RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

An August 20, 2019 WBNG 12 News broadcast segment spotlighted research from Dr. Ken McLeod of Binghamton University on the link between poor circulation and dementia later in life. The soleus muscle works like a ‘second heart,’ pumping blood up from the legs. Inactivity and poor circulation cause a drop in cardiac output and negatively affect cognition, in addition to contributing to achy muscles and joints, fatigue, swelling in the ankles and feet, and leg cramps. McLeod created a device to help stimulate the soleus and boost circulation. “We call that cognitive aging, and everybody goes yeah, over 60 moment, I forget things, you know I can’t plan, problem solve as quick as I used to, my reflexes are shot. We just think of that as a natural part of aging, but that’s in fact not an intrinsic part of aging; that’s due to the fact your cardiac output is dropping,” said McLeod.

MUST WATCH

In an August 21, 2019 Being Patient Brain Talks video segment, Founder Debrah Kan spoke with Peter van Wijngaarden of CERA (Centre for Eye Research) in Australia about his work developing an eye test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Wijngaarden is looking for retinal (neural tissue at back of eye) changes indicating AD. The retina is a developmental extension of the brain, possessing unique opportunities for early detection of brain disease. Some brain changes, including the accumulation of proteins and loss of neural tissue, are reflected in the retina but are not necessarily specific to AD, so Wijngaarden continues looking for Alzheimer’s specific indications.

CAREGIVING CORNER

An August 19, 2019 KJZZ 91.5 article looked at the potential benefits of medical marijuana on behavioral side effects of dementia such as sundowning. Dementia Friendly Tempe hosted a talk with geriatrician Dr. Walter Nieri of the University of Arizona College of Medicine to have a frank conversation. Nieri is conducting a small study on participants who have dementia, including behavioral issues. According to the article, “Nieri says some preliminary studies have already shown some promise. “But I have to do it very carefully on our dementia patients, because they’re also on other medicines and I don’t know the drug-drug interaction,” said Nieri. Even if Dr. Nieri proves that medical cannabis can help curb behaviors and improve quality of life, will those with the disease and their caregivers seek it out?”

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

An August 21, 2019 Philadelphia Magazine article spotlighted the T2 Protect AD clinical trial for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Keystone Clinical Studies, one of 40 participating trial sites across the country, just screened its first participants to test troriluzole, which works to balance glutamate levels to protect against the neuron loss that can lead to brain cell dysfunction and disease. “If the study works as is hoped, with all the caveats, it would show that the patients on the active study drug stayed at the cognitive and functional level they were at when they joined the study, and the people on the placebo would show the usual deterioration that happens with Alzheimer’s Dementia,” said principal investigator Cherian Verghese.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

An August 20, 2019 BioSpace article reported that ARUK (Alzheimer’s Research UK) is fielding an online survey, “Shaping Future Treatments,” aimed at understanding which aspects of daily life are most important to people, and which they’d most want to protect if they develop dementia. There is little information in the UK about these issues, yet Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are the leading cause of death there. Take the survey here.