MUST READS

An October 25, 2017 Alzheimer’s News Today article reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track status to Alzheon’s Alzheimer’s therapy candidate (ALZ-801). Fast track accelerates development of a therapy and regulatory review. ALZ-801 prevents the clustering of harmful proteins associated with AD. Initial Phase 3 trials will involve patients with APOE4 genes and a mild form of Alzheimer’s.

An October 23, 2017 The San Diego Union-Tribune article looked at a new study about how seniors react to news that they have an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. According to study results published in JAMA Neurology, “Clinicians and researchers need to understand how participants comprehend this information, because knowing it may generate clinical and ethical problems, including the potential for misunderstanding, discrimination, stigma, depression, anxiety, and, in the most extreme cases, suicide in the face of a debilitating disease with no treatment.”  

According to an October 23, 2017 New York Post article, neuroscientist and author Joseph Jebelli predicts a medication to prevent Alzheimer’s disease within the next 10 to 20 years. Biomarkers will determine who may need early treatment. “If Alzheimer’s could be delayed for only one year, there would be 9 million fewer people with the disease by 2050,” said Jebelli.

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

An October 24, 2017 Alzheimer’s Market Watch opinion piece spotlighted video games to help improve focus, multitasking and working memory. Akili Interactive is working with Pfizer on a game to identify people at risk of early onset Alzheimer’s. According to game developer Asi Burak, “…Certain gameplay — in this case multitasking while driving a car on a virtual road — could translate into the improvement of cognitive skills that are related to these medical conditions.”

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

An October 24, 2017 Arizona State University article highlighted David Coon from Arizona State University’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation, who is speaking at the 2017 Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium Public Conference. He will talk about tools caregivers can use to better deal with challenges associated with Alzheimer’s disease. According to Coon, “People [provide in-home care] because they love the individual; this is someone important to them. But that doesn’t mean it comes without associated stressors, challenges and difficulties.” The event is free but registration is required.