MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'alzheimer\'. Wed, 05 May 2010 18:44:15 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3505017&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Falzheimers-disease-nih-conference_26.html The videostream of the conference is quite good (requires RealPlayer), so drop in if you want to watcht the conference. Some good presentations so far.Conference homepage (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3505017 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:09:00 +0100 3505017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502872&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Falzheimers-disease-nih-conference.html A reminder that tomorrow (Monday) you can watch the conference online. Information, including the programme, can be found at http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/alz.htm.If you tweet, the hashtag for the conference is #NIHAlz (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502872 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:03:00 +0100 3502872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494412&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Falzheimers-disease-watch-nih-conference.html From the NIH:NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline - Day 1View event: You will be able to view the event at http://videocast.nih.gov when the event is live. Air date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 8:30:00 AMTime displayed is Eastern Time, Washington DC Local[snip]Description: For many older adults, cognitive health and performance remain stable, with only a gradual and slight decline in short-term memory and reaction times. Others, however, progress into a more serious state of cognitive impairment or into various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to investigating the causes and potential treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, researchers are focused on finding ways to prevent cognitive decline. Many pre... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494412 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:41:00 +0100 3494412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463710&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Falzheimers-disease-targeting-blood.html This study may provide the experimental basis for new strategies that can be used to treat Alzheimer’s patients," said David S. Miller, Ph.D., chief of the Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology at NIEHS and an author on the paper that appears in the May issue of Molecular Pharmacology.[snip]"What we've shown in our mouse models is that we can reduce the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain by targeting a certain receptor in the brain known as the pregnane X receptor, or PXR," said Miller.Read the full release (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463710 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:42:00 +0100 3463710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3437917&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F05%2Frapamycin_for_alzheimers.php This report is definitely going to start a lot of people thinking about experimenting with rapamycin for Alzheimer's - there are a lot of desperate patients and relatives out there. But together with that lifespan paper, it might also start some people thinking about it whether they're worried about Alzheimer's or not. (Source: In the Pipeline) In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3437917 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:19:37 +0100 3437917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390867&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_20.html Santoro A, Siviero P, Minicuci N, Bellavista E, Mishto M, Olivieri F, Marchegiani F, Chiamenti AM, Benussi L, Ghidoni R,Nacmias B, Bagnoli S, Ginestroni A, Scarpino O, Feraco E, Gianni W, Cruciani G, Paganelli R, Di Iorio A, ScognamiglioM, Grimaldi LM, Gabelli C, Sorbi S, Binetti G, Crepaldi G, & Franceschi C. Effects of donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine in 938 italian patients with Alzheimer's disease: A prospective, observational study. CNS Drugs. 2010 Feb 1; 24(2): 163-176. doi: 10.2165/11310960-000000000-00000.Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 12, Bologna, Italy.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) have been used to improve cognitive status and disability in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, while the e... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390867 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:49:00 +0100 3390867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370652&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2Fbetaamyloid_an_antibiotic.php Now here's something that I don't think anyone expected. A recent paper in PLoS One makes the case that beta-amyloid, the protein that has been fingered for decades as a major player in Alzheimer's disease, is actually part of the body's antimicrobial defenses. Well, it's good to hear that it's doing something. Many people had hypothesized that it was a useless (indeed, harmful) byproduct, a waste stream from aberrant processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Still, there have been reports over the years that beta-amyloid was substrate for active transport pumps, might be a ligand for various receptors, etc., but not everyone was willing to take these results seriously. But it turns out that some of A-beta's properties are similar to those of innate host defense peptides. When ... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370652 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:40:10 +0100 3370652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366315&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_14.html CONCLUSIONS: A simple, calculated progression rate at the initial visit gives reliable information regarding performance over time on cognition, global performance and activities of daily living. The slowest progression group also survives longer. This baseline measure should be considered in the design of long duration Alzheimer's disease clinical trials.PMID: 20178566 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366315 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:01:00 +0100 3366315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362483&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-aging.html CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that SAGE is a reliable instrument for detecting cognitive impairment and compares favorably with the MMSE. The self-administered feature may promote cognitive testing by busy clinicians prompting earlier diagnosis and treatment.PMID: 20220323 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362483 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:59:00 +0100 3362483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354457&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fassistive-aid-for-persons-with-memory.html A Little Black Box to Jog Failing MemoryBy YUDHIJIT BHATTACHARJEEThe New York TimesPublished: March 8, 2010"Researchers have tested the Sensecam, which contains a digital camera and an accelerometer, as an aid to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354457 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:39:00 +0100 3354457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346578&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Falzheimers-disease-beta-and-immune.html Old Enemy Might Help to Prevent Alzheimer’sBy GINA KOLATAThe New York TimesPublished: March 8, 2010"Harvard researchers are taking a new look at beta amyloid, which was thought to be a chief villain in Alzheimer’s whose function was that of a waste product in the brain."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346578 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:02:00 +0100 3346578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335554&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F04%2Fdimebon_grasping_at_straws.php Robert Langreth, an editor at Forbes, points to a possible way that Dimebon could get approval for Alzheimer's: for its behavioral effects, not anything to do with amyloid or memory. I'm not buying it, I have to say. Even Langreth's source admits that behavioral numbers didn't reach statistical significance. I don't see how this will be enough to rescue this one, even if one of the ongoing trials does use a behavioral score as an endpoint. Update: Langreth has an earlier piece on how Dimebon appears to have been overhyped from the beginning, a viewpoint I concur with. The same thing happens with any drug for Alzheimer's, and is a constant problem in cancer and obesity, too. (Source: In the Pipeline) In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335554 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:04:15 +0100 3335554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331439&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Falzheimer-disease-dimebon-results-part.html From The New York Times:Hopes for Alzheimer’s Drug Are DashedBy ANDREW POLLACKPublished: March 4, 2010"The drug, called Dimebon, failed in its first late-stage clinical trial, dealing a blow to patients with Alzheimer’s and the companies developing the treatment, Medivation and Pfizer."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331439 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:23:00 +0100 3331439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331440&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Falzheimer-disease-alzheimers.html A press release from earlier today by Pfizer:Pfizer And Medivation Announce Results From Two Phase 3 Studies In Dimebon (latrepirdine) Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Development Program[snip] "About the CONNECTION Study"CONNECTION is a Phase 3, multi-national, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy trial involving 598 patients with mild-to-moderate AD at 63 sites in North America, Europe, and South America. Patients had a mean age of 74.4 years and a mean score of 17.7 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) upon entry into the study. More than 40 percent of the patients enrolled were in the United States. In the study, patients were randomized to one of three treatment groups, receiving dimebon 20 mg three times a day (TID), dimebon 5 mg TID, or placebo TID for six month... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331440 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:22:00 +0100 3331440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327280&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F03%2Fdimebon_comes_crashing_to_earth.php Earlier this month I wrote about Medivation and their Russian-derived clinical candidate for Alzheimer's disease, Dimebon (latrepirdine). At the time, I wrote that "A lot of eye-catching numbers from small Phase II trials tend to flatten out in the wider world of Phase III, and if forced, that's the way I'd bet here." Unfortunately, that's just what appears to have happened. The results are out today, and Dimebon has not showed any efficacy at all versus placebo. From the data given in the press release, the comparison is just absolutely flat; you could have been giving the study patients breath mints and seen the same numbers. Since the design of this trial was similar to the smaller Phase II trials that showed such interesting results, there's clearly something going on that we don't un... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327280 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:53:32 +0100 3327280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322506&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Today's recommended article to read; abstract from PubMed:Bergmans BA & De Strooper B. gamma-secretases: From cell biology to therapeutic strategies. Lancet Neurology. 2010 Feb; 9(2 ): 215-226.Department of Molecular and Developmental Genetics, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.Presenilins form the catalytic part of the gamma-secretases, protein complexes that are responsible for the intramembranous cleavage of transmembrane proteins. The presenilins are involved in several biological functions, but are best known for their role in the generation of the beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide in Alzheimer's disease and are therefore thought to be important drug targets for this disorder. Mutations in the presenilin genes cause early-onset... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322506 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:03:00 +0100 3322506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318542&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Falzheimer-disease-care-project.html From The Times (UK):Fighting Alzheimer's with a touch of beautyA pioneering care project demonstates how literature, music, art and love can improve the lives of dementia sufferers28 February 2010The TimesMargarette Driscoll[snip]"In other words, people who appear to be lost to the world can still be reached through art, literature and music — and love. At Hearthstone, a group of seven homes looking after some 220 people with Alzheimer’s that Zeisel had helped to found in Massachusetts, residents are encouraged to paint and are taken on regular outings to galleries. They have reading circles and a film club.“The development of new drugs to treat Alzheimer’s is helping people live a little bit longer,” says Zeisel. “What we’re asking ourselves is, how do we make that life wort... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318542 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:11:00 +0100 3318542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290893&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fneurodegenerative-disease-drug.html From Fierce Biotech:UCSF enters drug discovery agreement with GenentechPosted February 19, 2010"The University of California, San Francisco has signed a partnership agreement with Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, to discover and develop drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases."Through the agreement, Genentech will provide funding and its research acumen in neuroscience and will collaborate with UCSF to identify small molecules."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290893 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:24:00 +0100 3290893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275959&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Falzheimers-disease-sir-terry-pratchett.html From BBC Cambridgeshire:Alzheimers: Why Terry Pratchett feels good15 February 2010Read the full report (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275959 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:55:00 +0100 3275959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269774&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Fjell AM, Walhovd KB, Fennema-Notestine C, McEvoy LK, Hagler DJ, Holland D, Brewer JB, Dale AM; for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. CSF Biomarkers in Prediction of Cerebral and Clinical Change in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.J Neurosci., 2010 Feb, 10; 30(6): 2088-2101.Center for the Study of Human Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway, Department of Neuropsychology, Ullevaal University Hospital, NO-0407 Oslo, Norway, and Departments of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093.Brain atrophy and altered CSF levels of amyloid beta (Abeta(42)) and the microtubule-associated protein tau are potent biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathology. ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269774 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:57:00 +0100 3269774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236077&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F03%2Fdimebon_for_alzheimers_a_black_box_indeed.php Dimebon (dimebolin) is a perfect example of the black-box nature of drug research for the central nervous system. Any medicinal chemist who looks at its structure would immediately say "CNS", but shrug when asked what specific receptors it might hit. I'd have guessed histamine (correctly), since loratidine used to pay my salary, and I also would have guessed a clutch of 5-HT stuff as well. But it also has activity at AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors, L-type calcium channels, and more. If you can tell me what it's really doing up there, you shouldn't bother: hang up on me and start calling people with money, because you're ready to take over the CNS therapeutic area for sure. This blunderbuss is getting a lot of attention these days, since the data for a Phase III trial against Alzheimer'... