Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of death among older adults in the U.S., affecting an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older. This number is projected to more than double to over 13 million by 2050 if no effective treatments are discovered. Arizona’s growing senior population places our community at even greater risk for this devastating disease.
The Fluid Biomarker Program at Banner Sun Health Research Institute is at the forefront of research that will significantly impact the study of Alzheimer’s and related disorders. The program focuses on accelerating the evaluation of prevention therapies, as well as improving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these disorders in clinical settings.
Led by experts in the development of fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and related disorders, the program utilizes data and biological samples from the Brain and Body Donation Program and other research cohorts. These resources are crucial for developing and testing new assays. The program also provides an widely shared collection of blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples that supports the global advancement of biomarker assays.
To make a donation, click here or call 602-747-GIVE (4483).
This program - designed to detect, track, diagnose and study Alzheimer’s disease, other neurodegenerative diseases and cerebrovascular disease - includes the Michael T. Zuendel Family Biomarker Laboratory, named in recognition of this generous contribution.
For Mike Zuendel, this cause is extremely personal. He lost both of his parents to Alzheimer’s and was himself diagnosed with the disease in 2020.
“My first symptoms were short-term memory loss and word finding and loss of concentration ability, loss of focus,” he shared.
Thanks to a relatively early diagnosis, Zuendel became one of the first people in the U.S. outside of a clinical trial to receive the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm shortly after it was approved by the FDA. He reports that the treatment is working and that his symptoms are improving. Today, he is committed to advocating for broader and more equitable access to diagnosis and care.
Now, Zuendel is paying it forward. He advocates both nationally and internationally for progress toward ending Alzheimer’s, serves on the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation Board of Directors and partners with the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute to help advance research with real-world, global impact.
“My diagnosis was far from an ending; it opened a new chapter of my life,” Zuendel said. “I got to know other people living with the disease. I got involved with the advocacy community. I learned that life doesn’t stop.”
Sign in to Patient Account
