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detection can be the key to progressive, aggressive, and effective treatment. In honor of this historic moment, I’d like to share a few early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
A panel of 11 scientists who advise the FDA on drug approval matters all voted against approval, many citing inconclusive results from numerous studies and questioning just how effective Aduhelm is at treating Alzheimer’s. Some scientists also criticized the approval over the drug’s potential side effects, like brain swelling. But the biggest issue comes from interpreting the results. In some experts’ opinion, the fact that Aduhelm merely slows the development of the disease, rather than repairing memory or cognition, isn’t enough to warrant approval and widespread use. Plus, there are other drugs like it that also remove this dangerous protein from the brain. Other groups, like the Alzheimer’s Association, are worried about the price tag of the drug. The association supported the drug’s approval but fears this high cost will make accessibility difficult. It’s currently priced at $56,000 per year, according to a June 2021 National Public Radio article. While some experts worry that approving this drug will stall progress in understanding and potentially curing Alzheimer’s, many are cautiously hopeful that after nearly 20 years, the FDA has approved a drug for the treatment of this deadly disease. Many suggest that Aduhelm is ideal for patients with early onset Alzheimer’s, where the side effects of the disease are minimal and Aduhelm can have the biggest impact. As with many diseases, early
• Forgetting daily tasks, like appointments or names
• Challenges in solving problems or working with numbers (i.e., budgeting issues)
• Struggling to use common household items, such as the remote or oven
• Increased issues with communication or vision
• Changes in mood, personality, and decision-making skills
• Confusion about the passage of time
My hope is that those of you who love someone living with this diagnosis — or if you are someone who has it — find peace and a treatment system that works for you, even if that doesn’t mean using Aduhelm. I believe this is a promising step, and I hope to see progress continue.
To learn more about this historic approval, Alzheimer’s treatment, and support, please visit Alz.org.
THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED FOOTBALL FOREVER How Fantasy Football Got Its Start
players to their fantasy franchises, and on the basis of the actual performance of those players in games, the members would accrue points and compete against each other,” the encyclopedia reports. Early fantasy football leagues were complicated undertakings. In the days before the internet, members had to agree to reference the box scores in a particular newspaper’s sports pages and “draft” their teams in the same room on long phone calls, or even via snail mail. CBS Sports began offering online fantasy football leagues in 1997, and today it’s even easier to play. The sport is built right into the NFL website (Fantasy.NFL.com), and you can join a free league or start a league of your own with a click! Whether you’re a former player or a superfan who wants to play coach for a day, fantasy is a great way to stake a personal claim in the sport and connect with friends while you do it. Check out the article “How to Play Fantasy Football: A Beginner’s Guide” on NFL.com to learn the basics. It’s updated annually, so make sure you hunt down the 2021 version! When you start, don’t forget to salute Winkenbach, the official “Father of Fantasy Sports.”
Every year, 40 million Americans (and even entire offices) play fantasy football, “drafting” players from across the NFL for their virtual teams and competing for money and bragging rights. Maybe you have a virtual team in the locker room as you’re reading this! But where did the concept of fantasy football start? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the gridiron trend began in a New York City hotel room in 1962 — a night that changed football forever. There, a group of friends led by Oakland Raiders part-owner Bill Winkenbach created the first fantasy football league. They dubbed it the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League — or GOPPPL for short. Apart from the point values assigned to different accomplishments on the field, their original model wasn’t very far off from the fantasy football of today.
“The league members would ‘draft’ actual National Football League (NFL) and American Football League …
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