MUST READS

A June 6, 2019 The Motley Fool article looked at reasons why Pfizer didn’t pursue Alzheimer’s clinical trials on Enbrel, a rheumatoid arthritis drug. The article referenced the recent Washington Post piece intimating that Pfizer executives, “…Didn't bother following up because a loss of market exclusivity was just around the corner.” The article discusses five reasons why Pfizer made a sound decision.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A June 9, 2019 UPI article reported that Finnish researchers found that people with Alzheimer’s who take opioid painkillers are up to 30 times more likely to develop pneumonia. According to the article, “It is often difficult to assess pain among Alzheimer's patients due to problems with communication, the researchers explained in a university news release. So if opioid painkillers are prescribed, treatment should be started at a low dose and regularly assessed for both benefit and harm, they advised.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

A June 7, 2019 The Washington Post article looked at why it is important to speak with family members if you suspect they may have Alzheimer’s or other cognitive issues. “It’s not something you want to jump into and say, ‘Dad, I think you have Alzheimer’s. You might say, ‘Dad, have you noticed, are you more forgetful than you used to be? You seem to be repeating yourself,’ ” said Ronald Petersen of the Mayo Clinic. According to the article, “Petersen… said Americans are more comfortable than they once were with conversations about cognitive impairment, and added that there is a lot more nuance in those conversations than there once was.”

ALZHEIMER'S IN THE MEDIA

A June 7, 2019 FOX 10 Phoenix broadcast segment spotlighted the “My Alzheimer’s Road Trip” project, which is traveling around the country collecting first hand stories about Alzheimer’s disease. The video will be used for AD research at the University of Pennsylvania.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

A June 6, 2019 Tuscaloosa News article highlighted Caring Days Adult Day Care, which earned the “Excellence in Care Dementia Care Program of Distinction” award, for the third time, from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The center serves the local community with programs, support groups and caregiver training. “We are so fortunate to be in the generous and caring community of West Alabama. Over 22 years ago our program started with a little seed money… The quality care for our clients would not exist without many people coming together to help one another,” said Vicki Kerr of Caring Days.