Researchers have discovered a potential new method for diagnosing Parkinson's disease by testing the saliva gland. The study found that abnormal proteins associated with the disease were consistently present in the submandibular salivary glands of patients, suggesting this non-invasive test could be used to diagnose living individuals.
Researchers found that stem cell transplantation significantly extended the lifespan of mice with ALS by 20 days and improved their neuromuscular function by 15 percent. This breakthrough study suggests that stem cells may represent a promising avenue for effective cell-based treatment for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A large study of 263,925 adults found that drinking more than four cans of soda per day increased the risk of depression by 30%, compared to those who drank no soda. Conversely, drinking four cups of coffee per day was associated with a 10% lower risk of depression.
A study found that beta blocker medications reduced brain abnormalities associated with Alzheimer's disease and microinfarcts in elderly Japanese-American men. The results suggest that beta blockers may delay or prevent dementia in people with high blood pressure, particularly those taking the medication alone.
Researchers found no correlation between Parkinson's disease itself and impulse control symptoms, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that dopamine-related medications may be the primary cause of these disorders.
Researchers developed a new MRI method to predict the ratio of tau and beta-amyloid proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, achieving 75% accuracy in identifying correct diagnoses. The method could be used as a screening tool and help monitor biomarkers over time in clinical trials.
A study published in Neurology found that people with MS relapses had faster retinal thinning than those without relapses. The study also showed that participants with worsening disability experienced increased retinal thinning.
A new study by the American Academy of Neurology reveals that people without a spouse are underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials. The study found that participants with adult child partners were more likely to be from diverse backgrounds, while those with spouse partners were more likely to be white and older.
A new study published in Neurology found that people who went hungry as children had slower cognitive decline than those who always had enough food to eat. The study involved over 6,000 participants and found a significant association between childhood hunger and reduced cognitive decline.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that the drug suvorexant may be an effective alternative strategy for treating insomnia. Participants who took suvorexant experienced improved sleep efficiency and reduced awakenings, with significant improvements compared to those taking a placebo.
A study found that pregnant women with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood had a 61% lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis, compared to those with low levels. However, the mother's vitamin D level did not affect her child's risk of developing MS.
A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology reveals a significant link between head injuries and pesticide exposure to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. People with Parkinson's were found to be three times more likely to have had a head injury and exposure to paraquat, a common herbicide.
A study of 5,671 Brazilian children aged 5-12 found that those with migraines had lower school performance compared to those without headaches. Children with chronic or severe migraines were more likely to experience poor performance.
A new study suggests that hormone therapy initiated close to menopause can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Women who began hormone therapy within five years of menopause had a 30% lower risk of Alzheimer's dementia than those who did not use hormone therapy.
Researchers found that individuals who engaged in regular physical exercise experienced less brain shrinkage compared to those with minimal physical activity over a three-year period. The study also showed no significant benefit from mentally and socially stimulating activities on brain size.
Research found that antidepressant use, particularly SSRIs, increases the risk of intracranial and intracerebral hemorrhages by 50% and 40%, respectively. However, the actual increased risk for most people is extremely low, occurring at a rate of one additional stroke per 10,000 people per year.
A study found that high beta amyloid plaque levels associated with Alzheimer's disease can lead to steeper memory decline in healthy older individuals. The research used PET brain scans and cognitive assessments to track participants over a year and a half, revealing a significant correlation between plaque accumulation and memory loss.
Researchers found that strokes among people under 55 increased from 13% to 19% over time, and the average age of people who experienced stroke fell from 71 years to 69 years. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can modify risk factors for stroke.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that a diet rich in tomatoes and lycopene may lower the risk of stroke. The research involved 1,031 Finnish men aged 46-65, who were followed for an average of 12 years, with those having higher levels of lycopene showing a 55% reduced risk of stroke.
A study of 398 men found that those whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy scored lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 compared to those whose mothers did not have high blood pressure. This effect was strongest for math-related reasoning and persisted even after controlling for other factors.
