Researchers are using a new deep learning algorithm that harnesses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans, age, gender, and scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination to more accurately diagnose the risk of Alzheimer's disease, reports Futurity . The algorithm's developers at Boston University School of Medicine first worked with data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, then validated their findings using data from three other cohorts. "We also obtained postmortem data on a small group of people who were evaluated for the presence of any Alzheimer's disease-related pathology," said Boston University Professor Vijaya Kolachalama. "Interestingly, we found that our model predictions of Alzheimer's risk correlated with neuropathology scores on these cases." Kolachalama added that comparing the algorithmic model's predictive ability to that of an international team of expert neurologists determined that "the model performed slightly better than the average expert neurologist." The most significant finding is that computers can accurately detect debilitating conditions like Alzheimer's from readily available data, like MRI brain scans. This implies that such technologies have a wide-reaching potential, especially in settings where expert clinicians are in short supply.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially bruising for older U.S. workers, reports MarketWatch . The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Americans 55 years and older had an unemployment rate of 13.6 percent in April versus 2.6 percent in January. Men 55 and older had an unemployment rate of 12.1 percent in April from 2.6 percent in January. The unemployment rate is the highest it has been since the Great Depression. According to the Urban Institute, people 51 to 60 years old waited an average of nine months to find another job during the last recession, versus those between 25 and 34 who had jobs again within six months. Prospective employees reported experiencing some type of ageism in the application and interview, such as when asked what year they graduated high school or if they have "reliable transportation." Experts warn that the pandemic could worsen a looming retirement crisis, with an Allianz Life Insurance study finding that half of Americans said they retired before they were ready due to controllable circumstances — even before the coronavirus. "This is the perfect example of why you have to be able to pivot when the time comes to actually retire," said Allianz Life's Kelly LaVigne.

The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders threaten to amplify older adults' risk of mental problems, which is worsened by their very rational fears of infection, reports WTTW-TV . University of Chicago (UIC) Medicine clinical psychiatrist Erin Zarahdnik suggests that their news consumption should be limited to ameliorate these fears. "You're going to have to figure out a new routine," she adds. "Reading for pleasure, listening to music, the weather's warmer so maybe get outside a little. Kind of figuring out how to normalize your life in an abnormal situation." UIC's John Holton adds that news should be taken from trusted sources and their time watching such news should be limited on a daily basis. He adds, "I think this is the time for community support from faith institutions, from housing facilities, that are able to take efforts to provide residents with information that will be helpful." Zarahdnik recommends that older adults should pay attention to their own behaviors and seek help if needed, including those who might be "isolating themselves even more than is advised." For those looking for help, Holton suggests the Department on Aging's senior helpline.

A study by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUDT) in the Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences found that active bilingualism can guard against the brain's aging process, reports Medical Xpress . The investigators examined cognitively healthy seniors 60 to 84 years old who were bilingual in Chinese and English, and whom they tasked to complete various computerized executive control tasks. A more holistic examination measured six domains of executive control using four different tasks, which had previously been linked to bilingualism, while controlling for individual factors like age, processing speed, and fluid intelligence. Active usage of two languages with less frequent language switching anticipated better performance in goal maintenance and conflict monitoring aspects of executive control. This implies that bilingualism can cushion against cognitive decline in normal aging. "The effort involved in not switching between languages and 'staying' in the target language is more cognitively demanding than switching between languages while actively using both languages," said SUDT Professor Yow Wei Quin. "Our study shows that the seniors developed more efficient neural organization at brain regions related to language control, which also overlap with areas involved in executive control."

A study in eLife details a blood-DNA-methylation algorithm that reads variation in the pace of biological aging among individuals born the same year, reports Medical Xpress . Dunedin (P)ace (o)f (A)ging in (m)ethylation (DunedinPoAm) offers a novel metric for intervention trials and natural experiment studies exploring how the rate of aging may be altered by behavioral or drug therapy, or by environmental changes. "The goal of our study was to distill a measurement of the rate of biological aging based on 12-years of follow-up on 18 different clinical tests into a blood test that can be administered at a single time point," said Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Professor Daniel Belsky. Middle-aged adults determined by DunedinPoAm to be aging faster exhibited faster declines in physical and cognitive function, and appeared older in facial photographs. Older adults that DunedinPoAM measured as aging faster were at a higher risk for chronic disease and mortality. In other analyses, DunedinPoAm collected new data that epigenetic clocks do not capture, including that 18-year-olds with histories of childhood poverty and victimization showed faster aging. DunedinPoAm predictions were derailed by a caloric restriction intervention in a randomized trial.

