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Neurological Disorders

commentary

New Approaches to Measuring Cognitive Changes in Parkinson's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Doctors and researchers are optimistic about the potential of future treatments for Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. But available measures to test the efficacy of such treatments on cognition are lacking.
Jul 8, 2024

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Preparing for the Potential Rollout of New Alzheimer's Drugs: Towards a Policy, Research, and Innovation Agenda
Several promising new drugs appear to slow cognitive decline in individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. A number of challenges need to be addressed to ensure their successful rollout, but there are also opportunities for health innovation.
Jan 30, 2024
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In National Security, Autistic Employees Are in the Closet. Here's Why
Archaic U.S. military and federal policies, combined with decades-old understandings about autism spectrum disorder, create an environment where people hide their autism and other cognitive diagnoses. Our national security challenges are too difficult and too important to leave to the portion of the population who use their brains in only “typical” ways.
Jul 17, 2023
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An Autistic Soldier Wants You to Read This
Despite the recruitment challenges it is currently facing, the Army continues to make personnel decisions based on last century's understanding of neurodivergent diagnoses. The loosening of stigma associated with these diagnoses could improve recruitment, and the Army might reap the benefits of neurodiversity.
Jun 1, 2023
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New Clinical Outcome Assessments Could Improve Treatment for Parkinson's
The prevalence of Parkinson's disease has doubled over the last 25 years, and over 8.5 million people are living with the disease worldwide, but treatment options are limited. The development of new clinical outcome assessments could lead to new treatments for the disease.
Apr 25, 2023
commentary

Advancing Women's Health Requires Better Evidence
For decades, advances in health and health care have had a bias toward the male body. By shifting the focus of research to women's bodies and building out this base of evidence on women's health, scientists and doctors can improve health outcomes and overall quality of life for women, all while also saving money.
Apr 10, 2023
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The Informal Carers Who Help People with MS Need Support More Than Ever
The trend within health care services toward remote care and self-management for people with multiple sclerosis has not included adequate support to carers. Greater investment to support the needs of carers could support the informal care they provide, as well as the carer as an individual.
May 28, 2021
q&a

Committed to Improving Health Care Policy: Q&A with Jodi Liu
Jodi Liu, an associate policy researcher at RAND, studies how to deliver high-quality care and how to pay for it. She discusses her assessment of a single-payer health care proposal in New York State and the supply-and-demand challenges that might arise if an Alzheimer's treatment became available.
Oct 23, 2018
commentary

On Vaccines, Trump Should Rely on Science
Research has proven that vaccines are extremely safe and effective. The public health implications of questioning this are serious. America should take every opportunity to protect kids by vaccinating them against every vaccine-preventable disease.
Jan 25, 2017
essay

Struggling with Dementia
The costs of dementia are staggering. A recent RAND analysis quantifies the scope of the problem in the United States and serves as a wake-up call to policymakers everywhere.
Aug 10, 2015
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Meeting the Caregivers Challenge
Ill or injured military personnel and veterans and people with dementia are unique populations, but they give us a preview of the enormous long-term care challenges Americans will face in the decades to come.
Aug 25, 2014
blog

A Summer Reading List for Congress
No matter how policymakers spend their break—meeting with home-state constituents, traveling abroad with congressional delegations, or spending time with family—this summer reading list contains policy ideas that can help them hit the ground running when they return.
Jul 31, 2014
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Demographics Add Urgency for Action on Dementia Long-Term Care
Dementia takes a huge toll on those afflicted with it. But it also has major consequences for those who must care for them, most often family and friends.
Jul 28, 2014
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Parallel Caregiver Crises, Military and Civilian
Among American caregivers, there are two expanding populations: those caring for military servicemembers struggling with physical or emotional wounds of war and those looking after people with dementia. Both face incalculable financial stresses and threats to their own health as a result of their caregiving roles.
Jul 9, 2014
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A Global Focus on Dementia
The Group of 8 industrial nations is convening a special session to seek an international approach to dementia research at a time the disease is being recognized as a 21st century global health crisis of historic proportions.
Dec 11, 2013
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The Cost of Dementia: Who Will Pay?
It is time for the government in partnership with industry to return to the drawing board to craft a plan that will provide protection for the more than 9 million people who will need care for dementia by 2040, writes Michael D. Hurd.
May 1, 2013
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Dementia's Growing Cost to Caregivers
At the rate that the U.S. population is aging, the total cost of dementia could reach half a trillion dollars a year by 2040. Those who care for impaired relatives and friends are acutely aware of the effects of dementia, and unfortunately they are all too familiar with its costs, writes Kathleen J. Mullen.
Apr 29, 2013
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Vaccine Myths Could Cost Lives: They Don't Give You Autism, and They'll Hardly Ever Make You Sick
This year's seasonal flu shot incorporates vaccine for H1N1. It's safe, and it's vitally important to get it, write Art Kellermann and Katherine Harris.
Jan 13, 2011