USA2 SPOTLIGHT

According to a June 21, 2017 Xconomy article, a new report analyzing the Alzheimer’s drug pipeline indicated that the “anti-amyoid wave might have crested,” and pharma is starting to look to drugs that aim to slow cognitive decline. “If RVT-101, a drug currently in Phase 3 produces positive data this year, it could shift the calculus of investors and drug developers, says George Vradenburg, chairman and founder of advocacy group USAgainstAlzheimer’s. Getting to market with a drug that treats symptoms could be “cheaper and faster” for several reasons and also could be more attractive to insurers, Vradenburg says.”

A Media Planet editorial by George Vradenburg, Chairman and Co-Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, focused on the costs of Alzheimer’s disease. “The scope and scale of our efforts to combat Alzheimer’s must match the scope and scale of the challenge it poses. For years, Alzheimer’s research has received a small fraction of the resources being devoted to other fields of medical research and, not surprisingly, progress has lagged. As a result, a novel Alzheimer’s therapy hasn’t reached the market since 2003. Ultimately, cures are cheaper than care.”

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A June 20, 2017 Science Daily article focused on new research from the University of Eastern Finland, which shows that the APP (A673T) gene variant protecting against Alzheimer's disease significantly decreases plasma beta-amyloid levels. Knowledge of the genetic background of Alzheimer's disease is crucial for finding new prevention measures and treatments, understanding the cellular level mechanisms of the disease and the development of personalized medical applications.

CAREGIVER CORNER

A June 20, 2017 BBC News article spotlighted Mariel Kirton, who is documenting happy moments from her dad’s life on her Instagram account to "tackle the stigma surrounding the brain disease.” He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease seven years ago at age 52. According to Mariel, her father's personality shines through the posts which capture his love of music, precious moments with relatives and interaction with TV personalities.

VETERANS SPOTLIGHT

A June 19, 2017 The Washington Post article focused on bipartisan legislation, under consideration by Congress, that would make all veterans, no matter when they served, eligible for caregiver support. The “Unsung Heroes Initiative” is a national campaign to raise awareness about the service caregivers give to America’s disabled veterans, as well as the inequities of supports available, particularly for those injured before 9/11. “Enactment of these bills is necessary to more equitably and fully empower family caregivers of severely disabled veterans from all wars,” said an open letter to Congress written by Disabled Americans Veterans and signed by more than 40 organizations.

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES 

A June 20, 2017 The Kansas City Star article highlighted memory-care centers with specialized Alzheimer’s care, piloted in 2011, including educational support from the Alzheimer’s Association of Kansas City and the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Fairway. They are incorporating diet, exercise and brain games into their prevention measures, and give specialized training for employees. “The training for a memory-care person isn’t the same as for a residential-care person,” said Meda Green, Stratford Commons Memory Care Community Liason.