MUST READS

A January 1, 2016 NewsMax.com article reported that “New evidence of a link between Alzheimer’s and heart disease may provide new ways to prevent the dreaded brain ailment,  a top cardiologist says.” According to the article, “Previous research has shown that the same risk factors that result in cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and obesity, put people at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease as well as other forms of dementia. These risk factors lead to atherosclerosis and now researchers at the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis find this process does occur not only in the cardiovascular system – which includes the heart – but in the brain as well. Atherosclerosis occurs when deposits of cholesterol and other substances (plaques) build up in your arteries and narrow your blood vessels. This process can cause heart-attack causing blood clots, and may also lead to Alzheimer’s by reducing the flow of blood that nourishes your brain, they noted.”

A February 1, 2016 Jewish Press article reported that Israeli biotech firm NeuroQuest has “launched clinical trials on its blood-based biomarker test to detect Alzheimer’s disease.” According to the article, “NeuroQuest announced last month they had entered into a service agreement with the University of California, San Diego for collection and processing of 700 blood samples for the U.S. clinical validation trials. The South Carolina-based division of the biotech company is developing a blood test for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).”

A February 1, 2016 MedScape.com article highlighted the potential of personal electronic devices to “spot early signs of disease, monitor and encourage fitness, and lower stress can help people reprogram their DNA for a healthier life.” According to Alzheimer’s researcher Dr. Rudi Tanzi, “In Alzheimer's, plaque is building up in the brain 15 years before. That's when you have to hit it. Precision medicine is not complete when you just say, 'right patient, right drug.' It has to be, 'right patient, right drug, right time.' We need to learn all of the different telltale signs of when someone's getting in trouble for various diseases. With the types of products we're seeing here in digital health, that's possible for the first time.” 

A February 1, 2016 Bowling Green Daily News article reported that the CDC reports Americans are living longer and preparing for longer lives. According to the article, “According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the numbers of Americans 100 and older increased 43.6 percent, from 50,281 in 2000 to 72,197 in 2014. Dr. Jack Glasser of The Glasser Clinic said that one thing that he has noticed about his geriatric patients is that they’re becoming more proactive about diet and exercise and about forming a plan to live a longer life…Death rates for Alzheimer’s disease increased 119 percent between 2000 and 2014 among centenarians, according to the CDC report.”

POLICY AND POLITICS 

A February 1, 2016 Science Mag article provided “an overview of where the candidates stand on some select science-related issues.” According to the article, “Former Senator (D–NY) and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said she “would increase funding for scientific research at agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation.” Has called for “rapidly” ramping up NIH spending on Alzheimer’s disease to $2 billion per year (from about $600 million now), with the goal of making a “cure possible by 2025.” Would support greater funding for research into autism, and launch a “first-ever adult autism prevalence study” in order to provide better services to adults on the autism spectrum.”

INTERESTING READS FROM AROUND THE WEB

San Jose Mercury News: As America ages, museums adjust for visitors with memory loss

NewsMax: Obama to Seek $755M For Cancer 'Moonshot'

The New York Times: Adjusting Medication May Prolong Levine’s Tenure at the Met

Genengnews: Treating Alzheimer's with High Blood Pressure Drugs

Financial Advisor: Advisor Innovation And Client Dementia