Late Breaking News
- Appeals Court Finds Lack of Jurisdiction in Mental Health Lawsuit Against VA
- DoD Releases Sexual Assault Report
- Homeless Veterans' Lawsuit Against VA In West Los Angeles Moves Forward
- Advocates Call For Support for TBI Act
- DoD Plan Calls For Changes to MHS Structure
- VA-Prescribed Antipsychotic Has No Effect on PTSD
2011 Compendium
Geriatrics
With 90% of U.S. Influenza Deaths in Elderly, New High Dose Vaccine Seeks Lower Mortality, Morbidity Rates
The elderly suffer disproportionately from seasonal influenza, with nearly 90% of all deaths occurring in those older than 65. One explanation is that the standard flu vaccine does not increase antibody levels for older recipients at the same rate as younger recipients. To address that issue, a high-dose flu vaccine was introduced for use in the 2010-2011 influenza season in an effort to decrease the rate of serious illness and/or mortality.
Inexpensive Toolkit Helps Prevent Alzheimer’s-Related Home Safety Problems, Mishaps
WASHINGTON, DC—A simple $76 toolkit with items typically found at any neighborhood hardware store has shown promise in increasing home safety for Alzheimer’s disease patients and reducing the strain on overburdened caregivers.
Indian Tradition of Family Care Can Delay Diagnosis, Help for Caregivers
WASHINGTON, DC—Risks for dementia are on the rise among American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), but cultural traditions sometimes have led to delayed diagnosis and, therefore, inadequate help for family caregivers, according to Indian Health Service (IHS) experts.
Even Veterans With mTBI More at Risk for Dementia
WASHINGTON, DC—Since an Institute of Medicine report in 2008, there has been significant consensus that penetrating and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the risk for dementia later in life. The evidence was not as strong linking mild TBI (mTBI) to dementia. More research was needed.
TBI Symptoms, Severity Differ for Women Veterans But Cause Remains A Mystery
WASHINGTON, DC—As more data is emerging on the short and long-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI), researchers are discovering that the injury affects women differently than it does men. Most notably, there seems to be a differential pattern of post-concussive symptoms among female compared to male OEF/OIF veterans with deployment–related TBI.
New Law Creates National Plan to Combat Alzheimer's
WASHINGTON,DC—For the first time since federal research agencies began conducting research on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is a national plan designed to focus those efforts.
Few Answers, Much Potential in Alzheimer’s Research
WASHINGTON, DC—“A cure for Alzheimer’s (AD) has not been found on my watch, but the momentum is there,” said Marcelle Morrison-Bogorad, PhD, at what might be her last opportunity to speak before Congress as the director of the National Institute on Aging’s neuroscience division.
