MUST READS

An August 17, 2019 The New York Times article spoke with author Nicci Gerrard about her new book, “The Last Ocean,” endeavoring to tell the story of dementia, and relying on her personal experience with her father’s journey. According to Gerrard, “…Instead of writing what I’d been through, I launched this campaign for better care for those who go into hospital. For three or four years, I spent my working days talking to doctors, nurses, carers and, above all, people living with the illness. I knew I had to find a way of making that into a book full of lots of different voices and stories. I didn’t want to write a book that was certain and had answers. I wanted to write a book that was full of questions and feelings.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

An August 19, 2019 UCLA Newsroom release reported on research about the role of a second, age-damaged version of beta amyloid, which plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease. This age-modified version forms a “kink” (isoAsp23), creating a harmful ‘molecular zipper,’ which is linked to the accelerated development of AD. “[UCLA Graduate] Rebeccah [Warmack] has shown this kink leads to faster growth of the fibrils that have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. This second molecular zipper is double trouble. Once it’s zipped, it’s zipped, and once the formation of fibrils starts, it looks like you can’t stop it. The kinked form initiates a dangerous cascade of events that we believe can result in Alzheimer’s disease,” said Professor Steven Clarke. Also covered by Science Daily.

MUST WATCH

An August 19, 2019 RTV6 Indianapolis article reported that the Indiana University School of Medicine received a $1 million grant for LEADS (Longitudinal Early-Onset Disease Study), which will help fund a deeper dive into the role of genes in the development and regression of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the article, “The money will focus on the genetics aspect and will help researchers study the entire genome of all 600 study participant to understand better the role a person's genes play in the development of early-onset Alzheimer's.”

FAITH SPOTLIGHT

(ICYMI) An August 8, 2019 Baptist Press article spoke with Mike Glenn, pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church (TN), who penned,“Coffee with Mom: Caring for a Parent with Dementia.” The book is based on his personal tweets, posted daily following coffee with his mom Barbara, on the way to church. According to the article, “Glenn observed the greatest lesson he learned while dealing with his mom was the power of love. “When I was little, I counted on mom to take care of me,” he said. “There was no meeting, no clarification of expectations. I just knew that whatever decision she made would be in my best interest. Now, she couldn't make her own decisions, and she was now counting on me to do what was best for her,” he said.”

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

PennState Extension is offering their “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” educational program, to learn about what to watch for in ourselves and others. Two free courses are offered on September 10, 2019, and September 23, 2019. Registration is required.