AARP Washington, BECU, and KING 5 hosted a free event to celebrate and support those who provide care for others at Town Hall Seattle. MSNBC news anchor, filmmaker and author Richard Lui cared for his father with Alzheimers over the last decade and he's become a passionate advocate for family caregivers. Dr. Kate Zhong, geriatric psychiatrist and founder of the Brainnovation Initiative at UNLV gave practical advice and info on the latest in brain research. KING 5 Evening host Jim Dever moderated the discussion.

As the population ages and the demands of caregiving increase, discussions about caregiver wellness and brain health are gaining momentum nationwide. Approximately 38 million individuals across the country undertake the vital role of family caregivers, providing support for parents, spouses, adult children with disabilities, and other loved ones. Yet, the emotional and physical strains of caregiving cannot be understated.

Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones have a renewed sense of hope now that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the first Alzheimer’s drug in nearly two decades.

Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones have a renewed sense of hope now that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the first Alzheimer’s drug in nearly two decades.

Researchers identified sildenafil, known commercially as Viagra, as a promising candidate for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Leveraging artificial intelligence the team analyzed vast amounts of data, including insurance claims and brain cell observations, to highlight sildenafil’s potential benefits in reducing Alzheimer’s prevalence and neurotoxic proteins.

The team from the Department of Brain Health at UNLV is scheduled to discuss the latest advancements in the care and treatment of people with brain disorders.

About 38 million Americans are caregivers for parents, spouses, adult children with disabilities, friends and other loved ones.

Most ARIA cases are mild, but some have been fatal

Recently approved disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease have created a sudden demand, but these and other drugs in the pipeline are not for all patients with clinical Alzheimer's symptoms, experts said.

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond: "There is so much more to be done"

Over the past year, the field has experienced another significant leap of growth, powered by advances in translational research and capped off by the approval of lecanemab (Leqembi; Eisai), the first traditionally approved therapy in nearly two decades.

After decades of failed trials, ineffective drugs and billions of dollars spent, a new frontier of shots offer a glimmer of hope for current and future sufferers of the cruel condition that affects 5.8million Americans.