Alzheimer, one of the most common dementia diseases today, is known to cause a decrease in thought, memory and behavioral functions. Every year, September 21 is commemorated as “World Alzheimer’s Day” to raise awareness about the disease. Near East University discussed “Alzheimer” with the experts it brought together from Turkey and TRNC in the symposium organized on September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day.

The “World Alzheimer’s Day Symposium”, organized by the Near East University DESAM Research Institute Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, was held with the intense participation of medical doctors, academicians and students who are experts in their fields. In the symposium, issues related to the emergence of Alzheimer’s, its current course and its awareness in the TRNC were discussed. Issues such as diagnosis and treatment of the disease and international cutting-edge treatment methods were also brought to the agenda.

At the opening of the symposium, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, DESAM Research Institute Founding Member and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group leader Prof. Dr. Seda Vatansever and DESAM Research Institute Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cenk Serhan Özverel made speeches. At the end of the symposium, certificates of appreciation were presented to the participants.

Participation from home and abroad…
İzlem Sönmez, President of the Alzheimer Association, attended the symposium and gave a speech titled “Alzheimer’s in Northern Cyprus”, and also gave information about the founding purpose of the association, its various studies and goals. Participating in the symposium from Turkey, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Faculty of Medicine Physiology Department Lecturer Assist. Prof. Dr. Derya Deniz Kanan made the presentation “In Vivo Experimental Models in Alzheimer’s Research”.

Also at the symposium, Near East University Faculty of Medicine and Near East University Hospital Department of Neurology Specialist Dr. Özlem Önder made a presentation titled “Alzheimer; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”; Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences Assistant Lecturer. Assist. Prof. Dr. Gülşen Özduran made a presentation titled “Lifestyle Change in Alzheimer’s Management: The Importance of Nutrition”, Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy and Head of the Department of Pharmacology Prof. Dr. Nurettin Abacıoğlu contributed with his presentations on “Drug Targets in Alzheimer’s Treatment”.

From Near East University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Müjgan Kuşi and Dr. Fatma Hacet talked about her studies on “In Vitro Models” in the “Experimental Models in Alzheimer’s Research” session.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ: “Our activities will continue within the scope of enlightening the society and serving the society.”
Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasized that one of the most important missions of universities is to enlighten the society and said, “We aimed to contribute to the sharing of knowledge of scientists and enlightenment of the society by addressing Alzheimer’s, which is one of the most common neurological diseases that affects many people today.”

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ also said that Near East University will continue such activities that will bring society together with science, and also thanked the medical doctors, academicians and students who contributed to the symposium.