Researchers have identified an effective and safe treatment for Huntington's disease, using IONIS-HTTRx to inhibit huntingtin protein production. The drug has shown promising results in mice and monkeys, with motor skill improvements and reduced cortical huntingtin levels.
A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology has found that most Ebola survivors experienced brain symptoms six months after their initial infection. The study, which followed 82 Ebola survivors from Liberia, revealed common neurological problems such as weakness, headache, memory loss, and depressed mood.
A recent study found that mental activity may help delay the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms, but it does not affect the underlying disease changes in the brain. For carriers of the APOE4 gene, continued lifetime learning was associated with lower levels of amyloid plaques.
Researchers discovered a possible link between migraine, tension-type headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with people with migraine being twice as likely to also have IBS. The study found that common genes related to serotonin transport and receptors were shared among the three conditions.
A study published in Neurology found that certain antibiotics are associated with delirium, a condition characterized by mental confusion and hallucinations. Researchers identified three types of brain problems related to antibiotics, including seizures, psychosis, and impaired muscle coordination.
A study found a direct correlation between poor fitness and reduced brain volume decades later, indicating accelerated brain aging. Participants with higher blood pressure and heart rate responses during exercise were more likely to have smaller brain volumes.
A new study found increased buildup of amyloid plaques in people who had previously sustained a traumatic brain injury. The areas affected overlapped those seen in Alzheimer's disease, but other areas were involved.
A study published in Neurology found that individuals with higher BDNF protein levels had slower cognitive decline than those with lower levels. The researchers discovered a 50% reduction in cognitive decline for those in the highest 10% of protein expression compared to the lowest 10%.
A study published in Neurology found that people taking natalizumab for multiple sclerosis have a higher risk of developing JC virus-related infections, which can lead to fatal brain disease. Researchers monitored levels of anti-JC virus antibodies in patients treated with natalizumab and found a significant increase in risk.
According to a new study published by the American Academy of Neurology, African-American participants are 2.7 times more likely to experience a first stroke than their white counterparts at age 45. However, there is no significant difference in second stroke risk between African-American and white participants across all ages.
Men with high urate levels have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in Neurology. The study found that men with the highest urate levels were nearly 40% less likely to develop the disease.
A study found that taking high-dose vitamin D3 supplements can reduce the percentage of T cells related to MS activity, leading to a decrease in interleukin 17 levels. The results suggest that vitamin D may be an inexpensive, safe, and convenient treatment option for people with multiple sclerosis.
A nationwide study in Taiwan found that people with hepatitis C virus were nearly 30% more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without. The study involved over 49,000 participants and followed them for an average of 12 years.
Epilepsy is responsible for more US deaths than sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or fires, with over 2,750 cases of sudden unexpected death due to epilepsy annually. The disorder affects individuals over 65 years old, with a significant risk of sudden death and underreporting on death certificates.
A study published in Neurology found an association between pesticide heptachlor epoxide and reduced brain cells in nonsmokers who drank more than two cups of milk daily. Researchers discovered residues of the pesticide in 90% of participants with high milk consumption, but note that the study does not show cause-and-effect.
A recent study published in Neurology found an association between slow walking speed and amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers discovered that participants with higher levels of amyloid were more likely to have slower walking speeds.
A recent study found that the chikungunya virus can lead to severe brain infections, including encephalitis, with a higher incidence rate than West Nile virus and similar infections in the US. The infection is particularly severe in infants and people over 65, with a high death rate of 17% and long-term disabilities reported.
Women with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder have a higher risk of miscarriage, particularly within three years before or after disease onset. Preeclampsia is also more common among women with the condition, especially those with multiple autoimmune disorders or previous miscarriages.
Researchers found significant disruption in brain area connections and coordination between the posterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex in comatose patients who remained minimally conscious or vegetative. However, those who recovered from coma showed similar coordination with healthy participants.
A study published in Neurology found that raloxifene, an estrogen-like drug, had no demonstrated benefit on memory and thinking skills for women with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The results suggest that the drug may not be effective as a treatment for this condition.
A study of 1,107 dementia-free women found that those who complained of memory problems were 70% more likely to develop a diagnosis compared to those without complaints. Women with complaints were also 3-9 times more likely to develop a diagnosis at different time points.
A meta-analysis of six studies found that people with high stress jobs had a 22% higher risk of stroke than those with low stress jobs. Women with high stress jobs were 33% more likely to experience an ischemic stroke.
A study of people with multiple sclerosis found that those who spent time in the sun every day during their teenage years developed the disease later than those who did not. The study also found that people who were overweight at age 20 developed the disease earlier than those who were average weight or underweight.
A study published in Neurology found that colds and flu may increase stroke risk in children, but routine childhood vaccines can decrease this risk. Researchers analyzed medical charts and conducted interviews with over 700 children to reach these findings.
A study found that people with delayed orthostatic hypotension are at risk of progressing to a more serious condition, Parkinson's disease, or dementia. Over 10 years, 54% of participants with the delayed condition progressed to orthostatic hypotension and 31% developed a degenerative brain disease.
