MUST READS

According to a February 21, 2019 Medical Xpress article, Salk Institute researchers found that an anti-inflammatory chemical in a native California shrub may lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's. “Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. And because age is a major risk factor, researchers are looking at ways to counter aging's effects on the brain. Our identification of sterubin as a potent neuroprotective component of a native California plant called Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) is a promising step in that direction,” said Senior Staff Scientist Pamela Maher. The researchers found it to be effective against “multiple inducers of cell death in the nerve cells.”

POLITICS

A February 20, 2019 Next Avenue article looked to optimism as almost all U.S. states have developed Alzheimer’s plans to address the impact on their communities and help families, thanks in large part to the federal BOLD (Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s) Act. State plans tend to focus on heightening AD awareness and education, early detection and diagnosis, caregiver support and developing dementia care services.

ALZ TECH

(ICYMI) A February 11, 2019 The New York Times article looked at the use of artificial intelligence to help doctors diagnose patients. AI can recognize patterns in data and may be particularly useful in places in the world where doctors are scarce. According to the article, “Many organizations, including Google, are developing and testing systems that analyze electronic health records in an effort to flag medical conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension and heart failure. Similar technologies are being built to automatically detect signs of illness and disease in X-rays, M.R.I.s and eye scans.”

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A February 20, 2019 Forbes article spotlighted the University of California, San Diego’s ADCS (Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study) clinical trials consortium (part of the NIA), which is recruiting for the T2 Protect AD study on the investigational drug troriluzole. According to the article, “In pre-clinical studies, troriluzole slowed the progression of the disease by protecting the brain’s neurons from an excessive amount of the molecule glutamate. Too much glutamate can disrupt nerve health and communication and can lead to nerve cell death.” Participants need to be between 50-85, and have a diagnosis of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s. Find a list of nationwide study locations here.  

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY

A The Alzheimer’s Site blog post spotlighted Swansea’s Cefn Coed Hospital in Wales, which has a special ward for elderly men with dementia who are “from a particular generation who worked long hours of manual labor and then relaxed at the local pub with their buddies. The hospital couldn’t open a real pub for them to visit, of course, but it was able to do the next best thing.” The facility opened The Derwen Arms non-alcoholic pub, where patients can relax and socialize in an effort to combat sundowning, which is common among people with dementia.

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Join the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Care Connection Webinar, “Supportive Practices for Grieving Caregivers.” March 14, 2019 at 1pm (EST). The loss of a loved one can have a devastating impact and may be difficult to accept. Family caregivers are especially vulnerable and require tools for coping with loss. Register here.