USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A December 12, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s statement acknowledged the expansion of legislation allowing federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental family leave. However, UsA2 urges Congress not to leave family caregivers behind. According to the release, “Congress must take action in 2020 to expand paid family and medical leave to help meet the needs of the millions of caregivers providing care for a loved one living with a chronic disease like Alzheimer’s, the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. A national poll of caregivers by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s found that access to paid medical and family leave has a significant positive impact for employed adult caregivers of loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.”

Join our Alzheimer's Talk TODAY, Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 4pm (EST) for an informational webinar on regional efforts to foster dementia capable communities, with a focus on underrepresented and under resourced populations. 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 will moderate the discussion.

MUST READS

A December 11, 2019 Medical Xpress article looked at a new study from Stanford University School of Medicine on the link between alcohol consumption and Alzheimer’s disease. A mutation in ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2), a key enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism, increases the presence of toxic free radicals, buildup of acetaldehyde and cell damage. According to the article, “"Once these aldehydes accumulate, the first organelles that they damage are the organelles that contain the enzyme that is supposed to get rid of them: the mitochondria.” This vicious cycle ultimately leads to reduced mitochondrial activity, increased free radical formation by the damaged mitochondria and, in the case of Alzheimer's disease, to death of neurons.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A December 10, 2019 New Atlas article focused on the anti-aging effects of two experimental drugs (CMS121 and J147) which were developed to combat Alzheimer’s disease. Salk Institute researchers found the drugs increase levels of neuroprotective acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-coA), whichpreserves mitochondrial homeostasis. According to the article, “Both CMS121 and J147 are moving into human trial phases… While the initial target for these compounds is Alzheimer’s disease, the insights into how the drugs influence anti-aging pathways will inform their potential in treating a broad array of age-related degenerative diseases.” Also covered by Medical Xpress.