USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A May 3, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s release announced a Consensus Statement and Research Framework communique calling on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to address the global crisis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias at the 2019 G20. The framework was crafted at the second annual Alzheimer’s Asian Scientific Roundtable, which included ResearchersAgainstAlzheimer’s (a UsA2 network) and CEOi (UsA2 is a convener). “Alzheimer's disease and related dementias together constitute the defining global public health crisis of the 21st century… Without a coordinated, international public health response, this issue will continue to wreak havoc on families and communities worldwide. This is an opportunity for Prime Minister Abe and the Japanese government to take action and lead on this issue at the global level,” said UsA2 Chairman George Vradenburg.

A May 2, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s blog post by UsA2’s Director of Communities Virginia Biggar, in honor of the National Day of Prayer, looked at the role of faith in helping to deal with the tribulations of Alzheimer’s disease. Many faith-based communities are becoming dementia-friendly environments where education is provided, and support and refuge is offered to those affected by AD. According to Biggar, “We can empower our faith communities to prioritize brain health and foster hope in our congregations by creating dementia friendly programs that treat affected members with dignity and care.” Several leaders from UsA2’s Faith Coalition weigh-in on the subject.

A May 1, 2019 Newsweek Health article and video trailer spotlighted the new Netflix documentary, “This is Dementia,” which follows neuropsychologist and dementia researcher Dr. John DenBoer, whose research focuses on the potential benefits of brain exercises. On why science has not yet found a cure for dementia, “There have been some wonderful efforts, but I believe we have been hampered by a misunderstanding of the true causal mechanisms of the disease and neuroimaging technology that is still in its relative infancy.” DenBoer cites UsAgainstAlzheimer’s as a resource to help fight stigma and effect change.

MUST WATCH

A May 2, 2019 CBS News article and video trailer focused on an upcoming 60 Minutes edition exploring FTD (frontotemporal dementia). Bill Whitaker visits the lab of leading FTD researcher Dr. Bruce Miller, and talks to people with FTD and their family members. Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7:00pm (EST).

A May 1, 2019 Being Patient Brain Talks video featured Founder Deborah Kan talking with neuropsychologist Dr. Rhoda Au, of Boston University and the Framingham Study, about lifestyle, the brain-heart connection, and the potential to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease by studying voice and writing patterns.

ALZHEIMER'S IN THE MEDIA

A University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health post featured the bi-monthly “Dementia Matters” podcast from Nathaniel Chin, MD. Chin, an investigator in the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, interviews AD experts about latest news and research, and caregiver support. “When I’m looking for speakers for my podcast, or when interacting with my patients, I’m doing that both as a professional who studies [Alzheimer’s disease], and also as a family member who witnessed it. Oftentimes I’ll say things to my guests that I interview, or my patients, in a way that catches them off guard because I know from experience what it’s like to watch a loved one change,” said Chin.