The Voice of Research Participation
Four decades ago (and ever since) disability advocates said, “No planning about us, without us”. This phrase is echoed even louder today by persons living with dementia and their advocates.
Scientists, doctors, industry sponsors and major medical centers are busy making plans to adapt Alzheimer’s and dementia research to the new realities brought on by COVID-19. However, these plans lack the voice that needs to be heard, the voice of potential volunteer participants—persons with dementia and their families. We believe this voice should be at the core of change to ensure participation is not only safe but also remains attractive and fulfilling.
Please add your voice and creativity by clicking HERE and completing this survey.
We are also making this survey available in Spanish, as this is a part of the dementia community that we especially want to understand better.
También estamos haciendo que esta encuesta esté disponible en español, ya que es parte de la comunidad de demencia que queremos entender mejor.
Agregue su voz haciendo clic AQUÍ y complete la encuesta.
Please feel free to share/post this with any person you know who is living with dementia or their families. Participation is anonymous. We will post a summary of findings around September 1 at www.recruitmentpartnersllc.com.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
AAIC Roundup
The 2020 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) included a breadth of science from over 160 countries. This global forum convened experts to share research discoveries that will lead to methods of prevention, treatment, and improvements in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The implications of COVID-19 within dementia research was a theme that ran through many topics of the AAIC program. Further discussions took place on the coronavirus’ impact on exposing health disparities between racial and ethnic groups. In addition, several studies at AAIC 2020 mentioned advances in blood tests that may more easily and accurately detect tau protein in blood or plasma. New research also suggested that flu and pneumonia vaccination are associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
To review the latest dementia science from this global forum, visit the AAIC press release here.
COVID-19 brings clinical trial innovation to nursing home doorsteps
As researchers navigate the new barriers caused by COVID-19, Eli Lilly has launched a new phase 3 study of an antibody drug that may reduce the rate of coronivirus infection and complications from COVID-19 with an innovative twist. In order to effectively reach the people that need it most, Lilly is using retrofitted recreational vehicles as “mobile research labs” that can be rapidly deployed to nursing homes where an outbreak has occurred. Once on site, study staff can work with the nursing home staff to obtain consent and provide treatment to both residents and employee participants. Read more about Lilly’s mobile labs here.
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What’s Happening in the Alzheimer’s Field?
Sleep’s impact on the brain
For ages, scientists have speculated the effects of sleep on health. But in recent years, research is indicating that sleep might keep a range of illnesses, including cognitive diseases, at bay. Scientists currently studying the association of sleep and Alzheimer’s believe our slumber may help clear the brain of toxic proteins that increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease. While more work is needed to prove that better sleep will reduce ones risk for Alzheimer’s, the connection of healthy sleep to healthy brain should not be ignored. Read more here.
$3.3 million to study connections between heart and brain
Bill Gates and The American Heart Association have dedicated $3.3 million to a health technology joint venture based at Boston University. Researchers will be tasked with developing new technologies to better identify and track early health behaviors that can affect brain health, and will develop artificial intelligence analytics to better predict who is at risk. Data collected from the project will be integrated into the Early Detection of Neurodegeneration (EDoN), a global database of Alzheimer’s Research which supports scientists around the world. Read more about the initiative here.
FDA accepts aducanumab application for priority review
Aducanumab, an investigational drug therapy to reduce the clinical decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease, has taken a rocky path to FDA review. The drug was seemingly abandoned in 2019 after an independent review doubted its effectiveness, however, it was later revived and has been granted Priority Review by the FDA with a target action date of March 7, 2021. Read more here.
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Who We Are & What We Do
Recruitment Partners’ mission is to increase education & access to Alzheimer’s research. We recognize the importance of partnering with the individual’s care providers to meaningfully and successfully engage them in research. We have experience working with adult day health centers & long term care communities to help individuals with AD and their caregivers learn more about the research available in their community, and build a bridge for participation. Join our network! Email us today!