May 21, 2013

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

Research breakthrough from the University of Cambridge, new statistics on Alzheimer's misdiagnosis, and WomenAgainstAlzheimer's coverage (read more)

 
Breakthrough!
  • A May 20, 2013 SmartPlanet.com article reported "Researchers at the University of Cambridge say they have figured out what triggers the runaway formation of proteins associated with neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, and that their finding paves the way for drugs that can stop the process." According to a statement from the University of Cambridge, "The breakthrough is a vital step closer to increased capabilities for earlier diagnosis of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and opens up possibilities for a new generation of targeted drugs, as scientists say they have uncovered the earliest stages of the development of Alzheimer’s that drugs could possibly target." Also reported on by HuffingtonPost, Science Daily, and The Herald Sun. 
 
Must reads
  • A May 20, 2013 Indianapolis Business Journal article reported that one in five Alzheimer's patients are misdiagnosed  According to the article, "Nearly one in five patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t actually have the memory-sapping malady, according to a new study sponsored by Eli Lilly and Co. The study results, which will be released Monday afternoon, are part of Indianapolis-based Lilly’s campaign to get the federal Medicare program to pay for use of its imaging agent Amyvid, which received U.S. market approval last year."
  • A May 20, 2013 Bloomberg.com article reported that a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences "shows that vitamins B6 and B12 combined with folic acid slowed atrophy of gray matter in brain areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease." According to the article, ""It’s the first and only disease-modifying treatment that’s worked," said A. David Smith, professor emeritus of pharmacology at Oxford University in England and senior author of the study. “We have proved the concept that you can modify the disease.”"
 
USA2
  • A May 20, 2013 Women's Health article highlighted the work of WomenAgainstAlzheimer's and the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer's on women. According to the article, "Alzheimer’s disease is disproportionately affecting ladies—and not just the older female population. WomenAgainstAlzheimers, a new network that’s part of USAgainstAlzheimer’s, is currently holding a summit in Washington, D.C. with activists, researchers, and policymakers to raise awareness and encourage more research."