January 29, 2015

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A January 29, 2015 Pittsburg Post-Gazette article highlighted the release of ClergyAgainstAlzheimer's Seasons of Caring. According to the article, "Nine local residents are among those who have contributed more than 140 stories and meditations for a new book on caring for Alzheimer’s patients. They are members of Clergy Against Alzheimer’s and have written “Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers.” “It’s quite a book,” said the Rev. Richard Morgan, a retired Presbyterian minister who contributed five meditations. One of the founding members of the clergy group, Rev. Morgan also leads an Alzheimer’s support group at Redstone Highlands Senior Living Community in Irwin, where he is a resident."


MUST READS

A January 28, 2015 Washington Post article reported on the impact of early onset Alzheimer's on young adult children. According to the article, "Early-onset Alzheimer’s is particularly cruel. The disease strikes some in their prime, when careers are at their height and the rewards of a lifetime’s work at last seem within grasp. It destroys memories and the ability to learn, then wipes away most of one’s identity, leading eventually to death. Young adult children also bear a terrible burden. Twentysomethings — those who only recently tasted independence and those who still lean on their parents from time to time — can find themselves thrown into the unfamiliar role of their parent’s caregiver. Some put their lives on hold, postponing graduate school or marriage. Others pass up job opportunities that would take them away from home. Just as often, they feel pressure to get on with major milestones, to accomplish the big things in life before their stricken parent departs."

A January 28, 2015 The Conversation article reported on the connection between advocacy and the film and book "Still Alice" about early onset Alzheimer's. According to the article, "The film, especially, stresses that societal attitude to those living with dementia needs adjustment. Alice states soon after her symptoms become pronounced: “I wish I had cancer … then I wouldn’t feel so ashamed.” Later the film’s call-to-arms is a speech given by Alice to a gathering of the Alzheimer’s Association where she rails against perceptions of being “incapable, ridiculous, comic”. The call for more dementia-friendly communities has been a significant focus of recent advocacy campaigns. Though research into clinical interventions continues, breakthroughs remain elusive while rates of prevalence are set to grow rapidly across the globe. Advocacy groups have sought to make communities more amenable to those living with dementia, in part through awareness campaigns."


RESEARCH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY 

A January 28, 2015 New York Daily News article reported on new research linking beer and Alzheimer's prevention. According to the article, "An ingredient in beer hops, xanthohumol (also known as Xn) has been shown to protect the brains of mice from cell damage. Wine may be the popular choice for health benefits, but Xn has been shown to fend off cancer, viruses, obesity and inflammation. Its brain-boosting benefits haven't been seriously studied — until now. Reporting in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Jianguo Fang and colleagues said that Xn was shown not only to fight free radicals but also jump-start signaling and protect cells from neurotoxicity."