RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A January 2, 2020 McKnight’s Long-Term Care News article cited a U.K. survey, from Alzheimer’s Research UK and Merck, about attitudes toward early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. 75% of respondents would want to know if they have AD, even before the onset of symptoms. According to the article, “The respondents made it clear that they would want the tests to provide certainty about disease progression… Nearly one third said they would want to know two years before developing symptoms, and 38% said they’d want to know 15 years beforehand.”

MUST WATCH

Watch the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Community Engagement Series. This live series explores the topics of healthy brain aging and prevention, including information on vitamins and supplements, diet, alternative medicine approaches, social interaction and exercise.

HUMAN INTEREST

A January 1, 2020 GoLocal Prov News article honored Brown University’s Dr. Stephen Salloway as Rhode Island’s Man of the Year for his work on Alzheimer’s disease, and specifically on aducanumab. According to the article, “Salloway has urged people to consider taking part in the Butler Alzheimers Prevention Registry, whose goal is to get to 2,020 participants in 2020. If there is a treatment for Alzheimer's it may very well come through Salloway's work.”

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

A December 29, 2019 Bloomberg Business article reported that Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceutical will begin clinical trials this year, including in North America, for its newly-approved Alzheimer’s disease drug, Oligomannate. According to the article, “The Shanghai-based firm, unknown outside of China, is facing skepticism that it could have so quickly achieved something that’s eluded western pharmaceutical giants for decades. “It’s totally understandable for our drug to be questioned,” said Green Valley Chairman Lyu Songtao. “We are confident because we see clear benefits from patients in the clinical trials.””

CAREGIVING CORNER

A December 31, 2019 The New York Times Magazine article explored the best ways to talk with people who have Alzheimer’s disease. Ruth Drew, who runs the Alzheimer’s Association’s help line offers advice, including never arguing with them. According to the article, “Speak clearly. Use words sparingly. Gesture more. If you want to offer coffee, instead of blathering, place two cups of coffee on the table and beckon toward the empty chair. “Coffee?” As language comprehension begins to fail, you’ll need to become something of a detective, looking for other cues like facial expressions, grunts and sighs that hint at needs or states of mind.”