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236077 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:15:21 +0100 3236077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126781&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FjKLCbZAEqqc%2Fassisted-living-facility-that-feels.html Imagine an assisted living facility with nice landscaping, big old trees, wrap around deck, and right in the middle of a nice residential neighborhood.....By Bob DeMarco Imagine this. An assisted living facility with nice landscaping, big old trees, wrap around deck, and right in the middle of a nice residential neighborhood. This might sound unrealistic to those of you that are familiar with the common motel style assisted living facilities that are popping up all over the country. Imagine nine residents living with three staff members on board at all times. A three to one ratio. Imagine the feeling of home -- of being home -- instead of the feeling you might experience on a trip while staying in a motel for a night or two. Imagine seeing the same faces day after day after day. Ima... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126781 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:07:13 +0100 3126781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115278&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F23%2Fan_alzheimers_compound_runs_into_big_trouble.php Another interesting approach to Alzheimer's therapy has just taken a severe jolt in the clinic. Elan and Transition Therapeutics were investigating ELEND005, also known as AZD-103, which was targeted at breaking down amyloid fibrils and allowing the protein to be cleared from the brain. Unfortunately, the two highest-dose patient groups experienced a much greater number of severe events - including nine deaths, which is about as severe as things get - and those doses have been dropped from the study. I'm actually rather surprised that the trial is going on at all, but the safety data for the lowest dose (250mg twice daily) appear to justify continuing. The higher doses were 1g and 2g b.i.d., and the fact that they were going up that high makes me think that the chances of success at the l... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115278 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:51:45 +0100 3115278 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115265&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F5COKTy-TL-s%2Fdimebon-clinical-trial-and-mom-virtual.html I am receiving emails asking me about the status of the Dimebon clinical trial. By Bob DeMarco Last week my mother completed all the pre-clinical trial testing. As of yesterday they were waiting for the official report from the cardiologist (EKG), and the results of the brain scan. If we don't hear today, it will be next week due to the Holiday schedule. One thing I like about the application process is all the testing. If you don't know this, you have the rights to all the information. In other words, you can have copies of the tests and the results. This is also true throughout the clinical trial. Bottom line right now, I don't know if we are in or not in the clinical trial. Keep in mind, if we get in we only have a 50 percent chance of receiving the drug during the clinical trial... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115265 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:36:40 +0100 3115265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3097035&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FVNsWi8xAT0o%2Felderly-woman-with-dementia-found-after.html Some lessons to be learned about Alzheimer's and wandering.I could put up one or more stories every day about someone who is lost and wandering around. Most often they are elderly and suffering from dementia. I decided to put this one up because I think there are some lessons to be learned. I want to start by congratulating the Frederick, Maryland police force. Great organization and commitment. What an effort. To find the missing elderly woman the Frederick police had to use 50 to 60 police and civilians, and four civilian K-9 search and rescue groups. Wow. Keep in my mind the missing woman was on foot -- not in a car. They finally found her conscious, on a property adjoining her home. She was found huddled up against a piece of plywood near an old shed. Evidently she was walking aro... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3097035 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:54:39 +0100 3097035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092904&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F87ACg4jw32M%2Ffda-approves-generic-aricept-to-treat.html The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic versions of Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating tablets.This is great news for Alzheimer's patients taking Aricept. I'll try to get more information from the generic drug manufacturer on the pricing and availability as soon as possible. Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic versions of Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating tablet s on Dec. 11. Donepezil hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. Orally disintegrating tablets dissolve on the tongue, without having to be swallowed whole. This may make it easier to take the medication for older or disabled patient... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092904 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:47:12 +0100 3092904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012606&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FcQFipwpQH2o%2Fstudy-of-aging-in-group-health-patients.html Every two years, 2,000 senior Group Health patients check in with the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study. The joint project between Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington (UW) focuses on finding ways to delay or prevent dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and declines in memory and thinking. It aims to deepen understanding of how the body—especially the brain—ages..... The ACT study has learned many lessons to date, published in nearly 250 scientific articles. The study is known best for findings about the benefits of physical activity: Regular exercise is linked to reduced risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and declines in how well people think. The first signs of dementia—including Alzheimer's disease—may be physical, not mental. For example,... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012606 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:32:55 +0100 3012606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977548&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fn_s3EBM2UYM%2Fearly-signs-of-dementia-are-hard-to.html Looking back, there is little doubt in my mind I should have realized my mother was suffering from dementia sooner. Unfortunately, I didn't have the proper education, information, or frame of reference. Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor Most people tend to ignore the early signs of Alzheimer's disease and dementia believing they are simply signs of "old age". Anyone who ends up in my shoes knows and understands that a person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s can function normally--even drive a car. Only when they deteriorate or some "event" takes place do we wake up to reality. Behavior changes slowly in the elderly and as they begin to suffer cognitive impairment these changes are hard to detect. Sometimes these changes can be quite subtle but if detected raise a �... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977548 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:26:44 +0100 2977548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2972034&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FFamd8jpvvjY%2Falzheimers-patients-respond-to-dolls.html This is a wonderful idea and I am sure others would be interested in following their lead. ...the daughter felt sad and "shook up" when leaving St. Elizabeth's after a visit. "After we gave her the baby doll, I never felt sad again when I left," she said. "So it was very liberating for me......" Two Catonsville mothers, Wendy Geist and Amy Nelson, have initiated a volunteer project of collecting used dolls to ease the suffering and bring joy to seniors experiencing Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The women say, " beneficial effects can be amazing." My mother loves dolls and handles them all the time. She also loves anything that is soft and cuddly--like the pink Gund bear I bought for her 20 years ago. My mother also perks up whenever she is around children. They seem to ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2972034 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:04:07 +0100 2972034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963308&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FnskNt0xQlBo%2Falzheimers-care-8-tips-for-great.html The holidays will be here before we know it. When you are a caregiver of a spouse or parent with Alzheimer’s, the holiday season can be overwhelming. A little understanding and preparation can make the holiday season enjoyable and special..... Here are some tips to make... Comments and sharing welcome. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963308 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:42:48 +0100 2963308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963309&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F15WB71zKhMc%2Fdimebon-contact-and-constellation.html Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) and Medivation, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDVN) today announced the initiation of CONTACT and CONSTELLATION, two Phase 3 trials of the investigational drug dimebon (latrepirdine)* in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease (AD).The CONTACT study will... Comments and sharing welcome. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963309 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:47:56 +0100 2963309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950842&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Falzheimers-disease-awareness.html November Is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950842 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:17:00 +0100 2950842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2859134&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F0UrA7Kio5Y0%2Fangil-tarach-angel-among-us.html  Angil Tarach --The Angel Among US Angil Tarach (RN GCM) is a nationally known expert in senior care and advocacy. With over 30 years of experience, Angil brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the Alzheimer's Reading Room. Angil is also the owner of Visiting Angels in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Angil writes about Caregiving, Health Care, and issues that affect seniors for the Alzheimer's Reading Room. Angil is the first of what I expect to be a number of new writers on the Alzheimer's Reading Room in the coming months. Readers will benefit from Angil's unique perspectives and experience. Angil's vision is to change the way seniors are perceived --especially in the medical community. Angil's goal is to change the thoughts, hearts, and minds of those working in healthcare,... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2859134 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:19:09 +0100 2859134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855725&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Ffourth-plinth-alzheimers-research.html Thomas G., a member of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, was on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square this afternoon to promote Memories Matter. He was one of the 2400 plinthers of Antony Gormley's One & Other project.Watch Tom and listen to his message at Thomas_G.Take a look at the Trust's Memories Matter website. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855725 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:45:00 +0100 2855725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855810&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FetmvUQz4ngg%2Falzheimers-reading-room-now-available.html The Alzheimer's Reading Room is now available in 51 languages. Readers that have their browser set to German, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian and other languages will automatically be prompted to click a button and the the page will be translated in a few seconds. You might be surprised to learn that we have many readers in countries outside the U.S. If your browser is set to English you won't see the button. However, if you would like to see the Google translator in action you can scroll down and find the Google translator on the right hand sidebar of each page (at the bottom of the sidebar). Translate you website with Google Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email Popular articles on the Alzheimer's Reading Room The Metamorphosis of This Alzheimer's Caregi... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855810 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:52:54 +0100 2855810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2842769&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FLrpChSx2ukU%2F50-solution-to-alzheimers-wandering.html "When he approached him and asked if he was ok, he recognized the signature on his bracelet which is with the Safe Return program at the Alzheimer's Association, as far as I am concerned that saved his life." The Alzheimer's Association Medic Alert + Safe Return bracelet cost $50. The bracelet carries the name of the person suffering from Alzheimer's, and a toll free number that can be called if the person is unable to provide their address or phone number when lost. Current estimates indicate that sixty percent of persons suffering from Alzheimer's wander away and get lost. The bracelet is a great solution to this problem. Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email Enrollment in the MedicAlert + Safe Return program includes: Individualized emblem engraved with MedicAlert + S... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2842769 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:30:38 +0100 2842769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828341&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Falzheimers-disease-britains-future.html Terry Pratchett: Britain facing tsunami of Alzheimer's diseaseSir Terry Pratchett has warned of a "worldwide tsunami of Alzheimer's" facing Britain as figures show the Government spends less on researching the disease than the cost of building one mile of motorway. By Rebecca Smith, Medical EditorThe TelegraphPublished: 7:30AM BST 22 Sep 2009Read the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828341 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:35:00 +0100 2828341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890783&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FqsGYQ0uSV5g%2F In the midst of much healthcare reform talk, not enough attention seems focused on ensuring healthcare systems’ preparedness to deal with cognitive health issues -with Alzheimer’s Disease as the most dramatic example- which are predicted to grow given aging population trends. Today is World Alzheimer’s Day, and the USA Today comments on a new report that makes stark predictions: Global Alzheimer’s cases expected to rise sharply (USA Today) - “The 2009 World Alzheimer’s Report, released today, estimates 35 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The figure is a 10% increase over 2005 numbers.” - “The number of people affected by Alzheimer’s is growing at a rapid rate, and the increasing per... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890783 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:48:39 +0100 2890783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814561&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FqsGYQ0uSV5g%2F In the midst of much healthcare reform talk, not enough attention seems focused on ensuring healthcare systems' preparedness to deal with cognitive health issues -with Alzheimer's Disease as the most dramatic example- which are predicted to grow given aging population trends. Today is World Alzheimer's Day, and the USA Today comments on a new report that makes stark predictions: Global Alzheimer's cases expected to rise sharply (USA Today) - "The 2009 World Alzheimer's Report, released today, estimates 35 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The figure is a 10% increase over 2005 numbers." - "The number of people affected by Alzheimer's is growing at a rapid rate, and the increasing personal costs will have significant impact on t... