MUST READS

A March 1, 2018 TMC News article reported that a new study from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that infrared light reduced vulnerability to damaging effects of amyloid beta in mice. Preventing communication disruption between brain cells caused by amyloid build-up could be an effective therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease. According to senior study author Giulio Taglialatela, “Our findings provide evidence that near infrared light can make the brain more resistant to the damaging effects of amyloid beta. Near infrared light therapy increases the health of the points of connection between brain cells, thus decreasing the susceptibility to the toxic proteins.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A March 1, 2018 Science Daily article spotlighted a new study from UW Medicine, where researchers used used human brain cells, created from stem cells. The study results showed that a compound called R33, which boosts the function of the endosomal network, significantly cut the production of both amyloid beta and a precursor of Tau, and may be a promising strategy against Alzheimer's disease. According to lead study author Jessica Young, “The findings suggest that something upstream is affecting the production of amyloid beta and phosphorylated-Tau independently. So one thing we're going to work on going forward will be using these cell lines to identify what this upstream defect might be and whether it, too, could be a target for new therapeutics to treat Alzheimer's."

A March 1, 2018 Seeking Alpha article spoke about the future of Alzheimer’s disease research. Journalist Lane Simonian characterized focusing on amyloid and tau as the “traditional” approach to research, and oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction as “non-traditional.” According to Simonian, “As an investor, banking on the traditional approach is risky because of the track record of failure. On the other hand, banking on the non-traditional approach is risky because it is being undertaken by small biopharmaceutical companies that may not have any large-scale results to present for several years.”

DISPARITIES SPOTLIGHT

A February 14, 2018 USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging article announced that Maria Aranda has been appointed the Executive Director of the Institute. Aranda is a leading expert on the study of adults living with medical, functional and psychiatric illnesses. According to Aranda, “We will continue to honor the Roybal legacy by engaging in scientific discoveries that have direct and timely benefits to older adults and their families facing such challenges as depression, memory loss, chronic medical conditions, poverty and stress due to family caregiving.” USC is a LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's coalition partner.

SEX MATTERS

A February 28, 2018 Express article focused on new analysis, based on 298 articles published between 2016 to 2017, on disparities between the sexes relating to cognitive decline and contributing factors. University of Hertfordshire Cognitive Neuropsychology Professor Keith Laws found that  areas of the female brain which are typically stronger, such as verbal communication, are the quickest to decline in Alzheimer’s disease. Laws’ analysis adds to existing evidence suggesting women suffer significantly greater brain wasting as AD progresses.

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

Apply to participate in the SEAD2 study at KU Alzheimer’s Research Center, looking at how to improve brain energy metabolism in Alzheimer’s patients. Participants will learn if they carry a specific gene associated with a higher frequency of AD.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

According to a March 2, 2018 Bloomberg Technology article, Singapore-based TauRx Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is embarking on a trial for its Alzheimer’s disease drug. The company is recruiting 200 patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease who aren’t taking any other medication. Results are expected in 2019.

DEMENTIA AND THE ARTS

A March 2, 2018 NBC 11 Alive article highlighted a former news anchor, Brenda Wood, who is participating in the 2018 Dancing Stars of Atlanta event on April 21st for the benefit of Alzheimer’s disease research. According to Wood, “Talking about the ravages of Alzheimer’s on its victims and the heartache inflicted on families hit home for me. Several of my relatives are suffering with the disease. One recently passed away. In fact, just about everyone I know is touched in some way by this disease.”

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

A March 1, 2018 The San Diego Union-Tribune article spotlighted the interactive “Dementia Challenge,” a program allowing caregivers to step into the shoes of people living with dementia and see the world through their eyes. The caregiver will experience how perception, attention span, language skills, ability to control emotions and use reason and judgment, deteriorate with Alzheimer’s disease. According to George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers education director Mindy Baker, who is participating in the program, “What we wanted to offer is to able to see things from their perspective and have empathy for them. Many people really don’t understand dementia and they’re scared by it. If you have an idea of what people are going through, if you know that they’re not doing something on purpose to make you angry, you can understand it better.”