Researchers from all over the globe are gathering to share their findings on Alzheimer’s and dementia at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. The conference, which is happening in-person in Philadelphia and streaming online, began on Sunday and continues through Thursday with many Michigan researchers taking part.
According to Sophie Kephart, the Communications Manager of the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter, roughly 70 Michigan-based researchers are sharing their findings at the conference.
Sophie said some of these Michigan researchers are:
- Amanda Leggett from Wayne State University, who’s research on dementia caregiver stress process and mental health in late-life is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association,
- Florence Johnson from the University of Michigan who found Black and Latinx caregivers show increased mental health struggles with care needs,
- Kevin Chen from the University of Michigan, who’s research on neurons and nerve activity is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, and
- Chelsea Cox from the University of Michigan, who studies alongside colleague Scott Roberts the genetic risks for Alzheimers and provides mental health education and support for older adults.
Members from the state chapter are present at the conference to discuss new national and local-level research. Jean Barnas is one of the members at the conference this week.
Barnas is the Program Services Director for the Michigan Chapter. She said she gets updated on research monthly, and is responsible for sharing the findings with the community as well as providing support and care to those who have the disease in the region.
“I’m here in Philadelphia now, and it’s wild,” she said. “I’ve got so many different tracks every single day of information (that’s) bringing together these folks to share what’s happening and the latest research.”
Barnas said various research projects have caught her interest, such as brain imaging, racial disparities in care, therapeutic AI pet seals that relieve stress for patients, and even research that shows that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke can raise the risk of dementia.
Barnas said the latter study was conducted in California over a 10 year period, and found small toxic particles from wildfire smoke can enter the bloodstream when inhaled.
“They’re so tiny,” she said. “They’re 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. The exposure to these tiny particles of pollution may damage the blood vessels to the brain and then contribute to the dementia risk.”
Barnas said the benefit of attending the conference is that they can share this information with Michigan residents when they return. She said the research focusing on modifiable risk factors, or things people can actively do to prevent developing dementia, is the most beneficial to community education.
“People want to be good stewards of their own health, so they will ask, ‘Is there anything I can do to prevent or delay getting Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia’?” she said. “There’s more and more research lending to these modifiable changes and … (people) can make these small incremental steps to better protect and have greater brain health.”
Barnas said that the Michigan chapter has over 60 support groups she oversees, and two are located in Alpena. These support groups are through the Alpena Senior Citizen Center and Tendercare Greenview, and research findings have been presented to Alpena support groups in previous years.
Barnas also said on Thursday, a livestream event called “AAIC For All” will be online discussing the research highlights and what’s next will be available on alz.org from 8:30 a.m until 12:45 p.m. She said anyone can register or join online at no cost through alz.org.
She also said if anyone has questions or is dealing with Alzheimer’s personally, they can call the 24/7 hotline at 800-272-3900.
