She should have been 46 next week. We all miss her dearly.
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Increasing access to Alzheimer’s treatments
Alzheimer’s disease is a national crisis. While there is currently no cure for the fatal disease that affects over 6.7 million Americans, treatments are being discovered to change the disease progression and offer more time to families.
In June 2021, Lecanemab received accelerated approval as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This was the first therapy that actually targeted one of the disease hallmarks instead of simply treating the symptoms, demonstrating that removing beta-amyloid from the brain reduces cognitive and functional decline in people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s.
Since then, additional anti-amyloid treatments have shown positive results to slow down the disease progression. Lecanemab received accelerated FDA approval in January this year, and last month.
While these treatments have shown a glimmer of hope for the future of Alzheimer’s, that hope was severely diminished by an unfortunate reality: lack of access.
In April 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an unprecedented decision to block Medicare coverage of all FDA-approved treatments that target amyloid for Alzheimer’s disease, severely limiting access by forcing people to join a clinical trial or pay out-of-pocket at the high cost of over $26,000-$28,000 per year.
Fourteen months later, after continuous efforts from the Alzheimer’s Association and advocates nationwide to change this decision, CMS announced on June 1, 2023 that it will cover Alzheimer’s treatments that receive traditional FDA-approval if physicians register and enter data in a registry.
“While registries are important, posing this condition of coverage on people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s still creates an additional and unnecessary barrier,” said Meg Barron, Alzheimer’s Association Region 3 Leader and Executive Director of the California Southland Chapter. “These families don’t have time to wait for a registry or search for a doctor who participates in one.”
Setting this requirement for registries is yet another unprecedented decision made by CMS towards this class of FDA-approved drugs.
Each day, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 2,000 people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s progress beyond the point where current treatments can help them.
On June 20, Alzheimer’s advocates from Ventura County and Southern California met in Los Angeles to rally at the Wilshire Federal Building, urging CMS to change its policy and expand access to FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments.
To get involved as an advocate or learn more about Alzheimer’s treatments and free support services, visit the Alzheimer’s Association online at alz.org/cacentral. Their Ventura office is located at 2580 E Main Street #201, and their 24/7 Helpline is 800.272.3900 for around-the-clock support and information in English and Spanish.
How is dementia diagnosed and treated?
To diagnose dementia, a doctor will complete a medical history, physical exam, and neurological tests that assess balance, sensory response, reflexes, and memory and thinking skills. In addition, a doctor may order brain scans, blood tests, genetic tests, a spinal tap, and a mental health evaluation to help determine a diagnosis.
Because different types of dementia can share similar symptoms, providing an accurate diagnosis can be difficult. In addition, dementia may be difficult to diagnose as a single disease given that a person could have more than one type.
Visiting a primary care doctor is often the first step for people who are experiencing symptoms of dementia. Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist, which is a specialist in disorders of the brain and nervous system. Neurologists generally have the expertise needed to diagnose dementia.
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s or related dementias, medicines are emerging to treat disease progression. There are also medications that may temporarily improve or stabilize memory and thinking skills in some people and may help manage certain symptoms and behavioral problems. A team of specialists — doctors, nurses, and therapists — can help with maintaining mobility; addressing speech and swallowing problems; and learning new ways to handle loss of skills with everyday tasks, such as feeding oneself.
Through substantial investments from the U.S. federal government and others, researchers continue to advance scientific growth and discovery to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and care of those living with dementia.
If you are concerned about memory problems or other symptoms of dementia, call your doctor. If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed, explore the resources on this website and referenced below to find out more about dementia care, support, and research. It is important to educate family, friends, and caregivers about a loved one’s diagnosis. In-person and online support groups offered by nonprofit organizations can provide families and caregivers with additional resources and opportunities to share experiences and express concerns. You may also consider participating in a clinical trial or study.
