Research Highlights

Latest research news from

Padmaja Genesh, Learning Specialist

• The most striking dementia-research-related news this month is the one on LATE (Limbic Predominant TDP-43 Encephalopathy), reported as an Alzheimer’s disease mimicker – affecting octagenarians. Known to researchers as a dementia variant without ‘plaques and tangles, LATE is unresponsive to standard Alzheimer’s treatment.

• Regarding Alzheimer’s treatment, data from 3 studies show that adding Memantine(Ebixa) to Aricept (Donepezil) can significantly ease certain behavioural symptoms, including psychosis and nighttime behaviour, in people with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease. 

• Two anti-amyloid agents Elenbecestat and BAN-2401 have been selected by the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium to be evaluated in clinical studies aiming to prevent progression to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Developers of a six-week long online skills intervention program designed to help caregivers cultivate positive emotions such as recognizing and leveraging positive events, gratitude, mindfulness, personal strengths, etc., report that caregivers who developed positive emotions experienced a significant reduction in stress and anxiety and improved wellbeing.

• There is a growing consensus among dementia experts that the adoption of healthy behaviours is essential to mitigate dementia risk. Despite having knowledge about brain-health promoting lifestyle strategies, very few people actually adopt them. Research shows that a health-coaching model, involving a brain health champion, is an effective way to help individuals adopt brain-health recommendations.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of this or other research, please feel free to reach out. We are here to help. 

Email us at info@alzheimercalgary.ca or call at 403-290-0110