New Alzheimer’s Drugs
Ask students: Why is it significant that these drugs slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease? How should consumers weigh the side effects of these drugs against their benefits?
Summary
After years of work, there is progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, the incurable brain condition that affects more than six million Americans. Several new drugs have shown small but positive results in reducing the cognitive decline associated with this disease. William Brangham discussed these advances and what obstacles lie ahead with Dr. Richard Hodes.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Five Facts
- Who is Dr. Richard Hodes?
- Why is it significant that these drugs slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease?
- How should consumers weigh the side effects of these drugs against their benefits?
- What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s?
- Why is it important to increase racial diversity among the people participating in Alzheimer’s research?
Focus Questions
Do you agree that increasing the racial diversity amongst the people scientists conduct research with is important? Why or why not?
News analysis: Journalist William Bragham interviewed Dr. Richard Hodes, the longtime director of the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health. Who else would you have liked to hear from regarding Alzheimer’s and the experience of living with the disease?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
For More
What students can do: What is Alzheimer’s and how does it work? Make a poster about Alzheimer’s that includes some basic information about the disease that you’d like to share with your community! Some information you may want to include is a diagram of the brain before and after Alzheimer’s onset and risk factors for the disease.
Student Video of the Day(January 31, 2019)
This lesson was written by Fariya Farah, a junior at Amherst College and NewsHour Classroom’s intern, with editing by Victoria Pasquantonio.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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