August 30, 2016

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

USA2 SPOTLIGHT 

An August 29, 2016 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s press statement marked the passing of Gene Wilder from complications related to Alzheimer’s. According to UsAgainstAlzheimer's co-founder Trish Vradenburg, “We are deeply saddened today to lose one of the great names in comedy to a disease that is a continuing, worsening tragedy. We must continue to press for progress in preventing, treating and, ultimately, curing a disease that subtracts joy from our lives, whether on the stage, the screen or in our own living rooms.” 


MUST READS

An August 29, 2016 STAT News article reported that Gene Wilder’s decision to not disclose his Alzheimer’s diagnosis was his own. According to the article, “They said Wilder did not want to disappoint “the countless young children that would smile or call out to him, ‘There’s Willy Wonka'” or expose them to the cruel realities of the disease.”

 

An August 29, 2016 The New York Times article reported that “The proportion of nursing home residents with advanced dementia who receive a feeding tube has dropped more than 50 percent, a new national study has found.” According to the article, “The researchers, analyzing federal nursing home data, reported that in 2000, nearly 12 percent of patients with this terminal condition had feeding tubes inserted within a year of developing eating problems. By 2014, the rate had fallen to less than 6 percent.”

 

An August 29, 2016 ResearchGate.net Q&A with Robert Egge explored why Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are talking about Alzheimer’s research. According to the interview, “And, importantly her plan addresses not just the need for increased federal funding for research, but also seeks support for the nation’s more than 15 million caregivers for those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, her plan includes coverage for comprehensive Alzheimer’s care and support planning services consistent with the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, a top priority for the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement.”


RESEARCH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY 

EurekAlert!: Critical protein shows promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's

AlzForum: Refining Models of Amyloid Accumulation in Alzheimer’s Disease

NextAvenue.org: 12-Year-Old Develops Alzheimer’s App