June 24, 2013

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

Stephen King's worse fear, new Alzheimer's virtual lab, and Japan's looming Alzheimer's crisis (read more).
 
 
 
 
 

Must reads

  • A June 21, 2013 Salon.com article reported that author Stephen King revealed his biggest fear is Alzheimer's. According to the article, "The AMA is scattered with bits of writing wisdom that reveals how King thinks (inspiration for “Joyland” came from an image of “a boy in a wheelchair flying a kite on the beach. Eventually I looked farther down the beach and saw an amusement park”) and his greatest fear (Alzheimer’s)."
  • A June 21, 2013 The Guardian article reported that the UK has developed a vitual research lab to explain issues related to Alzheimer's. According to the article, "British charity Alzheimer's Research UK has launched a website giving families of people living with dementia information on new research and treatments for Alzheimer's and related diseases.The site – The Lab – takes the form of a virtual laboratory and hospital, a 3D environment offering text, slideshows and videos about how research is funded, clinical research and new treatments."
  • A June 21,2 2013 USA Today article reported that "With Alzheimer's and other debilitating diseases afflicting more women, the men in their lives are stepping up." According to the article, "Almost twice as many men now are taking care of someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, up to almost 40 percent of caregivers from 19 percent just 15 years ago, according to two studies, one by the Alzheimer's Association, the other by the National Alliance for Caregiving."
 
International 
  • A June 24, 2013 Yahoo! News article reported on Australia's looming Alzheimer's crisis. According to the article, "It is being called a national crisis, a looming healthcare disaster with no cause, cure or effective treatment.Currently, about 330,000 Australians have dementia and each week more than 1,700 people are diagnosed with the disease. But that figure is set to rise to 7,000 a week, or a total of almost 1 million by 2050."
  • A June 24, 2013 The Japan Times editorial highlighted Japan's need to address its dementia epidemic. According to the editorial, "Japan needs to address this health crisis. Early diagnosis and intervention are the best means to treat dementia, but that requires increased awareness, new policies and higher budgets.Less than half of dementia cases are reportedly recognized during checkups or other treatments. The government should include testing for dementia during all health checkups and make such checks regular part of what doctors look for during treatment for other health issues."
 
Research and science 
  • A June 22, 2013 Star Tribune (MN) article reported on the efforts of Minnesota researchers to find an Alzheimer's treatment. According to the article, "To confront the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease and the cascading medical challenges of an aging population, America will need scientists like Tonya Taylor. At 29, she holds a chemistry degree from Duke, a doctorate from Emory, did postdoctorate work at Oxford University and is now working at the University of Minnesota with one of the nation’s leading researchers in degenerative nerve diseases."