Cedars Sinai has released their findings that Alzheimer's disease plaques show up on the retina of the eye -
which correspond to plaque in parts of the brain - making the development of early AD detection feasible.

The following is from USA Today:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/08/22/can-eye-scan-detect-alzheimers-years-advance/589166001/?WT.mc_id=enews2017_08_27&utm_source=enews-aff-21&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2017-08-27
"Researchers say early indicators of Alzheimer's disease exist within our eyes, meaning a non-invasive eye scan could tip us off to Alzheimer's years before symptoms occur.

It turns out the disease affects the retina — the back of the eye — similarly to how it affects the brain, notes neuroscience investigators at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California. Through a high-definition eye scan, the researchers found they could see buildup of toxic proteins, which are indicative of Alzheimer's.

"The findings suggest that the retina may serve as a reliable source for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis," said Cedars-Sinai associate professor Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, lead author of the study, which published Thursday in the journal JCI Insight. "One of the major advantages of analyzing the retina is the repeatability, which allows us to monitor patients and potentially the progression of their disease."

In another find, the study uncovered plaques in unchecked regions of the retina, said research associate Yosef Koronyo. The amount of plaque in the retina matched the plaque in certain parts of the brain.

"Now we know exactly where to look to find the signs of Alzheimer's disease as early as possible," he said.

Sherry was interviewed by Lynnelle Paulick on the Writer's Almanac West radio show, KSCB on June 20, 2017 b

Eye and Smell Tests for AD Diagnosis
     Loss of odor identification and changes in the eye may be easy to measure markers which could act as low-cost tools for the detection of brain changes in the early stages of AD.          
     Two well-accepted hallmarks of cognitive decline and dementia are: 1) elevated brain beta-amyloid as shown in positron emission tomography (PET) and 2) reduced thickness of the brain’s cortex.
     Odor identification tests were equal or better than measures of cortical thickness, but not as good as amyloid PET scans, in detecting cognitive decline and dementia. However, PET scans are more challenging and expensive to run than smell tests, so smell tests have that advantage as an AD screening tool. (*Sherry’s Note: A pioneer physician in PET scans is Dr. Daniel Amen, with clinics in several states, www.amenclinics.com )
     Thinning of retinal nerve layers in the eye may be associated with AD, so retinal imaging has potential as a screening test. In addition, amyloid deposits have been found in the retinas of AD sufferers, so retinal amyloid could be used as another marker of AD.
       These are examples of new diagnostic tools that could be used in the future.
 
More challenging jobs working with people can be protective
     Researchers from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP) found that people with more complex jobs, especially those who work with people, were more resistant to AD than those with less challenging jobs. “Interestingly, this finding seemed to be driven by complexity of work with people – but not data or things – suggesting that social interaction in the workplace could play an important role in boosting cognitive reserve.” Elizabeth Boots http://www.med.wisc.edu/news-events/complex-work-with-people-protects-against-alzheimers-disease/48933
 
Non-Pharmacologic Therapies: an alternative to anti-psychotics
    The "Halting Anti-psychotic use in Long Term care" (HALT) Project led to a 75 percent reduction in the use of anti-psychotic medications in people with dementia. The project’s purpose was to manage patient care with person-centered therapy,  rather than using medication. At the end of the study, 121 of 132 subjects did not use anti-psychotics, and the rest were medication-free for 6 months.
 
Early treatment can reduce costs and mortality
     A presentation at AAIC revealed that there is an economic benefit to ensuring that AD sufferers receive the current standard of care for AD medications. Doing so led to lower heath costs and lower patient mortality rates.
 
Gender differences in AD
     Of the roughly 5 million Americans with AD at age 65 or older, nearly two-thirds are
women. The reason for this disparity is unknown, but new research has theorized that men may not be accurately diagnosed or that women live longer and, therefore, have a larger diagnostic window. Hormone shifts, like menopause in women or androgen deprivation in men, were shown to be involved in the development of AD. In particular, women who experienced menopause before age 45 where at higher risk of developing AD. Interestingly, widowed or single men were shown to be at higher risk for AD than married men. Future research will focus on defining and understanding these gender differences.
     information above provided by the AAIC

