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By Meghan McCarthy

Four years ago, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), brought the world to a halt.

Grocery stores became eerily quiet. Masks and disinfectants sold out. Social distancing became the norm, and Zoom became a household name. The news became saturated with harrowing stories of overwhelmed hospitals and grim toll on patients.

In the four years since March 2020, researchers have documented and explained the long-term impact of COVID-19 on individuals’ health and wellbeing. Patients skipped routine checkups and annual screenings. Clinician burnout soared to an all-time high.

For individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs), the pandemic accelerated symptom progression, limited access to medical care, and increased isolation. But what about their caregivers?

A member of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) and Perelman School of Medicine Professor Emily Largent, PhD, JD, RN, and Penn Memory Center (PMC) Co-Director Jason Karlawish, MD, set out to understand the caregiver experience in their recently published COVID Caregiving study.

By Meghan McCarthy

Leah Barnes

Earlier this year, the Penn Memory Center (PMC) welcomed Leah Barnes, BS, to the communications team as an outreach coordinator.

At PMC, Barnes’ outreach will focus on clinical research.

“I have always had an interest in bridging the gap between health resources and individuals who are usually least likely to receive care whether that be due to factors such as finances, access, education, transportation, or trust,” Barnes said. “This work allows me to be able to improve access to education and care surrounding Alzheimer’s disease for individuals who are the least likely to be reached due to various barriers.”

Barnes’ connection to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) is personal.

By Meghan McCarthy 

Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia. Names have been changed to protect PMC patient privacy. We sincerely thank the family involved in sharing their story with our community.

When Zachary Collins set out for a drive to Downingtown, the route was seemingly simple. Twenty miles west of his home, neither he nor his wife, Mary, thought much of the outing.  
 
Until Zachary found himself in Delaware.  

 
It was then that the pair fully appreciated the Waze app.  

Two years ago, Zachary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by Penn Memory Center (PMC) co-director Jason Karlawish, MD. He is still in the early stages of the disease.  

The diagnosis prompted a series of questions for the couple. At the forefront, Mary wrestled with a question many caregivers struggle to answer: How can she support her husband’s independence while keeping him safe?  

Often, progression of AD involves a declined ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Common ADL examples include managing finances, cooking and eating regularly, and driving.  

The timeline of ADL decline is extremely individualized. For caregivers, this requires fluidity in assessing when loved ones may need more assistance in their care.  

In Zachary’s case, where disease progression has been slow, his ADLs are mostly unchanged. Since his diagnosis, for example, he has continued to drive independently. 

“My husband has always been a car guy,” said Mary. “It’s going to be hard for him to give up driving. We know that’s in the future. Right now, with the help of technology, we’re pleased that we can make this work for as long as we have.”  

On most days, Zachary can drive to familiar locations with ease. However, he does have occasional moments of confusion. 

With his diagnosis, Mary and Zachary considered tools that could enhance Zachary’s safety when driving independently. Ultimately, Mary decided to integrate technology into his care plan.  

While finding a right and preferred app took time, the couple was committed to testing out different options.  

Zachary started with Google Maps for directions but didn’t like the format. He then moved to asking Siri questions about his route. After getting a new car equipped with an integrated Waze navigation system in the center console, Waze has become his favorite.

Waze is a navigation app that integrates real-time data from users to offer routes with real-time traffic updates, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and customizable alert systems. Users that opt-in are also able to track friends and family, and route specification like ‘highway backroad only’ are also possible.  

While Zachary is behind the wheel, Waze has given Mary immense peace of mind. 

“Recently I looked at the map and it was extremely complicated,” said Mary. “There were a number of turns, multiple intersections, and I was convinced I’d have to go with him. Sure enough, he went and got back all by himself.”  

Zachary and Mary also use Life360, which is a GPS sharing service that allows loved ones to track one another.  