A new meta-analysis found that being overweight or obese increases the risk of meningioma by 21% and 54%, respectively. Conversely, high physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of meningioma.
Researchers found a new biomarker in ceramides that may help diagnose and treat episodic migraine. Women with episodic migraine had lower levels of ceramides in their blood compared to those without headaches.
A new study found that people with type 2 diabetes have double the risk of developing dementia and exhibit higher levels of tau protein in the spinal fluid. Diabetes was also associated with reduced cortical thickness, suggesting a potential link to brain cell death.
A new study published in Neurology found that people who develop dementia experience a decline in awareness of their memory problems two to three years before the disease onset. The study also identified several dementia-related brain changes associated with this decline.
A saliva test for stress hormone cortisol may identify healthy older adults at risk of cognitive decline, with higher evening cortisol levels linked to smaller brain volume and poor memory skills. The study suggests a potential link between cortisol's toxic effect on the hippocampus and dementia risk.
A new study suggests that regular exercise may help reduce disease activity in children with multiple sclerosis. Children who engaged in strenuous physical activity had lower overall volume of lesions in the brain and fewer relapses compared to those who did not.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that people with low scores on a test of executive function may be at higher risk for heart attacks or strokes. The research found that those with lower scores were 85% more likely to experience a heart attack, and had a 51% higher risk of stroke.
A study found that medical students who visited an art museum with people with dementia showed improved attitudes towards the disease. The experience helped students understand how patients and caregivers maintain relationships despite diagnosis.
A study of 148 college athletes found that men and women experienced similar cognitive impairments after a concussion, but women reported more symptoms and had poorer cognitive performance. The research suggests that further study is needed to understand the differences in concussion impact between genders.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that Alzheimer's disease causes different changes in the brain, or pathologies, in African-Americans compared to white Americans of European descent. African-Americans were more likely to have mixed pathologies and blood vessel disease in their brains.
A new study found that people with type 2 diabetes experienced negative changes in brain blood flow regulation after just two years, leading to lower scores on tests of memory and thinking skills. Higher levels of inflammation were associated with greater declines in cognitive skills.
Researchers analyzed large genome-wide association studies of migraine and heart disease to find no shared gene variants between the two conditions. Instead, genetic variations that protected against heart disease were found in people with migraine without aura.
A new study found that errors on memory and thinking tests may signal Alzheimer's disease up to 13-18 years before the disease can be diagnosed. Those who scored lower overall had an increased risk of developing the disease, with higher scores associated with a lower risk.
A study found that stimulating cognitive activities improved cognitive performance but didn't affect brain markers of Alzheimer's. The findings suggest sustaining intellectual engagement helps preserve cognitive function in old age.
A study published in Neurology found that people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease have abnormal levels of lysosomal proteins in their blood. These proteins, found in tiny nerve cell-derived blood particles called exosomes, may serve as biomarkers for early treatment and prevention.
Research suggests people with MS may have double the risk of dying early compared to those without the disease. Younger individuals with MS are particularly vulnerable, facing a three times higher risk of death.
A large study found that people with depression are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease, with a threefold increased risk within the first year. The link between depression and Parkinson's disease holds true even after adjusting for other related conditions.
Researchers found that a medical marijuana pill was safe and well-tolerated, but did not show significant improvement in behavioral symptoms of dementia. The study suggests further research is needed to test the effectiveness of higher doses.
A new study by the American Academy of Neurology suggests that professionals with jobs requiring strategic thinking, conflict resolution, and managerial tasks may experience better brain protection against memory and thinking decline. Participants with higher levels of these tasks showed slower cognitive decline rates over eight years.
Benjamin Tolchin, a Massachusetts researcher, will receive a $130,000 award to investigate psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and develop new treatment approaches. His research aims to identify ways to increase the number of patients who successfully complete therapy and eliminate their PNES.
A Washington, D.C., researcher has received a $130,000 award to investigate temporal lobe epilepsy and its impact on memory processing. The two-year fellowship will support the development of a standard method for using imaging scans to evaluate patients' memory functioning before surgery.
Hristelina S. Llieva will receive a two-year Clinical Research Training Fellowship in ALS to investigate glial cell dysfunction contributing to familial ALS. The award supports her work on the C9ORF72 linked subtype of familial ALS, which is viewed as a predominantly neuronal disease.
A Baltimore researcher has received a $260,000 award from the American Academy of Neurology to investigate the role of nitric oxide in multiple sclerosis. The goal is to examine the ability of selegiline and related drugs to alleviate disease symptoms in rodent models of MS.
Walter F. Mondale is recognized for his efforts to raise awareness about brain diseases after losing his wife and daughter to these conditions. He advocates for research breakthroughs, aiming to improve patient care and save the country from potential $1.1 trillion in Alzheimer's-related care costs by 2050.
Sunil Sheth, MD, a clinical instructor at UCLA, is receiving $154,000 to develop a lab test that can diagnose stroke from a single drop of blood. The award aims to validate this test in emergency rooms and potentially revolutionize initial stroke evaluation and treatment.