Activities The Center has moved rapidly from planning to implementation. Proposals were considered from 8 collaborative groups in Israel, each headed by a prominent researcher and encompassing a number of experts in the field. The proposals were reviewed in detail by the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Center which includes prominent scientists from Israel and overseas. The project proposed by Professor Dani Michaelson (Tel Aviv University), Dr Yoav Chapman (Tel Aviv University) and Dr. D. (Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School) was chosen for support. The title of the project is "Crosstalk Between Inflammatory and Genetic Mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease". The official inauguration of the Harry Stern National Center for Research and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders was held on May 20, 1998. The keynote speaker was Professor Konrad Beyreuther, a renowned international authority on amyloid protein, which is a key pathological entity in Alzheimer's disease. Professor Michaelson presented an overview of the Harry Stern National Project. Presentations were made by Professor Gutfreund, outgoing President of the Hebrew University, to Mrs. Blanch Prince who represented Harry Stern at the ceremony. A joint symposium on Bio-Medical and Psychosocial Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease was held on January 24th,2000 in Tel Aviv University Campus, Beth Hatefutsoth. The speakers were: Dr. E. Wertman, The neurobehavioral basis in the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Prof. A.D. Korczyn, The genetics of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. J. Chapman, The role of inflammatory mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease. Prof. D.M. Michaelson, Cellular and animals models of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. Prof. M. Weinstock-Rosin, Beneficial effects of cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of dementia. Prof. M. Powell Lawton, Quality of Life and the End of Life. Dr. K. Van Haitsma, Innovations in psychosocial care delivery for persons with dementia: Institutions. Mrs. A. Saperstein, Innovations in the design of physical environments for persons with dementia. Dr. K. Ruckdeschel, Innovations in psychosocial care delivery for persons with dementia: Home care. Dr. A. Glicksman, Socio-demographic influences on decision making by family caregivers for the demented: Implications for program innovation.