USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A May 30, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s blog post spotlighted the second edition of Brain Health Equity Insights, addressing brain health equity and research. This platform takes an intersectional approach to brain health disparities through community engagement, research, health practice and policy. The focus is building the learning network, and making equal access a main priority in the national conversation about Alzheimer’s disease and brain health.

A May 30, 2019 Swedish Care International video, from their Dementia Forum X event in Stockholm, showcased UsAgainstAlzheimer’s/ WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s Swedish launch of the #BeBrainPowerful campaign. UsA2’s Founding Board Member Meryl Comer speaks about the importance of women’s brain health, accompanied by Professor Miia Kivipelto, Sarah Lenz Lock of AARP, and Anna Månströmer of ASSA ABLOY.

MUST READS

A June 3, 2019 Science Daily article highlighted research from the University of Bergen about DNA-based proof showing the connection between gingivitis (gum disease) and Alzheimer’s. Gingivitis on its own does not cause AD, but its presence substantially raises the risk and hastens progression. According to researcher Piotr Mydel, “We have managed to develop a drug that blocks the harmful enzymes from the bacteria, postponing the development of Alzheimer´s. We are planning to test this drug later this year.” Also covered by Technology Networks.  

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A new whitepaper from Antidote, “Patients Have a Type,” explored disparities in preferences for participating in clinical trials. It focuses on how race and ethnicity affect participation in different types of trials, better assessment to determine if trial design meets patient needs, if condition area impacts participation, and improving patient recruitment outcomes. According to the whitepaper, “Our survey results suggest that it’s not a lack of interest in research that slows down patient recruitment. Instead, research teams and recruitment companies may not cater their outreach in a way that contextualizes clinical trial opportunities for patients and gives them the information they need to feel con dent about volunteering.”

ALZ TECH

A May 30, 2019 Yahoo! Finance article spotlighted Altoida's artificial intelligence and machine learning platform to help detect Alzheimer's disease. The FDA-cleared medical device and brain health data platform can diagnose AD up to ten years prior to onset, with up to 94% accuracy. “Today's diagnostic methods are either outdated, costly and invasive, or highly nuanced. We are taking aim at this acute problem with a fast, fun, accurate and scalable AI-driven solution that collects digital biomarkers to predict the onset of Alzheimer's as early as ten years before symptoms appear - we like to call them 'micro errors'. Our software or app is designed to be used by a wide range of healthcare professionals, from primary care physicians (GP's) to neurologists to insurance companies, in order to make early detection accessible to more people around the world…” said Altoida lead Dr. Richard Fischer.