Metro news for Wednesday

Atlantans Sarah and Jim Kennedy and their family foundations have given $5 million to Emory University for innnovative research into slowing and possibly preventing Alzheimer's disease. Allan Levey, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Emory and chair of the university's Department of Neurology, will spearhead the work, which he describes as "unlike any project to date." The work will focus on the brain inflammation that is triggered by the build-up and over-accumulation of the protein amyloid, a key signature of Alzheimer's disease, and whether that can be counteracted with increases of the hormone and neotransmitter norepinephrine. "We then can investigate whether drugs can achieve that goal and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease," Levey said. "This research is headed toward prevention, as ultimately we aim to begin treatments and stop the disease before any symptoms begin." NANCY BADERTSCHER

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The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has appointed a new director of Clemency and Parole Selection, the person, who oversees the the division responsible for investigating the cases of inmates to help the board determine who will actually be paroled.