Maria Shriver on Alzheimer's Disease

Editor's note: On Jan. 18, 2011, R. Sargent Shriver, founder of the U.S. Peace Corps and Maria Shriver's father, died at age 95.

In 2009, HBO presented a four-part examination of the toll taken by Alzheimer's disease on America today. The series spent significant time exploring the promise that a cure can be found in time to ward off an epidemic of the disease.

Mike Cuthbert talked with Maria Shriver — co-executive producer of the specials and producer of a segment on talking to kids about Alzheimer's — in this emotional, frank and in-depth interview.

Did the former first lady of California want to know whether her genes predispose her to Alzheimer's? How did she feel about visiting her distinguished father, R. Sargent Shriver, only to have to reintroduce herself each time?

Why does Shriver believe so passionately about educating children regarding the emotional and physical ravages of Alzheimer's?

Watch the video excerpt above, then listen to the complete audio version of the interview.