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814561 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:48:39 +0100 2814561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814555&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fworld-alzheimers-day.html Today is World Alzheimer's Day.Read something today to increase your knowledge about the disease and dementia.Here's a general-readership resource:Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery... and a report from the Alzheimer's Association:Summary of 2009 World Alzheimer Report (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814555 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:46:00 +0100 2814555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2793284&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fworld-alzheimers-day-21st-september.html World Alzheimer's Day (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2793284 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:26:00 +0100 2793284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2786158&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fupcoming-eventalzheimers-drug-discovery.html The 10th international conference on Alzheimer's disease drug discovery takes place next week on the 14th and 15th in Jersey City, NJ.From the conference website:"The 10th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease Drug Discovery is presented by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), the only public charity solely dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease and cognitive aging.This conference brings together academic and industry scientists to accelerate the development of novel drug discovery programs for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias."Visit the conference website (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2786158 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:27:00 +0100 2786158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774732&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Falzheimers-disease-advances-in-genetic.html A report from The Guardian about ongoing genetics research in Alzheimer's disease:Alzheimer's research links three genes to diseaseFindings hailed as 'huge step' towards earlier testing and better treatment for Alzheimer'sIan Sample, science correspondentguardian.co.ukSunday 6 September 2009 18.05 BSTRead the article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774732 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:31:00 +0100 2774732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748028&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FaqOIzrK2JUE%2F (Editor's Note: given the growing media attention to three apparently separate worlds -cognitive enhancement via drugs, brain fitness training software, computerized neurocognitive assessments-, I found it refreshing to see our co-founder Elkhonon Goldberg introduce the topic of cognotropic drugs with an integrative perspective in the much updated new edition of his classic book, now titled The New Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes In A Complex World. Below goes an excerpt). For many neuropsychologists, like myself, science is a labor of love, but seeing patients is bread and butter. Traditionally, the clinical contribution of neuropsychology has been mostly diagnostic, with precious little to offer patients by way of treatment. Neuropsychology is not the only clinical discipline for years c... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748028 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:11:08 +0100 2748028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741494&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fupcoming-event-alzheimer-disease-las.html 2nd Conference on Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD)From the conference website:"Dear Colleague, "It is a great pleasure for us to invite you to attend the 2nd conference Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD), which will take place in Las Vegas on October 29-30, 2009. "This conference is co-organized by the Montpellier and Toulouse European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC) Centers and the Cleveland Clinic : Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. "The aims of the meeting are to bring together the current leaders in clinical trials in Alzheimer’s Disease to discuss new results, drugs in development, and future methodological issues (disease modifying, outcomes, biomarkers, health economics)." Full details available at the conference website: http://www.ctad.fr/01-p... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741494 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:19:00 +0100 2741494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737885&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Falzheimer-disease-famous-faces-testing.html Neuropsychologist Stephen Rao is in the news, with a recent publication in the journal Neurology looking at fMRI of individuals who had frisk factors for Alzheimer's disease and normal contols as they identify famous faces.Here is a report from Time magazine's website:What Britney Spears Can Reveal About Alzheimer'sBy ALICE PARK Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009Read article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737885 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:22:00 +0100 2737885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2734154&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fdrug-development-in-neurodegenerative.html Available at BMC NeurologyProceedings of the 2009 Drug Discovery for Neurodegeneration ConferenceProceedings from Drug Discovery for Neurodegeneration ConferenceWashington, DC, USA. 2–3 February 2009Edited by Diana W Shineman and Howard M FillitBMC NeurologyContents of Volume 9 Suppl 1Click here for open access to contents of this issue (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2734154 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:11:00 +0100 2734154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2734237&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FTI0Vubg1B0c%2Fpopular-articles-on-alzheimers-reading.html Articles include information on: Testing Your Memory for Alzheimer's, Wandering, Aricept, Namenda, Dimebon, Dementia, Caregiving, Wii, Alzheimer's Facts and Figures, Walmart as a Caregiver Tool, and more. Feel free to share these articles with friends, caregivers, support groups, associations, or on you blog/website. Alzheimer's Wandering Why it Happens and What to Do Does the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients 10 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room Now Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes World Health Care Spending and Performance Ranking by Country (Table) What is Dementia? Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away Dimebon Connection Study Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten? A Simp... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2734237 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:43:52 +0100 2734237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730216&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FWHlTXhmYm30%2F In a recently published scientific study (see Hall C, et al “Cognitive activities delay onset of memory decline in persons who develop dementia” Neurology 2009; 73: 356-361), Hall and colleagues examined how education and stimulating activities may interact to contribute to cognitive reserve. The study involved 488 initially healthy people, average age 79, who enrolled in the Bronx Aging Study between 1980 and 1983. These individuals were followed for 5 years with assessments every 12 to 18 months (starting in 1980). At the start of the study, all participants were asked how many cognitive activities (reading, writing, crossword puzzles, board or card games, group discussions, or playing music) they participated in and for how many days a week. Researchers were able to evaluate the imp... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730216 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:57:49 +0100 2730216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709252&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fidentification-of-possible-or-probable.html Settling in in my coffeehouse for a reading of an interesting new publication by Dr. Brian Brooks and his colleagues on the topic of "Minimizing Misdiagnosis: Psychometric Criteria for Possible or Probable Memory Impairment." The authors seek to develop new psychometric criteria for identification of memory problems in older individuals. This has both clinical and research implications; my primary interest at this time is the accuracy of such identification for including or excluding individuals in clinical trials that test potential drug treatments for Alzheimer's and related dementias. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709252 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:27:00 +0100 2709252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699735&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fc-span-3-airing-alzheimers-disease.html C-SPAN-3 is currently airing an earlier session by the subcommittee on aging on the topic of Alzheimer's Disease. All C-SPAN channels can be streamed online.Information about the program can be found here. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699735 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:07:00 +0100 2699735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2682018&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FB3droOuf73A%2F This article, an industry overview, is reproduced here with authorization by the Frontiers Research Foundation). Preparing Society for the Cognitive Age - By Alvaro Fernandez Groundbreaking cognitive neuroscience research has occurred over the last 20 years - without parallel growth of consumer awareness and appropriate professional dissemination. “Cognition” remains an elusive concept with unclear implications outside the research community. Earlier this year, I presented a talk to health care professionals at the New York Academy of Medicine, titled “Brain Fitness Software: Helping Consumers Separate Hope from Hype”. I explained what computerized cognitive assessment and training tools can do (assess/enhance specific cognitive functions), what they cannot do (reduce one’s “br... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2682018 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:14:30 +0100 2682018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2670952&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_04.html CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study found that CSF Abeta42, T-tau, and P-tau identify incipient AD with good accuracy, but less accurately than reported from single-center studies. Intersite assay variability highlights a need for standardization of analytical techniques and clinical procedures.PMID: 19622817 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2670952 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:52:00 +0100 2670952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2667554&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Lu PH, Edland SD, Teng E, Tingus K, Petersen RC, Cummings JL & Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Group. (2009) Donepezil delays progression to AD in MCI subjects with depressive symptoms. Neurology, 72(24):, 2115-2121.Departments of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of depression predicts higher rate of progression to Alzheimer disease (AD) in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and whether donepezil treatment beneficially affect this relationship. METHODS: The study sample was composed of 756 participants with aMCI from the 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study drug trial of donepezil and vitamin E. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2667554 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:14:00 +0100 2667554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657759&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FBCZ8Vbq2q2Q%2F The American Society on Aging and SharpBrains have partnered to co-produce a professional development day for professionals in the field of aging. The day is themed "New Tools, New Partnerships", and will take place on Friday, September 11th, 2009, during ASA's West Coast Conference on Aging, in the Oakland Marriot City Center, Oakland, CA. "Given aging population trends, it is clear that we need more and better trained aging professionals, and that brain health needs to be a major component in that training. We are pleased to partner with SharpBrains to offer the latest thinking, best practices, and resources, to our members," said Carole Anderson, Vice President of Education. "The growing interest in brain health and fitness among consumers and professionals alik... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657759 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:13:39 +0100 2657759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657763&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fin-wide-world-argentine-alzheimers.html ALMAAsociación Lucha contra el Mal de Alzheimer y alteraciones semejantes de la República Argentinahttp://www.alma-alzheimer.org.ar/ (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657763 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:23:00 +0100 2657763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645415&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fdementia-and-adult-lifestyle.html Work longer, stay sharperWorking beyond normal retirement age appears to keep dementia at bayThe Boston Globe27 July 2009Read article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645415 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:47:00 +0100 2645415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2639639&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html Bassil, N & Grossberg, GT. (2009). Novel regimens and delivery systems in the pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease. CNS Drugs, 23(4), 293-307.The mainstay of current management of patients with Alzheimer's disease involves drugs that provide symptomatic therapy. Research approaches for future therapy of Alzheimer's disease are focusing on disease modifying and/or preventive approaches. Two classes of medications have been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: the cholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine), mostly for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, and the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist memantine for the moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. Management of comorbid medical problems can be more c... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2639639 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:09:00 +0100 2639639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630233&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fin-wide-world-kings-lynn-england.html Regional branch of the Alzheimer's Society at King's Lynn: webpage (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630233 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:06:00 +0100 2630233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630234&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Falzheimers-disease-amyloid-jitteriness.html A Bloomberg News report about the state of clinical trials of those Alzheimer's disease candidates in the processes/stages in amyloid levels and amyloid deposition: read article here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630234 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:21:00 +0100 2630234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630229&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F-F_jm4PRjhA%2F I  am very excited to pre-announce a collaboration with the American Society on Aging (ASA) to co-produce a Brain Health event, themed "New Tools, New Partnerships", to take place in Oakland, CA, on September 11th. Registration will be open next week so we will issue the formal announcement and provide links then ($150 for the whole day, which includes a signed copy of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness), but here you have the agenda & speakers in case you want to pencil in the date. Context: Since 2006, healthy aging pioneers have been actively evaluating and implementing an expanding menu of stimulating brain health programs. The American Society on Aging and SharpBrains have partnered to introduce aging professionals to the best practices in a variety of community-ba... