Native Islander, pioneering scientist in Alzheimer’s research to be recognized

Katherine (Livingstone) Bick, a native of Clyde River, P.E.I., will be a special guest speaker at the annual NeuroConX neuroscience conference public lecture to be held this Sunday evening at the Delta Prince Edward.

Bick organized the first North American meeting on senile dementia and related disorders in 1977, participated in early research and became a renowned author and editor in the field. Along with other colleagues, her work represented the transformation in thinking that senility was not a condition of ageing but a disease with profound impact on patients and their families.

Conference chairman Rory Francis, executive director of the P.E.I. BioAlliance, says that conference organizers were pleased to have recently discovered that a native Islander was a pioneer and international leader in the understanding and research of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative disease research and related therapy development has been one of the key areas of focus of the P.E.I. bioscience sector over the past 10 years since the P.E.I. BioAlliance was formed, says Francis.

“To find out that Dr. Bick was a pioneer in advancing the recognition of Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases almost 40 years ago is humbling and important for us as Islanders to recognize,” Francis said.

Bick said that in the early days the impetus for attention to Alzheimer's disease came from the families who were living with loved ones, including her and her colleagues. Her own mother had Lewy Body Dementia.

"I have returned home each summer to the Island since the 1970s. This year, I especially look forward to meeting the P.E.I. bioscience community and researchers and companies advancing the knowledge and treatment of these devastating diseases," said Bick.

The public lecture will get underway at 7 p.m. at the Delta Prince Edward.

It will also feature Benjamin Wolozin, professor of pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, who will present "What causes Dementia and Parkinson's disease and what we can do about it."

Anyone who wishes to attend this free lecture is asked to RSVp by calling the P.E.I. BioAlliance at 902-367-4407 or emailing sarah@peibioalliance.com. Refreshments will be served.