ICAD Review: Where Was the News Briefing About TNF?

I wish I could have attended the 2008 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease last week in Chicago. Over 5,000 Alzheimer's researchers from around the world were there. Attending in person would have given me access to much more than I learned through the handful of news briefings and press releases that were distributed online and in print.

Don't get me wrong -- I was very pleased to learn about:

• new technologies for earlier diagnosis,
• the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in the US,
• the importance of respectful communication to quality care,
• rember, an experimental drug that attacks Alzheimer's tangles, and
• whether the single life may be bad for your brain.

But I have one question: Where was the news briefing about the 10+ studies that focused on TNF (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), how it's associated with Alzheimer's disease, and how treatments like etanercept may be viable in addressing Alzheimer's pathology and symptomatology?

I didn't hear one thing about it. Why do you think this might be? Post a comment to this blog, or start a new discussion in the forum. If you've missed past discussions about this, see my latest blog on the subject. I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

Illustration © Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center