Higher rates of new cases of dementia in a population over time — known as incident dementia — are linked to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, especially from agriculture and open fires, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The Biden-Harris Administration is taking further action on its commitment to promote care and support for people with Medicare living with dementia and their unpaid caregivers. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced its Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, which aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, reduce strain on unpaid caregivers and help people remain in their homes and communities through a package of care coordination and management, caregiver education and support and respite services.

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health have identified new genetic risk factors for two types of non-Alzheimer’s dementia. These findings were published in Cell Genomics and detail how researchers identified large-scale DNA changes, known as structural variants, by analyzing thousands of DNA samples.

This month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the supplemental approval of Rexulti (brexpiprazole) oral tablets for the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

The Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7), Holzer Health System Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and the Alzheimer’s Association are joining together to offer the community a virtual way to learn more about dementia as a way to provide support to family members who may be seeking to understand more about the condition and how best to help their loved one. “Dementia Conversations” will be held May 9 from 10-11 a.m.