Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Symposium, Rebooting Immune Cells’ Metabolism, and More

Check out the latest in aging advances, research, and events happening at NIA:

• NIA statement on FDA approval of aducanumab for Alzheimer’s disease — NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D., reflects on a milestone in Alzheimer’s research: the first approved treatment to slow progression of the disease.
• Census Bureau releases healthy life expectancy at 60 infographic — A new America Counts Story, funded in part by NIA, shows that healthy life expectancy at age 60 varies by world region, country, income, and gender.
• Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Symposium open for registration — The 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Global Symposium: Pathway to Translation, a no-cost virtual symposium supported by NIA and the Alzheimer’s Association, will discuss how discoveries in genetics impact biomarker work and how to apply these findings in research.
• Rebooting immune cells’ metabolism shields the aging brain in mice — A study, supported in part by NIA, discovered a process by which immune cells can drive aging in the brain, and how to block this pathway to improve memory and maze navigation in older mice.
• Mouse study suggests that repairing brain protein production could counteract Alzheimer’s disease — A new study, funded in part by NIA, found that mice with cognitive problems did better on memory-associated behavior tests when protein production was restored in the brain.
• Nearly 14% of older adults with dementia are prescribed a combination of medicines affecting the central nervous system — NIA-supported study is the first to examine the number of adults with dementia who live in the community, not in nursing homes, and take multiple medications that target the brain and spinal cord. Taking combinations of these drugs can lead to an increased risk of falling, breathing issues, and heart problems.
• Electronic health record systems let patients choose complementary and integrative pain treatments — Researchers are studying the use of decision-making tools embedded into electronic health record systems to help patients manage their own pain by selecting nondrug pain care after surgery and help clinicians support that choice.
• NIH names Dr. Marie A. Bernard as Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity — Dr. Bernard, who has served as NIA’s deputy director since 2008, will lead NIH’s effort to promote diversity, inclusiveness, and equity throughout the biomedical research enterprise.

Read more NIA research news.

Last Updated on June 28, 2021