Alzheimer's and insulin resistance

This is an old article from Time Health but it raises interesting points about insulin's effect on Alzheimer's and I thought it was worth sharing.

When the body refuses to make insulin, the condition is called type 1 diabetes; when the body mismanages the hormone, it's known as type 2. Now, scientists report new evidence linking insulin to a disorder of the brain: when the brain prevents the hormone from acting properly, the ensuing chemical imbalance may help trigger Alzheimer's disease. The correlation is so strong that some researchers are calling Alzheimer's disease "type 3" diabetes.

In the body, insulin helps convert food into cellular energy. But the brain has other uses for insulin, namely as a means to learn and make new memories. Here's how it works: At synapses, the spaces across which brain cells communicate and where memories are conceived, neurons reserve special parking spots just for insulin. When the hormone pulls in, a connection is made that enables new memories to form. Since new memory formation is one of the first things to go awry in people with early stages of the disease, this insulin-initiated process may hold the key to decoding the mystery of Alzheimer's.

In August, a team of scientists at Northwestern University were the first to show why the brain's "memory function" fails in the face of an insulin shortage. The group's prior research had already pinpointed the culprit: toxic proteins called amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs, for short), which are known to pile up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. Scientists also knew that Alzheimer's patients' brains have lower levels of insulin and are insulin resistant. But what the Northwestern team discovered is the molecular mechanism behind that resistance: when ADDLs bind to neurons at synapses, they obliterate the receptors that are normally reserved for insulin. Without those parking spaces on the brain cells' surface, insulin has no place to connect, and memory fails.

"We now understand that the function of insulin at those synapses is to modulate and influence the underlying cellular structure of memories," says William Klein, professor of neurobiology and physiology at Northwestern University and a co-author of the study published online by the FASEB Journal. "What we have here is a striking phenomenon that may ultimately explain why the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease are insulin resistant and how that ties into memory."

Researchers hope these findings will help shape future research in Alzheimer's therapy — perhaps in the development of drugs that can make brain cells' insulin receptors more responsive to the hormone, or in the application of type 2 diabetes drugs, which address insulin resistance, to Alzheimer's.

The notion that Alzheimer's disease might be a neuroendocrine disorder, akin to diabetes, isn't entirely new; it first showed up in the scientific literature roughly 20 years ago, but the idea petered out. In 2005, Suzanne la Monte, a neuropathologist at Brown University Medical School, revisited the idea. Based on two of her discoveries — that the brain makes its own insulin and that Alzheimer's disease depletes insulin — she coined the disease process "type 3" diabetes.

Still, referring to Alzheimer's disease as "type 3" diabetes is controversial, especially within the diabetes community. Alzheimer's disease is a complication of diabetes, not a unique form of the disease, says Dr. Sue Kirkman, vice president of clinical affairs for the American Diabetes Association. "Nevertheless," she says, "this is primarily a semantic argument."

The terminology aside, both diseases share many traits and risk factors, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and metabolic disorders. So, de la Monte sees the semantic "splitting of hairs" as a good thing. "People are arguing about small parts of the bigger story," she says. "At the end of the day, these conversations will help us to better understand both diabetes and Alzheimer's disease."

Arden's Day Gives: Application for Incorporation

Yesterday was a momentous day around here. Way back on November 3, 2011, I announced my intentions to launch a charity that would strive to lesson the financial burden for young people associated with purchasing insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors - I called it the 'Untitled Giving Project'. In the days after my announcement I received cash gifts from my readers totaling almost three-thousand dollars, everyone said the same thing when they sent their gift, "use this money and do your best to make this happen". 

There was a lot more to do then I could have imagined and I've encountered a speed bump or two along the way but yesterday we submitted the paperwork necessary to be incorporated by the state of New Jersey! I should hear back in a few days and then it'll be time to submit the 501(c)3 paperwork to the federal government. 501(c)3 grants a charitable status, making the charity a non-profit, tax exempt entity.

The timetable is fluid but my goal is to be granted an incorporation certificate by the end of next week, which will allow me to finally stop saying "Untitled Giving Project" and begin using the charity's intended name, Arden's Day Gives.