All fireworks are illegal in the City of Ventura
Ventura’s public safety agencies remind residents there is no safe way to use fireworks. While Independence Day embodies the spirit of community pride and celebration, the Ventura Police and Fire Departments urge community members to embrace a safe and sane approach to the cherished national tradition. Residents are encouraged to do their part to help prevent fires and injuries caused by illegal fireworks and attend an authorized fireworks display hosted by trained professionals.
“Fireworks are a wonderful part of the Independence Day tradition but pose a serious threat to public safety,” said Commander Matt Cain. “Fireworks are illegal, unpredictable, and are of immense concern to those with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and sensory issues. Let’s come together to protect all residents.”
City of Ventura public safety officials encourage families to attend festivities sponsored by local community groups or attend public fireworks show. This year, the City’s Fourth of July Street Fair and Pushem-Pullem Parade returns on July 4 with events happening in Downtown Ventura from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. To learn more, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/StreetFair.
Additionally, the Ventura Rotary Club will host a fireworks show on July 4 at 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.VenturaFireworks.com.
During the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Ventura Police Department will deploy additional resources to help respond to and enforce reports of illegal fireworks. If you see a neighbor lighting fireworks, call 9-1-1 if the activity is in-progress. If there is no immediate threat, please call the 24/7 non-emergency line at 805-650-8010. Be prepared to provide a location of the activity and a description of those involved.
Anyone found in possession of fireworks, or caught using them, could be fined up to $1,000 and/or receive a jail term of up to a year.
Ventura Police officials also encourage community members to stay off the road after consuming alcohol, marijuana, or prescription medications.
For more information on staying safe this Fourth of July, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/Fireworks.
Less myelin content in the brain linked to faster cognitive decline
People whose brains have less myelin — the fatty tissue that insulates nerve cells — experience steeper declines in cognition over time, according to an NIA study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. The findings show the impact of myelin content as healthy people age and underscore myelin as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment.
Myelin is an insulating layer that forms around nerves, including those in the brain. It helps neurons communicate more efficiently, maintain a healthy water balance, and respond to signals involved in memory formation and other cognitive functions. Previous studies have shown that myelin production slows as people age, but whether changes in myelin are linked to age-related changes in cognition remained unknown. However, some animal study evidence suggests changes in myelin may be responsible for cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative diseases.
For this study, the team of NIA scientists gathered data from 123 cognitively unimpaired adults enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and from the Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing study. The researchers tested several different types of cognition and used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans to measure myelin content in the brain. They looked at two different MRI-based measurements to estimate the amount of myelin: myelin water fraction (MWF) and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1).
For both measurements, lower myelin was linked to greater cognitive decline over time. Lower myelin, as measured with MWF, was associated with a steeper decline in executive function, which includes skills such as planning, problem-solving, organization, and multitasking. Lower myelin as measured with R1 was associated with a faster decline in verbal fluency, which measures the ability to retrieve information from memory. These findings contribute to a foundation for further studies that explore how age-related changes in myelin are different in people who develop neurodegenerative diseases.
While, overall, this study establishes a meaningful relationship between myelin content and cognition, the authors noted some limitations, mainly that the cohort size was relatively small and included a higher proportion of men and White participants. Future research should reexamine the link in a larger, more diverse study cohort; explore the link between myelin and cognition in people with neurodegenerative diseases; and test whether promoting myelin production could be an effective strategy to prevent disease.
Vol. 16, No. 20 – June 28 – July 11, 2023 – Harbor Patrol Blotter
Tuesday 6/06 |
8:55am, received report that a female transient jumped the fence to the Portside pool and locked herself into the restroom. Officers responded and were able to convince the individual to come out and leave the Portside pool.
5:20pm, received report of a petroleum spill at VHV I-dock from a commercial fishing vessel. Officers responded and found the source, were able to mitigate. |
Wednes 6/07 |
8:00am, removed a local transient woman from the Launch Ramp restrooms. The subject went on a crazy rant, blaming everyone in ear-shot for her situation. Officers offered assistance with local charities, but she refused and ran off.
