Alzheimer's of Central Alabama

Serving people with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and professionals in central Alabama through education, caregiver services and research grants.

ACA’s Weekly Email January 6, 2023

Beginning on Tuesday, January 10, Canterbury United Methodist Church will offer a free Dementia 101 class on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 am. Dr. Renee Harmon, author of Surfing the Waves of Alzheimer’s will teach the basics of what dementia is, the tools and skills needed to build your care team, and how to navigate and find joy in this difficult journey. Contact Valerie Boyd at Valerie.boyd@canterburyumc.org

AFA’s Alzheimer’s Signs and Symptoms, January 17, 10 – noon:  https://alzfdn.org/caac/#beyond

The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC)’s “Sharing the Care for Families Dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementias: Alabama’s PANDA Project,” January 18 , 2-3 pm .  NADRC webinars are free but registration is required. https://rtiorg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sVk4bCB7TOuWj_4vFVuCzw

Alzheimer’s News:

Being Patient offers 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Brain | Being Patient

Austin Perlmutter, MD offers How to Supercharge Your Brain in 2023 (austinperlmutter.com)

Tuscaloosa neurologist, Daniel C. Potts, has released a new book, Bringing Art to Life: Reflections on Dementia and the Transforming Power of Art and Relationships. Enlightened by his father’s artistic gift revealed in the throes of dementia, Dr Potts tells how his father’s creativity inspired the development of the Bringing Art to Life program, sharing stories of its participants, both persons living with dementia and their student partners, and of the power of art and authentic relationships to foster spiritual growth and make meaning even amidst life’s greatest challenges. Here’s the link here or email orders@wipfandstock.com to place an order.

After a successful trial, an FDA decision on Alzheimer’s drug candidate lecanemab is expected as soon as today. Drugmakers Eisai and Biogen took their anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s treatment to the finish line. By clearing amyloid plaques in the brains of people with mild-cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s, the drug slowed the rate of cognitive decline — by 0.45 points on an 18 point scale — igniting excitement from patient advocacy groups.  The drugmakers call lecanemab a “foundational game-changer” while noting possible side effects — including brain bleeds and brain swelling. On the Brink of a Lecanemab FDA Decision, What Do We Know About the Drug’s Safety? | Being Patient

The Alzheimer’s Association has filed a formal request with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that it provide full and unrestricted coverage for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The CMS coverage restrictions for anti-amyloid drugs were finalized in April on the basis of data available at the time.  Since then, new data from the CLARITY AD trial “clearly demonstrate a meaningful clinical benefit” from the investigational anti-amyloid agent lecanemab (Eisai/Biogen), which is currently under accelerated review at the FDA. Alzheimer’s Association to CMS: Ditch Restraints on Amyloid Drugs (medscape.com)

As many as 100,000 cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia could have been better managed or even perhaps delayed with better eye care, according to a report funded by the National Institute on Aging. Identifying and correcting vision problems through regular eye exams, corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, and cataract surgery could go a long way in helping to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, the findings suggest. The new study makes the case that poor vision should be added to a growing list of modifiable risk factors for dementia. Such risk factors include hearing loss, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise, lack of social contact, depression in later life, lack of education, head injuries, exposure to air pollution and excessive alcohol consumption. Together, these risk factors account for up to 40 percent of the cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, experts say.  Visit This Doctor for Better Brain Health | Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (alzinfo.org)

Scientists increasingly recognize the importance of good hearing for brain health. In terms of modifiable risk factors for developing dementia, poor hearing has more of an impact than smoking, high blood pressure and lack of exercise.Preventing or treating hearing loss in middle age has the potential to cut the likelihood of developing dementia years down the road by almost 10 percent.  If your hearing is not as sharp as it used to be, consider a hearing aid.  A new study found that hearing aids and other technologies that restore hearing, such as cochlear implants, reduced the risk for cognitive decline by 19 percent in those with hearing loss, and that the benefits of better hearing accrue over time. This Medical Device Might Be Good for the Brain | Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (alzinfo.org)

A group of neuroscientists led by a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researcher developed a test to detect a novel marker of Alzheimer’s disease neurodegeneration in a blood sample.  The biomarker, called “brain-derived tau,” or BD-tau, outperforms current blood diagnostic tests used to detect Alzheimer’s-related neurodegeneration clinically. At present, diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease requires neuroimaging, which is expensive and inaccessible for many. New Biomarker Test Can Detect Alzheimer’s Neurodegeneration in Blood – Neuroscience News

A genetic predisposition to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests.  Investigators note that the study, which included more than 200 participants, is the first to show an association between genetic risk for ADHD and odds of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s. Genetic Predisposition to ADHD Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk (medscape.com)

Music is a cost-effective, low-risk, and relatively easy-to-use way to improve people’s well-being. It can offer people suffering from dementia a moment of joy, of memory, or of well-being.  Music can send people with dementia on a journey through time, just as it does for people whose memories are intact. Whether it is a hiking song or church choir, a marching band, or grand opera, often each favorite song is associated with a significant stage of life.  The connection has been known for some time now, however, there has not been a controlled, randomized study to date. The Jena project took place in five nursing homes in Thuringia, Germany, and included 130 residents with dementia. After hearing their favorite music, the residents were calmer, more cheerful, and more communicative.  Music Improves Quality of Life for Patients With Dementia (medscape.com)

Psychological distress is significantly linked to the development of dementia later in life, new research shows.  Results from a population-based study of nearly 70,000 participants showed that symptoms of psychological distress, defined as experiencing stress or having a depressive mood, exhaustion, and nervousness during the past month, were associated with a 20% increased risk for dementia. Distress can increase levels of stress hormones and neuroinflammation.  Psychological Distress May Up Dementia Risk (medscape.com)

Watch this beautiful 3 minute video from AARP on A Day in the Life of a Caregiver: A Day in the Life of a Caregiver – YouTube

Check out the free on-line resources from Teepa Snow:  Upcoming Events › Free › – Positive Approach to Care – Shop (teepasnow.com)

Check out Adventures of a Caregiver resources and activity ideas:  Resource Library – Adventures of a Caregiver

January Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/

Support ACA by using AmazonSmile!   Designate Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases. smile.amazon.com 

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