USA2 SPOTLIGHT

Join-in #SaludTues Tweetchat, “How to Address Alzheimer’s disease and Brain Health in Latinos.” 1pm (EST) TODAY! Tuesday, June 25, 2019. With co-host LatinosAgainstALz @UsA2_Latinos. Learn about latest ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, especially among Latinos.

(ICYMI) A June 5, 2019 MedCity News article focused on the panel discussion, “How to Boost Racial, Ethnic and Gender Diversity in Clinical Research,” at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s annual conference in Philadelphia, featuring AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s Lead Stephanie Monroe. Around 20 percent of drugs approved since 2009 have known differences across racial and ethnic groups, and the validity of biomarkers can also differ. According to the article, “According to an FDA statement last year encouraging more participation and diversity in trials, certain populations can be more susceptible to certain diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Moreover, experience has shown that different populations respond differently to drugs.”

ETHICS

A June 25, 2019 The New York Times Magazine The Ethicist column by Kwame Anthony Appiah broached the question of whether or not to intervene if a family member is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. The questioners Aunt has a diagnosis, but her husband does not seem to be taking adequate care of her. Appiah cautions to approach the issue from a broad cultural perspective. According to Appiah, “Whatever your notions of privacy, children are entitled to intervene to protect their mothers when their fathers are doing a lousy job… If, after you discuss the matter with your father, he’s still reluctant to get involved, do so yourself, and let the children know your view about what’s needed. Whether or not they agree, they’re in a position to make an assessment and take the actions they consider appropriate.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A June 24, 2019 Science Daily article featured work from Washington University School of Medicine researchers who believe they found that the link between clumps of amyloid and tau tangles in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease is the microglia immune cells. When they are weakened, risk for developing AD increases. They believe that strengthening microglia might slow the spread of tau tangles, delaying cognitive decline. “I think we've found a potential link between amyloid and tau that people have been looking for for a long time. If you could break that link in people who have amyloid deposition but are still cognitively healthy, you might be able to stop disease progression before people develop problems with thinking and memory,” said senior study author David Holtzman, MD.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

According to a June 24, 2019 RT article, scientists at the National University of Singapore created the Amplified Plasmonic Exosome (Apex) system, a blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease in less than one hour, and earlier in the disease than is currently possible. The system can test up to 60 samples simultaneously and would carry a low price tag. The team hopes to have it available within the next five years.