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630229 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:44:15 +0100 2630229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2622033&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Famyloid_in_trouble.php Here's an interesting look at the current state of the Alzheimer's field from Bloomberg. The current big hope is Wyeth (and Elan)'s bapineuzumab, which I last wrote about here. That was after the companies reported what had to be considered less-than-hoped-for efficacy in the clinic. The current trial is the one sorted out by APOE4 status of the patients. After the earlier trial data, it seems unlikely that there's going to be a robust effect across the board - the people with the APOE4 mutation are probably the best hope for seeing real efficacy. And if bapineuzumab doesn't turn out to work even for them? Well: “Everyone is waiting with bated breath on bapineuzumab,” said Michael Gold, London-based Glaxo’s vice president of neurosciences, in an interview. “If that one fails, the... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2622033 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:58:02 +0100 2622033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615417&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fhbos-alzheimers-project.html The HBO series The Alzheimer's Project can be viewed online at the HBO website: Click here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615417 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:41:00 +0100 2615417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615418&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fbbc-radio-4-all-in-mind.html Available on BBC Radio's iPlayer, this edition of All in The Mind looks at Dementia in the UK: click here (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615418 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:30:00 +0100 2615418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615420&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Frecent-event-international-conference.html Last week, the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) took place in Vienna.If you'd like the most recent news on research and clinical findings about Alzheimer's disease, press releases and related online resources at the ICAD website provide an excellent online resource.ICAD website (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615420 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:59:00 +0100 2615420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2606200&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FY3bw0QgKeZI%2Fimmunotherapy-against-tau-tangles-in.html "We believe that these results point to the therapeutic potential of phosphorylated-tau-immunotherapy in Alzheimer's," Rosenmann said. "We devoted significant effort to address not only the anti-tangle effect but also safety of a phosphorylated-tau vaccine. This was done in order to identify early in the preclinical stage any potential hazard of this potential Alzheimer's therapy."For more Insight into Alzheimer's DiseaseSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading RoomImmunotherapy Against Tau Tangles in Alzheimer's Mouse ModelsImmunotherapy (treatment by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response) targeting beta amyloid is being researched widely by companies and academics as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer's disease. Earlier, late stage, anti-amyloid immunotherapy trials in peopl... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2606200 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:09:12 +0100 2606200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2594609&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F4IY1HZRbKqE%2Fdoctors-talk-frankly-about-what.html "By getting diagnosed late in the progression of the disease, opportunities are missed to make key decisions about treatment, care and, future planning. Being diagnosed early is vital to receiving the best help and care possible, living one's life to the fullest, and capitalizing on opportunities such as participating in clinical studies," said William Thies, PhD, Chief Medical & Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer's Association.For more Insight into Alzheimer's DiseaseSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room A doctor's positive attitude to Alzheimer's diagnosis and their trusting, personal relationships with local dementia support service providers are powerful enablers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's, according to new research reported today at the Alzheimer's Association 2009 In... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2594609 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:30:19 +0100 2594609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576713&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F6Zf6JEzLmOc%2F Here you have the July edition of our monthly newsletter covering cognitive health and brain fitness topics. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, using the box at the top of this page. Public libraries have long offered the public more than books. And now, recent demographic and scientific trends are converging to fundamentally transform the role of libraries in our culture. You may enjoy reading this recent article I wrote for the May-June 2009 Issue of Aging Today, the bimonthly publication of the American Society on Aging: Public Libraries: Community-Based Health Clubs for the Brain. The Big Picture Can You Outsmart Your Genes? An Interview with Author Richard Nisbett: David DiSalvo interviews Richard Nisbett, the author of Intelligence and How to ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576713 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:18:09 +0100 2576713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2571156&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FFkwlKVpRtIY%2Fdoes-exercise-improve-memory-in-person.html I can attest, exercise makes a difference. My mother now has the tendency to sit around all day. On those days when I can get her to go to Gold's Gym with me she is a completely different person. The look on her face, from dull to smiling, is more than enough to tell me that exercise works to her benefit.Research shows that nursing home residents suffering from Alzhiemer's who exercise have a significantly slower deterioration rate than those who receive routine medical care.I am convinced that exercise slowed the progression of Alzheimer's in my mother's case.Reearched also showed that the average activities-of-daily-living score was significantly improved in those that exercised as compared to those that received routine medical care.Source -- Journal of the American Geriatrics SocietyGu... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2571156 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:24:10 +0100 2571156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523688&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FR9NUt5ox680%2Falzheimers-read-june-16.html Depression may increase Alzheimer's risk in people with memory problemsPeople with memory problems who are depressed are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those who aren't depressed, according to a new UCLA study.Researchers also found, however, that the popular Alzheimer's drug donepezil may help delay the progression to Alzheimer's in depressed individuals who suffer from mild cognitive impairment or memory problems.Snoezelen rooms enhance lives of dementia patientsSnoezelen is an alternative treatment approach in which people who have Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are offered opportunities to become more aware of their surroundings. This allows them to react better to their environment and to the people who are part of it, and to experience inner peace ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523688 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:54:29 +0100 2523688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442630&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FE4lnOczHlNw%2Falzheimers-read-may-28.html Alzheimer’s, Aging and the BrainAlzheimer’s is a disease of the very old: While only 5% of people between 65 and 74 have the disease, nearly half of those who are over 85 have it.Test for early Alzheimer's in late developmentIf all goes well, the first commercial version of an Alzheimer's test could be available in 12 to 18 months. This might enable Alzheimer's patients to try to slow progression of the disease, said Dr. Daniel Alkon, scientific director of the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute.Medivation prices 2.75 mln shares at $21Medivation (MDVN) plans to use the funds for general purposes, including developing its lead product candidate, Dimebon, targeted at Alzheimer's disease, and another candidate, MDV3100, for prostate cancer.Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiv... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442630 Thu, 28 May 2009 22:40:42 +0100 2442630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415754&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fh_B_yvS_i_4%2Fclincal-trial-evolution-of-memory.html This study, a parallel ancillary study of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), will first examine reproducibility of fMRI activation, using a face-name associative memory paradigm, and then the alterations in memory-related activation that occur over the course of MCI and mild AD.The study will also examine the relationship of fMRI activation to clinical variables, memory task performance, genotype, and other imaging techniques cross-sectionally and longitudinally, sampling at multiple time points over a 3-year period.So far, the only announced locations are in the Boston area. The research is being sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA).For all the details follow the link -- Evolution of Memory Related ActivitySubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via E... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415754 Mon, 18 May 2009 11:57:02 +0100 2415754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415756&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FBMJKqzL4Rts%2Fthyroid-and-alzheimers.html I'm not sure why, but in the Featured article section (on the right sidebar) Alzheimer's, Thyroid, and Hypothyroidism has become the most popular article on that list.In the book The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems the authors discuss in detail physical problems that can effect memory. As part of that discussion, they point out that hypothyroidism can present as Alzheimer's or dementia.While I don't want to hold out false hope, I often recommend to people I meet in person and on the Internet that they get the thryoid checked if they suspect, or are receiving a diagnosis of dementia.A couple of years ago when I first read about this possible diagnosis,  I decided to get my mother's thyroid checked. Sure enough, she was suf... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415756 Sat, 16 May 2009 04:00:07 +0100 2415756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406056&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FBGwWM5HLfjk%2Ffaq-about-rember-and-taurx-therapeutics.html Last summer, there was an enormous buzz when TauRx Therapeutics reported on Rember at the annual Alzheimer's conference (ICAD, 2008).With the release of The Alzheimer's Project, I am sure many are wondering, What happened?So far TauRx Therapeutics has not announced a Phase III study.New research findings point to a new treatment that appears to slow the progress of Alzheimer's by 81% over a year. The product - remberTM - is the first drug to act to arrest the progression of Alzheimer's disease by targeting the tangles which are highly correlated with the disease.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailWhat is rember and how is it supposed to work?Here is a revisit of my previous articles on Rember and TauRx Therapeutics.Rember is a new version of an existing chemical substance,... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406056 Thu, 14 May 2009 17:18:48 +0100 2406056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406057&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FLk_CQVZjqOM%2Fhow-to-find-and-get-into-clinical-trial.html If you are interested in identifying a clinical trial, I encourage you to do so. You might benefit from the experimental medication; and, you will be helping to advance the search for a cure or treatment.All clinical trials are registered at Clinical Trials.gov. You never pay for a clinical trial. Clinical trials are free and the sponsor absorbs all costs.All open clinical trials are actively seeking and recruiting new participants. One of the biggest problems right now is finding enough participants for ongoing clinical trials. As a result, you will find that participating clinics are waiting for your call, and anxious to determine if you meet the suitability requirements to enter a clinical trial.To find a clinical trial, go to Clinical Trials.gov. If you know how to searching for inform... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406057 Wed, 13 May 2009 14:41:14 +0100 2406057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406058&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fd_YDGFb91eg%2Fcaregivers-alzheimer.html I know many of us have been waiting for this segment of the documentary.Caregivers is a collection of five portraits, each of which highlights the sacrifices and successes of people experiencing their loved one's gradual descent into dementia.Caregivers airs tonight at 7 PM eastern time. Part Two of Momentum in Science airs at 8 PM.If you can't watch it on HBO, you can catch Caregivers on streaming video.Tonight's questions:What did you learn from the presentation?What are the rewards of caregiving?The comments box is located down the page, under (scroll down the page).Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailBob DeMarco is a Caregiver. In addition to being an experienced writer he taught at the University of Georgia , was an Associate Director and Limited Partner at Bear Stear... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406058 Tue, 12 May 2009 17:42:16 +0100 2406058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406060&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FZ2Udy-GyAdY%2Falzheimers-momentum-in-science.html HBOs Alzheimer's Momentum in Science airs tonight at 8 PM eastern time.Tonight's Question:Can you describe in your own words what Alzheimer's disease is?Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email The Alzheimer's Project DVD (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406060 Tue, 12 May 2009 13:31:17 +0100 2406060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406059&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fd9FsIfVrKu8%2Fcaregiver-committment-and-clinical_12.html I often receive emails asking me questions about clinical trials. Caregivers are often surprised to learn that enrollment of their loved one into a clinical trial also means a major commitment on their part.Here is a short list of things you should consider before searching for a clinical trial.The amount or number of expected visits you will need to make to the clinic location. This can be weekly, monthly, quarterly, or any combination of these. For sure, you will be making a big investment of your own time if you decide to enroll your loved one in a clinical trial. And, the trial managers won't seriously consider your loved one for enrollment if they are not convinced you can and will make this commitment.A second important consideration is the ability to convince the managers of the cli... