A message from the Director |
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Greetings on what might be one of the final beautiful days of the fall! I reveled in it by walking earlier today through my neighborhood, coatless no less, enjoying the last vestiges of colorful leaves on the trees. Every year I grow in my appreciation of the transient beauty that each season brings to us here in Michigan, none more spectacular than autumn. As my colleagues and I in the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center seek to understand and treat age-related brain diseases, perhaps it’s fitting to note that as leaves age on the trees, they take on a special splendor. I like to think we do too.
Our staff gathered yesterday for our first in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We convened in a gigantic circle in the Center’s parking lot to eat lunch. It was wonderful to see my colleagues in person, to exchange elbow bumps rather than Zoom greetings, to laugh together as Laura Rice-Oeschger’s new puppy ran to greet each of us, and to compare notes of how we’re all managing during the strange time. Being together again reminded us of the reason why we are together in the first place – you! We so appreciate your participation in the activities of the Center, be it as a research participant, a care partner, a supporter of research, or simply as enthusiastic attendant at one of our numerous outreach and educational events. In a typical year, we would be having our annual community Appreciation Luncheon, in which so many of you would join us in Ann Arbor for presentations, lunch, and time spent with our team. But this year, we thank each of you virtually for your continued commitment to our Center and your willingness to continue our research, wellness programs, educational events, and more in a virtual manner. We appreciate you, and cannot wait to see you again soon.
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-- Henry Paulson, MD, PhD |
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New medication study looking for participants |
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AHEAD 3-45 Study
The A3-45 trial is researching the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication in people who might be at increased risk for developing memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The study is looking for people, age 55-80 years old, who have generally normal memory function in daily life, and who are not being treated for memory problems. For individuals age 55-64 years old, an additional risk factor is required, such as a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease or previous biomarker testing showing increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
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Aducanumab inches closer to FDA approval |
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Aducanumab, an amyloid plaque targeting drug in development by Biogen, has shown evidence of effectiveness. Biogen is bringing the drug before a national committee today in which experts provide a recommendation for the drug to be approved or disapproved by the FDA. Leaders in the industry expect the drug to be recommended for approval. This recommendation is most often followed by the FDA. If this takes place, we could see a full approval by March 2021.
After many years without a new Alzheimer's disease drug hitting the market, this is a big step for the field. Previous medications have, for the most part, addressed symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, whereas this drug will be the first to potentially affect the underlying disease process. Though, it is worth noting that the drug targets the progression of the disease, not the reversal. As a result, our Center Director, Dr. Henry Paulson shares, "While this will not be the silver bullet cure for Alzheimer's disease, it is a move in the right direction."
Read on for a more comprehensive summary of this news in an article by Reuters here.
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"When it's not Alzheimer's Disease"
November 20, 11:00AM - Noon
Dr. Sami Barmada will present specifically about the many dementias outside of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Barmada is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the overlap between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and ALS.
Registration is required here.
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"A Meaningful Life with Alzheimer's Disease" Virtual Conference
Tuesday, November 10, 9:00 AM - Noon
The Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology and the Alzheimer's Association - Michigan Chapter's ninth annual "A Meaningful Life with Alzheimer's Disease" is coming up next week. The conference brings together healthcare professionals and caregivers to learn about a variety of dementia topics in a virtual format.
Gwen Graddy, MD, Chief Medical Officer for PACE of Southeast Michigan will present the keynote presentation. Other presentations include how technology can enhance caregiving and the Timeslips program for bringing joy and meaning to older adults through creative engagement.
Registration is required here.
Contact hours for nursing and 2.5 CE's for social work, occupational therapy, and physical therapy are also available.
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November is National Caregiving Month |
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November is National Caregiving Month, and we are thrilled to have an initiative that supports dementia caregivers in so many ways. Our Wellness Initiative, which began in 2012 from anonymous donors, was initially created to support those caring for a family member living with memory loss. Caregiver programs have grown tremendously over the years and each new program offers support on the foundation of evidence-based practices for maintaining and improving wellbeing through many years of caregiving. Read more about our weekly Have a Seat meditation practices, monthly Catching Your Breath programs, twice annual Mindfulness-based Dementia Care course, and Caregiver Wellness Day retreats on our website here. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you know who may be caring for someone with memory loss.
We plan to offer additional caregiving resources and programming this month. To learn more about these opportunities, please tune into our Instagram page here, which is focused on supporting the wellness of our participants, or subscribe to our Wellness Initiative e-newsletter here which will be sent out next week with the details.
Other resources to support family caregivers can be found on the Family Caregiving Alliance website here.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ashley Miller at acmil@med.umich.edu.
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Recently receive a dementia/MCI diagnosis
or living with early stage memory loss?
Join the Mitten Minds Support Group
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We launched a new support group in October. Mitten Minds Support Group is available specifically for individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. The group will meet monthly on the third Tuesday of the month from 3:00-4:00pm, and newcomers are welcome at any time.
Registration is required here for each session to receive the virtual log-in information.
For more information, contact Ashley Miller at acmil@med.umich.edu
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A successful Walk to End Alzheimer's season |
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Each year, our team looks forward to gathering to support the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's. This year, that support looks a little different. Our team members gathered independently, and with their families to support the Metro Detroit Walk to End Alzheimer's in early September. With so much of our research taking place in Detroit, it was important to us to support the Metro Detroit community.
Then, in October, our team met in a socially distant manner outside of our offices to walk for the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Walk to End Alzheimer's. We were happy to see our fellow team members and show our support for this cause.
Our fundraising team, Michigan Medicine for a Cure, was the top fundraiser to the Walk, bringing in a total of $8,135 for the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Walk. Our Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core Director, Dr. Scott Roberts even placed as the third top fundraiser, raising a total of $3,950!
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