A dementia expert at the University of Exeter is part of an international panel to outline thechanges needed to for people to get the greatest benefit from  Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough. The approval of new antibody medications for Alzheimer’s disease – lecanemab and donanemab – and diagnostic tests in the blood mark the beginning of a new era in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and treatment. However, Professor Clive Ballard is one of 40 leading Alzheimer’s disease experts to take part in The Lancet Series on Alzheimer’s disease. They warn that their potential will not be fully realized without rapid reform in healthcare systems, public policy, and societal attitudes, argue 40 leading Alzheimer’s disease experts involved in producing the Series. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 70 per cent of all dementia cases and is a leading cause of disability, resulting in high societal and economic costs. In a novel comparison, the Series highlights that the new monoclonal antibody treatments can slow Alzheimer’s disease progression to a level comparable to the efficacy of medicines for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, the authors say that differences in age, patient outcomes, and side effects mean such comparisons should be treated cautiously. Despite the similarity in…

The University of Exeter has co-authored this year’s World Alzheimer Report, published by Alzheimer’s Disease International and titled: ‘Reimagining life with dementia – The power of rehabilitation’. The report, co-authored by Exeter, Alzheimer’s Disease International, and the University of Sydney, explores how rehabilitation is defined and implemented, looks at practical considerations for how best to adapt rehabilitation practices for people living with dementia in different contexts, and includes expert essays and real-world case studies from multiple countries. Linda Clare, Professor of Clinical Psychology of Ageing and Dementia at the University, is the Exeter lead on the report. Key findings include: People with dementia rarely have access to rehabilitation, despite evidence that they can benefit from it. Studies have shown that people who had engaged in tailored individual cognitive rehabilitation had lower levels of disability than people who had received only standard care and remained in their own homes for six months longer than average before moving into residential care. Seizures are up to seven times more common in people with dementia compared with peers of the same age, while falls that cause injury are two to three times more common for people living with dementia, potentially leading to reduced mobility and…

Reforms are needed to House of Commons rules to help disabled MPs fully participate in debates, research shows. Introducing call lists – used temporarily during the pandemic – would help to alleviate the physical and mental pressures involved with trying to be called to speak, an expert has said. Bringing about more predictability by outlining the order and timings of contributions would stop disabled members from being excluded from debates. The current rules governing how MPs are called to contribute to debates are designed to favour fast-paced, more spontaneous and, therefore, less predictable mode of interactions between members to ensure dynamic exchanges that feed into effective and rigorous scrutiny. But this can have a disproportionate and adverse effects on ability of disabled members to fully participate in debates, considering strain on their physical and mental stamina and additional medical needs, including the need to have rest breaks. In evidence to the Procedure Committee, Dr Ekaterina Kolpinskaya, from the University of Exeter, also recommends retaining the members’ ability to request adjusting the place and manner of speaking in cases of sickness and infirmity. She recommends the introduction of call lists should be a temporary measure followed by assessment of the efficacy and suitability…