Pat Summitt to Keep Coaching Despite Dementia Diagnosis

Aug. 24, 2011— -- Pat Summitt plans to keep coaching women's college basketball despite her diagnoses of early-onset dementia, she said.

In a statement to the University of Tennessee and her Lady Vol basketball team, Summitt. 59, said she would not let Alzheimer's-type dementia force her into early retirement.

"I love being your coach, and the privilege to go to work every day with our outstanding Lady Vol basketball student-athletes."

After months of memory lapses, Summitt recently visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where doctors diagnosed her having with a rare form of Alzheimer's-type dementia that strikes people younger than 65, who often have a family history of Alzheimer's disease.

But the tough Tennessee native, who has won more games in her 36-year coaching career than any other college coach ever, won't give up easily.

"Obviously, I realize I may have some limitations with this condition, since there will be some good days and some bad days," she said. "For that reason, I will be relying on my outstanding coaching staff like never before."

Dementia risk increases with age. Alzheimer's disease -- the commonest form of dementia -- affects up to half of people older than 85. But early-onset dementia poses special problems for younger, otherwise healthy people, many of whom balance busy jobs and young families.

"Learning about the disease when people have mild symptoms is very important in terms of planning the future, maximizing their ability to work and have appropriate supports in their jobs," said Dr. Steven DeKosky, a neurologist and dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.