July 23, 2018

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A July 22, 2018 ResearchersAgainstAlzheimer’s (RA2) release looked to data from their 2018 annual Drug Pipeline Analysis, “The Current State of Alzheimer’s Drug Development: 2018 Alzheimer’s Drug Pipeline – Phase 2 and 3”. “Scientists have delivered molecules worthy of intensive investigation for their potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It’s now the turn of governments, investors and institutions to ensure that when these scientific discoveries are translated into effective therapies through increased detection and diagnosis, the infrastructure is in place to readily deploy those therapies and get them into the hands of people who need them,” said UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2) Chairman George Vradenburg. RA2 is a UsA2 network.

A July 22, 2018 CNBC article referenced the just-released report from ResearchersAgainstAlzheimer’s which finds that the almost 100 drugs currently in the Alzheimer’s disease pipeline gives cause for hope that a breakthrough is looming. There are 68 drugs in phase two trials, and eight could make it to market over the next five years. According to UsAgainstAlzheimer's Acting President Drew Holzapfel, “The topline is the numbers. Almost 100 drugs are in the final stages of drug development... Despite so much national news about failures this year.”

MUST READS

A July 20, 2018 USA Today article reported on the optimistic mood at the AAIC conference in Chicago this week, especially surrounding Biogen’s experimental BAN2401 drug. Detailed findings on BAN2401 are expected at the conference. “I’ve seen the data and I find them very encouraging for a change,” said Dr. Reisa Sperling of Harvard Medical School.

MUST LISTEN

A July 22, 2018 NPR’s All Things Considered radio segment queried, “How soon is soon enough to learn you have Alzheimer’s?” The segment spotlights the story of Jose and Elaine Belardo. Jose received an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis at age 50. According to the segment, “Jose says his diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease came as an inconvenient shock. Still, he and his wife believe it is better to have a diagnosis than not. Jose says he is determined to try to not let the shock of the diagnosis distract him from living a full life."

SEX MATTERS

A July 23, 2018 NPR article highlighted new evidence about why women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia than men. Estrogen and progesterone can influence the risk factor, and women are less likely to develop dementia if they menstruate early, experience menopause later, and have more than one child. According to Professor Pauline Maki at the University of Illinois at Chicago, "Women experience these very dramatic hormonal transitions that in the long run can give rise to Alzheimer's disease… The effects of hormone therapy depend on the timing of use. Use later in life is detrimental, whereas use early in the menopausal transition could be beneficial.” 

ALZ TECH

(ICYMI) A July 11, 2018 Aging In Place Technology Watch blog postspotlighted new technology developed to help older adults live better. CareAcademy empowers caregivers to learn how to deliver the best care to older adults. CogniZance provides a cognitive enhancement service for older adults. JoinPapa uses technology to simplify finding qualified assistance for a loved one. Kinto helps manage to-do lists, medications and track important documents. PeoplePower delivers advanced automation, senior care and wellness solutions based on tracking natural sleep patterns.