May 2021

NACDD is supportive of the work of many diverse partners to provide innovative resources in the field of Alzheimer’s and related dementia. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, and we are proud to share the work of Us Against Alzheimer’s and the Brain Donor Project in developing resources to support persons with dementia and their families. 

Brain Donor Program

The National Institutes of Health created the NeuroBioBank, which established a new framework to collect, process, store and distribute human brain tissue to advance the science of brain disease.  One in five Americans has a neurologic disorder and these complex brain disorders require high-quality post-mortem brain tissue.  The Brain Donor Project connects potential donors with a brain bank in the NeuroBioBank, a network of brain banks that make brain tissues available to neurologic researchers.

It is important to make special arrangements with the Brain Donor Project, as brain donation is not covered by an organ donor card. Most body donation programs serve students learning about human anatomy as part of their medical education, so the brain isn’t used for neurological research. Donation is not limited to disease; healthy brains are quite valuable as control studies.  The donor is not disfigured, and all arrangements are at no cost to the family. Learn more at braindonorproject.org.

Brain Guide™ by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s

BrainGuide, developed by UsAgainstAlzheimers, empowers people with knowledge and resources to take the best next steps in managing their or a loved one’s brain health. BrainGuide includes confidential memory questionnaires based on the Memory Impairment Screen, which is used under license from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the AD8 for caregivers, which is used under license from Washington University. BrainGuide also provides resources based upon the results of the questionnaire to help you manage your brain health or that of a loved one.  Learn more at mybrainguide.org or call 855-BRAIN-411.

Read more from the May 2021 issue of Impact Brief below.

• From the CEO – May 2021 Impact Brief
  As the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic continue, we have been reaching out to states to encourage them to think about how we can support new and emerging efforts to control and prevent chronic disease. We hope you will consider us your first and most steadfast partner in achieving healthier communities. To that end, if… Read more: From the CEO – May 2021 Impact Brief
• New Resources to Support Persons with Dementia and Their Families
  May 2021 NACDD is supportive of the work of many diverse partners to provide innovative resources in the field of Alzheimer’s and related dementia. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, and we are proud to share the work of Us Against Alzheimer’s and the Brain Donor Project in developing resources to support persons with… Read more: New Resources to Support Persons with Dementia and Their Families
• Physical Activity and Self-Management Can Improve Arthritis
  May 2021 Arthritis is a leading contributor to chronic disease burden and a top cause of morbidity, work limitations, and reduced quality of life. People with arthritis face barriers to physical activity such as fear of worsening arthritis pain and progression. However, arthritis and its limitations can be managed effectively, and symptoms improved, through routine… Read more: Physical Activity and Self-Management Can Improve Arthritis