The premise being evaluated by these three pharmaceuticals is that the amyloid-beta plaques, found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, are the cause of the disease; therefore if the plaques can be removed or prevented from forming, this could make a significant improvement in patient functioning and slow declining abilities. The three products are solanezumab, aducanumab, and verubecestat and act as antibodies to eliminate and/or prevent plaques. SOLANEZUMAB
         In 2015 Lilly reported that solanezumab slowed symptoms of disease progression by two years. As reported in March 2016, “In two previous trials of solanezumab, pharmaceutical company Lilly used both a cognitive test and a functional measurement to track the response of people with both mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Both trials failed to show significant benefits over placebo in either measure.” “However, Lilly noticed that participants with mild Alzheimer’s seemed to do better than controls in the cognitive portion of the testing, says Eric Siemers, a neurologist employed by Lilly.” Final data from a clinical trial targeting 2,100 patients with early Alzheimer’s is expected in 2017. It is anticipated that this product will be targeted to those with mild Alzheimer’s.

 http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/03/why-big-change-lilly-s-alzheimer-s-trial-not-evidence-its-drug-has-failed-again
ADUCANUMAB
        “Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by deposits of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.” A hypothesis that is being tested is that if the plaques can be prevented from forming – or can be removed after forming - this would slow clinical decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Reported in Nature, September 2016, these results have been experienced in a one year trial using infusions of aducanumab (only 165 participants) and they are moving into phase III trials now. “Should the slowing of clinical decline be confirmed in ongoing phase 3 clinical trials, it would provide compelling support for the amyloid hypothesis.” Made by Biogen.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v537/n7618/full/nature19323.html

VERUBECESTAT
         In Nov. 2016 Merck released information on the success of their brain plaque inhibitor verubecestat, shown to remove amyloid plaques that are prominent in Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of rats, monkeys, and humans. There may even be a possibility that it could prevent amyloid plaques from forming. The limited testing has so far produced no negative side effects.
        There are now “two trials testing long-term outcomes in patients (taking verubecestat). The first involves roughly 2,000 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's for 18 months. The second has around 1,500 participants with early signs of Alzheimer's (as indicated by amyloid plaques revealed in positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans), for two years.
        Solanezumab, aducanumab and verubecestat are all now in “phase III clinical trials (on humans) to assess their efficacy, effectiveness and safety, but the results are promising, experts say.”
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-alzheimer-s-drug-clears-milestone-in-human-clinical-trial1/

Sherry was on the Thousand Oaks Walk to End Alzheimer's committee this year and acted as an event photographer. Here she is with the other two Alzheimer's Association Central Coast Advocates, Teresa Valko and Laura Oldt in the flower garden at Cal Lutheran at the end of the walk.

True life examples provide hope, guidance, and inspiration in “Adapting When Your Parent Becomes Your Child: Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support.” Empowering caregivers by providing must-have information, tools, and encouragement, it also gives ideas for adapting that can reduce stress and create joy. Sherry Lynn Harris details immediately useful advice as someone who has been there and knows from experience how best to support a loved one through the disease’s various stages. She poignantly describes how she cared for her mother for 18 years, discovering many innovative ideas, including ways to help caregivers cope emotionally. Ethical questions are explored, such as remuneration and resuscitation, as well as many suggestions on how to create fun playful moments. This guidebook can sustain the caregiver through many difficult issues including: Recognizing warning signals; Simplifying the environment to safely remain at home as long as possible; Putting financial and legal affairs in order, Evaluating when a move is necessary; Locating the next perfect home and helping adapt to it; Taking the car keys away; Using play and music to keep the brain active and engaged; and Calming ideas and redirection tools to avoid aggression. Easily understood descriptions of scientific studies describe what can be done to encourage brain health in those with Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as the positive effects of listening to music, or the benefits of dancing. This book offers many ways to provide support to your loved one with Alzheimer’s, not only advising what can be done at each stage, but explaining how to do it. This is particularly helpful in areas which may be new to you, such as the financial steps that need to be taken or end-of-life issues. This book sustains the caregiver through every stage of the AD experience, preparing them for what can be expected and providing ideas for adapting, making their job tremendously easier. A portion of the proceeds of each book sold is sent to the Alzheimer's Association in gratitude. 
 Pictures from Walk To End Alzheimer's Below