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406059 Tue, 12 May 2009 13:30:44 +0100 2406059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382790&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FKJOdCUrON1k%2Fhow-do-you-get-family-to-accept.html I saw this question over on DxJunction.How do you get family to accept Alzheimers is an illness?How do I get my husband's brother to accept Alzheimer's is an illness. He keeps telling him he should do more reading, walking etc, he calls in to see us every couple of weeks for 5 minutes, doesn't stop for a cup of tea, it is almost like he is embarrassed by the repetitive questions. However now my husband has also been diagnosed with Asbestosis all of a sudden he is ringing all the rest of the family and telling them. He is more concerned with the Asbestosis than the Alzheimers. While I am concerned with both as they are both horrible diseases it is the Alzheimer's that I need the help with.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailThis dovetails nicely with Are Alzheimer's Caregiv... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382790 Fri, 01 May 2009 17:20:41 +0100 2382790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2358858&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FZdww9IPQH1I%2Falzheimers-advice-just-let-em-do-it-you.html We have a lot of new subscribers this month, so I'll start with a little background.I'm Bob the caregiver for my mother, Dorothy. Dorothy will be 93 in two months. She suffers from Alzheimer's disease and was diagnosed about five years ago.Near the end of the first year of caring for my mother, I received some excellent advice from our new found doctor.Here is the background. My mother who had been buying lottery tickets and scratch-off tickets for 20 years could no longer do it. She didn't know how to do it anymore. If I took her in the store, she would literally ask me what to do.I wish I could describe in words how disconcerting this was to me. I can't. It was horrible. A real feeling of despair.When we went to see our doctor, I told him what had happened. He looked at me and asked if I... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2358858 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:34:03 +0100 2358858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349586&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FfAUeYX3K06I%2Fwow-light-and-enlightening-new.html I read this article about the new Alzheimer's Day Care and Resource Center in Eureka, California. Key words here: light and bright light. This caught my attention because I just wrote a few days ago about how bright light has a very positive effect on my mother. "This building was built for people like my wife and me,” said Doug Durham. “There are a lot of us.”Durham has spent many years as the primary caregiver for his wife, who has Alzheimer's. His wife of nearly 50 years first discounted the symptoms as CRS, “can't remember stuff,” before her diagnosis in January 1998. The center's ability to provide respite has, he said, been essential to dealing with challenges of caring for his wife.Follow the Alzheimer's Reading Room on TwitterSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349586 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:25:01 +0100 2349586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349587&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FU3x8GIYbNrg%2Falzheimers-growing-in-society.html This is one of the better articles I read on Alzheimer's and Caregiving -- Alzheimer's growing in society. I believe this is the kind of article that can be helpful to Alzheimer's caregivers and give the public a real sense of what we are tackling in our day to day lives. "He would forget passwords on the computer," she said. "He would call people and say strange things, then not remember that he had called them." The quote shows what really starts happening a the beginning. In other words, it is not just memory -- it is behavior that tips you off.The husband of my good friend and neighbor is starting to show clear signs of mild cognitive impairment-- at the minimum. I am not a doctor, and I understand his symptoms might be any of a number illnesses--but I can't convince her to get him che... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349587 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:14:42 +0100 2349587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349590&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fh2OfDKG0znc%2Fpreview-of-hbo-documentary-series.html If you are in the Lexington, KY area, you can get and early view of the new HBO documentary -- The Alzheimer's Project.An advance screening of the HBO Alzheimer's Project documentary "The Memory Loss Tapes" will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2009, at the Patterson Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington. Registration is at 2:30 p.m. The event will include remarks from experts, a panel discussion and a question and answer session. The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and Home Box Office (HBO) are hosting the preview.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailBob DeMarco is a citizen journalist, blogger, and Caregiver. In addition to being an experienced writer he taught at the ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349590 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:04:27 +0100 2349590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349597&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FhMQVzl3E4N8%2Fstatins-do-not-protect-against-dementia.html Bernadette McGuinness and her colleagues analyzed the findings of two large clinical trials probing the health effects of statins: one study investigated the effects over five years of simvastatin (Zocor) in 20,536 patients; a second study followed 5,804 patients taking pravastatin (Pravachol) for an average of 3.2 years. Participants in these trials ranged in age from 40 to 82. In both studies, the odds of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia were about the same among patients taking statins and not taking statins.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailStatins do not protect against dementiaCholesterol-busting statins may lower the odds of suffering from a heart attack or stroke, but they don't appear to ward off dementia as researchers had hoped, a new review o... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349597 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:47:00 +0100 2349597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349600&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FOW7T9X0-IZ0%2Fis-anybody-there.html Is Anybody There opens in some U.S. theaters on Friday.Michael Caine, who served with the British army in the Korean War, said he has given one of his best performances playing a musician dying of Alzheimer's disease in "Is Anybody There?"Clarence (Caine) strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young boy when he moves into a retirement home run by the boy's parents in rural England.Is Anybody There--Movie TrailerCaine says career will fade away like old soldierFollow the Alzheimer's Reading Room on TwitterSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via EmailBob DeMarco is a citizen journalist, blogger, and Caregiver. In addition to being an experienced writer he taught at the University of Georgia , was an Associate Director and Limited Partner at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and a m... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349600 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:30:02 +0100 2349600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349601&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FRfQUw5nD7pU%2Fdoctors-not-good-at-detecting.html Diagnosing mild-to-moderate dementia cases can be difficult. Indeed, more than half of such cases are not recognized by physicians, according to a recent review of the literature at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. This comes as no surprise to me. When most people think of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, they think of memory loss. The image in their mind is of someone laying in a bed, unable to recall their loved one's. This is the end stage and sometimes comes a decade or more after the initial diagnosis.The inability of physicians and family to recognize mild cognitive impairment indicates that we have a long way to go in raising public awareness about dementia. As most caregivers look back, they can tell you about telltale signs of the disease that they missed. Most of u... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349601 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:12:56 +0100 2349601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349602&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fwg8-iGfpaNw%2Fdiabetes-linked-to-cognitive-decline.html This is another broad study that links, diabetes, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's. The study included 1,066 people with type 2 diabetes aged between 60 and 75.A team at the University of Edinburgh found, "Either hypos lead to cognitive decline, or cognitive decline makes it more difficult for people to manage their diabetes, which in turn causes more hypos."A third explanation could be that a third unidentified factor is causing both the hypos and the cognitive decline.HypoglycaemiaHypoglycaemia is caused by a lack of sugar (glucose) reaching the brain, which uses it as fuel.Symptoms can include sweating, fatigue, hunger, feeling dizzy, feeling weak, a higher heart rate than usual and blurred vision.More severe episodes can led to temporary loss of consciousness, convulsions and coma.Dia... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349602 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:20:10 +0100 2349602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2217001&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdoes_glucophage_make_alzheimers_worse.php Metformin, now there’s a drug story for you. It’s a startlingly small molecule, the sort of thing that chemists look and and say “That’s a real drug?” It kicked around in the literature and the labs in the 1960s, was marketed in Europe in the 1980s but was shopped around in the US for quite a while, partly because a lot of people had just that reaction. (It didn't help that a couple of other drugs in the same structural class turned out to cause lactic acidosis and had to be pulled from use). Bristol-Myers Squibb finally took metformin up, though, and did extremely well with it in the end under the brand name Glucophage. It’s now generic, and continues to be widely prescribed for Type II diabetes. But for many years, no one had a clue how it worked. It not only went all the wa... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2217001 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:18:38 +0100 2217001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2144619&cid=t_236287_136_f&fid=36070&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnetwork.nature.com%2Fpeople%2Fbasanta%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F29%2Fcoffee-and-dementia Regular followers of this blog (if there’s any: my parents have already made it clear that they don’t care too much about my rants on the internet) know that if one post is not about evolution or cancer (and preferably, about both) is more likely than not because I am writing about coffee. Most (if not all) scientists should be grateful to coffee as a facilitator of research but some should be even more so as coffee is in itself a subject of research. So all my envy goes with Dr. Miia Kivipelto and colleagues in Sweden and Denmark who have found out that coffee reduces the risk of developing* dementia* later on in life NYT source. The study involved 1409 people that were tracked for about 21 years. Having been in Sweden myself a few years ago (and tasted the local coffee) my g... Cancerevo: Evolution and cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2144619 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:03:10 +0100 2144619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090184&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F08%2Fshort_items_india_sanjay_gupta_satori_pharmaceuticals.php I have a few short links for everyone today. One series of posts that you might not have seen from Xconomy is a tour of the technological hot spots of India by Boston University's Vinit Nijhawan. It's interesting stuff for people like me who haven't been to the country, and he isn't shy about pointing out both the good and the bad about India's current situation. He's not focusing on the chemistry/pharmaceutical sector, but it's an interesting read in general. I would very much enjoy seeing a similar series written from China - perhaps the Xconomy folks are working on that one? Next: if Sanjay Gupta really is going to be surgeon general (and why not?), it's worth watching his exchange with Michael Moore when Moore's movie "Sicko" came out. This is a 17-minute YouTube clip, and you may not... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090184 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:31:08 +0100 2090184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2079024&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F499744733%2F Dear reader and member of SharpBrains' community, We want to thank you for your attention and support in 2008, and wish you a Happy, Prosperous, Healthy and Positive 2009! Below you have the December edition of our monthly newsletter. Enjoy: Best of 2008 Announcing the SharpBrains Most Important Book of 2008: Neuroscientist Torkel Klingberg has written a very stimulating and accessible book on a crucial topic for our Information Age: The Overflowing Brain: Information Overload and the Limits of Working Memory. We have named it The SharpBrains Most Important Book of 2008, and asked Dr. Klingberg to write a brief article to introduce his research and book to you. Enjoy it here. Top 30 Brain Fitness Articles of 2008: We have compiled SharpBrains' 30 most popular articles, written by thirteen... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2079024 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:25:51 +0100 2079024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996330&cid=t_236287_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5413 Imagine if you are visiting your elderly parents or grandparents who have Alheimer’s disease and they don’t recognise you. What are the things you should and should not say or do? CNN has some useful advice Some excerpts: What if the person who has Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t remember who I am? Well-meaning friends and family often pepper the patient with the question: “Do you know who I am?” “That’s obnoxious — you want to avoid that,” said Kallmyer, director of client services at the Alzheimer’s Association. Rather than quizzing someone’s memory, she recommends introducing yourself with something like, “I’m John, your son” and other relatives by saying, “Here’s my wife, Jane.” Be ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996330 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1996330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980609&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html de Jong LW, van der Hiele K, Veer IM, Houwing JJ, Westendorp RG, Bollen EL, de Bruin PW, Middelkoop HA, van Buchem MA, & van der Grond J. Strongly reduced volumes of putamen and thalamus in Alzheimer's disease: An MRI study. Brain. 2008 Nov 20.Department of Radiology, Section Neuropsychology of the Department of Neurology, Department of Medical Statistics, Department of Geriatrics and Department of Neurology of the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.Atrophy is regarded a sensitive marker of neurodegenerative pathology. In addition to confirming the well-known presence of decreased global grey matter and hippocampal volumes in Alzheimer's disease, this study investigated whether deep grey matter structure also suffer degeneration in Alzheimer's disease, and whether su... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1980609 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:18:00 +0100 1980609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968753&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fgem-study.html From an NIH press release earlier today:Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Fails To Show Benefit in Preventing Dementia in the ElderlyThe dietary supplement Ginkgo biloba was found to be ineffective in reducing the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association1. Researchers led by Stephen T. DeKosky, M.D., formerly of the University of Pittsburgh, vice president and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, conducted the trial known as the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study at four clinical sites over the course of 8 years. GEM is the largest clinical trial ever to evaluate ginkgo's effect on the occurrence of dementia.This research was co-fu... