USA2 SPOTLIGHT

The first person to be cured of Alzheimer's will be someone in a clinical trial. Watch our video to learn the basics. Register to receive our Clinical Trials Toolkit about Alzheimer’s clinical trials and finding local trial sites.

MUST LISTEN

A March 18, 2019 NPR podcast addressed the importance of getting the right diagnosis when it comes to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Figures show that 20-40 percent of people in the U.S. with dementia have something other than AD, including vascular or Lewy body disease, or frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The right diagnosis is crucial for families to get the best care for their loves one, and plan for the future. Each disease has its own challenges, and many patients suffer from co-morbidities.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A March 18, 2019 PBS Arizona Public Media podcast looked at work from University of Arizona researchers on understanding why some people age better than others. Professor Gene Alexander utilizes neuroimaging scans in order to try and predict who will get Alzheimer’s disease. “We need to look at large numbers of people and be able to look at these scans and see how they vary, and why some people do well and some don’t,” said Alexander.

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A March 18, 2019 Chron article spotlighted an Alzheimer’s disease clinical drug trial currently recruiting participants who are at high risk for the disease. The Generation Program is operating out of four Houston locations, with an overall goal of recruiting 3,000 international volunteers, aged 60 to 75, at 190 sites worldwide. Find more information on Generation Program here.

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Sign-up for the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation webinar, “Clinical Trial Considerations in Neurodegenerative Disease.” April 10, 2019 at 4pm (EST). Dr. Tina Soulis of Neuroscience Trials Australia will share best practices and tips for moving clinical trials forward.

ICYMI

A January 9, 2019 The Guardian article spotlighted the use of music therapy to help calm agitation and anxiety in people with dementia. Research shows that music has significant benefits for people with dementia including increased physical and mental health, and retaining speech and language skills longer. According to the article, “Music uses different parts of the brain from language, so can be used to communicate with people with dementia, even if they no longer speak or seem to understand others’ words. As a result, it can help them express feelings and ideas and interact with others. It also reduces social isolation and encourages more physical activity through dancing or moving to the music.”