Fiona CRAWFORD, Ph.D. " President and CEO, # THE ROSKAMP INSTITUTE Since 2003, The Institute has been “a leader in the global effort to better understand and treat diseases of the mind.” Dr. Crawford and Dr. Michael Mullan, its two lead researchers, are working tirelessly to fully understand diseases like Alzheimer’s that may lead to better treatments - maybe even a cure. 16 WEST COAST WOMAN MARCH 20<strong>24</strong>
eems like every day there’s news about an Alzheimer’s “breakthrough” or a promising new medicine or treatment and yet the progress to finding a medicine or treatment that halts or prevents or cures it is not at hand. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t people who are working hard to find solutions. Someone who has been hard at work on research in this field for over 30 years is Fiona Crawford, Ph.D., President and CEO at The Roskamp Institute. Since opening in 2003, The Roskamp Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been “a leader in the global effort to better understand and treat diseases of the mind. The foundation for the Institute’s work was set more than a decade ago by its two lead researchers, Drs. Michael Mullan and Fiona Crawford,” according to their website. You may not have read about the breakthrough research that showed Alzheimers’s being caused by “mutations at codon 717 of the β-amyloid precursor protein gene,” but if you did, this was an important discovery published in Nature magazine in 1991 and authored by 11 researchers including Dr. Crawford and Dr. Mullan. “A codon, in biology, is the basic genetic unit of life that acts as the template for the amino acid synthesis required for protein expression. Thus, the codon acts as an essential genetic unit of life,” and yes, I looked that up. More simply put, their research showed that certain genetic variations may cause or predispose humans to Alzheimer’s disease—a huge step in understanding the disease. It’s painstaking work that Dr. Crawford, a molecular geneticist and neuroscientist, has been deeply involved in for over three decades. Her work has appeared in 200 publications, along with over 20,000 citations in the field of research for Alzheimer’s disease, Traumatic Brain Injury, and related disorders. Dr. Crawford, who was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, works with Dr. Mullan, who was born in England where he earned his medical degree. Their work took them from England to USF where Bob Roskamp, a well known philanthropist and developer of senior living facilities, provided funds to the University of South Florida to create the Roskamp Chair in Biological Psychiatry in March 1995. Drs. Mullan and Crawford then went on to co-found the Roskamp Institute with Bob and Diane Roskamp in Sarasota in 2003 and thus began their research which has broadened to include Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Gulf War Illness and the effects of Florida red tide and other eco-toxins. The doctors are joined by a staff of 50 in management and research. Fast forward to 2023 and you may have read about a new, FDA-approved treatment called Leqembi. The Roskamp Institute, Dr. Crawford explains, is in the process of getting approval to “host an infusion clinic” on their campus. Not so fast, if you’re reaching for the phone. Patients need to be carefully screened and treatment with Leqembi “should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease,” according to the FDA. “Screening is important,” Dr. Crawford notes and adds, “few will be eligible and you [the patient] have to be very early in the diagnosis.” The estimated start of their infusion clinic is April or May (www. roskampclinic.org). The drug, she adds, doesn’t cure or halt the advance of the disease, “but it does give you a few better months,” and that can mean a lot to families, caregivers and of course, patients. Alzheimer’s is not unique to any geographic area or group of people. “Alzheimer’s is everywhere,” she explains, and adds, “Age is the biggest risk factor.” That can be discouraging to read, but Dr. Crawford, who exudes calm as well as enthusiasm even after decades doing research, offers powerful advice. “The good news is what you can do” for your health such as carefully monitoring vascular diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. To that she adds, manage your weight, stay mentally active, eat a healthy diet and make sure you have social interaction whether they be friends or family or both. Oh, and be sure to also get a good night’s sleep. Dr. Crawford is a certified yoga instructor and leads a group at the Institute. That no doubt helps to keep her centered, but when asked about stress on the job she says “Yah, stressful,” but adds with a smile “it’s exciting. It’s my life.” What would reduce her stress and make her work easier would be to have to write less grants (she is working on <strong>24</strong> applications at present). They’re also time-consuming and take time away from research—something she’s much rather be doing. The Institute is a nonprofit and thus depends on funding from the likes of the National Institute of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration to name a few. They get no money from the state and grants only go so far. Just one confocal microscope for example, costs $250-$300,000 each, but would greatly help by producing high-contrast, high-resolution, and three-dimensional images of samples. “How do I move forward with what I find in the lab today?” she asks rhetorically and seems to answer her own question by stating that “Philanthropic support is critical.” We can talk about credentials - she has lots. We can talk about the extensive and dogged research going on at Roskamp Institute. We can also talk about the variety of disorders beyond Alzheimer’s that they are working on, but no doubt the burning question is inevitable: when will we have a cure or when will we be able to prevent Alzheimer’s? If you’re concerned about Alzheimer’s or any of the other disorders that The Roskamp Institute is researching, consider supporting their work. STORY: IMAGE: Louise Bruderle Evelyn England For more information or to make a donation call 941-256-8019. If you would like an assessment, their Roskamp Neurology Clinic can be reached at 941-256-8019 or visit www.roskampclinic.org/contact-us/ Be Confident in your Financial Decisions Choose an advisor you trust, who listens to your needs and coaches you on the next steps ahead. Call Amanda today 941.914.1560 Amanda E. Stiff, MBA Financial Advisor AccessAdvisorsLLC.com 941 914-1560 Astiff@AccessAdvisorsLLC.com 1800 Second Street Suite 895 Sarasota, FL 34236 1305 Langhorne Road Lynchburg, VA <strong>24</strong>503 Securities are offered through Level Four Financial, LLC a registered broker dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services are offered through Level Four Advisory Services, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. Level Four Financial, LLC, Level Four Advisory Services, LLC and Access Advisors, LLC are independent entities. Neither Level Four Financial, LLC, Level Four Advisory Services, LLC nor Access Advisors, LLC offer tax or legal advice. BEST MEDICINE, Inc. Longevity Medicine Hormone Therapy Second Opinions CAROL L. ROBERTS, M.D. 2106 Bispham Road • Sarasota, FL 34231 Phone: 941.404.8030 • www.bestmedicine.us MARCH 20<strong>24</strong> WEST COAST WOMAN 17
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