USA2 SPOTLIGHT 

An April 6, 2016 MyInforms.com article highlighted UsAgainstAlzheimer’s upcoming Alzheimer’s Talks focused on innovation in the Alzheimer’s drug pipeline. According to the article, “Two important Alzheimer’s research organizations, Researchers Against Alzheimer’s (RA2) and Us Against Alzheimer’s (UsA2), will host an Alzheimer’s Talks Teleconference on April 11 to discuss recently released findings of an analysis of late-stage drug candidates to treat the disease.” When: April 11, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET Sign up for Alzheimer’s Talks here. 

MUST READS 

An April 6, 2016 The Washington Post article highlighted actor David Hyde Pierce’s congressional testimony on Alzheimer’s disease. According to Pierce, “I kind of believe in American exceptionalism … as something we must earn and justify and prove, and I believe this fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia is a great proving ground…For years, we have had the potential and the skills and the resources to lead the world in … eventually eliminating it.”

An April 6, 2016 St. Louis-Dispatch article reported that “A St. Louis director of a nonprofit that helps families care for Alzheimer’s sufferers told Congress Wednesday that there was a ‘national crisis’ because of ’15 million unpaid dementia caregivers who need help today.’” According to the article, “The hearing heard updates on federal efforts toward finding a cure for Alzheimer’s by 2025. But Baron told the subcommittee that families now caring for someone should not be neglected in the meantime. Citing national statistics, she said that Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases cost $236 billion to treat in 2015. An estimated 5.4 million people have the disease.”

An April 6, 2016 The Detroit News article reported that “A Senate committee approved a legislative package Wednesday that lawmakers say will become part of its response to House legislation by Michigan Rep. Fred Upton that is designed to deliver cash and reforms that would expedite treatment and cures of chronic diseases like [Alzheimer’s].” According to the article, “The original 21st Century Cures initiative, crafted by House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Upton, R-St. Joseph, and Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colorado, aims to speed the discovery, development and delivery of life-saving drugs and devices for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.”

INTERESTING READS FROM AROUND THE WEB

The Wall Street Journal: Redstone Case Spotlights Rise in Competency Litigation

The New York Times: Walk, Jog or Dance: It’s All Good for the Aging Brain

Roll Call: Lawmakers' Personal Stories Featured in Alzheimer’s Forum 

FierceBiotech: Solo again, Allergan strikes a $3.3B deal on Heptares' Alzheimer's portfolio

Parent Herald: Stressful Life Can Cause Alzheimer's, Study Reveals