Harnessing the Energy of the Asia Pacific

A trend has emerged in dementia research in recent years. Research groups have developed and grown in the Asia-Pacific region such that Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders now receives almost half of its submitted papers from these areas of the world. This is a reflection of both sheer numbers and undeniable energy. In order to showcase this new thrust, we have devoted this special issue to papers from these varied lands: some which were solicited and others which were submitted contributions. For this work, Professor Tse Pin Ng of Singapore has been our invaluable guest editor. Some papers have come from new groups with fresh attempts at publishing in the international sphere. Other contributions have come from experienced clinics and laboratories with well-developed points of view and direction. Together, we see an unambiguous thrust of massive energies to many varied approaches in dementia research. There are approaches to geriatric home and health in countries where personal care is still very affordable in contrast to the lack of such care in older industrialized economies which have gone towards institutionalized care for the cognitively impaired. In other regions of the Asia Pacific there is competence in molecular biology, for example. In general, all the researchers in this vast area of the world are aware of their special interests, and indulge in developing serious means of grappling with the problems of looming elderly populations with or without large governmental input. Most importantly, we note that a lot of the research is conducted by multiple individuals in larger groups rather than small groups, and by multiple groups stitched together from different countries. Some research is introspective, the rest decidedly outward directed. There is full awareness of the international aspects of their individual and collective endeavors. As visionary as we believe this issue is, we also know that it is the reality. Dementia research is an international preoccupation and the Asia-Pacific region is a significant participant in these pursuits, to which we must give full attention. Prof. V. Chan-Palay Editor-in-Chief Published online: January 20, 2011