USA2 SPOTLIGHT

[Log-in required] An April 4, 2020 The Washington Post article took a fresh look at the ‘amyloid hypothesis’ of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the article, “The amyloid hypothesis dominated the search for an Alzheimer’s drug for a long time, but a different way of thinking about Alzheimer’s is coming to the forefront, [UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Chairman George] Vradenburg says. The new approach says that the reason the approaches we’ve been using to look for Alzheimer’s drugs have failed is that there is not one single way that the disease develops and progresses… And in that case, Vradenburg says, we need to treat the disease in a more individualized way.”

FINANCES

An April 6, 2020 Science In Me article referenced the Global Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Market report, containing research and analysis of key aspects of the global Alzheimer’s disease drug market. The report looked at growth drivers, restraints, challenges, trends and opportunities. It addressed key questions regarding market growth rate, key factors driving market size, key manufacturers, market opportunities and more.

PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS VOICES

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine issued a call for commentaries on the experiences of people with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, and current and former care partners to people with dementia. Commentaries may be up to 1,000 words and focus on areas of concern relating to dementia. The data will inform the "Decadal Survey of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias" study. Submit your commentary here.

(ICYMI) A March 29, 2020 STAT First Opinion piece by caregiver Jason Karlawish, whose uncle has MCI, brought attention to the importance of caregivers being able to accompany people with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive issues to their doctor appointments or hospital visits, especially in light of new coronavirus restrictions and social distancing norms. “One year ago, my uncle had a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital that now won’t allow me to visit if he ends up there with Covid-19. Within minutes after stepping foot in his hospital room, I sensed something was wrong… I realized he had developed delirium… That’s why a visitor policy that doesn’t acknowledge the need for a family caregiver for persons with cognitive impairment is misguided… I’m convinced that had I not been his “visitor,” he’d either be dead or severely disabled, likely not living in his home but in a long-term care facility.”

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Join the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Family Support’s caregiving and COVID-19 webinar for family caregivers of someone with a disability or chronic illness. Ask questions about how best to provide care for loved ones. Learn how caregivers can best tend to themselves from experts Kathleen Lindell, PhD, Gregory Cherpes, MD, and Nancy Murray, MS. Tuesday, April 7 at 2:00pm (EST).