Muscat: About 1,000 people took part in the walkathon held on Monday evening to create awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, a healthy lifestyle and road safety in Oman.
The 3.2-km walk around the Sultan Qaboos Sports Stadium in the Baushar suburb of Muscat had people from all walks of life joining students from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Indian School Muscat and Indian School Ghubra as well as those affected by Alzheimer’s and their families.
The walkathon titled ‘Your Mind Matters, Remember 2013’ was organised by the Ageing and Dementia Research Group at SQU in association with SQU Hospital (SQUH). The Oman Alzheimer’s Society was also launched during the event.
Dr Abdullah Al Asmi, director general at SQUH and co-principal researcher with the group, said that the research project will work towards raising awareness on Alzheimer’s.
He also pointed out that the Oman Alzheimer’s Society, approved by the Ministry of Social Development, was an initiative by the Ageing and Dementia Research Group at SQU and it was part of the Oman Association of Friends of the Elderly.
Dr Mohamed Eisa, principal researcher of Ageing and Dementia Research Group, appreciated the tireless efforts of Dr Hamed Al Senawi, Dr Ragini Vaishnav, Roopa Koshy and other SQU staff for making the event a success.
The Ageing and Dementia Research Group comprises faculty members from the departments of Food Science and Nutrition, Neurology Unit of Medicine, Behavioural Medicine, Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, and Pathology. Currently this group is working on a research project funded by the Research Council Oman (TRC) to study the effect of dietary supplementation of fruits grown in Oman on Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
