Larry King’s special, Unthinkable: The Alzheimer’s Epidemic, which aired May 1st, featured the subject of Alzheimer’s disease. Importantly, the program elevated the discussion around the need for more research and research funding. Currently, 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, as many as 16 million Americans will have the disease. Many researchers see those numbers as a coming epidemic. “If we don’t arrive at some meaningful solution by the time baby boomers get to a significant period of risk, the projections are that the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease will swamp the medical system,” explains Ronald Petersen, M.D, Cadieux Director, Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Recent coverage of Alzheimer’s disease has focused on research designed to identify individuals at the earliest clinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease. By identifying individuals early, it is hoped physicians can prevent cognitive impairment from becoming dementia. The following articles and news pieces discuss recent developments in Alzheimer’s research and care.
Alzheimer’s research must be accelerated
Alzheimer’s disease is rapidly becoming one of the most critical health issues facing America. With the aging of the baby boomers into the period of risk for Alzheimer’s disease, it is essential that research be accelerated to possibly delay the onset or slow the progression of the disease …
CNN Opinion, by Ronald Petersen, M.D., Mayo Clinic Neurologist
Alzheimer’s Redefined: But Changes Mean Little for Patients
The definition of Alzheimer’s disease just got wider and deeper, but the expansion won’t change how the vast majority of people are diagnosed. It also doesn’t change the very limited treatment choices.
National Public Radio -David Knopman, M.D. Mayo Clinic neurologist
A New Definition of Alzheimer’s Disease – ABC.com: Ronald Petersen, M.D., Mayo Clinic Neurologist discusses new guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease.
New guidelines for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s - NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, highlighting Mayo Clinic’s Study of Aging.
Earlier Memory Loss Tied to Cardiovascular Risks & Alzheimer’s Gene
People who carry a gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease and have cardiovascular risks experience age-related memory decline 20 to 25 years sooner than people who carry the gene without cardiovascular risk according to a 17-year Mayo Clinic-led study recently published in Neurology.
Study linking Atrial Fibrillation and Mild Cognitive Impairment Finds Women More at Risk
In this Mayo Clinic News Blog post, Dr. Rosebud Roberts discusses a study linking atrial fibrillation and mild cognitive impairment.
New Alzheimer’s guidelines target early stages
New diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD and a new “for research purposes only” category of preclinical AD, are now published.
Draft criteria were first presented last summer at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and were subject to feedback from the research and practice community. They are now published in 3 final documents, along with an introductory summary, online April 19 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association …
The term MCI has been in use in the field since about 2000, largely based on the work of Ron Peterson, MD, from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Medscape
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