MUST READS

An April 22, 2016 Los Angeles Times article reported on how “USC is making ground-breaking discoveries for Alzheimer’s.” According to the article, “Fueled by a growing awareness about Alzheimer’s, as well as new medical technology, research has rapidly yielded discoveries about the disease. Scientists have uncovered the biological processes involved, identified genes and lifestyle factors that put people at risk, plus they’ve revealed the way in which the disease progresses and discovered the pathology of the disease begins long before symptoms appear. What has eluded scientists so far is an effective treatment. But the researchers and physicians at Keck Medicine of USC believe a breakthrough is near. They’re pushing forward to find therapies that are going to finally change the course of care for the millions of Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.”

An April 22, 2016 MedPage Today article reported that “A drug targeting the 5HT-6 serotonin receptor, when added to donepezil (Aricept) in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease, significantly slowed cognitive decline compared with donepezil alone, a researcher reported here.”

An April 22, 2016 The New York Times theater review highlighted the growing Alzheimer’s theater genre. According to the article, “Contemporary works about people who grapple with Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia are on the rise as writers explore these maladies. “The Father,” a drama starring Frank Langella that studies a man’s disintegration from the disease through his point of view, opened recently on Broadway.”

An April 22, 2016 Idaho Mountain Express opinion piece by Gini Ballou underscored the importance of clinical trial participation. According to Ballou, “While community activities such as Alzheimer’s walks are great ways to increase awareness and raise money for this critical fight, I recently found another way in which people can meaningfully contribute to the crucial research needed to prevent it. I joined the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry to learn more about Alzheimer’s prevention research and to potentially become a participant as new clinical studies begin to enroll.”

INTERESTING READS FROM AROUND THE WEB

Toronto Sun: Knowing the dangers: Dementia and driving

AlzForum.org: Drug Trials in Frontotemporal Dementia: Can Field Push Forward Together?