1:05pm, dispatched to a stingray strike at Harbor Cove. Officers responded with hot water to aid treatment of the puncture wound. Assisted State Parks with call. |
Thursday 6/08 |
10:15am, dispatched to a stingray strike at Harbor Cove. Officers responded with State Parks to assist patient near Tower 3 with hot water.
4:40pm, received report of a sick/injured sealion near the Santa Clara Rivermouth from a beach comber. Officers responded, found sea lion and contacted Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Inst. (CIMWI) 805 567-1505. |
Friday 6/09 |
4:05pm, observed two homeless persons setting up camp near Surfers Knoll, advised of no camping ordinance, they moved further back into Arundo. |
Saturday 6/10 | 8:26am, officers taking Rescue B19 and Fireboat to assist with boating traffic control for Hokolua outrigger canoe race(s) near Harbor Cove Beach. |
Sunday 6/11 |
9:07am, received report of a sick/injured sealion on the rip rap near the Greek Restaurant. Officers responded, found sealion suffering from demoic poisoning.
10:05am, receiving multiple reports of sick sealions through out the harbor. Relayed CIMWI contact info to notify them of the growing numbers. 12:20pm, dispatched to stingray strike at Harbor Cove, responded with hot water |
Monday 6/12 |
6:30pm, receiving multiple reports of sick injured sea lions. Advising that a lot of sea lions have been coming ashore with symptoms of demoic poisoning. |
Palms at Bonaventure residents enjoy first outdoor BBQ of 2023
The sun may not have been in attendance, but the Palms at Bonaventure residents braved the cool temps and attended their first outdoor BBQ of 2023. Luckily, the tri tip, wings and burgers grilled up by the culinary team provided the warmth the June weather could not!
The Palms at Bonaventure provides residents with a unique lifestyle that is coupled with exceptional, personalized and compassionate care. The residents have tailored, award-winning social programs so they can live their lives with vibrancy and dignity.
The Palms is located at 111 N.Wells Rd., 805-647-0616
Vol. 16, No. 20 – June 28 – July 11, 2023 – Police Reports
by Cindy Summers
Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Ventura Police Patrol, School Resource Officers
On June 14, at approximately 12:45 pm, Officers responded to the 500 Block of Mills Rd. regarding a stolen vehicle sighted in the area. A Patrol Officer located the vehicle parked in the Pacific View Mall parking structure with two occupants, later identified as 34-year-old Oxnard resident Andrew Rodriguez and 24-year-old Oxnard resident Adriana Romero. The driver, Rodriguez, immediately fled on foot. A School Resource Officer who was working at an event at Anacapa Middle School, located Rodriguez running onto the campus, and took Rodriguez into custody without incident. The school was briefly placed on a lockdown during the apprehension.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Rodriguez had caused deliberate damage to the vehicle at a cost of approximately $15,000. Rodriguez was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Felony Vandalism, and Resisting/delaying/obstructing an Officer.
Romero was arrested and booked at Ventura County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (knife), Hit & Run, and Resist, Delay Arrest
On June 18, at approximately 2:00 am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call that a stabbing had just occurred in the 6500 block of Telephone Rd. The suspect, later identified as Pedro Hernandez, fled in his vehicle, striking two parked cars while driving away at high speed. Officers arrived in the area and found the victim, who was transported to VCMC and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Additional officers attempted to locate the suspect.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the victim and Hernandez were in a verbal altercation outside of a bar when Hernandez pulled a knife and began stabbing the victim, hitting him once in the shoulder. The victim escaped the attack, and Hernandez ran to his vehicle and fled the scene.
Officers were able to locate a possible residence and found Hernandez’s car. Hernandez was inside his home and refused to come outside. Ventura Police Department Detectives responded to assist with the investigation. In the afternoon of June 18, detectives took Hernandez into custody without incident outside his residence.
Hernandez was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Assault with a Deadly Weapon, misdemeanor Hit & Run, and Resist, Delay a Peace Officer.
