The hike up Kilimanjaro is likely very gruelling and tough. However, that short term challenge pales in comparison to the constant daily difficulties faced by those with dementia, and their families.

A little bit about me. My name is Mirza Faisal Beg. I am an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering Science at Simon Fraser University. I got my undergraduate degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in Electrical Engineering, MS from Boston University and PhD from the Johns Hopkins University in Biomedical Engineering. My expertise is in signal and image processing and the design of algorithms.

I am currently researching methods for the early detection of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, for which currently there are no good tests. Tests of memory recall and logical reasoning are unreliable to detect small changes that happen when the disease has just started. Hence, diagnosis currently occurs when the disease has advanced considerably and caused significant damage to the brain.

My approach is to use MR images of the brain to measure the properties of different parts of the brain and create a profile or ‘signature’ of changes seen in brains affected by Alzheimer’s disease. There is preliminary evidence to show that these signatures will allow the early detection of the onset of the disease and could lead to a good, objective test based on measurements from brain MR images.

I consider it a privilege to be a part of the Ascent for Alzheimer’s team and fund raise for the Alzheimer society of British Columbia. All of the donations made to my fund raising go entirely to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia, and none go to me. I will pay for the expenses of the travel to Kilimanjaro and the hike by my own funds.

Thank you for reading this request, and potentially donating to the Alzheimer Society of BC. Donations can be made by cheque payable to the “Alzheimer Society of BC” or by credit card at this secure web-page by clicking on "support me" button below.

To learn more about me and my research, please visit my webpage at http://www.ensc.sfu.ca/~mfbeg. I can be contacted at email mfbeg@sfu.ca, or phone 778-782-5696.

Thank you for supporting the Alzheimer society of BC.