Profiles
Helen Hovdesven
Arne & Helen Hovdesven
In 2003, after being diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s, my husband,
Arne, enrolled in the Brain
Donation Program at Johns
Hopkins. He wanted to play
an integral part in medicine for
future generations.We had no
idea at the time how important
this would be to our family.
Memory and Aging Study
Brain Donation Program
Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Clinical Core
Directions to Johns Hopkins Bayview
From points South (including BWI Airport):
Take I-295 north or I-95 north to the Harbor
Tunnel Thruway (I-895). After exiting the tunnel,
take exit 12 (Lombard St.). At the first stop light,
proceed straight onto Bayview Blvd.
When Arne died, by conducting a brain exam, doctors
were able to provide a definitive diagnosis. Meeting with
the doctor to hear the results provided important information that gave my family and me closure and peace.
From points North and East:
Take I-95 south to I-895 south to exit 12
(Lombard St.). At the first stop light, turn right
onto Bayview Blvd.
Arne’s participation will help improve the care of patients
with dementia and, someday, find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
From East Baltimore or Dundalk Area:
Take Eastern Ave. At the first stoplight, turn onto
Bayview Blvd. (Make left if coming from East Baltimore, right from Dundalk).
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I enrolled in this program to help researchers understand how the brain changes as people age. Even if I am
not diagnosed with dementia, I am helping doctors better understand the difference between normal memory
loss and dementia, and the transition from one to the
other. I believe that future generations will benefit from
this research.
Bayview
Medical
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Francis Scott
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At this point in my life, I do not have memory problems
or dementia.
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Joan Philips
Direction Line: 410–550–5748
B AY
I enrolled in the Brain
Donation Program at
Johns Hopkins because my mother had
dementia and possibly
Alzheimer’s. By conducting a brain exam,
doctors will be able to
test my brain tissue and
determine if I also have Minnie Smoot (left) & Joan Phillips
any physical evidence of
the same problem. This information will help my children
understand their risk of getting dementia and also help
researchers find better treatments.
Brain Donation Program
I-8
Minnie Smoot
Memory and Aging Study
AVENUE
Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease
Research Center Clinical Core
5300 Alpha Commons Drive
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-550-9021
www.alzresearch.org
Spreading the gift of knowledge by solving the
mysteries of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss
that occurs due to aging.
Help Combat Alzheimer’s Disease
and Memory Loss:
Join the Brain Donation Program
The Memory and Aging study sponsored by the
Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Center Clinical Core is conducting research to
better understand memory loss that occurs due
to aging and to find better ways to treat, cure and
ultimately prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain donation at the time of death is one of
the most important and generous gifts a patient
with Alzheimer’s disease and his or her family
can make.
Brain donations from older individuals who do
not suffer from Alzheimer’s or cognitive impairment also are important to help us better understand changes in memory and behavior that
occur due to aging.
Why Brain Donation Is Important
• Brain donation and examination is the only way
to reach a definite diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or similar dementia, which provides valuable insight and closure to loved ones.
• An opportunity for patients and loved ones to
provide a gift of hope to future generations in
the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, brain
donation provides valuable information that can
be used in developing better treatments for
future patients.
• Brain donation from people without symptoms
of memory loss will help advance efforts to
prevent Alzheimer’s disease and similar dementias, by providing important information
that might make early intervention possible.
Making the Decision
Cost of Brain Donation
Brain donation is a decision that individuals and
their families can make only after thoughtful
consideration. Members of the Johns Hopkins
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Clinical Core
staff are available to talk with you and answer your
questions.
Brain donation does not cost anything. The Johns
Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Clinical Core will pay for all expenses involved
with brain donation. Your family is responsible
only for the cost of funeral arrangements.
The time to start thinking about brain donation is
now, while you can still discuss this decision with
your loved ones. Take some time to think about
these factors:
• Diagnosis—Currently, Alzheimer’s disease and
related conditions only can be diagnosed with
100 percent certainty through a brain examination after death.
• Concerns about genetic factors—If other
family members develop Alzheimer’s disease or
related disorders in the future, having a confirmed diagnosis from someone who is ill now is
important, especially when treatment becomes
available.
• Religious or cultural concerns—Religious or
cultural factors may influence attitudes toward
brain donation. Individuals may want to consult
with religious leaders in their community.
• Benevolence—Brain donation often helps family members feel that they have provided a gift
of hope to future generations, by contributing to
finding a cure.
Joining the Program
Every participant of the Memory & Aging study is
eligible to join the program, including people with
or without memory problems. If you are not already a Memory & Aging study participant, please
let us know if you are interested in joining.
Making Arrangements
The Memory & Aging study staff is readily available to discuss brain donation with you and your
loved ones.
A completed brain donation registration form,
available at the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease
Research Center Clinical Core, is all that is needed
to participate in the program.
To be sure that your wishes will be honored, it
is important to make the necessary arrangements
well in advance and to inform your family and
loved ones of your donation decision.
For more information about the Brain
Donation Program, call the Johns Hopkins
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Clinical
Core at 410-550-9021.