MUST READS

A January 2, 2018 Boston Globe article [subscription required] highlighted the unpreparedness of hospitals to care for individuals living with Alzheimer's. According to the article, "People with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia frequently need hospital care, yet few hospitals are prepared for them. Nearly every aspect of that environment — beeping machines, frenetic activity, rigid schedules — runs contrary to the needs of patients who arrive confused and fearful." 

According to a January 2, 2018 EurekAlert! release, 2017 Research!America public opinion surveys show that the majority of the public views science in a positive light, yet scientists and scientific enterprise remain largely invisible. Notably, 82% consider scientists trustworthy scientific spokespersons, far above elected officials and the media. "In order for science to have a more prominent position in our national agenda, the public and their policymakers must hear more from scientists about the health and economic benefits of public and private sector research. Scientists must initiate productive conversations with candidates to connect the dots between research and finding solutions to health threats like Alzheimer's disease and the opioid epidemic," said Mary Woolley of Research!America.

MUST LISTEN

A January 2, 2018 NPR Fresh Air radio segment interviewed neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli about Alzheimer’s disease risk factors, warning signs, brain training games, and memory and genetic tests. Jebelli’s early interest in Alzheimer’s stems from his grandfather’s diagnosis when he was 12 years old. He is author of the book, “In Pursuit of Memory: The Fight Against Alzheimer’s.”

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A January 2, 2018 PC article looked at how Dr. Suthana of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is learning how the brain encodes memories in the "VR Stadium.” A computational model of the human medial temporal memory system will be created to inform future neuroprosthetic devices. According to Suthana, “The other aspect, which is harder to do, is to improve old memories, but those were formed a long time ago… Essentially, it [may] be easier to enhance the process of forming memories. So, if a patient has something like Alzheimer's, we'll want to put in the neuroprosthetics early so we can start to stimulate these areas."