Must reads

• A December 4, 2013 Washington Post editorial highlighted the negative impact of budget cuts on NIH and the need to invest in biomedical research. According to the editorial, "But when the scientist in charge of the nation’s research enterprise frets about “deep long-term damage” to biomedical research, we ought to pay particular attention. The research NIH funds is precisely what we should demand from government. It is critical to our future as a healthy society and world leader in science, and it’s not something the private sector will do in government’s stead. Do political leaders really want to explain to future generations why they let the United States walk away from a great age of biomedical discovery?"
• A December 4, 2013 The Telegraph (UK) article reported that "Dr Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said scientists were “full of hope” that a breakthrough in drug therapy to prevent dementia could come within five years." According to the article, "Speaking ahead of a G8 summit next week on dementia, Dr Karran said trials have suggested that a drug called solanezumab may delay the onset of disease, halting problems with brain function and behaviour in those with mild dementia."

• A December 5, 2013 Reuters article reported that "Many governments are woefully unprepared for an epidemic of dementia currently affecting 44 million people worldwide and set to more than triple to 135 million people by 2050." According to the article, "Fresh estimates from the advocacy group Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) showed a 17 percent increase in the number of people with the incurable mind-robbing condition compared with 2010, and warned that by 2050 more than 70 percent of dementia sufferers will be living in poorer countries." ADI press release here. Notable coverage by: Agence France Presse, USA Today, and BBC News.