ALZ Alaska Blog

With new treatments that can change the course of the disease, and new tools that can help detect changes in the brain years before symptoms, there has never been a more exciting time in Alzheimer’s research. At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Philadelphia and online from July 28 to August 1, researchers shared the latest results of drug and non-drug treatment trials, new methods for early detection/diagnosis, and illuminated data on novel risk factors.

AAIC is the largest international meeting dedicated to advancing dementia science and clinical practice. Each year, AAIC convenes researchers, clinicians and dementia professionals from all career stages to share breaking research discoveries and clinical practice education that will lead to improvements in diagnosis, risk reduction and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. From basic science to dementia care, every aspect of the field’s growing knowledge of dementia is incorporated into this world-class conference.

Check out some of the breaking news and latest findings that were announced at this year’s AAIC:

🩸 Advances in Blood Test for Diasnosing Alzheimer’s 

As we find exciting progress in Alzheimer’s & Dementia treatment, there is also exciting news on the horizon for early diagnosis of this disease.

Highly accurate blood tests for Alzheimer’s are moving closer to broader use in physician’s offices. New research announced at AAIC suggests some blood tests may revolutionize the accuracy of diagnosis, greatly support recruiting for future clinical trials, and pave the way to a quicker path to treatment.

One study reported a blood test that was around 90% accurate in identifying Alzheimer’s in patients with cognitive symptoms seen in primary care and at specialized memory care clinics. This signals a shift to a simpler, more accessible, more accurate, and earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, drastically reducing wait times for diagnosis and treatment. This is especially important as newly approved treatments are indicated for people in the early symptomatic stages of the disease.

Currently, there is no single test that can determine if a person is living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Physicians currently use diagnostic tools combined with medical history and other information including neurological exams, cognitive and funcitonal assessments as well as brain imaging, spinal fluid analysis, and blood tests to make an accurate diagnosis.

For more information about Alzheimer’s diagnosis, visit www.alz.org.

• For Individuals/Families — https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis
• For Professionals — https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/dementia-diagnosis

🔥Wildfire Smoke Increases Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia 

We’ve known for a while that low air quality can have a negative effect on our health, but recent studies show that increased, long-term exposure to wildfire smoke can increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well. And with the increasing number of wildfires across the U.S. and globally, understanding its impact on our brain health is more important than ever.

A large, decade-long study — including more than 1.2 million people over 10 years — found that the risk of dementia diagnosis due to exposure to wildfire smoke was notably stronger, even with less exposure, than the risk due to other sources.

Compared to other forms of air pollution, such as motor vehicles and factories, wildfire smoke is especially hazardous since it is produced at a higher temperature, has smaller diameter fine particulates that are released into the air, and contains a higher concentration of toxic chemicals. High levels of particulates have also been shown to raise the risk of heart disease, asthma and low birth weight.

To lower the risk, research suggests people should:

• Update their home air filtration systems when possible
• Stay inside when the air quality is unhealthy
• Wear an N95 mask outside when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 100 or above

Low socioeconomic status individuals and communities may not have access to the remedies suggested by the authors. They may have no air filtration system, don’t have a weather app, may be working in jobs where they are often/always outdoors, or rent not own… so they may have less control over internal and external environments. This may contribute to why they are affected more strongly by wildfire smoke.

The Alzheimer’s Association has information about safety-related topics and preparing for emergencies at www.alz.org or 1-800-272-3900.

🧠GLP-1 drug liraglutide may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s 

There’s already major buzz about the class of drugs such as ozempic and zebound transforming diabetes care and weight loss. Now, there’s even more promising news. Breaking news finds these drugs may also protect the brain.

The drug is in a class of treatments known as GLP-1 Agonists, which are being used to help people manage diabetes, lose weight, and lower their risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. In people with mild Alzheimer’s dementia, liraglutide reduced shrinking by nearly 50% in parts of the brain that affect memory, learning, language, and decision-making, compared to placebo.

While these results are not definitive, they are promising. We know other clinical trials are testing this approach that will report our over the next few years.

According to Dr. Edison, the lead researcher: “While further research is needed, liraglutide may work through various mechanisms, such as reducing inflammation in the brain, lowering insulin resistance and the toxic effects of Alzheimer’s biomarkers amyloid-beta and tau, and improving how the brain’s nerve cells communicate.”

It is not advised that anyone take GLP-1 agonist to treat Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory problems at this time until further research is completed.

🥓Processed Red Meat and Brain Health, Dementia Diagnosis 

It’s no secret that eating more ultra-processed foods is bad for brain health, but new research shows that a high intake of red meat can increase the risk of dementia. Processed red meat includes meat like bacon, sausage, salami, and bologna. So as delicious as it may be, too much bacon in the morning or too many hot dogs at the ballpark may be hurting your brain health.

The study found that people who eat at least 1/4 serving of processed red meat a day (about 2 servings per week) have a 14% higher risk of dementia than those who eat less than 1/10 of a serving a day (about 3 servings per month). However, researchers have found that replacing one daily serving of processed red meat with a serving of nuts and legumes, such as beans and peas, could decrease the risk of dementia by 20%.

*Researchers did not find a significant association between dementia risk and eating unprocessed red meat such as hamburgers, steak or pork chops.

*The study tracked more than 130,000 participants for up to 43 years to assess the association between red meat and dementia.

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It can be overwhelming to learn about how environmental factors, dietary factors and factors out of our control can affect our brain health but there are things we can do today to give our brain the care it deserves. Check out the Alzheimer’s Association’s 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain that you can start implementing in your life right now.