Joan ... Yes, I have heard about the high incidence of Alzheimer's in the village of Frank -- particularly early-onset Alzheimer's. (Don't recall off-hand how this is defined. Pre-age-60?) My grandmother, nee BAUER, was afflicted, and after her death in 1988, I voluntarily provided information about that fact to the University of Washington Alzheimer's Disease Research when I read that they were initiating statistical studies of this Volga genetic community. Later my grandmother's sister provided a blood sample herself for the study. We accepted the understanding that there would never be any feedback about individuals per se -- that the studies were statistical only. The research has progressed greatly, I believe, over the years in identifying some gene markers for the early-onset disease, and perhaps other types of Alzheimer's and dementia in this gene pool as well. I continue to receive the ADRC quarterly newsletter, "Dimensions", and can provide contact information if you or anyone else on the list is interested to be in touch with them. I have found them to be very responsive. Jennifer David -----Original Message----- From: ger-volga-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ger-volga-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of J Welch Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 4:42 PM To: GER-VOLGA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GV] Beet topping season Dennis, My story is probably a sad one about sugar beets. ... This brings me to a question for the list. Years ago I seem to recall hearing that a study had been done about Alzheimer's (dementia) with the Germans from Russia. The villages of Walter and Frank had an unusually high ratio of it as I recall. Any one have any more information about this? Joan