USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A January 16, 2018 Kaiser Health News article focused on participants of an Alzheimer’s panel discussion last week at the California Museum near Sacramento. Former Access Hollywood correspondent Liz Hernandez, whose mom had AD, moderated. According to the article, “Women in their 60s have a 1 in 6 chance of developing the disease — almost twice as high as the risk of developing breast cancer.” Referencing Latino culture, “It is really hard to talk about money, but we have to ask our parents if they’ve set aside money for care because it is very expensive,” said Hernandez. A report from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and USC addresses the impact of Alzheimer’s on the Latino community.

MUST READS

A January 15, 2018 Daily News article cited research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry which finds that anxiety could be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. According to lead researcher Nancy Donovan, “This suggests that anxiety symptoms could be a manifestation of Alzheimer's disease prior to the onset of cognitive impairment. If further research substantiates anxiety as an early indicator, it would be important for not only identifying people early on with the disease, but also treating it and potentially slowing or preventing the disease process early on."

A January 12, 2018 The Washington Post article looked at the state of Alzheimer’s disease drug development. There have been more than 400 failed clinical trials since the last AD drug was approved. Drug companies are hesitant to fund research because the brain is difficult to access and trials are long and expensive. According to David Bennett of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, “If you think it’s been a bad week, it’s been a bad 14 years. It’s 14 years since the last new drug was approved by the FDA and the string of failures this week is nothing new, and not unexpected. I view Pfizer getting out of the Alzheimer’s business as not a good thing for the field, but that doesn’t mean that I have a strong recommendation for what Pfizer should do in its next trial.”

LIFESTYLE

According to a January 16, 2018 Express article, salt causes changes in the immune system in the gut, which reduces blood flow to the brain and may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Excess salt harms neurons, triggering behavioral and mental problems, however, the damage can be reversed by returning to a normal diet. “We often hear what is good for the heart is good for the head. Interestingly, this study provides a detailed insight into how what happens in the gut could also affect brain health,” said Dr. Doug Brown of the Alzheimer’s Society.

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A January 16, 2018 Business Insider article announced a $1 million challenge award, from Alzheimer's Germ Quest, to find “persuasive evidence that an infectious agent is the root cause of Alzheimer's disease.” The challenge is open to all scientists worldwide and the funds come from Rainey and Leslie Norins, MD, PhD (CEO of Alzheimer's Germ Quest). According to Dr. Norins, “Hopefully, this challenge will help jump-start additional research interest globally in microbes."

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Join the iCARE Team for the first in a series of webinars on having your voice heard as part of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA). The Act is tasked with bringing better care and services to those living with dementia and their care partners. Friday, January 19, at 11am (EST).  

According to a January 16, 2018 Alzheimer’s News Today article, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is launching its 2018 “Educating America” tour, bringing conferences on Alzheimer’s disease to patients, caregivers and the general public. Call (866) 232-8484 for more information. The following dates/locations are confirmed: February 20, San Diego, California; March 9, Tempe, Arizona; March 19, Boston, Massachusetts; April 13, Nashville, Tennessee; April 24, Atlanta, Georgia; May 1, Birmingham, Alabama; May 18, New York, New York; June 14, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; September 27, Fairfax, Virginia.