USA2 SPOTLIGHT

An August 24, 2018 Nordic Life Science News article reported from the Swedish American Life Science Summit, which focused on the brain and conditions that can affect it. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Founding Board Member Meryl Comer spoke from her 22 years of experience as a caregiver. According to the article, “A lot of political activity is going on but far from enough is being accomplished, Comer points out, highlighting seven impediments to ending Alzheimer’s disease. Slow and inefficient testing of medicines, governments being reluctant to pay for new treatments as well as inadequate investment in research. “It is unacceptable that we don’t have better care options,” Comer noted.”

Registration is open for UsAgainstAlzheimer’s National Alzheimer’s Summit. Join us for “Uniting Communities for a Cure” in Washington, D.C., September 24-26, 2018. Leaders and advocates from diverse communities will work together to develop a clear action agenda. We will highlight efforts to identify common goals, link partners, and unite communities, and build a collaborative framework to catalyze the large-scale change needed to stop AD. 

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

An August 24, 2018 Medical Xpress article featured a new study from the University of Arizona which finds that “autobiographical memory,” how well people remember past life events, could help make early predictions about the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. "We've learned through cognitive neuroscience that the ability to recreate these memories in your mind's eye depends on a widely distributed network in the brain, and it critically depends on regions of the brain that we know are compromised early on in Alzheimer's disease pathology,” said lead study author Matthew Grilli. Also covered by Science Daily. 

An August 23, 2018 Medical News Today article reported that researchers are investigating whether the endolysosomal system may be implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The endolysosomal system is responsible for removing the build-up of proteins (beta-amyloid and tau) in the brain, which can become toxic and disrupt communication between brain cells. As we age, the system works less efficiently, which may lead to increased toxic build-up.

DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY

According to an August 23, 2018 Alabaster Reporter article, Alabaster’s police and firefighters have become certified as “dementia-friendly” by the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging. They were trained by M4A on proper procedures and referrals. “It’s a big deal for a department to earn this designation. We’ve heard horror stories elsewhere in the nation where agencies were not trained on how to handle those situations, and the outcome was not positive. We are working to provide first responders with the tools they need to provide help to these families,” said Robyn James of M4A.

CAREGIVING CORNER

An August 26, 2018 The Advocate Alzheimer’s Q&A looked at how mindfulness practice can help caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Mindfulness teaches awareness of the present moment, and helps to better control thoughts. According to the article, “For caregivers, the practice of mindfulness often can make a difference in the way they experience their loved ones' journey with the disease. They can learn to embrace the reality of each present moment with the affected person, whether it's positive or negative.”