Por Meghan McCarthy y traducido por Andrew Beltran y María Valero de Clemente 

Read in English

Se estima que hasta un 82 por ciento de las personas con Alzheimer tienen diabetes tipo 2.  

La relación entre Alzheimer y diabetes es compleja. Un nivel elevado de azúcar en la sangre puede aumentar el riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca, lo que puede dañar los vasos sanguíneos del cerebro. La fluctuación de los niveles de azúcar e insulina en la sangre también puede contribuir al deterioro cognitivo. Un nivel alto de azúcar en la sangre también puede causar inflamación, lo que podría dañar las células cerebrales. 

La diabetes a menudo incluye otros factores de riesgo al Alzheimer, por ejemplo, una dieta deficiente, historial de tabaquismo, presión arterial alta y obesidad. 

Por lo tanto, la diabetes es un problema de salud pública y tiene un significativo impacto en la enfermedad de Alzheimer. 

La investigadora María Valero de Clemente, PhD. y M.S., tiene como objetivo cambiar la manera en que la glucosa es monitoriada. El propio padre de la Dra. Valero sufría de diabetes. Motivado por su rutina diaria de pincharse el dedo para controlar su nivel de azúcar en la sangre, la Dra. Valero imaginó una alternativa no invasiva, ecológica y económica. Esta búsqueda la llevó a desarrollar Glucocheck. 

By Meghan McCarthy 

Leer en español

Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia. 

It is estimated that up to 82 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have type 2 diabetes.  

The relationship between AD and diabetes is complex. Elevated blood sugar can increase heart disease risk, which may damage blood vessels in the brain. Fluctuating blood sugar and insulin levels may also contribute to cognitive decline. High blood sugar also causes inflammation, which could damage brain cells.  

Diabetes often accompanies other AD risk factors, such as a poor diet, smoking history, high blood pressure, and obesity.  

Thus, diabetes is a both public health issue and an AD issue. 

Researcher Maria Valero de Clemente, PhD, MS, aims to change the landscape of glucose monitoring. Dr. Valero’s own father has diabetes. Motivated by his daily routine of finger-pricking to monitor his blood sugar, Dr. Valero envisioned a noninvasive, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative. This quest led her to develop Glucocheck. 

By Meghan McCarthy

Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia.

Since its debut in 2022, the concept of ChatGPT has sparked discussions within the medical community. Perhaps you’ve heard of comparison between the technology’s bedside manner versus doctors or differences between physician discharge instructions versus ChatGPT.

While these studies offer intriguing insights, for many members of the public the primary value of ChatGPT actually lies in its ability to answer short questions.  Common inquiries include definitions, general facts, and even philosophical inquiries like “What is the meaning of life?”

In the context of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs), the question for many users may be simple: “What is dementia?”

This query is particularly prevalent among newly diagnosed patients or their families. Numerous online resources, including the Alzheimer’s Association and the Penn Memory Center, aim to provide answers.

But how much does ChatGPT really know about dementia?

Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) sought to analyze this in a recently published study.

By Meghan McCarthy

Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia.  

Depending on where you’re from, phrases and sayings differ. The preference for calling something soda versus pop, hoagie versus sub, bubbler versus water fountain are classic examples that often reflect the state in which one was raised.

Beyond geographical differences, sayings can vary based on racial and ethnic backgrounds.

For instance, Black English, a social dialect with unique expressions and grammar rules, is often used in informal conversations among Black Americans.

When studying speech, these different dialects have an impact on understanding data.

After generating an algorithm that detects cognitive impairment using speech and audio recordings, Maryam Zolnoori, PhD, assistant professor at the Columbia University Medical Center and Columbia University School of Nursing, aims to refine her system through specifically studying speech in Black and African American home healthcare patients.

Last year, the Penn Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory for Healthy Aging (PennAITech) funded ten pilot studies, including Dr. Zolnoori’s project.

Ultimately, her goal is to change the workflow of cognitive impairment diagnostics in home, primary care, and specialist settings.