Every week we scour the news for the latest headlines in Alzheimer’s stories, care, treatment, and prevention. Here are this week’s biggest stories for the week of August 6th 2012 – August 12th 2012.
Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson To Stop Trials of Alzheimer’s Drug
Pfizer Inc. and Johnson & Johnson said they are discontinuing four advanced clinical studies of a potential Alzheimer’s treatment after it failed to meet its primary goals related to improving cognition and warding off dementia. While disappointing to millions of Alzheimer’s patients and their families, the result was no surprise to researchers or investors who had anticipated a slim chance of success. That’s because scientists now view Alzheimer’s as a decades-long process in which plaque gradually builds up in the brain before dementia sets in.
Artificial butter popcorn linked to Alzheimer’s
A new study of diacetyl, an ingredient used to produce the buttery flavor and smell in microwave popcorn, margarine and candy, was recently conducted. The study found that diacetyl may actually worsen the effects of an abnormal brain protein that’s been directly linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
