From The Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2020: The Impact Of COVID-19 And The Global Pandemic On Alzheimer's Research, Long-Term Care And The Brain

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CHICAGO, July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire＝KYODO JBN/ --

COVID-19 and the global pandemic have caused significant disruption to all

aspects of life including Alzheimer's clinical research worldwide. The impact

of COVID, quarantine, and the resulting fear and isolation are causing

problems, but also driving unprecedented innovation. Yet the urgency to make

scientific advances in Alzheimer's and other dementia is so high that we must

look at how we can safely resume, continue and even accelerate clinical

research. The environment we are in is allowing us to establish creative and

innovative ways to safely move some studies forward.

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According to the Alzheimer's Association, U.S., long-term care facilities,

their staff and residents are experiencing a crisis due to a lack of

transparency, and an inability to access the necessary testing, accurate data

and information. According to some estimates, more than 59,000 residents and

workers have died from the coronavirus at nursing homes and other long-term

care communities. The Alzheimer's Association is advocating for important and

accessible changes, through policy recommendations (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=341237523&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fget-involved-now%2Fadvocate%2Fcoronavirus-(covid-19)-recommendations-policy&a=policy+recommendations ),

to help families as well as professional care providers.

A robust discussion at the Alzheimer's Association International

Conference(R)(AAIC(R)) (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=1756009977&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Faaic%2Foverview.asp&a=Alzheimer%27s+Association+International+Conference )

2020 included experts from the Alzheimer's Association, University of Kentucky

College of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center and University of Texas

Health San Antonio discussing their professional experiences and viewpoints on

these evolving, provocative topics:

  -- The impact of the pandemic on Alzheimer's research trials.

  -- What we know about the impact of coronavirus on the brain and cognition.

  -- The devastating effects on people with dementia in residential care

     facilities, and the Alzheimer's Association's long-term care policy recommendations.

  -- Health disparities the pandemic is putting in high relief, that also

     strongly impact people with dementia and their families.

There was an announcement from the Alzheimer's Association of a new research

study (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=3791408958&u=http%3A%2F%2Falz.org%2FSARS-CoV2-study&a=new+research+study )

to globally track and understand the long-term impact of exposure to the

novel coronavirus on the brain.

"The Alzheimer's Association is proud to announce the launch of a new

international research study to globally track and understand the long-term

impact of exposure to the novel coronavirus on the brain, including cognition,

behavior and function," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association

chief science officer. "Scientists from more than 30 countries are eager to

participate, and the World Health Organization is providing technical

assistance as we move this important collaboration forward. To build a strong

foundation for this research, we will align with existing studies-such as the

Framingham Heart Study-and clinicians from around the world on how the data is

measured and collected. To better understand the impact of the virus on the

brain, we will consider cross-study collaborations."

Additional quotes from Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief

science officer

"Most likely, dementia does not increase risk for COVID-19, just like dementia

does not increase risk for the flu. However, dementia-related behaviors,

difficulty following safety protocols, increased age and common health

conditions that often accompany dementia may increase risk."

"There are the range of behavioral, social, biological and environmental

factors that influence health status. The following determinants are

heightening the impact of the COVID-19 crisis:

  -- Lack of access to stable housing, transportation, and health-enhancing

     resources may make it difficult to follow the necessary precautions to

     prevent contracting COVID-19 or to seek treatment if they get sick.

  -- Types of work, as well as the policies of work environments, can influence

     risk for COVID-19. Workers without paid leave might be more likely to

     continue working when they are sick. This can increase exposure to

     COVID-19 or expose others to the virus.

  -- Lack of access to insurance, and affordable health care."

"The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create additional challenges for people

living with Alzheimer's and all dementia, their families and caregivers.

Long-term care settings are especially impacted. According to some estimates,

more than 59,000 residents and workers have died from the coronavirus at

nursing homes and other long-term care communities. The Alzheimer's Association

is urging state and federal policymakers to implement new policy solutions that

will address the immediate and long-term issues impacting care facilities

during the COVID-19 pandemic."

The Impact of COVID-19 and the Global Pandemic on Alzheimer's Research,

Long-Term Care and the Brain: A panel discussion at AAIC 2020 for journalists

about COVID-19, the global pandemic, and its impact on Alzheimer's and other

dementia. The event featured:

  -- Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Alzheimer's Association.

  -- Gregory A. Jicha, M.D., Ph.D., University of Kentucky College of Medicine.

     Director, Alzheimer's Disease Center Clinical Trials Unit; Associate

     Director & Clinical Core Director, UK Alzheimer's Disease Center.

  -- Neelum T. Aggarwal, M.D., Senior Neurologist, Rush Alzheimer's Disease

     Center Clinical Core; Research Director, Rush Heart Center for Women at

     Rush University Medical Center.

  -- Beth Kallmyer, M.S.W., Vice President, Care and Support, Alzheimer's

     Association.

  -- Gabriel A. de Erausquin, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc., Long School of Medicine, UT

     Health San Antonio. Zachry Foundation Distinguished Professor of Neurology,

     The Glenn Biggs Institute of Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Links to COVID-19-related Resources from the Alzheimer's Association

  -- COVID-19 resources page (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=3727997879&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Falzheimers-dementia%2Fcoronavirus-covid-19&a=COVID-19+resources+page )

  -- COVID-19 tips for dementia caregivers (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=3303606461&u=https%3A%2F%2Falz.org%2Fhelp-support%2Fcaregiving%2Fcoronavirus-(covid-19)-tips-for-dementia-care&a=COVID-19+tips+for+dementia+caregivers )

  -- Recommendations for protecting people in long-term care settings (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=4033433383&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fget-involved-now%2Fadvocate%2Fcoronavirus-(covid-19)-recommendations-policy&a=Recommendations+for+protecting+people+in+long-term+care+settings )

  -- COVID-19: health disparities exposed (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=3533530072&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Faaic%2Fdownloads2020%2FDI_HealthDisparities_Covid.pdf&a=COVID-19%3A+health+disparities+exposed )

  -- Webinars for researchers: COVID-19 impact (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870440-1&h=3947980370&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fresearch%2Ffor_researchers%2Fgrants%2Fmedsci-webinars%2Fon-demand-research-webinars&a=Webinars+for+researchers%3A+COVID-19+impact )

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's

largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's

and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research

program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia

and fostering a vital, collegial research community.

AAIC 2020 home page: www.alz.org/aaic/ 

AAIC 2020 newsroom: www.alz.org/aaic/pressroom.asp 

AAIC 2020 hashtag: #AAIC20 

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other

dementia-by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early

detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world

without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7

Helpline at +1 800.272.3900.

SOURCE: Alzheimer's Association

CONTACT: Alzheimer's Association Media Line, +1 312-335-4078, media@alz.org;

AAIC 2020 Press Office, aaicmedia@alz.org