MUST READS

A September 17, 2018 Market Watch press release reported on findings from a new Novartis survey of more than 10,000 participants, the largest global survey to-date about perceptions of Alzheimer's disease. Most adults believe a cure for Alzheimer’s disease will be developed in their lifetime. According to Paola Barbarino of Alzheimer's Disease International, “…This survey clearly shows that people are willing to participate in research to help treat and to hopefully find a cure. We need to demystify and remove awareness barriers to participation in medical research, making all suitable candidates aware of how they can get involved.”

PROFILES IN COURAGE

A September 17, 2018 The Tribune blog post by Phil Dirkx urged people to buy Alzheimer’s stamps to support research, especially during September, designated as “Alzheimer’s Month.” Dirkx’s wife died from Alzheimer’s last year. “So what can we do about Alzheimer’s? I’d say we could at least buy Alzheimer’s stamps at our post offices instead of regular postage stamps. We can use Alzheimer’s stamps to mail all our bill-payments, birthday cards, Christmas cards and whatever else we put in the mail.”


RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

According to a September 17, 2018 Johns Hopkins University HUB article, cognitive neuroscience researcher Michela Gallagher was awarded the 2018 Melvin R. Goodes Prize for Excellence in Alzheimer's Drug Discovery. Her research focuses on age-related cognitive decline. The $150,000 prize will support the development of AGB-101, targeting hyperactivity in the hippocampus, characteristic of the amnestic mild cognitive impairment stage of AD.

YOUTH FOCUS

A September 7, 2018 U.S. News article looked at integrating kids into the family caregiving dynamic. A 2005 report found there are approximately 1.4 million youth caregivers between 8 and 18 in the U.S. Most help a grandparent with a chronic disease such as dementia. According to the article, “Adding kids to the caregiving team has risks and benefits. On the plus side, it helps kids with character development. “Honoring someone older with a slowed pace of life, who doesn’t have as many physical capabilities, helps build kids’ kindness, social intelligence, generosity and ability to have compassion and nurturance,” says Roger Olson, a clinical child psychologist at St. Luke's Children's Center for Neurobehavioral Medicine in Boise, Idaho.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

A September 6, 2018 Chicago Tribune article looked at the challenging reality of family caregivers. AARP figures show that 40 million American adults support ill, disabled or aging family members, including a rising number of millennials. According to the article, “These people often alter their own daily routines and put their lives on hold to ensure a loved one has the support they need. The role can be highly stressful and isolating, but as caregivers step out of the shadows, more and more resources are becoming available.”

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Seeking applicants for the INSPIRE Postdoctoral Program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to work on the Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience of Learning and Memory. The NIH-funded IRACDA (Institutional Research and Career Developmental Award) grant is seeking students interested in mixing research with minority undergraduate teaching and mentoring. Fellows are supported for three years to spend 70 percent of their time doing laboratory research, and 30 percent teaching undergraduates, while receiving professional development training.