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968753 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:59:00 +0100 1968753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1930764&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F440107576%2F A beautiful initiative, featured in the New York Times today: Coming Full Circle: - "In a typical Montessori classroom, teachers use category-sorting exercises to help young students see patterns and connections. But the participants in this group were mostly in their 80s and on the other side of the cognitive development curve. They are residents at an assisted-living facility for people with dementia called Hearthstone at the Esplanade, which has six other homes in New York State and Massachusetts. Since July the residents have participated in a full-time program of Montessori-based activities designed for people with memory deficiencies." - "A common misconception about people with dementia, Dr. Camp said, is that they no longer learn. But they do: residents learn to find... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930764 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:53:36 +0100 1930764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1902599&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F429090832%2F A couple of recent research findings are making the media rounds, bringing much needed attention to the high Alzheimer's rates among Latinos and to preventive approaches based on the Cognitive Reserve - such as, what jobs we choose: More Alzheimer's risk for Hispanics, studies find (International Herald Tribune): - Studies suggest that many Hispanics may have more risk factors for developing dementia than other groups, and a significant number appear to be getting Alzheimer's earlier. And surveys indicate that Latinos, less likely to see doctors because of financial and language barriers, more often mistake dementia symptoms for normal aging, delaying diagnosis. - "This is the tip of the iceberg of a huge public health challenge," said Yanira Cruz, president of the National Hisp... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1902599 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:27:46 +0100 1902599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879805&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_15.html Becker RE & Greig NH. Alzheimer's disease drug development in 2008 and beyond: Problems and opportunities. Current Alzheimer Research. 2008 Aug; 5(4): 346-357.Drug Design & Development Section, Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.Recently, a number of Alzheimer's disease (AD) multi-center clinical trials (CT) have failed to provide statistically significant evidence of drug efficacy. To test for possible design or execution flaws we analyzed in detail CTs for two failed drugs that were strongly supported by preclinical evidence and by proven CT AD efficacy for other drugs in their class. Studies of the failed commercial trials suggest that methodological flaws may contribute to the fa... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879805 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:30:00 +0100 1879805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840969&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fbiotech-link-medicine-and.html From a company press release:September 30, 2008 Media Contact: Greg Kelley, Feinstein Kean Healthcare(+++) +++-++++Link Medicine Completes $40 million Series C Financing to Accelerate Development of First Disease-Modifying Treatments for Neurodegenerative Disorders Co-led by Clarus Ventures and SV Life Sciences,the Financing will Advance Preclinical and Clinical ProgramsCAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Link Medicine Corporation, a privately held biotechnology company advancing novel approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that it has obtained $40 million of Series C equity financing to help move its lead preclinical programs into human clinical testing. The round was funded by two leading biotechnology investors - Clarus Ventures and SV Life Sciences. Link Medicine, f... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840969 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:30:00 +0100 1840969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840970&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-cross.html DISCUSSION: The key aspects of transforming this course from one country to another with different resources, health care systems, culture, and language are analyzed. Problems encountered are described, as well as their possible solutions. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840970 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:53:00 +0100 1840970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1812683&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fworld-alzheimers-day.html Today is World Alzheimer's Day. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812683 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:39:00 +0100 1812683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811270&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fobit-robert-katzman.html Dr. Robert Katzman dies at 82; neuroscientist identified Alzheimer's disease as a 'major killer'By Thomas H. Maugh II, Los Angeles Times Staff WriterLos Angeles Times September 20, 2008LinkDr. Robert Katzman, the UC San Diego neuroscientist who pushed Alzheimer's disease into the public consciousness as a "major killer" and who co-founded the activist Alzheimer's Assn., died Tuesday at his home in La Jolla after a long illness. He was 82.Katzman played a major role in making San Diego one of the major centers for Alzheimer's research in the United States, if not the world, bringing prominent neuroscientists and major funding to a program that had been virtually nonexistent before his arrival in 1984."His pioneering and, really, revolutionary work in Alzheimer's disease for more than three ... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811270 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:45:00 +0100 1811270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811272&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fupcoming-event-16-october-2008.html For Immediate ReleaseContact: Jenni Brewer August 26, 2008... PIONEERING NEUROSCIENCES INSTITUTE SETS DATE FOR DEDICATION OF NEW FACILITY AND FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON MEMORY AND MEMORY DISORDERS ON OCTOBER 16 WORLD-RENOWNED SCIENTISTS WILL CONVENE TO SHARE CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, MEMORY AND AGING Morgantown, W.Va. - On October 16th, 2008, the new $30 millionBlanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) located on thecampus on West Virginia University and founded in honor of U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller's mother, will play host to prominent international scientists who are advancing research on Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders. The first-ever International Forum on Memory and Memory Disorders will highlight the work of nine celebrated sci... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811272 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:00:00 +0100 1811272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1720357&cid=t_236287_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D4149 If I Had - A Parent with Alzheimer’s Disease - Dr. Lon Schneider, MD, University of Southern California Medical School & Keck School of Medicine Insidermedicine interviews Dr. Lon Schneider, MD, a Geriatric Psychiatrist at the University of Southern California Medical School MMR posts on Alzheimer’s disease a If I Had A Parent with Alzheimer’s Disease (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1720357 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1720357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1677029&cid=t_236287_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D3926 Promising news for Alzheimer’s disease sufferers and their carers. A recent UK study shows that a drug called Rember halts the progressive decline seen in this terrible illness. The BBC reports UK scientists have developed a drug which may halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Trials of the drug, known as Rember, in 321 patients showed an 81% difference in rate of mental decline compared with those not taking the treatment. The Aberdeen University researchers said the drug targeted the build-up of a specific protein in the brain. Alzheimer’s experts were optimistic about the results, but said larger trials were now needed. Presenting the results at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, Professor Claude Wischik said the drug may be on the market... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1677029 Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1677029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671771&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F31%2Frember_for_alzheimers_methylene_blues_comeback.php Today we take up the extremely interesting story of Rember, hailed in this week’s press as a potential wonder drug for Alzheimer’s. There are a lot of unusual features to this one. To take the most obvious first, the Phase II data seem to have been impressive. It’s hard to show decent efficacy in an Alzheimer’s trial – you can ask Wyeth and Elan about that, although it’s a sore subject with them. But Rember, according to reports (this is the best I've seen), was significantly more effective than the current standard of care (Aricept/donezepil, a cholinesterase inhibitor). In light of some of the more breathless news stories, though, it’s worth keeping in mind that this was efficacy in slowing the rate of decline – not stopping it, and certainly not reversing it. Especially... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671771 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:13:56 +0100 1671771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1668698&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F30%2Fbapineuzumab_good_for_anything_or_not.php Note: I'm still working my way through the information on the much-hyped TauRx drug, Rember - a post on that is coming. Here's more from the same Alzheimer's meeting, though: Elan and Wyeth unveiled the data on their widely anticipated Alzheimer’s drug bapineuzumab yesterday. This is another antibody from Elan’s shop, part of a long-running effort to induce an immune response to the amyloid protein which is thought to be a key player in the development of disease. And. . .well, this is an Alzheimer’s drug. That means it comes with all the standard baggage: it’s trying to treat an extremely difficult disease that we don’t understand very well, by a mechanism that no one can be sure will work or is even relevant. (Cue up this discussion from last week around here!) This drug was ... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1668698 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:20:06 +0100 1668698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1658240&cid=t_236287_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fquotes-from-neighbors-july-2008.html ==Receptors: Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Understand 'Em (In the pipeline)==At various points in my drug discovery career, I’ve worked on G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets. Most everyone in the drug industry has at some point – a significant fraction of the known drugs work through them, even though we have a heck of a time knowing what their structures are like.For those outside the field, GPCRs are a ubiquitous mode of signaling between the interior of a cell and what’s going on outside it, which accounts for the hundreds of different types of the things. ...==A-β Dimers- The Long-Sought Minimal Culprit in Alzheimer's Disease? (The Curious Wavefunction)==Following on the heels of the headline-making Nature publication that demonstrated that NSAIDs (Non-steroidal AntiInflamma... Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1658240 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:27:00 +0100 1658240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1657148&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fcrrent-event-international-conference.html The Alzheimer's Association ICAD 2008 conference begins today and continues through the 31st of July. The conference takes place in Chicago at McCormick Place.Details available at the conference website: ICAD website. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1657148 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:35:00 +0100 1657148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1649634&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F343731943%2F In an emerging, dynamic, high growth market, like brain training, it is difficult to make precise projections. But, we can observe a number of trends that executives, consumers, public policy makers, and the media should watch closely in the coming years, as brain fitness and training becomes mainstream, new tools appear, and an ecosystem grows around it. 1. We predict an increased emphasis on brain maintenance in locations ranging from retirement communities to gyms. As a computer-savvy baby boomer population looks for ways to stay mentally fit, brain fitness, or brain training, is becoming part of their vocabulary and concern. 2. Physical and mental exercise will be better integrated. Physical exercise has been shown to increase the rate of neurogenesis, whereas mental exercise helps ens... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1649634 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:49:38 +0100 1649634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1615953&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-verbal.html We examined verbal fluency performance in 107 older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n=37), cognitive complaints (CC, n=37) despite intact neuropsychological functioning, and demographically matched healthy controls (HC, n=33). Participants completed fluency tasks with letter, semantic category, and semantic switching constraints. Both phonemic and semantic fluency were statistically (but not clinically) reduced in amnestic MCI relative to cognitively intact older adults, indicating subtle changes in the quality of the semantic store and retrieval slowing. Investigation of the underlying constructs of verbal fluency yielded two factors: Switching (including switching and shifting tasks) and Production (including letter, category, and action naming tasks), and both facto... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1615953 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:19:00 +0100 1615953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1596347&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fnew-online-dementia-resources-from-ucsf.html The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center has recently revised their website and has launched a YouTube channel dedicated to educating patients, caregivers, and health professionals about neurodegenerative diseases and the dementias. The Center has also launched a Facebook webpage.The website can be examined at UCSF website.The YouTube channel - the first one I've heard of dedicated to these topics - can be found at YouTube channel link. As noted by a UCSF contact:"Through the YouTube channel, we also hope to support the caregiver and the caregiver’s loved ones to help them cope with these illnesses. "The channel features UCSF’s renowned clinical-researchers discussing disease characteristics – which are often subtle and not well known, even among mem... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1596347 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:08:00 +0100 1596347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556503&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F30%2Fanother_alzheimers_compound_goes_down.php I was mentioning the gamma secretase enzyme around here just the other day as a longstanding target for Alzheimer's therapy. I remember the periodduring the 1990s when the enzyme hadn't been identified yet, and frankly, it was a lot easier to get excited about it then. That's because when it was finally worked out, the protease turned out to be a big multifunctional multiprotein complex, and among its many functions was affecting Notch signaling. That's worrisome, because a lot of important cellular development pathways go through the Notch receptor, and these are things that you'd really rather not mess with. (Just run the word "notch" through PubMed to see what I mean). Indeed, some of the toxic effects of the earlier gamma secretase inhibitors seem to have been mediated through just th... