MUST READS

In a February 21, 2018 ResearchGate article, neuroscientist Dr. Howard Fillit looked at three current trends in Alzheimer’s disease drug research. The first is that drug developers are designing better trials, including new patient recruitment methods and utilizing biomarkers in phase 2 trials before proceeding to phase 3 testing. The second is the use of beta-amyloid PET scans and other new testing methods, essential in determining that participants have the condition the drug (being tested) is designed to treat. The third trend is diversified targets including inflammation, mitochondria, proteostasis, oxidation, cellular stress, and vascular and epigenetic changes.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

According to a March 5, 2018 Science Daily article, an Alzheimer's disease polygenic risk score can be used to identify adults with mild cognitive impairment who are in their 50s. "Current studies of the AD polygenic risk score typically occur in adults in their 70s, but the AD pathological process begins decades before the onset of dementia. By focusing on a younger population with cognitive impairment, we may be better able to identify patients for critical early interventions and clinical trials,” said William S. Kremen, PhD of the Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

MUST WATCH

A CBS Weekend News broadcast segment focused on MemoryWell, which helps tell the stories of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The initiative is based on journalist and MemoryWell Founder Jay Newton-Small’s own experience putting her father in a care facility. Professional writers interview the patient’s family (on occasion the patient, if they are able), and write succinct summaries of their lives for their care facilities, in place of lengthy questionnaires.

MUST LISTEN

Focus on the Family delivers podcasts on loving someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Jim Daly talks with  Dr. Gary Chapman and Lisa Anderson. “When someone’s brain is failing, the best thing you can do is love them! Dr. Gary Chapman describes how the five love languages can help people with dementia—and their caregivers—experience a powerful emotional connection.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

A March 3, 2018 Mountain Xpress article focused on the stress that caregivers face when caring for their loved ones. 35 percent of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia report that their health has declined. The 10-question Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale can help assess the level of stress a caregiver is experiencing and determine what kind of help they need. According to Lindsey Kremer of Memory Care (advising and referring caregivers to needed resources), “Sometimes people just don’t realize how stressed they have become.” 

YOUTH FOCUS

A March 2, 2018 CNN “Tomorrow’s Hero” article spotlighted the research of college freshman Indrani Das, which focuses on preventing damaging side effects that occur when the brain heals, or aiding brain neuron survival. Her work won Regeneron's $250,000 top prize, and could one day help people with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries. According to Das, "Neurodegenerative diseases ruin a person's quality of life. They take away from (a person's) basic humanity. It was that impact I wanted to understand and to study and to try and repair."

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

The National Alliance for Caregiving recently released a new report, "From Insight to Advocacy: Addressing Family Caregiving as a Public Health Issue." Today at 2pm (EST) the Alliance is hosting a special webinar to discuss the report's contents and hear from the authors, including: Jennifer Wolff, Ph.D., the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Erin D. Bouldin, Ph.D., Appalachian State University; and Richard Schulz, Ph.D., the University of Pittsburgh. Register here.