Child Abandonment
On June 23, at approximately 1:00 am, employees of a business in the 4200 block of Transport Street heard a female screaming in the rear alley way. They approached the female and saw her remove her pants and immediately give birth to an infant. She placed the infant on the ground, severed the umbilical cord, and quickly ran away from the area. The witness employees called 9-1-1, picked up the infant, and cared for it until paramedics arrived. The infant appeared healthy and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of this writing, the infant is in stable condition. Officers conducted an extensive search for the female but were unable to locate her. She is described as a white female with short dark hair who appeared to be unhoused. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is encouraged to call 9-1-1 or 805-650-8010 to report it, as she may be in need of medical care.
The Ventura Police Department would like to remind the community that the State of California has a “Safe Surrender” program in which a parent or person with lawful custody can safely surrender a baby confidentially, and without fear of prosecution, within 72 hours of birth, at various locations, including hospitals and fire stations. For further information and additional Safe Surrender locations, refer to the State’s website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/safely-surrendered-baby/surrender-sites.
Pursuit of a Stolen Electric Bicycle
On June 23, at approximately 8:00 am, Officers attempted to stop the suspect, Belmontes for riding an electric bicycle (E-bike) against on-coming traffic near the intersection of Olive St. and Main Street. The suspect refused to stop and actively tried to evade the officers. The suspect dumped the E-bike and fled on foot to the rear of a business at the intersection of Main St. and Ventura Avenue.
A motor officer in the area deployed a drone and located the suspect in a rear fenced yard to a nearby art studio, armed with pruning shears. Officers set a perimeter and evacuated the occupants of the studio. Once confined, the suspect threatened to kill officers if they approached and brandished the shears. Officers began negotiations with the suspect to seek a peaceful surrender.
After approximately 1 hour, the suspect agreed to surrender, and officers took him into custody. As officer were searching the suspect, they found a small pair of pointed scissors concealed in his clothing in a manner that made the weapon easily accessible. The ensuing investigation revealed the suspect tried to enter the art studio through a sliding glass door while being pursued by officers. No one was injured during this arrest.
Criminal Threats, Resist/Delay Peace Officer Arrest
On June 24, at about 9pm, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call that Uzyel Carrasco, 24-year-old Ventura resident, was disturbing inside a home in the 2800 block of Sherwin Ave. and had threatened to shoot his family members. Fearing for their safety, the family fled the residence and met officers away from the home. When officers arrived in front of the house, Carrasco jumped out of a back window and hid in a rear shipping container. Officers briefly established contact with Carrasco, who refused to come out and surrender. He then stopped communicating.
Based on the circumstances and the chance for violence, the police department went into a Tactical Alert, and the Ventura Police SWAT Team was activated to assist at the scene. Ventura Police Detectives continued the investigation, and after obtaining a search warrant, the SWAT Team entered the shipping container and took Carrasco into custody. Officers also located and seized two firearms.
Carrasco was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Criminal Threats, a felony, and misdemeanor Resist, Delay a Peace Officer. No one was injured during the incident
Vol. 16, No. 20 – June 28 – July 11, 2023 – The Pet Page
Dual-County Pet Adoption Event
Ventura and Santa Barbara County, Calif: Ventura County Animal Services and Santa Barbara Animal Services are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership aimed at finding loving homes for animals in need. In an unprecedented move, both organizations have joined forces to organize a fee-waived pet adoption event that will take place simultaneously across all five (5) shelters along the south coast. This occasion marks the first of its kind, showcasing the dedication and commitment of both organizations to the welfare of animals.
This fee-waived pet adoption event will take place on Saturday, July 1st, 2023, and applies to all animals over one (1) year of age. It is important to note that while there will be no adoption fee for these animals, there may be a nominal license fee depending on the city in which the adopter resides. This fee will help ensure that each adopted pet receives the appropriate licensing, vaccinations, and identification, in compliance with local regulations. All interested parties must participate in the full adoption process to ensure the best possible matches are made. All animals leave the shelter spayed or neuter, vaccinated, flea-treated, and microchipped. The collaboration between VCAS and SBCAS aims to ensure that every eligible individual or family can find their perfect companion without the financial burden of an adoption fee.
