A clinical trial is underway in the region to test a drug that shows promise in treating the condition that afflicted actor Robin Williams before his suicide in 2014. Researcher and board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Warren Duffy says as many as one-point-four million Americans have Lewy body dementia. It impacts each person differently but many of the symptoms can be drastic.

“There’s some fluctuating levels of attention and concentration,” Duffy says. “People will have hallucinations. They can also have sleep issues such as acting out their dreams. They can have some violent movements where they can even hurt their partner during sleep or fall out of bed.”

Some sufferers act out their dreams vividly with no memory of doing so. Duffy runs a clinic and sleep lab in Lincoln, Nebraska. Several Iowa patients are taking part in the medical trial and there’s room for more. The drug is called nelotanserin.

“It’s an ongoing study,” Duffy says. “If patients out there have, or they have loved ones who have any signs of memory issues and they have any hallucinations or sleep issues, we wish they would contact us so we can talk to them further about this.”

Once the active phase of the study is complete, Duffy says participants will be provided with the medication for a “significant period of time.” Lewy body dementia can be very difficult to pinpoint. “It often goes unrecognized for quite a while,” Duffy says. “It’s very typical they’ll see three or more clinicians before it even gets diagnosed. Often, family members are at a loss for what to do with their loved ones when they start having memory issues, and then if they start seeing things or having sleep issues, they’re looking and searching for help.”

There are no approved therapies for the treatment of the ailment in the United States. To take part in the study, call 402-470-6060 and choose option 4 or send email to research@alivation.com.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former state Democratic Party chairman says he wants to be governor of Iowa. John Norris said Thursday that he’d filed papers to get on the 2018 primary ballot.

He’s a longtime aide to Tom Vilsack, the former governor and U.S. agriculture secretary. Norris has said he wants to boost the state’s economic growth by leveraging renewable energy, raising wages and expanding high-speed internet.

Norris joins a crowded Democratic field. Former party chairwoman Andy McGuire announced her candidacy in April and state Rep. Todd Prichard is running, too. Polk County Conservation Director Rich Leopold and party activist Jon Neiderbach also say they’re running. Union leader Cathy Glasson announced Wednesday that she’s exploring a bid. Des Moines businessman Fred Hubbell also is considering running, as is Davenport Alderman Mike Matson.

Audubon Community School District Superintendent Brett Gibbs reports the District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children (18 and under) free of charge. Meals will be provided on a first come, first serve basis, at the following site and times:

Audubon Elementary School: June 5, 2017-August 18, 2017 ~ 11:30am-12:30pm Monday-Friday

No Service on July 4, 2017 for the holiday.

Two people were arrested on separate charges Thursday afternoon, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 28-year old Tyler James Hicks, of Creston, was arrested on an Adair County warrant. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond.

And, 24-year old Rebecca Adeline Holbrook, of Lenox, was arrested in the 800 block of Taylor Street, in Creston, on a charge of Theft in the 5th and 4th Degrees. Holbrook was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.