October 27, 2014

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

Philadelphia researcher calls for Congress and the administration to commit to a long-term funding plan for the NIH, the latest research on Downs syndrome and Alzheimer's, and the business community increases interest in dementia and aging technology (read more). 
 

Must reads

  • An October 27, 2014 Philly.com opinion piece by Russel E. Kaufman underscored the need for consistent, long-term funding for medical research. According to Kaufman, "Medical research champion Mary Lasker once said, "If you think research is expensive, try disease" - a sentiment echoing strongly today in the face of Ebola. That is why it is imperative for Congress and the administration to commit to a long-term funding plan for the NIH. If we are to ever accelerate discovery, explore promising new avenues of research, and cure diseases that afflict mankind, we must lay the foundation today." Dr. Russel E. Kaufman is president and CEO of the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.
  • An October 26, 2014 U-T San Diego article reported that a "Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in La Jolla has reported an explanation for why people with Down syndrome often develop Alzheimer’s disease." According to the article, "The common thread in both conditions is SNX27, a brain protein involved in complex molecular pathways that are still being scrutinized…The abnormality, called trisomy, produces mild to moderate mental disability, a small head, upward slanting eyes, poor muscle tone and a single deep crease across the palm of the hand.Last year’s study found that the brains of people with Down syndrome had abnormally low levels of SNX27, determined in post-mortem examinations. The third copy of the 21st chromosome includes a DNA segment that codes for a RNA molecule called miRNA-155. Production of this molecule reduces levels of SNX27, illustrating at the molecular level how trisomy impairs mental functioning."
  • An October 26, 2014 Financial Times (UK) article reported on the interest of Silicon Valley in aging research and technology. According to the article, "Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, and Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and an early Facebook backer, are among those to have poured personal wealth into the quest. They were joined last year by Google, whose secretive biotech start-up, Calico, is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the internet group to support its bid to unlock the secrets of ageing…Arguably the most pressing medical challenge posed by an ageing population – and one of the biggest commercial opportunities – is Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide incidence is projected to triple to 135m cases by 2050 but so far no drug has been found to slow the memory-erasing condition, less still cure it…While an Alzheimer’s drug would be a big prize, a treatment for ageing itself would be even bigger. Calico is one of several start-ups exploring this frontier. Another is Human Longevity, founded by Craig Venter, the celebrated US geneticist, with the goal of “expanding a healthier, high performing, more productive lifespan”. Some of the most promising science is in the field of regenerative medicine, which involves repairing or replacing malfunctioning cells and tissues." [Article behind paywall]
  • An October 26, 2014 Financial Times (UK) article reported on the efforts of companies to deal with dementia. According to the article, "A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates the cost to UK business of dementia caring obligations will top £3bn by 2030. Other forecasts have estimated the total cost of the disease to the UK economy will rise to more than 10 times that figure over the same period...Dementia is among the biggest of a range of challenges facing employers from an ageing population." [Article behind paywall]