USA2 SPOTLIGHT

Come to Chicago on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 for Surviving Grace. From UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Co-Founder, Trish Vradenburg, her quasi-autobiographical play was produced at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Off Broadway at the Union Square Theater in New York City. The touching and funny story tells the story of Trish’s mom, Bea Lerner, and her battle with Alzheimer’s. With Diane Rehm, Loni Anderson, Marilu Henner and Mike Ditka at the Mary Galvin Recital Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

MUST READS

A June 5, 2017 The Register-Herald article highlighted new findings, about caregivers for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, from an Alzheimer’s Association survey during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Two out of three caregivers felt isolated or alone, and more than four in five caregivers would like more support from their family. According to Carolyn Canini, Alzheimer’s Association West Virginia Chapter Program Director, “Alzheimer’s disease is universally devastating, and the impact on families is dramatic. With close to 15 million Americans, including 107,000 West Virginians, providing unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, this survey shows that we must work to alleviate the weight on the shoulders of these individuals.”

A June 3, 2017 Diabetes in Control article reported that elevated glucose is a risk for cognitive decline and dementia, according to a study recently published in Diabetes Care. “Among participants with diabetes, glucose peaks are a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Targeting glucose peaks, in addition to average glycemia, may be an important avenue for prevention,” the authors wrote. 

A June 2, 2017 NPR All Things Considered segment and article spotlighted Renée Fleming, renowned soprano and Artistic Advisor at Large to the Kennedy Center in Washington, and Francis Collins, National Institutes of Health Director, who plays guitar. Host Robert Siegel spoke with them about their work together and the intersection between art and science.  

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A June 1, 2017 Alzheimer’s News Today article explored myths and facts about clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, based on information from the Alzheimer’s Association. Clinical trials are essential to help find a cure, improve treatments, therapies and diagnostic techniques for AD. 

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

According to a June 5, 2017 Frontera article, Alzheimer’s is the fastest-growing, major fatal disease in China, and almost one million are diagnosed every year. China has fewer than 200 beds in AD specialist treatment centers as it simply isn’t a top priority in Chinese government policy, for healthcare companies or investors. By 2050, the number of patients is projected to exceed 45 million.

A June 1, 2017 Yahoo! News article looks at Japan, one of the world's most rapidly aging and long-lived societies, at the forefront of an impending global healthcare crisis. By 2025, one in five of the over 65’s -- around 7.3 million people -- will have dementia. Lack of resources and caregivers means the burden falls increasingly on spouses and children. "Japan has run its social welfare system on the premise that family members would take charge," said Katsuhiko Fujimori, Chief Research Associate at Mizuho Information & Research Institute.