February 24, 2015

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A February 23, 2015 USAgainstAlzheimer's and CEOi statement applauded UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s "bold action on dementia." According to USA2 Chairman George Vradenburg, "Prime Minister Cameron is leading the world in fighting dementia…The Challenge will heighten the focus on dementia in the UK and globally.  I’m honored to work with the Prime Minister and his government through the CEOi and the World Dementia Council.”

 


MUST READS AND WATCH

A February 24, 2015 Financial Times article reported on Eli Lilly's commitment to drug development for diseases like Alzheimer's. According to the article, "Traditionally, Lilly has been big in diabetes and other endocrine disorders, which accounted for more than a third of revenues in 2014. Although newer diabetes medicines, such as the recently approved Trulicity, are expected to play a big part in its future, part of the investment thesis rests on a couple of experimental “moon shot” drugs. Lilly is carrying out late-stage trials of Solanezumab, an Alzheimer’s treatment that aims to stem a patient’s cognitive decline by preventing the build-up of a brain plaque, which some blame for the disease…Some scientists do not think that the formation of brain plaque is even responsible for Alzheimer’s disease, but Mr Lechleiter insists that “the evidence is accumulating”. Although he admits “it is a high-risk area of research,” the size of the opportunity is huge, with more than 5m sufferers in the US — a number that is set to rise as the population ages." [Behind paywall]

A February 23, 2015 PBS NewsHour broadcast segment reported on the power of music to comfort and support dementia patients. According to the article, "Special correspondent Judy Muller reports on a band of musicians who also have Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia. They use music to stay active, socially connected and to find new purpose."

A February 23, 2015 BBC News article reported that the UK has launched a program “to match dementia researchers with members of the public who are willing to take part in [dementia] studies." According to the article, "Experts say a lack of access to volunteers has hampered critical research into the illness…According to government figures, fewer than 5% of people with the condition currently take part in studies. Researchers are calling for patients, carers and anyone over 18 who is interested in participating - whether they have been affected by dementia or not - to sign up. By registering with Join Dementia Research, people give permission for scientists to contact them with studies that fit their profiles. Projects vary from trials of new dementia treatments to surveys looking at how to improve patients' quality of life."

 


OSCAR HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED 

A February 23, 2015 NPR radio segment compiled top Oscar highlights for folks who missed the show, including Julianne Moore's Alzheimer's mention. According to the article, "Oscar winner Julianne Moore had a different experience as she prepared for her role in the film "Still Alice." As she told Melissa Block last month, the subject of the film, early-onset Alzheimer's disease, was something that she hadn't witnessed firsthand. We start here with a clip from the film."

A February 23, 2015 Bloomberg article highlighted Julianne Moore's Oscar win and its impact on Alzheimer's awareness. According to the article, "The actress with trademark red hair won the Academy Award for her performance in “Still Alice,” as a woman struggling to cope with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The movie has taken in just $8 million at the North American box office, less than any film that’s produced a best actress since Jessica Lange won for “Blue Sky” in 1995, according to Rentrak Corp. The 54-year-old actress used her acceptance speech to highlight the plight of Alzheimer’s patients. “So many people with this disease feel isolated and marginalized,” Moore said. “And one of the wonderful things about movies is they make us feel seen and not alone.”"