When the School Sisters of Notre Dame agreed in 1991 to participate in the Alzheimer's study, 678 sisters volunteered to allow access to their records to submit to regular physical and mental tests and interviews, and to donate their brains to science. They hoped to help the world understand Alzheimer's disease and perhaps how to prevent or control it.

News Update  101 year-old SSND honored at University of Kentucky

Dr. Snowdon, and Nun Study participants, Sisters Genevieve Kunkel (left) and Coralie Ullrich.

Some significant conclusions regarding Alzheimer's disease have already been verified by Dr. Snowdon at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University
of Kentucky, with which Dr. Snowdon is associated. Mental activity helps prevent Alzheimer's biological causes of the disease that exist long before symptoms occur. Stroke and other vascular episodes are linked
to the onset of the disease.

The University of Kentucky at Lexington has been entrusted with the brain bank. More than 500 sisters who have donated their brains to this treasure house.
Of the original sisters in the study, there are currently 76 sisters still in the program; the youngest is 90 years old.

As science progresses, new questions arise and open avenues of investigation through the use of the library and brain bank. There are endless lessons to be learned from the gifts of these SSND sisters who continue to teach even after they depart this earthly life.

If you would like to learn more about The Nun Study click on the links below.

The Nun Study, Official University of Kentucky Site

Offering an Education in Aging : Nuns who spent their
careers teaching give lessons through Alzheimer's study

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