USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A January-February, 2018 Aging Today article by VeteransAgainstAlzheimer’s Network Lead Shawn Taylor spoke about her passion and commitment to include veterans in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows that post-traumatic stress and depression resulting from military service can nearly double veterans’ risk for AD, and those with traumatic brain injury are 60 percent more likely to develop dementia. The numbers show that in the next 10 to 30 years, 50,000 Gulf War veterans are likely to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, making Alzheimer’s awareness and advocacy more crucial than ever. VeteransAgainstAlzheimer’s is a network of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. 

MUST READS

A January 22, 2018 The Washington Post article looked at the effects of the government shutdown. Fortunately, many functions of the Department of Health and Human Services are considered “essential," so only about half its workers are furloughed. The following services will continue through the shutdown: states get their Medicaid payments; Medicare reimburses medical providers; premium subsidies continue for Obamacare enrollees and the marketplaces remain open for off-season sign-ups; the Food and Drug Administration continues drug reviews; and the nation’s 1,400 community health centers which provide preventive care and dental services to low-income Americans stay open. However, the NIH can’t enroll new patients in clinical trials or take action on grant applications, which is not good news for Alzheimer’s disease research.

A January 21, 2018 Daily Trojan article spotlighted researchers from USC’s Keck School of Medicine who are receiving part of the $70 million NIH award to develop a new nationwide Alzheimer’s disease research infrastructure, the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trial Consortium. According to Paul Aisen of the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute at the Health Sciences Campus in San Diego, “In our efforts, we’ve learned a great deal about the disease and about potential targets and potential therapies. But all of our large studies have failed … and we believe we understand [why] now … We’ve been focused on treating Alzheimer’s dementia, which is what everybody thinks about when they hear Alzheimer’s but what we have learned as academic investigators is … that Alzheimer’s disease is a much longer disease than just the dementia stage.”

A January 20, 2018 Business Insider article interviewed San Francisco venture capitalists about the types of biotech startups they would like to fund. Overwhelmingly, they are interested in degenerative brain conditions, especially Alzheimer’s disease treatments. However, it is difficult to know where to invest. According to Alexis Borisy of Third Rock Ventures, "The problem is we don't know enough about how the disease works to really invest in one drug or another. We need to have that understanding at a molecular, mechanistic basis."

LIFESTYLE

According to a January 20, 2018 Woman’s Day article, there are several ways to reduce the risk of cognitive issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related problems. Engaging in physical activity helps to clear amyloid. Thinking in new or deeper ways, requiring reasoning and attention, builds a healthier mind by utilizing novelty, variety, engagement and challenge. Prioritizing sufficient sleep cleans up toxic byproducts in the brain, including maintaining a consistent schedule. A dark, quiet environment encourages optimal sleep. Sticking to a healthy diet helps lower Alzheimer’s risk factors including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

MUST LISTEN

A January 21, 2018 WBOI 89.1 NPR radio segment spotlighted Alzheimer’s disease research at Indiana University’s Department of Neurology in Indianapolis, part of ADNI (Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative). The study continues to recruit people above age 55 without Alzheimer’s symptoms, or with early-stage symptoms of the disease. The goal is to treat people before any symptoms appear.

FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE DAY

A January 21, 2018 Daily Mail article told the story of a couple who got married again after Michael Joyce, who has Alzheimer’s disease, popped the question (again) to Linda, his wife of 34 years. Their New Zealand community rallied around the effort to plan their second wedding on very short notice. According to Linda, “…To re-marry the love of my life, was the happiest day of my life.'