A lot of behind the scenes stuff will happen in the months between now and when the 501(c)3 is obtained. I'll be building... building a website, an online following and relationships within the community. 

I want you all to know that the gifts you made back in November are being treated as if they were my own money. I shook with responsibility when I wrote the first check to cover legal expenses and have been exceedingly careful to only spend exactly what I've had to. I'm happy to tell you that I've only used about a third of the money that you all gave so generously and the balance should be more then enough to establish a web presence, set up the office and get to the good part... collecting donations that will purchase devices for kids in need.

For now if you could show your support by following Arden's Day Gives on twitter that would be a great beginning for this next step. More details will be coming soon and I'd love for you to be able to follow along as we build this idea, born on my diabetes blog, into a force for good. In the coming days and months we'll be making many announcements... I wish I could tell you who "we" are, I'll be able to soon but let me say this for now. The Board of Trustees is comprised of three people, myself, a wonderful pediatrician and a leader in the Pharma industry. Most importantly my lovely wife Kelly who has almost twenty years of Pharma experience will be the Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Arden's Day Gives may have initially been my idea but it would exist without all of you and Kelly's tireless efforts. 

I'll be introducing everyone very soon, introducing our logo and so much more... I can't wait to tell you all about it! Imagining, launching and hoping for our charity has been one of the true pleasures of my life.

In the beginning the best way to hear all the details will be by following Arden's Day Gives on twitter. Please follow us and tell your D-Tweeps - @ArdensDayGives

https://twitter.com/ardensdaygives

Follow @ArdensDayGives

Update on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 9:27AM by Scott Benner

'Arden's Day Gives' received corporation status from New Jersey today! Now it's time to file the 501(c)3 paperwork with the federal government. I'm still amazed to see what good can come from a well supported idea, this is an amazing community of wonderful people! I can't wait to take the next step...

Sanofi Data Design Diabetes Q&A

I was fortunate to be able to ask Michele Polz, Head of Patient Solutions for Sanofi US Diabetes a few questions about Sanofi's Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge. The diabetes group at Sanofi has been putting so much good stuff out into the diabetes community since they arrived. When I say 'good stuff' I mean that I've never met a group of people who aren't diabetic that are so dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of the people who are. 

The support that the DOC receives from Discuss Diabetes and Sanofi is immense and they aren't showing any signs of slowing down. I believe that the direction Sanofi has taken when it comes to creating better outcomes for patients is one of the more encouraging things that I've seen in some time. There was a time that if I saw a pharma company getting involved with patients I immediately thought, "hmm, what's their angle... what do they want?". While I can't speak to every pharma or device manufacturer out there, I can tell you that I've met the people at Sanofi and they may be the most dedicated diabetes advocates that I've ever encountered.

After you check out the Q&A take a moment to watch the video and then get your design idea entered! The prizes are substantial! 5 semi-finalists receive, $20,000 for development of the concept prototype, intensive mentorship from industry leaders to hone the concept and participation in a design boot camp. 2 finalists get $10,000 to create a community-based proof-of-concept program and the winner (1) received $100,000 to develop their solution.

1. What is Data Design Diabetes™?

Data Design Diabetes™ is a next-generation challenge that brings together the richness of open data sets, the values of human-centered design, and the leading-edge methodology of the top innovation accelerators, to find the next breakthrough to help millions of Americans living with diabetes.

2. Why is the Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge important to Sanofi?
Sanofi is casting a wide net to meet and help accelerate all of the incredible entrepreneurs who seek to improve diabetes care, by providing them with resources, mentorship, and direct insight from people living with diabetes. The Innovation Challenge is an innovative approach, with unique potential to foster the best solutions, while helping entrepreneurs grow scalable businesses that meaningfully impact healthcare. 

