USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A December 4, 2017 Times of San Diego article spotlighted the “Millennials and Dementia Caregiving in the United States” study by researchers at the University of Southern California, and issued by the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. The study finds that one out of six millennial caregivers (born from 1980 to 1998) is caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. This figure is likely to rise as the number of patients rises. According to Maria Aranda, “Caregiving to family members with dementia can be a full-time job. Caring for the millennial caregiver is a societal investment with the potential of delaying family burdens and healthcare costs in the future.”

MUST READS

A December 5, 2017 Minnesota Daily article spotlighted a study utilizing new camera technology developed by University of Minnesota researchers which collects images of light interacting with the retina, and can show the early presence of Alzheimer’s disease. The hope is that in the future, eye doctors will integrate this process into annual eye exams. According to Co-Lead Researcher Swati More, “Our goal is to detect the disease as early as we can, which will help in the progression and the success of treatments as well as drug discovery.” 

According to a December 4, 2017 Chicago Tribune article and video segment, a Cook County (Chicago) judge, Valarie E. Turner, who has Alzheimer’s disease, allowed a law clerk to wear her robe and hear traffic court cases. Turner has been forced into retirement and the decision cannot be appealed. The Judicial Inquiry Board, which investigates and prosecutes allegations of misconduct or incapacity against judges, charged that Turner was “mentally unable” to do her job.

(ICYMI) A November 6, 2017 The Hill article reported that a record number of people signed up for ObamaCare in the first few days of open enrollment this year. The enrollment period ends December 15th. Acting Health and Human Services Secretary Eric Hargan wants the sign-up period to be "as consumer friendly as possible." Get more information here and here. Read the Justice in Aging fact sheet.

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A December 5, 2017 Medical Xpress article reported that a new small-molecule drug, anle138b, can stop toxic ion flow in the brain that is known to trigger nerve cell death, which may one day be used to treat Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. According to Co-Senior Study Author Ratnesh Lal, “This is the first drug molecule that can regulate memory loss by directly blocking ions from leaking through nerve cell membranes.” 

A December 1, 2017 EurekAlert! release focused on work by University of Colorado Boulder researchers on a new laser microscopy technique to study the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment options. The aim is to develop quantum light sources and biological labeling techniques for measuring neural processes in real time. According to Lead Researcher Ralph Jimenez, “If we can see how Alzheimer's happens in real time at the neuron level, for example, scientists can begin thinking about designing drugs or other interventions. We are looking at this like a 'moonshot' project. With sufficient funding and momentum, dramatic advances can happen quickly."

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A December 4, 2017 WTNH News 8 article and broadcast segment spotlighted new electro-magnetic headgear, ready for a phase one clinical trial, developed by inventor Eric Knight with NeuroEM Therapeutics, to break up the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s. According to Dr. Gary Arendash, “This is a new technology, in bio-engineering that’s different from a drug and does things that drugs can’t do as far as getting into the brain, into brain cells and affecting the actual disease process as we know it.” The clinical trial will be conducted at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute with the University of South Florida.