The Latest Research in the Global Fight against Alzheimer’s

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and today’s episode features Elizabeth (Beth) Smith-Boivin, the Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York Chapter. Each year at this time, the Alzheimer’s Association helps promote a global dialogue about Alzheimer’s, which affects more than 6 million people across the U.S., two-thirds of them women. Today’s episode coincides with The Longest Day—the summer solstice —a special day when thousands of participants from across the world create unique programs to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. In her conversation with Host Ron Roel, Beth Smith-Boivin focuses on the latest research aimed at combating this devastating disease. Covering the research landscape as a whole, she will highlight the latest major development—the recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of a new drug, Aducanumab, produced by Biogen, as a treatment for Alzheimer’s. This is the first FDA-approved therapy that, while not a cure, may potentially delay cognitive decline from the disease, compared to current medications that only address symptoms. Beth will also describe significant research studies, including a major European research project known as the FINGER study and similar ongoing research in the U.S. known as the Pointer Study. These studies examine how improved diet, increased exercise, and enhanced cognitive training and social activity may have a significant impact on reducing the risk of dementia. In addition, Beth will explain how members of the public can advance Alzheimer’s research by participating in clinical trials through a service called Trial Match, which connects individuals with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and healthy volunteers to current research studies.