USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A February 24, 2017 Alzheimer’s News Today article reported that Rush University Medical Center in Chicago will investigate risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease among Latinos. Researchers will recruit 300 elderly, cognitively healthy individuals who will be visited once a year in their homes, to be examined in Spanish and English, and include memory tests, blood sampling, and health and lifestyle questionnaires. “Past studies suggest that Latinos may have a higher risk of developing dementia compared to other groups, and a significant number appears to be getting Alzheimer’s disease at a younger age. Also, past surveys indicate that Latinos are less likely to see doctors because of financial and language barriers, often mistaking dementia symptoms for normal aging, thus delaying diagnosis,” said Dr. David X. Marquez, lead study investigator. A report from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s predicts that the proportion of Latinos 65 and older will increase by 224% between 2008 and 2030. That compares with a 65% increase among non-Latino whites. The center’s other projects include studying Alzheimer’s risk among African-Americans and religious orders.

MUST READS

A February 23, 2017 Forbes article (via Quora) explored the question: what is the likelihood of BACE inhibitors providing clinical value to Alzheimer’s patients? The answer is provided by Robert Chen, MD-PhD candidate in Alzheimer's research. This question is particularly relevant now as Merck just pulled one of its BACE inhibitor trials because of their own statistical guidelines set at the beginning of that trial, saying that, “If we don't see an effect of at least 'this big' by 'this long into the trial,' there is essentially no chance we will see anything by the time the trial is over.” Merck still has a BACE trial currently underway, as well as a number of other major pharmaceutical companies. The current BACE inhibitor trials are looking at patients who do not have clinical dementia and who have a positive amyloid PET scan. This ensures that the patients actually have the pathology that the drugs are targeting, and that neurodegeneration is minimal.

DISPARITIES SPOTLIGHT

A February 24, 2017 A Woman’s Health Magazine article reports that Alzheimer’s affects more American women more than men, almost two-thirds, and women are more than 60% of AD caregivers. “Alzheimer’s disease is certainly a women’s issue,” says Ruth Drew, MS, LPC (licensed professional counselor), Director of Family and Information Services, Alzheimer’s Association. “Women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis.” Three known risk factors for Alzheimer’s include advancing age, family history, and being a woman. Education and awareness are essential parts of a health plan.

RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A February 22, 2017 Cosmos Magazine article reported that three US research teams – from Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Rutgers University, and the University of Oregon – have combined forces to find a pathway to the most promising anti-aging drugs, by meticulously adhering to the same protocols while using 22 genetically different types of roundworm (Caenorhabditis) to test new compounds. The star performer across all the labs and types of worms is a compound called Thioflavin T, a dye widely used to detect clumps of amyloid protein in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, that could extend the life of worms by 60%. Though derivates of Thioflavin T are given to people with suspected Alzheimer’s to detect amyloid in their brain using PET scans, for now its use on people remains as a one-off dose. Its long-term toxicity and effectiveness has to be tested on mice first. Funding agencies like the National Institutes of Health are convinced of the merit of searching for compounds that might slow the aging process and increase “health span.” Promising drugs like metformin and rapamycin are in human trials and there are hundreds more on the shelves to test.

CAREGIVER CORNER

A February 21, 2017 Gilmer Mirror article reported that Texas A&M co-developed a new online resource for dementia caregivers, called Texas Cares, which provides wellness programs, transportation planning and engagement in activities for dementia patients and education, support and assistance for family caregivers. “Our goal is to reduce the burdens of care that are anticipated to only increase with the rapid aging of the Texas population, but the impact of this effort can be much larger with Texas Cares serving as a model for the nation,” said Marcia Ory, PhD, Co-Director of the program. “Although printed literature is widely available, new efforts are needed to provide online information and access to individualized support due to the growing demographic of internet‐literate family caregivers,” said Alan Stevens, PhD, Co-Director. The first of these resources is a story-driven website that provides targeted health literacy information and resources on Alzheimer’s disease. The second is an online version of Resources of Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health (REACH II), a leading evidence-based, family caregiver support approach.