USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A November 26, 2019 Diverse Elders Coalition blog post by LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s lead Jason Resendez spotlighted UsAgainstAlzheimer’s A-LIST initiative, which is asking “What Matters Most” when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. “As part of this important work we are planning research to better understand the needs and priorities of caregivers of color. The surveys will explore caregiver interactions with doctors and other health care providers, knowledge about care practices, and the impact of caregiving on caregiver health and quality of life. We will use what we learn from these surveys to create new materials to educate caregivers in diverse communities about engaging with physicians, best practices for caregivers, the importance of participating in research, and resources for caregiving and self-care. In short, we want to make life better for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A December 3, 2019 New Atlas article focused on the link between vasomotion and Alzheimer’s disease. Vasomotion causes spontaneous, low frequency contractions and expansions of the blood vessels. Massachusetts General Hospital researchers looked at how to maintain optimal functioning so the brain can do the work of clearing away amyloid-beta “junk.” “If we direct therapeutic strategies towards promoting healthy vasculature and therefore improve clearance of amyloid-beta from the brain, we may be able to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease in the future,” said lead study author Susanne van Veluw. Also covered by Medical Xpress.

FAITH SPOTLIGHT

A November 27, 2019 ABC 33/40 broadcast segment spotlighted St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Birmingham (AL), which is buying off millions in medical debt on behalf of veterans and families in need, just in time for the holidays. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are crippling families financially across the U.S. “When it's all said and done, we hope to have forgiven about seven and a half million plus of medical debt,” said Cameron Nations.

FINANCES

(ICYMI) A November 24, 2019 Bloomberg Businessweek article looked at Dublin-based Alkermes, which bought Rodin Therapeutics. Rodin is developing drugs that strengthen the brain’s synapses, which may help fight Alzheimer’s disease. According to the article, “Another risk-mitigating aspect of the deal is that Rodin has developed a big set of biomarkers—indicators of whether a particular compound is having an effect. The biomarkers "can predict whether it’s going to perform in later-stage trials,” [Blair] Jackson said. “It gives you more confidence that you're going down the right path.””