USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A March 14, 2018 Inside UCR article spotlighted the inaugural “Symposium on Immigrant Health: Structural Adversity, Resistance, and Resilience,” held at the University of California, Riverside, with more than 20 national scholars and community organizers probing connections between immigration policy and health. Opening keynote speaker William Vega (UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Board member) “…named Alzheimer’s disease as a particularly critical health issue affecting aging Latino immigrant populations. Unless a major medical breakthrough cures or slows the progression of the disease, he explained, the number of Latinos impacted by it is expected to rise by 832 percent to hit 3.5 million people by 2060.”

MUST READS

A March 26, 2018 Daily Mail Online article reported that scientists at Washington University reduced the levels of amyloid beta plaques in mice in half with a new antibody treatment called HAE-4 that targets APOE. It did not seem to cause inflammation as other antibodies did. According to senior study author Dr. David Holtzman, “By removing plaques, if we start early enough, we may be able to stop the changes to the brain that result in forgetfulness, confusion and cognitive decline.” Also covered by Science Daily, UPI and News-Medical.

MUST WATCH

A March 26, 2018 Ad Week article featured a new video PSA, “Daughter and Mother,” about children who become caregivers for their parents with dementia. According to Barbara Chambers of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, “Many people are very concerned because it does take up to 20 years to incubate before the first symptoms appear, and then it can last for up to 20. People are concerned not only for themselves, but for their children, and that is something that really resonates.”  

MUST LISTEN

A March 23, 2018 WTMJ-TV “Positively Milwaukee” broadcast segment and article focused on the music of Milwaukee native Chadwick Johnson, highlighting “Remember Love,” which he describes as “a love letter to a person struggling with memory loss from their caregiver or loved one.” All proceeds from the song will be donated to Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A March 22, 2018 The Cavalier Daily article reported that the TRPN7 ion channel, which plays a role in the regulation of macrophages (immune system cells), was recently identified by researchers at University of Virginia Health System. This provides a potential new drug target for the treatment of inflammation linked to Alzheimer’s disease. According to Asst. Pharmacology Prof. Bimal Desai, “Implying that the inflammatory responses in Alzheimer’s are extremely important either contributes towards the initiation of the disease, but more likely than that is that I think they would accelerate the progression of the disease.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

A March 25, 2018 The Advocate Alzheimer's Q&A discussed the term “transfer trauma,” which is stress, unrest or anxiety a person with Alzheimer's or dementia experiences when they change living environments. A high level of stress can escalate behavioral expressions such as outbursts, aggression and resistance to care. Staff can combat transfer trauma by helping the person develop a sense of meaning and purpose, decorating their new room in a familiar way, and assisting in social interactions.