January 24, 2018

Today’s Top Alzheimer’s News

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A January 23, 2018 Medical News Today article focused on damage to mitochondria from oligomeric amyloid beta, a highly toxic protein, which triggers events early in Alzheimer’s disease. A new study from Arizona State University in Tempe examines this impact. Mitochondria provides cells with energy and researchers are looking to it as a potential early drug target. According to lead researcher Dr. Diego Mastroen, “This study reinforces the toxicity of oligomeric amyloid beta on neuronal mitochondria and stresses the importance for protective compounds to protect the mitochondria from oligomeric amyloid beta toxicity."


CAREGIVING CORNER

A January 23, 2018 Careliving blog post by Vicki Bartholomew reflected on drawing strength from the words of the classic song, “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. Bartholomew is caregiver to her husband, who joined a memory support community. According to Bartholomew, “Join a support group or start one in your area if there isn’t one already. Be social – isolation is a downer. Get together with friends and find somebody to talk to. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and your own needs and to lean on friends who understand – for it won’t be long ‘til THEY’RE gonna need somebody to lean on!” Careliving is the blog of Kim Campbell, wife of country music legend, Glen Campbell, who passed away last year from Alzheimer’s disease.


YOUTH FOCUS

A January 24, 2018 Fast Company article spotlighted 14 year-old coder Emma Yang, who created an app called “Timeless,” utilizing AI and facial recognition, to help people with Alzheimer’s disease recognize their loved ones. The app was inspired by experience with her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s disease. According to Yang, “There are no apps on the market that really help Alzheimer’s patients with their daily lives. A lot of times people think that it’s not going to help, or the elderly can’t really use technology, but in fact, if you strategically introduce it to them, it’s actually a possibility and can really benefit their lives.”


DEMENTIA AND THE ARTS

A January 23, 2018 Vulture article reviewed the new feature film, “What They Had,” starring Hilary Swank and Blythe Danner. Danner’s character has Alzheimer’s disease and her family must figure out how to care for her. Writer-director Elizabeth Chomko dedicates the film to her own grandparents, based on her personal experiences with them. According to Chomko, “Memory is a gift we’re given. I don’t want to take it for granted.” 


CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A January 23, 2018 Business Insider press release announced that IntelGenx initiated a Phase 2a proof of concept clinical trial for Montelukast VersaFilm™ for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study will enroll approximately 70 Canadians with mild to moderate AD. It was approved in 1997 by the FDA for asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis, and the trial seeks to repurpose it as a therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases by reformulating into an oral film-based product.


REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

According to a January 21, 2018 San Francisco Chronicle article, the Irene Swindells Alzheimer’s Residential Care Program in the Presidio Heights neighborhood will close its doors by year's end. It is one of the city’s only subsidized residential care centers for Alzheimer’s patients. A day program for dementia patients which offers cognitive exercises, therapy animals, music performers and other activities will be relocated to the Institute of Aging. The number of San Francisco elderly residential care centers has declined 20 percent since 2012.