MUST READS

Join our next Alzheimer's Talk, "Responding to Dementia in Diverse Communities: Models and Lessons" for an informational webinar on regional efforts to foster dementia capable communities, with a focus on underrepresented and under-resourced populations. Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 4pm (EST). Learn about projects supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to promote dementia capability through innovative models like community health workers. Guests include Erin Long of ACL, Petra Niles of Alzheimer's Los Angeles, and Constantina Mizis of Latino Alzheimer's & Memory Disorders Alliance. LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's lead Jason Resendez moderates the conversation.

MUST WATCH

[Log-in required] Watch CTAD’s December 5, 2019 video of Biogen’s aducanumab phase 3 topline results presentation. Renown Alzheimer’s disease expert Dr. Ronald Petersen of the Mayo Clinic introduces the panel.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A December 9, 2019 Medscape article reported that Lilly’s clinical trials for the BACE inhibitor lanabecestat and the antibiotic minocycline, experimental drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, each failed in their bid to slow cognitive decline. Other BACE inhibitors have similarly failed. “Although it appears unlikely that current BACE inhibitors will be an effective disease-modifying treatment for symptomatic Alzheimer's, future studies are needed to determine if reduction in amyloid beta production can provide meaningful clinical benefit in earlier stages of the disease continuum or in other high-risk populations,” said John Sims, MD of Lilly.

A December 9, 2019 NBC “Right Now” article spotlighted Athira Pharma, which presented data from their NDX-1017 phase I trial at CTAD. The trial utilized noninvasive biomarkers to evaluate the drug’s effects on brain activity in people with Alzheimer's disease. “We are encouraged that we were able to show a robust and statistically significant improvement in an objective measure of a cognitive process in Alzheimer's patients. These data support the advancement of NDX-1017 into a later-stage clinical trial in individuals impacted by Alzheimer's disease,” said Hans J. Moebius, MD, PhD. Also covered by Chinook Observer.

YOUTH FOCUS

A December 9, 2019 KFVS 12 article announced that the deadline for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) annual “Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest” is January 17, 2019. “No matter how young or old you are, Alzheimer’s can impact your life. Teens across the country are helping to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, volunteering at care settings and even conducting scientific research. We encourage them to share their stories to help raise Alzheimer’s awareness,” said AFA lead Charles J. Fuschillo. Click here for more information and to enter.