3. Is this year's challenge different than last year's Challenge?
Yes! To kick off this year's Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge and help shape the focus of the challenge, we crowdsourced feedback from people living with diabetes in the U.S. We are also adding a four-day Design & Prototyping Bootcamp where the five semi-finalists will learn about human-centered design, user experience, and rapid prototyping from industry experts. In addition, we are partnering with Startup America to connect the semi-finalists with valuable entrepreneurial resources. These new additions will help drive creative solutions to improve diabetes care, while enabling innovators to develop their concepts into businesses

4. How did you choose the theme for this year's Innovation Challenge?
The crowdsourcing phase of this year’s Innovation Challenge represents an exciting change in this year’s approach – a direct dialogue between people living with diabetes and the Innovation Challenge, to help shape the guidelines for innovators. The results are in! Respondents spoke up to ask that this year’s Innovation Challenge address the following criteria: 

• Create tools to help us feel in control. 
• Understand that diabetes affects families, not just individuals. 
• We want to be well. 

5. Why should I enter my idea to improve diabetes care?

Whether you’re a designer, a data wizard or a developer, regardless of your background and interests, the work you do on this challenge has the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. Your idea may spur new approaches that help us change the landscape of diabetes care in the U.S. We urge you to submit an idea to help people living with diabetes and their families. 

6. When does the challenge officially open for submissions?

On February 23, 2012, the Innovation Challenge opened for entries. Innovators can submit their concepts now through March 23, 2012, at http://www.datadesigndiabetes.com/enter/.

2012 Data Design Diabetes Innovation Challenge from Data Design Diabetes on Vimeo.

sanofi-aventis U.S. Innovation Challenge: Data Design Diabetes from Data Design Diabetes on Vimeo.

Update on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 11:47AM by Scott Benner

The semi-finalist have been announced, learn more their innovation ideas at the link. 

Arden's Day is the Wego Health 2011 Health Activist Award winner!

So excited... I'll post more later when my heart stops beating so fast.

What a wonderful surprise it was to be chosen from among so many deserving and wonderfully written health blogs. A day after learning that I won WEGO Health's 2011 Health Activist Award in the 'Advocating for Another' category, well,  I'm still a bit in shock. 

WEGO Health houses an amazing collection of communities and blogs about a sweeping range of medical issues. It's members offer advice and support to countless people that need it. If you or someone that you know is living with a medical condition and looking for community, I strongly suggest that you click on this link and see if there is a group tailored to your specific need - I bet that there is.

I want to thank WEGO, the independent judges and the type I diabetes community for embracing what I'm trying to do with this website. It was a genuine honor to be named as the winner in such a broad and powerful community of people. I'm proud of this site and the words that you'll find on it. Moreover, I'm happy beyond words that it helps people. Thank you all very much!

What should they tell you at diagnosis?

I was recently asked, "name one thing that you wish someone would have told you the day Arden was diagnosed with diabetes?" I thought about it and almost said that it would have been nice to know how unpredictable things would be.

but after serious consideration... I said,

"I wish someone would have introduced me to Twitter". I found the diabetes online community by mistake. Actually, I didn't know it existed even after I published Arden's Day - I was amazingly and embarrassingly unaware. I never Googled "diabetes", "type I" or the search that I see most now - "my child was just diagnosed with diabetes". I've said this before but there was a small amount of time when I believed that my blog was one of a kind - which of course it is/was not.

I sort of backed into Twitter. I (very honestly) originally joined because I thought that it would help this website find a larger audience. Very soon I realized that it was much more! I began to meet so many great people and communicating with them was very organic. It takes a lot for someone to email you through your website but sending a tweet isn't so daunting. Meeting more people brought new management ideas, more comfort and reinforced the notion that I wasn't alone.

A few weeks after I joined Twitter Arden's BG was unsteady at bedtime so I was sitting up and waiting for it to stabilize. Before I knew what happened it was after 3 am - I was falling to sleep... so in an effort to stay awake I opened Twitter. A quick swipe of my finger showed me that another D-parent was awake and doing the same thing. We chatted for a few minutes and my anxiety melted away. I was still exhausted but I no longer felt isolated.

I think that somewhere between being taught how to give an injection and carb counting class, the hospital should have a social media person drop by and explain why the kids are calling the number sign a hashtag.

My next few posts will center around social media and the great things that it has brought to my life. Look for the first soon after Christmas.

#DOC, #diabetes, #type I, #Twitter