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556503 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:25:12 +0100 1556503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1553306&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F322096605%2F Try eating food with one chop stick.  It is possible, for certain types of food. But probably not the best approach. Let's now talk brain health. Dr. Larry McCleary is a former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children's Hospital, and author of the The Brain Trust Program (Perigee Trade, 2007). He agreed to help us answer an important, yet often neglected, question: Given That We Are Our Brains, How do We Nourish Them? Alvaro: Dr. McCleary, Why did a former neurosurgeon such as yourself develop an interest in brain health public education? Dr. McCleary: For two reasons ... I am a Boomer and am trying to maximize my own brain health. Also, there is much exciting research documenting how we can be proactive in this regard. This information needs to be disseminated and I woul... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1553306 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:20:06 +0100 1553306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543150&cid=t_236287_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F25%2Fpromising-new-alzheimers-research-published%2F Which came first, the beta-amyloid plaque or the Alzheimer’s? It’s the plaque, but only one subtype, according to a new report by Harvard researchers in the online journal Nature Medicine and profiled in this TIME article from Sunday. Physicians and researchers have long noted the presence of these plaques, made up of “sticky” beta-amyloid proteins, in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, and wondered whether there might be some connection between the plaque and the disease. To complicate things, however, beta-amyloid plaques have also been found in patients with no sign of the disease, making scientists wonder whether the plaques could be an advance warning sign of Alzheimer’s rather than a byproduct of the disorder. So, how was this chicken-and-egg problem solved? Researcher... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543150 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:16:46 +0100 1543150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526771&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F17%2Fprotecting_amyloids_parent.php Let’s start from first principles: most drugs mess something up. More elegantly, most drugs inhibit some enzyme’s activity or block some receptor’s binding site. Proteins are generally pretty well optimized at what they do, so it’s a lot easier to block their activities than it is to speed them up. (There are rare exceptions). And if you’re going to target an enzyme with a small molecule inhibitor, you’ll do just that – find a small molecule that fits into the active site of the enzyme and gums up the works. In a few cases, we know of drugs that bind to other sites on the protein and mess up the active site indirectly, by altering the whole conformation of the protein, but most inhibitors are in or near the site where the natural substrates bind. This background is what mak... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526771 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:11:14 +0100 1526771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526287&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2008%2F06%2F13%2Fmild-cognitive-impairment-mci-memory-loss-without-dementia%2F Many patients over the age of 65 complain of memory loss and are concerned they have dementia. Others attribute their memory loss to aging. While there is a very mild degree of memory loss associated with aging, it is usually not significant. For example, forgetting where you put your keys or where you parked your car. These are not serious memory problems. A more problematic degree of memory loss, while not dementia, is called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI is characterized by an increase level of forgetfulness. There are two primary types of MCI: (1) Amnestic MCI (2) Non-amnestic MCI. In patients affected with amnestic MCI, they have significant memory and recall difficulty. There is a stronger association with this type of MCI with Alzheimer’s disease. Non-amnestic MCI usual... Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526287 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:49:58 +0100 1526287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1516775&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F13%2Felan_tries_again.php The long-running saga of Elan's attempt to come up with a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease continues. There have been bold attempts, setbacks, rethinks, more setbacks, and now they're starting up again. Dosing of the latest version of their vaccine against the beta-amyloid protein, known as ACC-001, was suddenly halted in April when one patient came down with a skin lesion which was thought to be possibly autoimmune-linked vasculitis. Biopsy results didn't confirm that, though, and the Elan/Wyeth partnership is resuming clinical studies. I'm not sure what that couple of months has done to their trial design; I assume that they've just started enrolling new patients and will continue with them, while continuing to monitor the former dosage groups. Maybe, though, there's a way to continue wi... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1516775 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:44:12 +0100 1516775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1508671&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F308579855%2F Tags: Alzheimer' Disease, Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Awareness, Alzheimer's Research, celebritiesShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1508671 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:40:29 +0100 1508671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1600771&cid=t_236287_115_f&fid=37661&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnottotallyrad.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fmatch-it-for-pratchett.html I was in Washington, D.C. last fall for work, and then got to spend a few days with my family just being a tourist. As we popped up out of the Smithsonian Metro stop the first day, we were surprised that the Mall was full of tents, celebrating the National Book Fair. We looked down the list of authors speaking that day, and noted to our delight that Terry Pratchett had just begun his talk in the science fiction tent. The SF tent was SRO, but we managed to find reasonable roosting spots there out of the sun.In my opinion, Terry Pratchett is one of the greatest all-time writers in the English language. In my personal pantheon of penmanship, he ranks right up there with Mark Twain. I can't think of many other writers who blend humor, science, cosmology, political commentary, theology, and phi... Not Totally Rad blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1600771 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:29:00 +0100 1600771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488147&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Falzheimers-disease.html On the New York Times website:Earlier diagnosis giving Alzheimer's a new voice By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPublished: June 2, 2008Filed at 4:26 p.m. ET"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Don Hayen has a handy way of deflecting the instant pity that comes when he reveals his Alzheimer's disease: "But I haven't lost my keys all day," he quickly jokes. Hayen is part of a growing new movement in Alzheimer's: Patients diagnosed early enough to still be articulate and demand better care and better research.They are giving a voice to a disease whose victims until now have remained largely silent, and powerless.It's a shift with big ramifications."[ ... Read the full article ... ] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488147 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:04:00 +0100 1488147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467821&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fthree-brainy-general-readership-books.html Just finished reading three excellent books with neuro themes, one a work of fiction and the other two are narrative accounts:"Still Alice" by Lisa Genova (available in paperback by iUniverse Press), is a very accurate dramatic fictional account of early-onset Alzheimer's disease."Insomniac" by Gayle Greene is a great account of the world of insomnia, from the vantage point of individuals living with sleep disorders (including the author) and from the vantage point of the clinical researchers who study the condition and who work on drug development and other facets of diagnosis, understanding, and treatment.Finally, "Can't Remember What I Forgot" by Sue Halpern, self described as a "behind-the-scenes foray into the world of cutting-edge memory research." It lives up to that description and... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467821 Sun, 25 May 2008 19:55:00 +0100 1467821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467822&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fanalysis-of-neurotechnology-industry.html The Ultimate Cureby David Ewing Duncan CondeNast PortfolioMay 2008"The neurotech industry is engaged in a $2 trillion race to fix your brain. Many players will fail, but the payoff will be huge for those who succeed."[snip]"Neurotech’s returns are already enormous. In 2006, the industry brought in more than $120 billion—about $101 billion from drugs and the rest from neurodevices ($4.5 billion) and neurodiagnostics ($15 billion)—up 10 percent from the previous year, reports NeuroInsights, a market research and investment advisory firm. But industry analysts insist that this figure hardly begins to suggest the potential. For Alzheimer’s, a disease currently without an effective treatment for about 4.5 million sufferers in the U.S., 40 companies—including behemoths like Eli Lilly,... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467822 Sun, 25 May 2008 18:53:00 +0100 1467822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1423658&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F05%2F06%2Falzheimers_a_report_from_the_front.php Several recent papers in Neurology offer some interesting ideas on Alzheimer's disease. The one that's getting some headlines today suggests that long-term use of ibuprofen has a protective effect against the disease. Actually, the authors looked at all sorts of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, but the correlation was strongest for ibuprofen. (That may be just because it's used so much, however, and not some intrinsic property of that specific drug). Interestingly, although some NSAIDs have been shown to inhibit formation of beta-amyloid (the protein fragment implicated for many years in Alzheimer's), no particular effect was seen for that class of drugs versus the other NSAIDs. There's long been a suspicion that a lot of Alzheimer's pathology is driven by inflammation cascades, and... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423658 Tue, 06 May 2008 12:20:42 +0100 1423658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1352024&cid=t_236287_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F04%2F04%2Fstudy-suggests-antipsychotics-dont-help-people-with-dementia-alzheimers%2F Powerful antipsychotic medications have commonly been prescribed to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other serious cognitive dementias found amongst the elderly population, especially if they are in a nursing home or hospital environment. Why? Almost all older dementia patients will experience, along with the cognitive and functional decline typical of the illness, some neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms can include agitation, aggression, and psychosis, and are often devastating for the older patient and his or her family and caregiver. Managing these symptoms is often a prime concern for health-care providers and families. Neuroleptics (sometimes called antipsychotics) are the class of drugs often used to manage or control neuropsychiatric problems, but there have been... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1352024 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:00:54 +0100 1352024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1315350&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-mild.html Bondi MW, Jak AJ, Delano-Wood L, Jacobson MW, Delis DC, & Salmon DP. Neuropsychological Contributions to the Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuropsychological Review. 2008 Mar 18.A wealth of evidence demonstrates that a prodromal period of Alzheimer's disease (AD) exists for some years prior to the appearance of significant cognitive and functional declines required for the clinical diagnosis. This prodromal period of decline is characterized by a number of different neuropsychological and brain changes, and reliable identification of individuals prior to the development of significant clinical symptoms remains a top priority of research. In this review we provide an overview of those neuropsychological changes. In particular, we examine specific domains of cognition that app... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1315350 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:54:00 +0100 1315350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1265292&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F28%2Fapoe4_test_or_not.php Science has coverage of a diagnostic test for the APOE gene that’s coming into the market. For about $400, you can find out what form of the protein you have. The problem is, the main thing this test is good for is telling you that you have a greater-than-average chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease, which raises the question of whether it’s good for anything at all. Most of the people quoted in the article have their doubts, which I share. Since we really don’t have any decent therapies for Alzheimer’s, what’s the good of knowing that you’re at greater risk for it? The only exception I can think of is mentioned by law professor Henry Greely of Stanford: if you’re homozygous for APOE4, you’re about 15 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. That gets into the ran... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1265292 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:43:23 +0100 1265292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1259921&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-mild_26.html CONCLUSION: By studying 2 MCI populations, converters versus nonconverters, we found atrophy beyond the medial temporal lobe to be characteristic of patients with MCI who will progress to dementia. Atrophy of structures such as the left lateral temporal lobe and left parietal cortex may independently predict conversion.PMID: 18296551 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1259921 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:17:00 +0100 1259921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1222425&cid=t_236287_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F11%2Ffast_plaques_in_a_slow_disease.php One of the first projects I ever worked on when I started in industry was targeting Alzheimer's disease. Things could have easily worked out to find me still targeting Alzheimer's disease, nearly twenty years later, because the standard of care really hasn't advanced all that much in the intervening years. It's a hard, hard area to work in. CNS programs are always difficult, since we understand less about the brain's workings than those of any other organ, and since the brain's own blood supply is another barrier to getting a drug through to do anything. And Alzheimer's has tough features on top of that, since (for one thing) we're the only animal that gets the disease, and (for another) the clinical trials needed to show efficacy can be hideously long, large, and expensive. And the under... