MUST READS

An April 7, 2019 New Atlas article looked at new research on the link between gum disease caused by Pg (Porphyromonas gingivalis) and Alzheimer’s, from scientists at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and the University in Krakow (Poland). They found the toxins are linked with other health conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and aspiration pneumonia. “People with genetic risk factors that make them susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis or Alzheimer's disease should be extremely concerned with preventing gum disease,” said Jan Potempa, PhD, DSc of U of L. The experimental drug COR388, developed to block gingipain activity, thereby reducing neuroinflammation and blocking amyloid protein production, is currently in phase one clinical trials, with phase two and three human trials planned. Also covered by Science Daily.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE  

An April 7, 2019 Times Now News article pointed to a recent study utilizing OCT angiography, a new type of non-invasive technology employing an infrared camera, which diagnoses Alzheimer’s disease by detecting vascular changes in the back of the eye. According to researcher Dr. Amani Fawzi, “Ideally the retinal findings would correlate well with other brain biomarkers. Long-term studies are also important to see if the retinal capillaries will change more dramatically in those who progressively decline and develop Alzheimer's dementia.” Also covered by Medical Express.

According to an April 5, 2019 U.S. News article, studies show that anti-inflammatories did not help patients already showing symptoms of cognitive decline, so researchers looked into prevention. They tested NSAID naproxen on participants with family histories of Alzheimer’s but with no reported cognitive issues. The study, published in the American Academy of Neurology, showed the drug to be ineffective in affecting disease development. Also covered by Saskatoon Star Phoenix.

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

An April 5, 2019 MyFox8 broadcast segment spotlighted a clinical trial, Physical Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease 2 study (PAAD2), currently recruiting at the University of North Carolina. The trial will investigate the impact of one-year of physical activity for participants with a family history of AD. “We know that physical activity helps everybody, we know that it helps cognition for kids, young adults, and older adults, so now we're looking at this population,” said principal study investigator Dr. Jenny Etnier.

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s “Diagnostics Accelerator: Digital Biomarkers” announced a request for proposals for projects developing and validating digital biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Digital biomarkers are objective, quantifiable physiological and behavioral data collected, measured and analyzed by digital devices. Funding is open to researchers and clinicians worldwide at academic medical centers, universities, nonprofits and biotech companies. Click here to get started.