USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A February 9, 2018 The Ripon Advance article highlighted the CHANGE Act (Concentrating on High-value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End Act), introduced by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would tackle Alzheimer’s disease on multiple fronts to find a cure. According to UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Co-Founder and Chairman George Vradenburg, “The CHANGE Act fosters multiple approaches to improving research, treatment and care that are “essential to moving us closer to getting innovative treatments to more families affected by the disease.” ” Co-founder of Women Against Alzheimer’s Helen Matheny said, “The new bill continues to make Sen. Capito “a champion for the millions of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers here in West Virginia and across the country.” ”

A January 31, 2018 The John A. Hartford Foundation post spotlighted an expert panel discussion, “Living Well with Dementia” in Washington, DC on February 13 at 12:30pm. It will address the challenges and difficulties facing patients, caregivers, communities and policymakers. The panel includes Yvonne Latty BFA, MA, journalist, professor and LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's advisor. Register here for the free event. 

MUST READS

A February 6, 2018 Being Patient article cited a report by the Human Rights Watch called “They Want Docile.” It says “the misuse of antipsychotic drugs for dementia patients, which are not meant to treat dementia, is the equivalent of “chemical restraints.” ” Most patients receiving the drugs have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, and nursing homes often misinterpret what may be signs of pain as unruly behavior. The patients were given antipsychotics without their knowledge or consent.

MUST WATCH

Watch the This Dementia Life Podcast Episode 2 from Dementia Action Alliance featuring author, journalist and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Board member Greg O’Brien, who writes and speaks about his experiences with Alzheimer’s disease. The program is hosted by Brian LeBlanc, who is living with dementia, and produced by Mike Belleville, also living with dementia.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

According to a February 12, 2018 Nasdaq GlobeNewswire news release, the Global Alzheimer Disease Report 2018 states that as of last month, there are more than 1,800 Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials on the US Government clinical trials website. Current AD research aims to elucidate the basic pathomechanisms of the disease, and over 300 compounds are at various stages of development for its treatment. 

YOUTH FOCUS

A February 7, 2018 CISION PR Newswire news release spotlighted the "Do You Care Challenge" interactive online tool which gives people a sense of "a day in the life" of a family caregiver. AARP and United Way Worldwide created the tool to raise awareness about the number of millennials (18–34) who are family caregivers, and encourage employers to create more caregiving-friendly environments. 25% of family caregivers are millennials under age 35, and on average have been caring for a loved one for nearly three years. 

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A February 12, 2018 Alzheimer’s News Today article reported that CTD Holdings and the Kerwin Research Center are considering a partnership to collaborate on cyclodextrins, cholesterol-lowering therapies, as possible Alzheimer’s disease treatments. The cyclodextrins are sugar molecules that can bind with and extract cholesterol, and preclinical-trials studies show they protect nerve cells. High cholesterol is a risk factor for AD, and cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce progression of the disease. According to N. Scott Fine of CTD, “With this research program, we continue to innovate, exploring the use of our cyclodextrin technology platform for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.”