Health officials' recommendations that masks be worn in public to limit the spread of coronavirus creates an additional burden for the deaf or hard of hearing community in Minnesota and elsewhere, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune . A recent study in the Hearing Review indicated that a simple mask can reduce a voice by 3 to 4 decibels, while the N95 masks medical workers employ can reduce it by nearly 12 decibels. Seniors can be particularly impacted, as they are more likely to have hearing loss as well as become seriously ill from coronavirus. Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Center audiologist Janet Hansen adds that the hectic environment of hospitals, the noise of medical equipment, and tired patients compound hearing difficulties. Darlene Zangara, executive director of the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing, says mouth visibility is essential for people who wear hearing aids, read lips, or use American Sign Language. "When you have a mask on, you can't lip read," she notes. "There's been no real adjustments made to help communicate unless they had personal experiences with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. So it's been very frustrating." Alternatives that may mitigate this barrier include making masks with a clear plastic cover over the mouth, or shirts with text that explain their hearing disability.

To help families affected by Alzheimer's navigate limitations during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but still looking to celebrate Mother's Day, the Alzheimer's Association offers tips to help plan for in-person or virtual celebrations, states the Chicago Daily Herald . The association recommends that families follow a person-centered approach by focusing on what is enjoyable for the person with Alzheimer's, like looking at family pictures or enjoying their favorite food. Small gatherings may be preferable if the person gets overwhelmed in large groups, with simplicity being key. Holding to the person's normal routine will help prevent Mother's Day from becoming disruptive or confusing, and families should plan for breaks so the person can rest in a quiet area away from noise and crowds if needed. Video chat platforms like FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom are useful when holding virtual celebrations, and families should prepare ahead of time to ensure the platform is one that the person with Alzheimer's can access easily. The event also could be enhanced by a slideshow that features favorite pictures of mom and cherished family photos.

Two teenagers in Massachusetts have initiated a national volunteer letter-writing campaign to help seniors combat loneliness as they deal with enforced isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports the Southern Illinoisan . Siblings Shreya and Saffron Patel contacted a local nursing community about sending positive letters to residents, and in early April began writing and sending letters there. Mounting requests for letters inspired the sisters to start Letters Against Isolation, and solicited others to volunteer their writing services. The project has expanded to include 1,783 older adults across the United States, who have received 4,162 letters written by more than 400 volunteers. According to Saffron, the campaign has helped some families rediscover the art of handwritten letters in the digital age. Volunteers are sending letters seniors in southern Illinois, and working with the Illinois Commission for National and Community Service and the Illinois Department of Aging to identify seniors who could benefit from a letter, which is delivered with their meals.

A new University of Stirling study will characterize the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on social contact, loneliness, well-being, and physical activity in older adults, reports Medical Xpress . "However, we're also aware that many in this group have adopted new approaches to cope with the current situation — and will consider any positive impacts derived from this," said Stirling Professor Anna Whittaker. Previous cross-sectional and longitudinal studies showed social isolation can have serious health ramifications that range from mental health issues to even death. "The current social distancing rules will have greatest impact on the older population and other vulnerable groups, who already report high loneliness, and it could become a major problem," Whittaker explained. Her team will mainly concentrate on people older than 70 in Scotland, but they also hope to talk to other adults who are physically active and those who are at risk of social isolation overall, as well as now. "This study will make recommendations on policy and practice, and inform the creation of resources, that will help minimise the negative impact of social distancing and increase the potential for positive change," Whittaker said.

Clarity Clinical Research in East Syracuse, N.Y., has transitioned to a virtual platform to continue three clinical Alzheimer's drug trials when the coronavirus pandemic forced the clinic's shutdown, reports the Syracuse Post-Standard . Most of the trials' 25 participants are seniors, which elevates their risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. Their participation in periodic psychological, memory, and laboratory tests — often at the clinic itself — are critical to completing the trials, according to Clarity Clinical Research Director Lisa Sonneborn. With lockdowns looming, in March the clinic started offering participants the option of having a clinician conduct psychological and memory tests through videoconferencing. Home visits by clinicians also will be conducted to collect blood samples, if necessary. Study subjects must periodically undergo brain scans to determine if the drugs are slowing or stopping the progress of Alzheimer's. Sonneborn said the clinic has obtained permission from study sponsors to reduce the number of times such scans are administered, so participants have to visit the clinic less often.