USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A May 21, 2019 News Chief article spotlighted changes we can make now to help protect our brains and delay the onset of dementia. Dr. Marwan Sabbagh of Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health recommends managing weight, blood pressure, diabetes, stress and cholesterol levels, avoiding smoking, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Dr. Sabbagh co-wrote, “Fighting for My Life: How To Thrive in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s,” with Jamie Tyrone, who has a super-rare genetic predisposition for AD affecting just two percent of the population. Tyrone is a WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s Founder. #FightingForMyLife

MUST WATCH

A May 21, 2019 STAT News video displayed a brief, curated trip through the history of Alzheimer’s disease. Beginning with the discovery of AD, the story then jumps ahead to the 1990’s with the onset of the ‘amyloid hypothesis.’ Following failure after clinical trial failure of amyloid-busting drugs, the industry began turning toward BACE inhibitors, which also was unsuccessful in slowing cognitive decline. Scientists are now looking toward the future in new directions.

A May 21, 2019 EurekAlert! news release and video focused on a new study on “enhancers,” unifying several theories behind the origins of Alzheimer’s disease and charting the progression of how healthy cells become sick. Enhancers turn the activity of genes up or down based on a variety of influences. “We now have a better understanding of the molecular factors that lead to Alzheimer's disease, which we can leverage to develop improved and desperately needed treatment and prevention strategies,” said senior study author Viviane Labrie, PhD.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A May 20, 2019 UChicago News article looked at the role that bacteria living in the gut (“gut microbiome”) has on the development of Alzheimer’s disease. People with AD exhibit changes in their gut microbiome. “Recent evidence suggests that intestinal bacteria could play a major role in various neurological conditions including autism spectrum disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Sangram S. Sisodia of UChicago’s Center for Molecular Neurobiology.

PROFILES IN COURAGE

A May 20, 2019 Being Patient “Perspectives” video spoke with Alzheimer’s advocate and retired Intel executive Pam Montana about her diagnosis of early-onset AD. Montana advises about visiting a doctor, “If you think something’s wrong, you have got to have someone with you who actually knows what you’re doing and what you’re saying or how it’s manifesting itself because we don’t really know. I had been going to the doctor by myself and was like, “I’m a big girl I can handle this. I’ve been independent my whole life.” I have a tendency to push people away sometimes, but I learned not to.”