USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A November 4, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s press release addressed news out of China that the drug Oligomannate, for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, will be available in China this year. This is the first new drug targeting AD to be approved since 2003. “The tide on Alzheimer’s drug therapies seems to be turning after years of setback and disappointment… It follows the announcement last month that Biogen and Eisai intend to seek approval by the Food and Drug Administration in early 2020 of Aducanumab as a therapy for early Alzheimer’s and the announcement that Acadia Pharmaceuticals plans to submit pimavanserin for regulatory review for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis,” said UsA2 Chairman George Vradenburg.

A November 4, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s press release welcomed Niles Godes as the new UsA2 Chief Government Relations and Policy Officer. Godes has a strong history working with non-profits, advocacy and stakeholders providing health and housing services for older adults.“Alzheimer’s is the only top ten disease in the U.S. with no known current treatment or cure, and patients, caregivers and families need support and help. I’m honored to join UsAgainstAlzheimer’s to seek additional funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research, greater emphasis on prevention steps, and strengthened government policies on cognitive screenings and reimbursements,” said Godes.

A November 4, 2019 STAT article featured a video depicting Kamaria Moore-Hollis’ life caregiving for her mom, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As a young caregiver, she didn’t find the support she needed at local groups. According to the article, “"This is a destabilizing disease for all communities, but has acute challenges for millennials and particularly millennials of color… There’s a role reversal there that causes emotional distress. You’re filling in the role of a parent, for a parent,” he [LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s Lead Jason Resendez] said. Nearly 80% of millennial dementia caregivers in the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s report say their role is emotionally taxing — and that they want more help dealing with that…” Resendez said.”

MUST READS

A November 4, 2019 CNN article spotlighted the announcement from China's drug safety agency that the drug Oligomannate, from Green Valley, has been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in China. It is derived from a sugar contained in (brown algae) seaweed which suppresses certain gut bacteria that can cause neural degeneration and brain inflammation, leading to AD. “These results advance our understanding of the mechanisms that play a role in Alzheimer's disease and imply that the gut microbiome is a valid target for the development of therapies,” said Green Valley advisor and neurologist Philip Scheltens. Also covered by South Morning China Post.

A November 3, 2019 The New York Times article looked at several stories of people with dementia wandering across the border and into Mexico. Because wandering is a common behavioral symptom of dementia and cars from the US can enter Mexico with little to no review, people living near the border may be at added risk. Some may be trying to return to familiar places, while others cross by chance. According to the article, “Lisa Tyburski of the Glenner Care Memory Centers, a San Diego nonprofit organization that runs day care facilities and programs for people with memory impairment, recommended that families list patients in a special registry run by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department that helps identify people who may be unable to tell officers who they are or where they live.”