MUST READS

A February 12, 2019 San Francisco Chronicle article by physician-scientist Marc Diamond of UT Southwestern Medical Center looked to optimism, even in the wake of the long string of Alzheimer’s disease clinical drug trial failures. “Our team at UT Southwestern was recently the recipient of a US$1 million award from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative… We have integrated research across multiple different labs to try to develop a logical system to classify the various subtypes of neurodegenerative diseases linked to tau… Vigorous efforts such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative are providing a critical boost at a time when some pharmaceutical companies have scaled back research into brain disorders.” 

According to a February 11, 2019 The New York Times article, the FDA warned 12 dietary supplement sellers to “stop claiming their products can cure diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to cancer to diabetes.” Agency Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb is concerned about supplements, sold by the estimated $40 billion industry, that “purport to cure diseases for which consumers should seek medical attention.” “We know there are effective therapies that can help patients with Alzheimer’s. But unproven supplements that claim to treat the disease but offer no benefits can prevent patients from seeking otherwise effective care,” said Gottlieb.

Read the February 2019 “The Topol Review: Preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future,” led by cardiologist, geneticist and digital medicine researcher Dr. Eric Topol. The independent report, commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services, addresses preparing the healthcare workforce through education and training. “The Topol Review is now published and it makes recommendations that will enable NHS staff to make the most of innovative technologies such as genomics, digital medicine, artificial intelligence and robotics to improve services.” Read the full Report here. 

DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY

A February 6, 2019 The Virginian-Pilot article spotlighted The Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks Dementia Task Force, leading a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, restaurants and hospitals to become dementia-friendly. It has spent the last three years training restaurants in positive ways to interact with people with dementia. According to the article, “They also want to put the seahorse symbol on menus and start conversations about dementia and local resources that are available, like Alzheimer's support groups and in-home relief care, so caregivers can step out knowing their loved ones are cared for at home.”

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

A February 4, 2019 Open Access Government article by Palliative Care Specialist and End of Life Care Admiral Nurse Debby Veigas highlighted special challenges faced by caregivers for people with both dementia and cancer. “I hear only too often that families feel that they have “been given two life sentences” or are trying to navigate through systems that are not set up for more than one illness – the emotional and practical burden is immense.”

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

The MAPP (Multicultural Alzheimer’s Prevention Program) Scholars Program is now accepting applications until February 15, 2019 for two openings at Massachusetts General Hospital, beginning June 3, 2019. The Scholarship Program addresses the urgent need to train the next generation of clinician-scientists, “exceptionally-qualified underrepresented and diverse doctoral students to a career in dementia-related clinical research. The program also seeks to enhance their proficiencies in assessing and diagnosing cognitive impairment in diverse individuals, as well as their professional networking opportunities in the field of Alzheimer’s disease prevention.”

STAR U from Columbia University is an eight-week summer training program for undergraduates with the aim of increasing diversity within the field of neuroscience of aging. In addition to individualized faculty mentorship, participants will engage in seminars and professional development activities. All applications are due by February 15, 2019.