USA2 SPOTLIGHT

Listen to the latest On Pluto podcast, “Going to Pluto.” The On Pluto podcast is a weekly release from Greg O'Brien, produced by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, as part of our commitment to elevate the voices of people living with Alzheimer's disease. In this latest episode, Greg reveals why he talks about “Pluto" in connection to Alzheimer’s.

MUST READS

A July 25, 2018 The New York Times article spotlighted the results announced yesterday at AAIC in Chicago on the BAN2401 drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This marks the first time in a large clinical trial that a drug slowed the progression of dementia and reduced plaques in the brains of people with mild cognitive impairment or mild AD. According to the article, “Dr. Samuel Gandy, associate director of the Mount Sinai Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, said that for the drug to really be effective, it would have to allow patients to function longer independently without needing caregivers to help them with basic daily activities. That kind of practical application was not reflected in the data presented Wednesday." Also covered by NBC News and Fortune.

According to a July 25, 2018 Reuters article, shares of Eisai fell by as much as 21 percent after results of its mid-stage BAN2401 Alzheimer’s drug was announced yesterday at AAIC in Chicago. Patients with early-stage AD experienced 30 percent less cognitive decline than those with a placebo, yet the second-highest dose did not meet statistical significance. “In order to show the clinical efficacy we need to reach a certain degree of amyloid beta clearance... until you reach that threshold you will not see the clinical signs,” said Masanori Tsuno of Eisai. Also covered by Market Watch.

A July 25, 2018 Forbes article reported that San Francisco-based startup Alector is developing drugs using immunotherapy to fight dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The company has raised upwards of $400 million and just announced two new AD drug candidates. According to CEO Arnon Rosenthal, “It's the first time that someone is trying to deal with multiple pathologies at the same time. And I think this, combined with the fact that the human genetics tells us that this is where we should be, is what we think is going to significantly increase the likelihood that we will succeed.” Also covered by San Francisco Business Times and San Francisco Chronicle.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A July 25, 2018 Scientific American article spotlighted four new studies exploring the liver–brain connection, including the link between diet and brain health. The liver builds fats that the brain needs, and many genes tied to Alzheimer’s disease are linked to fat production or transport, including the APOE ε4 gene. According to the article, “Together, these four studies seem to draw a dotted line from the gut microbiome to the liver to the brain. But right now what lies from point to point is a black box.” Also covered by Science Daily.