USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A June 6, 2018 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s blog post by Interim President Drew Holzapfel announced the search for a permanent UsA2 President. According to Holzapfel, “The President of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s will be someone who communicates and implements our vision and who helps to meaningfully direct our resources. Working with leadership from each part of our organization, the President will develop a strategic plan that will be used to guide UsAgainstAlzheimer’s activities, evaluate successes and determine new initiatives. Perhaps most importantly, the President will monitor the dynamic landscape of Alzheimer’s disease, and ensure that UsAgainstAlzheimer’s adapts to evolving needs and seizes on opportunities to expedite a cure.”

Join our next Alzheimer's Talks on Wednesday, June 20, at 2pm (EST) as we talk with Dr. Brett Hauber of RTI Health Solutions about the new “What Matters Most Study” – how it is being conducted and what it means for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families.

MUST READS

A June 6, 2018 Washington Examiner article spotlighted the new VA Mission Act bill, which was signed into law this week. It will now be implemented at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It allows veterans to seek care at private sector medical facilities, and expands access to the VA’s caregiver program.

A June 6, 2018 Science Daily article examined typical communication patterns of people with Alzheimer’s disease. “Saving appearance responses" (SARs) is when people pretend to know answers to keep up appearances, or make conversation as if they remember what they forgot. SARs is particularly common in people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan performed the first statistical analysis of SARs in patients with dementia.

MUST LISTEN

A June 6, 2018 KDKA Radio Afternoon News segment spoke with Dr. Michael Weiner of the ADNI Study (Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative). The University of Pittsburgh will join ADNI, in its third phase of trials, as one of 60 participating clinics in the U.S. The first amyloid scan was developed at the University, the precursor to PET scans now used for Alzheimer’s research. According to Weiner, “It doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve been diagnosed by a physician or not. If you have any concerns about your memory or problems with brain function this is a way to get evaluated at no cost it’s completely free.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

According to a June 6, 2018 Fierce Biotech article, Eisai and Biogen’s oral BACE inhibitor elenbecestat reduced amyloid beta in 35 people with mild cognitive impairment or mild to moderate dementia, however it did not slow the decline of clinical symptoms more than placebo. “Eisai and Biogen will continue to work together to advance the ongoing phase 3 program (MISSION AD) in order to contribute a new potential treatment option to Alzheimer’s disease patients as soon as possible,” said Lynn Kramer of Eisai’s Neurology Business Group.