MUST READS

An August 22, 2019 Medical Xpress article spotlighted a new study, from EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Council), which finds that eye movement impairments may be a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease, in addition to identifying people who may be at high risk. The hope is to develop easy, accurate and non-invasive AD detection tests, prior to the onset of symptoms. According to the article, “Eye movement impairments—such as being unable to stop an incorrect eye movement and instead direct the eye in the appropriate direction—are being explored as patients have been known to develop these impairments in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease, before cognitive issues, such as speech, judgment and thinking impairments, are revealed.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

An August 22, 2019 Medical Xpress article highlighted a new joint Baycrest and University of Oxford study which found that carriers of APOE4 weren’t able to recall recently learned information as readily as non-carriers. APOE4 is a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The study required that participants listen to audio clips. “For some reason, people with the APOE4 gene were not able to take advantage of information they learned earlier, such as the expected location of the clip, to boost their performance. This study shows we have a test that is sensitive to capture problems or challenges faced by individuals with this gene, before their deficits are observed on a standard neuropsychological assessment,” said senior paper author Dr. Claude Alain.

An August 21, 2019 Medical News Today article looked at the role of microglia in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly TREM2, which directs microglia to clear away beta-amyloid, and helps reduce brain inflammation. Scientists believe that complex interactions between accumulations of tau and beta-amyloid, both major hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, combined with other factors, may be the cause of AD. People with an incorrectly functioning TREM2 variant (MS4A4A gene) show signs of plaque buildup between brain cells. “If we can do something to raise levels of the TREM2 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid, we may be able to protect against Alzheimer's disease or slow its development,” said Professor Carlos Cruchaga, PhD of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

DEMENTIA AND THE ARTS

The Bob and Diane Fund call for 2019 grant submissions is now open through October 20, 2019. $5,000 will be awarded for the completion, publication, exhibition and/or screening of photography and/or multimedia work that documents Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The grant is open to artists worldwide. Submit here.

NOTE FROM USA2

Alzheimer's Daily will take a short break on Monday, August 26, 2019, and return on Tuesday the 27th.