MUST READS

A March 6, 2018 The Telegraph article featured the four joint winners of the Lundbeck Foundation’s €1 million Brain Prize neuroscience award. Co-winner Professor Michel Goedert of Cambridge University said, “Alzheimer’s will become something like HIV. It’s still there but it has been contained, or whittled down by drug treatments.” According to the article, “The Brain Prize organisers said the winners had made essential contributions to the genetic and molecular knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease ‘which are the foundations for finding new ways to diagnose, treat and possibly even prevent it and other devastating diseases of the ageing brain.’ ” Also covered by: Quartz Media, Speaking of Research and Express, among others.

A March 6, 2018 The Guardian article focused on Professor John Hardy of University College London, a joint-winner of the prestigious €1 million Brain Prize from the Lundbeck Foundation in Denmark, who helped map out the genetics and biological processes that underpin the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Hardy says that Britain’s exit from the EU is an “unmitigated disaster for science and an unmitigated disaster for the health service” because of the predicted exodus of European doctors, nurses and care workers. He will donate some of his prize money to an anti-Brexit campaign. 

ALZ TECH

A March 5, 2018 MSN video interviewed Brian Krzanich about Alzheimer’s and artificial intelligence. “I’ll just give you one example where artificial intelligence is going to really change and help humans is in healthcare. So for example, there’s data now that suggests that because artificial intelligence can look at things and see changes and shifts much sooner than human eyes can, using MRI’s they can detect Alzheimer’s on set, years earlier than a doctor or a human could detect the Alzheimer’s in the brain, by changes in the brain…”

YOUTH FOCUS

According to a March 3, 2018 The Press article, students at the York Dance Works school are raising money for Alzheimer’s charities in memory of the father of their school principal, Catherine Finta. Finta’s father had Alzheimer’s disease for 11 years. “I’m really touched by the support from all the students and their parents. The more money we can raise to help cure this devastating condition the better,” said Finta.

DEMENTIA AND THE ARTS

A March 4, 2018 ABC 6 News broadcast segment and article spotlighted the "Giving Voice Chorus" in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, which has almost 200 members - volunteers, caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s disease. According to music director Jeanie Brindley-Barnett, “Through basic repetition, you can regain and retrieve and develop new skills.” The Chorus has inspired the formation of seven other choirs in neighboring areas.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

A March 4, 2018 Palo Alto Online article highlighted Palo Alto’s efforts to become a “dementia friendly” city. This means looking at how government, businesses and residents can work together to be inclusive and supportive of people living with dementia, and provide better resources. According to Palo Alto Mayor Liz Kniss, "I'd certainly be happy if people began to look at somebody with dementia as a person who can use their help, support and especially their understanding. I’d like people to become aware of it, not fear it and be aware of it among your group of friends because maybe you can help." A public forum will be held in Palo Alto on March 28, 2018. 

FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE DAY

A March 5, 2018 Mirror article featured the story of Doron Salomon, whose mom (who declined to be named) continued to work at a grocery store in North London even after the business knew she had Alzheimer’s disease. The store went out of their way to support her with regular retraining so she could keep her job. According to Salomon, “It was so important. Sainsbury's gave her a real sense of worth and pride. She felt valued. The job also kept her brain ticking over – it was stimulation, so I think it really helped not just with her happiness, but also with the disease itself."