November 12, 2014

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

New study finds the cost of Alzheimer’s disease on the United States will skyrocket from $307 billion annually to $1.5 trillion, new therapies offer hope for Alzheimer's, and the need to participate in clinical trials (read more). 

Must reads

  • A November 11, 2014 USC News article reported that a new study from university researchers finds "the financial burden of Alzheimer’s disease on the United States will skyrocket from $307 billion annually to $1.5 trillion." According to the article, "Health policy researchers at the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics used models that incorporate trends in health, health care costs, education and demographics to explore the future impact of one of humanity’s costliest diseases on the nation’s population...The team found that delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s even a little can yield major benefits — both in quality of life and in overall costs…Medical advances that delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by five years add about 2.7 years of life for patients. By 2050, a five-year delay in onset results in a 41 percent lower prevalence of the disease in the population and lowers the overall costs to society by 40 percent, according to the team’s research." Full study can be purchased here
  • A November 11, 2014 UT San Diego article reported on the pipeline of new therapies under development for Alzheimer's disease. According to the article, "Despite the sobering realities of Alzheimer’s, many people with the disease are finding hope in new therapies being developed. One promising drug being studied is MK-7622. A current clinical trial at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital is investigating the drug as a therapy for people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, in addition to the drug donepezil, also known as Aricept."
  • A November 11, 2014 Arizona Daily Star opinion piece by Tacey Schatz underscored the need to participate in Alzheimer's clinical trials to find a cure. According to Schatz, "As someone who has been personally touched by the disease, I have seen how it devastates entire families. Trying to find a breakthrough in patients who already have symptoms hasn’t worked. However, I have hope. Hope in new prevention trials focused on detection and treatment prior to when symptoms occur that can be found through the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry…What can you do to help? As a healthy person with no symptoms of the disease, one of the easiest ways to get involved is enrolling in the registry and exploring possibilities of participating in this exciting new frontier of Alzheimer’s research. Take one minute out of your day to join me in signing up. From birthdays and graduations, to weddings and children, our lives are filled with precious memories. But Alzheimer’s has the power to erase them. Let your voice be heard. The memories you save could be your own."