January 30, 2018

Today’s Top Alzheimer’s News

MUST READS

A January 30, 2018 BBC News article spotlighted the story of LaVonne Moore, who has Alzheimer’s disease. She is being treated with a ‘brain pacemaker,’ or deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy, electric wires that stimulate the frontal lobe which is responsible for decision-making and problem-solving. DBS is an experimental AD treatment, although it is in widespread use for Parkinson's disease. According to Professor Andres Lozano, a neurosurgery expert conducting DBS trials in Canada, "Although we are not talking about treating the Alzheimer's degeneration, we can look at changing the downstream consequences by turning parts of the brain back on."



A January 30, 2018 Time article reported that Bill Gates’ 92-year old father has Alzheimer’s disease. In an interview with NBC's Maria Shriver, Gates discussed his reasons for investing $100 million in AD research. According to Gates, “I have a father who’s affected deeply by it. Only by solving problems like this can we take these medical costs and the human tragedy and really get those under control.”


RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A January 29, 2018 Newsweek article focused on the work of Verge Genomics, utilizing artificial intelligence to find treatments for neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Verge builds sophisticated AI to map interactions among genes involved in a neurological disease, and then looks for drugs that can affect all the genes. According to a Morgan Stanley analysis, digitizing drug discovery could save an average of $330 million per approved drug.


MUST WATCH

In a January 30, 2018 Today “Brain Power” series broadcast segment and article, Alzheimer’s advocate and journalist Maria Shriver interviewed Bill Gates about his $100 million donation toward Alzheimer’s disease research. Half of the money is designated for the Dementia Discovery Fund, which finances new, unconventional research into an Alzheimer’s cure. And $50 million is funding a National Patient Registry to speed-up recruitment for clinical trials. Gates revealed for the first time that his father has AD.


YOUTH FOCUS

A January 24, 2018 Discover Magazine blog post by EyesOnALZ Citizen Science Coordinator Egle Marija Ramanauskaite spotlighted students at Lake Hazel Middle School in Boise, who earned a citizen science trophy for competing in Stall Catchers, an online game to speed-up Alzheimer’s disease research. 250 students participated, and achieved the equivalent of 8 months of research in just four weeks of playing. According to Dr. Pietro Michelucci of the Human Computation Institute, “The 250 students at Lake Hazel Middle School, who continue to play Stall Catchers today, have effectively mainstreamed citizen science, showing that anyone and everyone can make a difference in the world today through direct scientific engagement.”


CAREGIVING CORNER

A January 28, 2018 Fifty Plus Advocate article advised caregivers about basic principles and specific skills which can help to to handle unpredictable behaviors in people with Alzheimer’s disease. The article recommends a “person-centered approach” focused on respect, and including them in planning and decision-making about their care.


FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE DAY

A January 28, 2018 News Tribune article highlighted a Missouri family who has raised $40,000 in the last four years for Alzheimer’s disease. 14 siblings banded together to fundraise and advocate in response to their mother Regina’s AD, who died in 2014. According to sibling Vicki Clark, "We want to see no families go through what we went through. We want to see a cure for this. It is just a devastating disease; it's so hard. We were lucky because there were so many of us, and we've always been really close. You don't find too many families like this."


EVENTS AND RESOURCES

The WellMed Charitable Foundation (WCF) is awarding grants in local WellMed markets. WCF’s primary focus is supporting seniors and their caregivers. Apply here by February 15, 2018.