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1222425 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:48:52 +0100 1222425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1169623&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Falzheimers-disease-sarah-polleys-movie_22.html In continued postings here about Away From Her, I note that Julie Christie and Sarah Polley have just been nominated in Academy Award categories Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay, respectively.The screenplay was adapted from a short story written by Alice Munro. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1169623 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:45:00 +0100 1169623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1156039&cid=t_236287_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F217857890%2F The cholesterol-lowering meds failed to prevent or delay the progression of Alzheimer’s, or create any change in cognition, according to the study published this week in Neurology. The researchers examined 929 Catholic clergy members who were, on average, 75 years old, free of dementia at the beginning of the study and enrolled in a convent. All of the participants agreed to a brain autopsy at the time of their death and underwent annual cognitive tests for up to 12 years, beginning in 1994. At the beginning of the study, 119 people were taking one of the various statins. During the 12-year follow-up period, 191 people developed Alzheimer’s disease, of whom 16 used statins at the start of the study, which was funded by the National Institute on Aging. “Some studies have suggested... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1156039 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:18:41 +0100 1156039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155819&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day-mild.html CONCLUSION: In moderate stages of amnestic mild cognitive impairment, common cognitive tests provide better predictive accuracy than measures of whole brain, ventricular, entorhinal cortex, or hippocampal volumes for assessing progression to Alzheimer disease.PMID: 18195264 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155819 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:12:00 +0100 1155819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1154055&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F217450697%2F Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 52, Kate Clark became the first person with Alzheimer’s Disease to be on the board of Alzheimer’s New Zealand. Share This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1154055 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:39:01 +0100 1154055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1149650&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Falzheimers-disease-sarah-polleys-movie.html In continued postings here about Away From Her, I note that yesterday Julie Christie won a Golden Globe award as Best Actress for her performance in the movie.Golden Globe Winners (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1149650 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:37:00 +0100 1149650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146525&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F215715065%2F Kate Mulgrew and her mother Joan Mulgrew talk about living with Alzheimer’s disease on Lifetime’s Women’s Health in 2002… Further interview with Kate… Part One Part Two Share This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146525 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:25:04 +0100 1146525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1139742&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fmusical-alzheimers-tribute-victoria.html From the Times-Columnist:Symphony starts the year with 'bigger bag of tricks'PREVIEW What: Victoria Symphony with clarinetist Simon Aldrich When and Where: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 5 at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney; 2:30 p.m., Jan. 6 and 8 p.m., Jan. 7 at the Royal Theatre Tickets: For the Sidney concert, tickets are $26/29, available at the box office (656-0275). For the Victoria concerts, tickets are $13.50 to $27.25, available at the box office (385-6515). For more information, visit: www.victoriasymphony.caSarah Petrescu , Times ColonistPublished: Thursday, January 03, 2008When Victoria Symphony Maestra Tania Miller and her team plan a season of concerts, they are driven by the artists, pieces and instruments they want to shine the spotlight on.This year, Miller wanted to highlight a wind... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1139742 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:59:00 +0100 1139742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1124220&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html CONCLUSIONS: In 95-year-olds, dementia, as well as cognitive performance in the subjects without dementia, influences mortality. When controlling for other severe medical conditions we found dementia to be the leading cause of deaths among the oldest old. The reason why dementia and cognitive function predict life expectancy requires further elucidation.PMID: 18040013 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124220 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:14:00 +0100 1124220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1119885&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F207499377%2F Got some time to sit and listen. Then check out these two interesting radio broadcasts. “Remembering Alzheimer’s: A Special Report” was broadcast on The Infinite Mind during Novemebr. Featuring American Public Media’s Brian Newhouse, it looks at effects of Alzheimer’s Disease on his father. The broadcast also includes conversations with Dr. Peter Reed, Senior Director of Programs for the National Alzheimer’s Association and leading researcher Dr. Marilyn Albert, Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Plus 47 year old James Smith, a former executive with American Express, who offers a first person account of living with Alzheimer’s Disease. The Vermont Public Radio offers a broadcast from commentator Madeleine Ku... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1119885 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:48:31 +0100 1119885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1119360&cid=t_236287_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F207045342%2F Lying on the beach? Sprawled across the couch? Maybe you’re in the office trying to catch up while things are quiet? Wherever you are, there are always interesting tales to read. Here are some we found during our own time off this week (Did we say we were on vacation?) Enjoy…. A little company in Canada is high on marijuana. Cannasat Therapeutics is testing its first product, CAT-310, which it says takes away the so-called “buzz” of marijuana that makes some terminally and chronically ill patients, particularly the elderly, uncomfortable and anxious, The Toronto Star reports. The med is aimed directly at the $4 billion neuropathic pain market that is mainly serviced by various opiates, anti-convulsants and anti-depressants. The idea is to mimic smoked cannabis throu... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1119360 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:45:04 +0100 1119360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1117868&cid=t_236287_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F206671457%2F Belated holiday greetings, especially to those who encountered Santa yesterday. Officially, we are off this week, but since our e-mail is easily clogged, we thought we would stop by while conducting some housecleaning and drop off a few interesting items. See you shortly…. Researchers Hunt For Suicide Gene (The Salt Lake City Tribune) Idera Pharmaceuticals President Resigns (Yahoo/AP) Cohen Boosts Stake In Pharmion (The Wall Street Journal) Celebrex Blocks Unwanted Effects Of Morphine (Reuters) Researchers Ponder Genes That Influence Alzheimer’s (The New York Times) Glaxo’s Alli Is Headed For The UK (The Daily Mail) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1117868 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:27:03 +0100 1117868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1117587&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Falzheimers-dementia.html An nice feature article in today's New York Times:Scientists Want to Find Alzheimer’s Before a Mind FailsBy DENISE GRADYThe New York TimesPublished: December 26, 2007[ ... Read the full article ... ] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1117587 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:16:00 +0100 1117587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1116716&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F206484448%2F Each year the Fisher Foundation sponsor the Mayoral Conference on Alzheimer’s disease - the largest conference on Alzheimer’s in the U.S. Held in New York, it is an opportunity for caregivers to find out the latest information on Alzheimer’s Disease. World renowned scientists, Nobel prize recipient Dr. Paul Greengard and Dr. Michael Kaplitt answered questions pertaining to Alzheimer’s Research at this years Mayoral Conference. Share This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1116716 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:30:50 +0100 1116716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1112691&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F204560311%2F Two actresses protraying women with Alzheimer’s Disease have been nominated for Golden Globes this year. Julie Christie was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) for her role as woman who is disappearing into the vortex of Alzheimer’s disease in ‘Away From Her’. Sissy Spacek has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television with her performance as a foster mother beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s Disease in “Pictures of Hollis Woods.” A Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Pictures of Hollis Woods was aired on CBS earlier this month. You can see a preview and purchase the DVD at the Hallmark website. The Hallmark site also features information about the 10 warnin... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1112691 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 11:04:46 +0100 1112691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1107128&cid=t_236287_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F203132076%2F Another late sign-off as we tend to one of the short people. The homework is nearly done and we look forward to unwinding now. We hope you will have a chance to do the same. These items should help… Altus Stock Falls On Revised Genentech Pact (Yahoo/Reuters) Array, AstraZeneca Drug Fails Trial (Yahoo/AP) Alzheimer’s Institute Strikes Technology Deal With AstraZeneca (The Arizona Republic) Astellas Low-Dose Drug Bests Rivals For Kidney Transplant Rejection (Yahoo/Reuters) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1107128 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:02:05 +0100 1107128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1087555&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Falzheimers-disease-sarah-polleys-movie.html Sarah Polley has won another award for her movie:From The Vancouver Sun:Polley wins N.Y. film critics awardCanWest News ServicePublished: Tuesday, December 11, 2007Canadian filmmaker Sarah Polley has won the New York Film Critics Circle's best first film award for her directorial debut Away From Her, an adaptation of Alice Munro's short story The Bear Came Over the Mountain. Academy award-winning actress Julie Christie took the best actress award for her performance in Polley's film as a woman suffering from the onset of Alzheimer's disease.© The Vancouver Sun 2007[ ... Read the full article ... ] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1087555 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:07:00 +0100 1087555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1081510&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Falzheimers-disease-ad-dementia.html Tomorrow's Sunday New York Times Magazine is its annual new ideas of the past year issue. Among the many shiny ideas presented is telephone screening for dementia:Alzheimer’s Telephone ScreeningBy RON FEEMSTERThe New York TimesPublished: December 9, 2007This year, researchers completed work on a 50-question telephone quiz to help them identify Alzheimer’s patients long before they exhibit typical symptoms. Such a quiz may soon become part of regular medical care.This new tool measures what the researchers call “cognitive vital signs” like short-term memory loss, which is the most important early sign of Alzheimer’s, and detects declines in everyday abilities like using a telephone, preparing meals or managing finances. The quiz also picks up behavioral warning signs including apa... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081510 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:18:00 +0100 1081510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080416&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F197005210%2F SeniorStore.com sells three great activity books that offer the opportunity to remember and reminisce about earlier decades. 1920s 1930s 1940s Share This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080416 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:06:03 +0100 1080416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070192&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Falzheimers-to-screen-ot-not-to-screen.html A short piece in today's Washington Post about the potential problems and potential benefits of broad screenings for dementia of Alzheimer's disease in the general population of aging persons:To Screen, or Not to ScreenExperts Debate Mass Testing For Alzheimer's DiseaseBy Alicia AultSpecial to The Washington Post Tuesday, December 4, 2007; Page HE01 [ ... Read the full article ... ] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070192 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:26:00 +0100 1070192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1065843&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2007%2F12%2F03%2Fnormal-pressure-hydrocephalus-a-rare-cause-of-memory-loss-gait-difficulty%2F Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a rare disorder that is characterized by progressive gait difficulty, urinary incontinence and memory loss. Although the press has covered this topic extensively in both the written and video media, true normal pressure hydrocephalus remains quite uncommon. The underlying problem is actually an excessive build up of spinal fluid in the brain. The areas of the brain that stores this fluid are known as the ventricles. In NPH, the spinal fluid flows out of the brain but, due to reasons that are not entirely clear, there is a build up of excessive fluid in the brain. This results in enlarged ventricles causing a condition called communicating hydrocephalus. Normal pressure hydrocephalus develops very slowly, over months to years. It is usually seen in ind... Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1065843 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:04:37 +0100 1065843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1051216&cid=t_236287_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fcalling-all-iowans-alzheimers-disease.html From the Radio Iowa website:Task force seeks public input on Alzheimer's diseaseMonday, November 26, 2007, 8:46 AMBy Pat Curtis "A task force in Iowa that's looking for ways to improve services to Alzheimer's patients is asking for your help. John McCalley, director of the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, says all Iowans are invited to take an on-line survey.He says the survey is mainly designed for Alzheimer's patients and their family members or care givers. McCalley, who also chairs the 17-member Alzheimer's disease Task Force, says the state's current services to dementia patients are somewhat uncoordinated. He says funding is provided to Area Agencies on Aging across the state, but those services face limited funding, especially in rural areas. An estimated 65,000 Iowans have Alzheim... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1051216 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:57:00 +0100 1051216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1046732&cid=t_236287_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F189169753%2F One family’s story about dealing with Alzheimer’s which compelled them to create The Unforgettable Fund. Share This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1046732 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:39:27 +0100 1046732