcells RN MSN is a mom of three, including a child with mitochondrial disease. She is author of "Living Well with Mitochondrial Disease.” www.MitoAction.org

Moderator: Dr. Darria Long Gillespie, MD MBA FACEP, SVP Clinical Strategy Sharecare

Dr. Long Gillespie, MD MBA, FACEP, is Sharecare’s Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy, an Emergency Department physician at Emory University, and national spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. www.sharecare.com

Contacts

The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine
Jennifer Grizzle, 770-409-1152

Release Summary

The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine presents a free Hope Flies Health Series Webinar: "Research Connecting Alzheimer’s and Mitochondrial Disease" on Wednesday, September 23.

Contacts

The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine
Jennifer Grizzle, 770-409-1152