MUST READS

A March 24, 2020 Labiotech article announced the modification of milestone payments in a deal inked between AC Immune and Eli Lilly to co-develop an anti-tau, small molecule treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Trial results are expected later this year. According to the article, “According to AC Immune, its own drug is uniquely shown to specifically inhibit tau clumping both inside and outside brain cells. This could block the aggregation of tau earlier, when compared to other drugs in development. In addition to tau, the protein amyloid-beta has been a common target for candidate Alzheimer’s drugs. However, there is a long history of clinical failures of drugs targeting amyloid-beta.”

ALZ TECH

A March 25, 2020 Medical Xpress article looked at structural changes in nerve cells affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Lund University researchers utilized O-PTIR (optical photothermal spectroscopy), new technology which allows for the study of nerve cell protein structures. According to the article, “The researchers have been able to use the new method to image neurons affected by early-stage Alzheimer's disease in mice before the death of the nerve cells, something that is important when mapping the disease mechanisms... The new technology can also be used to study protein structures related to other diseases that affect the brain, such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy Body dementia and frontal lobe dementia.”

MUST WATCH

A March 23, 2020 Vice News Tonight video spotlighted the Town Square program, run by the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Center, for people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. This immersive ‘hyper-real living environment’ helps bring people back to their younger years, 1950’s for many, when they were creating their strongest memories. Mary Patterson, who has AD, attends "reminiscence therapy" at Town Square, giving her husband and caregiver, Ray, some time to himself.

MUST LISTEN

In a March 24, 2020 Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio segment, host Lori La Bey interviewed Arlieta Hall, a Certified Dementia Communication Specialist. They discuss Hall’s creative approach to dementia.