USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A July 17, 2020 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s release focused on a joint statement calling on the U.S. to set a national, measurable, time-bound impact prevention goal to reduce the number of people who develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias. “Our nation must do more to change the course of this disease. For too long, people living with dementia their families and caregivers have heard of the disappointments of drug trials and the difficulty of finding an Alzheimer’s cure. That must change – now. It is time to replace despair and disappointment with determination and hope; it is time to show there are steps that our nation can take to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, delay onset, and promote brain health,” read the statement.

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A July 16, 2020 National Institute on Aging article referenced new research from the NIH-funded ABC-DS (Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Consortium–Down Syndrome) study, which is one of the first, large-scale blood-based investigations of metabolic factors relating to aging and cognition in adults with both Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. According to the article, “They found strong evidence of fatty acid and cellular energy metabolic differences, which they suggest might underlie Alzheimer’s-related clinical and cognitive decline in people with Down syndrome. The analysis also produced findings consistent with research showing the involvement of lipid metabolism in late onset Alzheimer’s.”

A July 15, 2020 CNN health article referenced a new survey which found that around a third of people with Alzheimer’s have access to a firearm in their home. 70% of caregivers surveyed said their greatest concern is accidental injury, as opposed to intentional harm. According to the article, “"Figuring out what to do about firearms can be stressful for family members and other dementia caregivers. Our study shows that few caregivers, including spouses and family members, have received professional counseling about how to address gun safety," [Dr. Emmy[ Betz said. That lack of dialogue may help explain that among caregivers worried about their loved one's access to firearms, "only 53% reported that they or family and friends acted on that concern," wrote Erin R. Morgan and Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar…”