USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A March 30, 2020 Linked in article spotlighted Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel, the author of "UnMasking Alzheimer’s: The Memories Behind the Masks." Hummel has AD but lives her life to the fullest by filling her time with continuing education, art, singing, music and exercise. According to the article, “Dr. Huling Hummel has found that her masks serve as excellent props for telling her story, and teaching others to create masks helps them tell theirs, too. You can see a short video of her work here. A mask is also a metaphor for cognitive impairment.” Hummel is a member of the UsA2 FaithUnitedAgainstAlzheimer’s Coalition, and a contributor to our Dementia-Friendly Worship Handbook.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

According to a March 31, 2020 Medical Xpress article, UC San Diego researchers found that high blood levels of RNA, produced by the PHGDH gene, could be a biomarker for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Overproduction of extracellular RNA in the elderly, by the PHGDH gene, could be an early warning sign. “The discovery was made possible thanks to a technique developed by Zhong and colleagues that is sensitive enough to sequence tens of thousands of exRNAs in less than one drop of blood.” Also covered by Health Analytics.

BRAIN HEALTH

A March 30, 2020 CNN health article looked to new research which found that people with heart conditions are at increased risk for developing dementia if they live in environments with even a minimal excess of air pollution (over current standards). Karolinska Institutet scientists looked at the combined impact of cardiovascular disease and long-term air pollution on cognition. According to the article, “The biggest association was between stroke, air pollution and dementia. Stroke explained nearly 50% of air pollution-related dementia cases, the study found. "Higher levels of exposure to pollution were associated with increased dementia, with exposure in the last five years of the 11-year study more important than exposure in the early years.””

PATIENT AND CAREGIVER VOICES

An April 2, 2020 BBC News video showed a possible upside to the COVID-19 worldwide crisis: spending extra time with loved ones. Tommy Ferris has been in isolation with Jean Preece, his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s disease. Jean and Tommy sing and dance together, go on outings and enjoy conversations, where he might otherwise spend time completely alone. According to Ferris, “I’ve just sort of channeled this unique opportunity to connect with her on a deeper level and use this time that I’m being given as a way of reconnecting with a world that doesn’t involve technology. Trying to turn something terrible into something good. And something that perhaps, one day, I may look back and be thankful for.”