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protein from the brain. Currently, this is a very active area of research. The other biological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is the development of the neurofibrillary tangle in the brain. Alzheimer's disease has been character- ized as a "plaque and tangle disease," and identification of these two entities in the brain has led to the potential for early treatment. The neurofibrillary tangle is comprised of the protein, tau, and we are developing techniques to detect tau in the brain in much the same way as we have done with amyloid. PET scanning has been developed to enable us to see the tau protein buildup in the brain of normal individuals. In addition, with a lumbar puncture, we can see evidence of the tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid, as well. These findings give us the opportunity to view the two major determinants of the disease process early in its course. Therapies for the treatment of the tau protein lag behind those for amyloid but are very much on the radar screen of scientists. We are hopeful that we will be able to, in the not too distant future, identify people who are at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, possibly by obtain- ing these biomarkers on individuals when they are normal, and then intervening with effective therapies. By attacking the disease as early as possible, we will potentially be able to delay the onset of clinical symptoms or possibly even prevent them if we are successful. This approach will have a significant impact on the numbers of individuals who will develop the disease in the future; and with the aging of America, this is becoming a public health priority. While much work remains to be done, we continue to see significant progress toward developing effective therapies for Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Petersen is considered an inter- national expert in Alzheimer's disease, early-onset dementia and related neu- rodegenerative diseases. In addition to directing the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic's Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Dr. Petersen also chairs the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services. ■ people with dementia | professionals | care partners | family | friends engage. connect. learn. M E E T I N G OF THE D E M E N T I A C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 1 5 MINDS St. Paul RiverCentre Learn more and register at alz.org/mnnd 3.14.15 engage.connect.learn. #ALZminds KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Michael W. Weiner, M.D. Professor of Radiology, Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neurology, UCSF, SFVAMC Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases John Zeisel, Ph.D. President and co-founder of the I'm Still Here Foundation and Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, Ltd. ON MARCH 14, Mayo Clinic and the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota– North Dakota Chapter present the Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference 2015 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Keynote presenter, Michael Weiner, MD, has been doing research for over 45 years and is the Principle Investigator of Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a 10-year national longitudinal study of over 1,500 subjects which is aimed at validating biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Weiner's overall research goal is to participate in the development of effective treatments and methods for early detection of Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders. Join profession- als, caregivers and people with early stage dementia for a day of education and information. Learn more and register at alz.org/mnnd or by calling 952-857-0548. M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Minnesota | 1 7