USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A November 7, 2019 Cleveland.com opinion piece by Rochelle Long, who was awarded the National Citizen Scientist Cornerstone Award® from the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation (GAP), spotlighted the ‘double whammy’ impact of Alzheimer’s disease on African-American women, who are more than twice as likely to have AD as white Americans, and are more often caregivers. Despite this, African-Americans make up a disproportionately small percentage of trial participants. Long accompanied both her mom and aunt to AD clinical trials as study a partner. “Without more volunteers from the African-American community, the disparity in Alzheimer’s research will grow. African-American seniors will die in greater numbers, our families will continue to be unequally burdened by the demands of caregiving, and our children will risk inheriting a world without a cure for everyone,” wrote Long. GAP is an initiative of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

Check-out Due West United Methodist Church’s new website, “Loving Through Dementia,” which includes practical support for families and caregivers, and resources for initiating or expanding Dementia Friendly Faith Communities and programs. More than a dozen clergy advocates from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s faith networks, representing multiple faith traditions, are featured wearing their Alzheimer’s stoles and tallitot in the ‘Stole Ministry’ initiative, which encourages the use of liturgical art in promoting dementia friendly faith communities.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A November 6, 2019 Medical Xpress article spotlighted research out of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on prion diseases, including the development of the only published, quick, noninvasive, living-subjects, prion detection-testing method. “Our peptoid beads have the ability to detect the misfolded proteins that act as infectious agents, so it could have a significant impact in the realm of prion diseases, but we have also shown that it can seek out the large aggregated proteins that are the disease agents in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, among others,” said senior scientist and prion research pioneer Ronald Zuckermann.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

A November 6, 2019 Parkinson’s News Today article spotlighted a new project, from Alzheimer’s Research UK and Parkinson’s UK, focused on the link between these diseases and the glymphatic system, which pumps cerebral spinal fluid through tissue, helping to remove the brain’s waste products. Researchers will build on previous findings and investigate potential new therapies. “While there are many differences between Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, common biology between both diseases means that research into one condition can provide important insights into the other. This new research could shed light on a disease process that holds potential as a target for future drugs, and that could change the course of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases,” said Sara Imarisio, PhD of ARUK.

HUMAN INTEREST

A November 5, 2019 Fox 19 NOW article reported that Jim LeClair, a former Cincinnati Bengal football player and Mayville State coach, died of Alzheimer’s disease at age 69. A linebacker, LeClair played for 12 seasons. A former teammate posted, “Lost a teammate and friend today at age 69 from Alzheimer’s. Not only did #55 Jim LeClair take me under his wing as a rookie, he trained me in my comeback from my broken leg in 1989. What a great guy, RIP my friend.”