USA2 SPOTLIGHT

An August 21, 2018 Antidote post looked at how best to drive minority participation in medical research. LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s Lead Jason Resendez weighs in on Latino and African American participation in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials and outreach. The article notes, “Researchers cannot overlook the importance of historically unethical practices involving minorities in medical research. This history must be acknowledged and addressed, if we are to move forward.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

According to an August 22, 2018 Science Daily article, cellular senescence, a specific type of cellular stress, has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Tau protein tangles/accumulations cause cell senescence, a major hallmark of AD, which can secrete substances that kill surrounding cells.

LIFESTYLE

An August 22, 2018 Being Patient article looked at the link between heart healthy lifestyle adjustments and benefits for the brain. A new study shows that participants who followed all of seven heart-healthy rules had a 70 percent lowered risk of dementia compared to those who followed none of the rules. According to the article, “Avoid smoking, eat a healthy diet, be physically active, maintain normal weight, and keep blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glucose-insulin levels low. Given the aging population, this positive health message is important to communicate to all members of society.” 

DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY

An August 20, 2018 George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers Facebook post featured KPBS’ broadcast segment on their dementia-friendly village/town square in Chula Vista, San Diego. Village creator Scott Tarde says that the region is not prepared for the future. “We have to be ready for this influx because you have all these baby boomers coming through that are going to at some point need services, and the greatest predictor of Alzheimer’s disease is age.”

PROFILES IN COURAGE

An August 22, 2018 The Detroit News article spotlighted Dan (38), who is the primary caregiver for his dad, Vietnam War veteran Bernard Kosmowski (71), who has frontal temporal dementia. According to the article, “The road to the father and son living in the same loft apartment building was filled with twists and turns. “My dad lived in seven different assisted living facilities before coming to live here,” Dan Kosmowski said. “In the first one, he learned the code to the locked door and ended up hitchhiking in Auburn Hills at 4 o'clock in the morning.” He said the police found him and took him back to the nearest assisted living facility.”

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Play Stall Catchers - an online game to help speed up Alzheimer’s disease research and the search for a cure at Cornell University. The game could reduce the time to find a treatment from decades to just a few years. Come together in solidarity for one day to raise AD awareness. View the Catchathon’s Golden Hour – 12pm (EST) (16:00 UTC), September 22, 2018 – livestreamed from team video feeds across the globe.