USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A February 27, 2017 Morning Consult opinion piece, by Jill Lesser of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, and Stephanie Monroe of AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s, speaks about two major advocacy campaigns underway in February: Black History Month and Heart Health Month. Race, gender and cardiovascular disease are all closely tied to Alzheimer’s, augmented with factors like hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. Lifestyle changes that improve heart health — such as diet, exercise and smoking cessation — also reduce the risk for dementia. Black women have the highest rates of diabetes and high blood pressure of any demographic group, yet scientific research and healthcare services often ignore these disparities. Effective advocacy requires three essential objectives: i) demand that sex-based studies become a research priority; ii) insist on inclusive, diverse clinical trials; and iii) eliminate systemic barriers at every stage of the biomedical process.

A February 24, 2017 PcorNet (National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network) post reported that the AD-PCPRN (National Alzheimer’s & Dementia Patient & Caregiver-Powered Research Network - one of 20 Patient-Powered PCORI Research Networks) helped shape a National Alzheimer’s Summit in Washington, DC last year. AD-PCPRN harnesses the collaboration of patients, caregivers and researchers to drive patient-centered AD research. The 2016 National Alzheimer’s Summit was a three-day event organized to bring together the best Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers. AD-PCPRN’s Advisory Councils include patients and caregivers, and experts in the fields of communications, registries and clinical trials, all of which are priority concerns for UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2), a core partner and lead organization within AD-PCPRN. UsA2 hosted the summit, as well as Diversifying the Race for a Cure, a pre-Summit pilot convening on disparities in AD care. There will be a 2017 summit and convening.

MUST READS

A February 24, 2017 Mashable article reported that a group of UK researchers say they've spotted the molecular "tipping point" explaining sugar's ties to Alzheimer's disease. Their findings provide further evidence that there might be a link between high blood sugar levels and AD, though they don't prove sugar as an outright cause. "Excess sugar is well known to be bad for us when it comes to diabetes and obesity. But this potential link with Alzheimer's disease is yet another reason that we should be controlling our sugar intake in our diets,“ said Omar Kassaar, Biologist, University of Bath. Previous research has shown that glucose, and its related breakdown products, can damage proteins in the body's cells, but scientists have lacked an understanding of the specific molecular link. The study was published in the journal, Scientific Reports.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

A February 21, 2017 MedPage Today video segment interviewed Dr. Ronald Petersen, of the Mayo Clinic, questioning if the amyloid hypothesis for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is dead, in light of the recent drug trial failures. Dr. Peterson contents that it is still a viable hypothesis being investigated by many researchers, and is still the primary therapy target currently being developed by most pharmaceutical companies. He explains that we're moving toward earlier and earlier identification of the disease process and intervention, and ultimately, prevention.

CAREGIVER CORNER

A February 26, 2017 Lincoln Journal Star article reported that since there is no treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving is the best thing we have right now, according to Dr. Steven Bonasera, Associate Professor, Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Nebraska Medical Center. But caregiving comes at a great cost to the care partner and depression is common. Most caregivers neglect their own health and needs, and some drop out of the workforce to provide full-time care. “Not only does it (dementia) cost a lot of money but gives families a lot of problems. The morbidity and the suffering it creates on families is very, very high,” Bonasera said. The University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco received a $10 million, three-year grant create a “Dementia Care Ecosystem: Using Innovative Technologies to Personalize and Deliver Coordinated Dementia Care." It is one of six studies underway through the Medicare/Medicaid grant program.