Both Ventura County Animal Services and Santa Barbara County Animal Services are renowned for their tireless efforts in animal welfare and have consistently strived to promote responsible pet ownership. This joint initiative serves as a testament to their shared vision of finding forever homes for as many animals as possible. By collaborating and pooling their resources, both organizations aim to maximize the impact of this event and make a significant difference in the lives of countless animals and their future families.
For more information about the pet adoption event, including adoption hours, adoption process, and shelter locations, please visit the websites of Ventura County Animal Services (www.vcas.us) and Santa Barbara Animal Services (www.sbcphd.org/animal-services).
• Dog bites more common on hot, hazy days
Cara Murez
When it’s hot and air pollution levels are high, dogs are more apt to bite, new research shows.
The findings, which need to be confirmed in further research, dovetail with links between human aggression and elevated heat and pollution levels.
Hot, polluted days have also been linked to increased aggression in rats, mice and some monkeys.
Just like their humans, dogs get cranky when temperatures and air pollution levels surge.
Heat and air pollution have previously been linked to human aggression. Now, researchers say it also appears that there are more dog bites on hot, polluted days.
More research is needed to confirm these findings, according to study author Tanujit Dey, of the department of surgery at the Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, and colleagues.
For the new study, the investigators used dog bite data from 2009 to 2018 in eight U.S. cities: Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Louisville, Los Angeles and New York City.
The data included more than 69,000 reported dog bites, an average of three per day over 10 years.
When the researchers compared this bite information with daily levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, temperature, UV light and precipitation, they found that dog bites rose 11% on days with higher UV levels; 4% on higher temperature days; and 3% on days with increased ozone levels.
Dog bites decreased slightly, by 1%, on days with higher levels of rainfall. No changes were seen in dog bites on days with higher levels of PM2.5 air pollution.
These records did not include information about other factors that could have affected an individual dog’s risk of biting. This can include breed, sex, and whether the dog had been neutered or spayed. The data also didn’t include information about prior interactions between the dog and the bite victim, the researchers pointed out in a journal news release.
Hot, polluted days have also been linked to increased aggression in Rhesus monkeys, rats and mice in past research, the study authors noted.
Be aware that dogs may be more likely to bite on days when pollution levels and temperatures are high.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has more on preventing dog bites.
•LIFE By Christa Lesté-Lasserre
When 3D animated balls on a computer screen defy certain laws of physics, dogs act in a way that suggests they feel like their eyes are deceiving them.
Pet dogs stare for longer and their pupils widen if virtual balls start rolling on their own rather than being set in motion by a collision with another ball. This suggests that the animals are surprised that the balls didn’t move the way they had expected them to, says Christoph Völter at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.
Human infants, starting at around 6 months old, and chimpanzees stare longer during these kinds of “violation of expectation” tests concerning their physical environments, he says.
Studies in humans have also shown that pupils dilate more in reaction to increased mental efforts, like calculating, or stronger emotions such as excitement or surprise – known as the psychosensory pupil response. And previous research in dogs has hinted that they dilate their pupils more when looking at angry human faces compared with happy human faces.
In one video, a ball rolls towards a second, stationary ball and then runs into it. The first ball stops and the second one starts moving – just as Newton’s laws of motion describe. In another video, however, the first ball rolls toward the second ball, but stops suddenly before reaching it. And then, the second ball suddenly starts rolling away by itself – contrary to basic physical principles.
Like human infants and chimpanzees, dogs fixed their eyes longer on the balls that didn’t move in a logical way, Völter says. Even more convincing, though, was the reaction in their pupils: they consistently viewed the “wrong” scenarios with more enlarged pupils, suggesting this was contrary to their expectations.
This doesn’t mean dogs necessarily understand physics, with its complex calculations, says Völter. But it does suggest that dogs have an implicit understanding of their physical environment.
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