USA2 SPOTLIGHT

Please take our A-LIST survey to share your opinion on whether churches, synagogues and other faith communities should be welcoming, engaging and accommodating to those with dementia and their caregivers. Dementia Friendly America, paired with UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Faith Coalition, is planning a national campaign to engage faith communities across the country. A-LIST is a UsA2 initiative.

MUST READS

An April 10, 2018 Medical Xpress article reported that the "NIA-AA Research Framework: Towards a Biological Definition of Alzheimer's Disease" is a newly proposed "biological construct" framework for developing a biologically-based definition of Alzheimer's disease. According to NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, MD, “In the context of continuing evolution of Alzheimer's research and technologies, the proposed research framework is a logical next step to help the scientific community advance in the fight against Alzheimer’s.” Also covered by ABC News, Reuters, The Daily Star, and others.

According to an April 9, 2018 New Scientist article, researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that one night of poor sleep has a detectable effect on the level of beta-amyloid in the brain, a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Poor sleep quality is linked to AD, and people with Alzheimer’s often experience disrupted sleep, sometimes for years prior to symptoms. “There is growing evidence of a link between disrupted sleep and Alzheimer’s disease, but it is difficult to tease apart cause and effect to determine whether sleep problems might cause Alzheimer’s brain changes, or vice-versa,” said David Reynolds of Alzheimer’s Research UK. Also covered by Quartz, and others.

The National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging blog post put out a call for ideas in creating a national strategy enhancing recruitment and retention of Alzheimer’s disease study participants. To develop the “National Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Research Recruitment and Participation,” the NIA needs the help of stakeholders to formulate the strategy and assist in implementation. Utilizing the IdeaScale crowdsourcing platform, the NIA seeks public comment on ideas generated by working groups, as well as novel ideas.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

An April 5, 2018 UDK (The University Daily Kansan) article spotlighted a $1.4 million donation made in 2018 to the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center. The center has drug development programs, drug testing programs, and diet and exercise lifestyle interventions. According to Michelle Tevis, “This donation was remarkable because several people and foundations came together to make it happen for the specific purpose of expanding the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center’s research and capacity for clinical trials.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

An April 3, 2018 Business Insider article spotlighted “#HAYFT” or 'How are you feeling today?' interactive online tool for caregivers. The tool was created so caregivers know that they are not alone, and that others feel like they feel. According to Allyson Kinsley of Elizz, the tool’s creator, “From the Americas to Australia, Asia to Europe, and Africa, family caregivers are sharing their feelings with us and others. We hope they feel better just knowing they are not alone."

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

An April 9, 2018 Fierce Biotech article named vTv Therapeutics' azeliragon as the latest failed Alzheimer’s disease drug trial for patients with mild AD. It missed both of its co-primary endpoints in a phase 3 trial. vTv is stopping all ongoing clinical studies of azeliragon. Stocks of the company plummeted 66% in after-hours trading. Also covered by Xconomy, Endpoints News, Business Insider, and others.

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Join The American Society on Aging’s free roundtable, “Ending Ageism & Reframing Aging - Your Role as an Advocate” on April 18, 2018 in Washington. “In our youth-obsessed culture, aging is primarily understood as a personal fate to avoid, not a social issue that demands a public response. The Toolkit, training videos and web seminars have been designed to help advocates change the conversation on aging, trigger public thinking towards sparking dialogue, shift perceptions, and build support for necessary policy changes.” Register here.