A recent study published in Neurology found that children who experienced emotional neglect may have a higher risk of stroke in adulthood. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,000 participants, discovered a nearly three-fold increase in stroke risk among those with moderately high levels of childhood emotional neglect.
The American Academy of Neurology has released a new guideline to help doctors diagnose Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and always fatal brain disorder. The guideline suggests that the 14-3-3 protein test can be useful in reducing uncertainty when the probability of the disease is between 20% and 90%.
A new study published in Neurology finds that people who drink heavily (3+ drinks/day) are at higher risk for stroke almost a decade and a half earlier than those who don't. Heavy drinking is linked to a more severe form of stroke, leading to poorer long-term outcomes.
New research reveals professional football players are three times more likely to die from brain-damaging diseases compared to the general population. The study found a significant increase in deaths from Alzheimer's disease and ALS among speed position players, highlighting potential risks of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
A study of 249 people aged 60-64 found that those with high fasting blood sugar levels within the normal range experienced greater brain shrinkage than those with lower levels. Brain volume loss was particularly pronounced in areas involved in memory and cognitive skills, such as the hippocampus and amygdala.
A new study has found that eating moderate amounts of chocolate each week may be associated with a lower risk of stroke in men. The study, which included over 37,000 Swedish men, found that those who consumed the most chocolate had a 17% lower risk of stroke.
A study published in Neurology found that obesity and metabolic abnormalities are associated with a faster decline in cognitive skills. People who were obese and had high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, or other risk factors experienced a significant decline in their cognitive test scores over a 10-year period.
A new study found that people with high levels of inflammation-linked protein are less likely to develop dementia and have relatives who avoid the disease. Higher protein levels were associated with a lower risk for dementia in parents and siblings, suggesting a possible genetic link.
Researchers found that just one week of speech therapy can help reduce stuttering by reorganizing the brain. The therapy involved repeating words and reading visually presented words, leading to improved scores on stuttering tests.
Research found that fainting triggers were common among twin sets, with identical twins more likely to experience fainting associated with typical triggers. The study suggests multiple genes and environmental factors influence the phenomenon of fainting.
A study found that caffeine supplements improved Parkinson's severity ratings and speed of movement by 3 points, but did not affect daytime sleepiness or quality of life. The results suggest that caffeine may be a useful treatment option for some patients with Parkinson's disease.
A study found that YouTube videos showing the Epley maneuver, a simple treatment for BPPV, are highly accurate and widely used by healthcare providers and people with vertigo. The videos have also helped to educate patients about how to treat this disorder.
A new guideline published by the American Academy of Neurology recommends several treatments for people with chorea, a symptom of Huntington's disease that can make everyday activities challenging. The guideline suggests that medications such as tetrabenazine, riluzole, and amantadine may be helpful in treating chorea.
A new study found that higher levels of ceramides in the blood are associated with a 10-fold increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that identifying this biomarker could help prevent or delay the disease, which is expected to double globally every 20 years.
A new study shows that stress management training can help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) prevent new disease activity. After participating in the training program, 77% of participants were free of new lesions compared to 55% in the control group.
A study published in Neurology found that botulinum toxin injections significantly improved tremor severity and writing/drawing abilities in people with multiple sclerosis. The treatment also showed promise in reducing muscle weakness after treatment.
Research reveals that smoking, head injury, and pesticide exposure may increase the risk of REM sleep behavior disorder, a rare condition where people act out their dreams. The study also found that farming work and lower education levels were associated with a higher risk of developing the disorder.
A new study found that people with mild cognitive impairment were nine times more likely to be slow walkers than moderate or fast walkers. The study used a new technique to detect changes in walking speed and found that fluctuations in walking speed were also associated with MCI.
The American Academy of Neurology has issued an updated guideline outlining the best treatments for infantile spasms. The hormone therapy adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may be effective for treatment, with low-dose ACTH showing similar effectiveness to high-dose and potentially lower risk of side effects.
A study of 313 healthy postmenopausal women found that long-term soy protein consumption had no significant effect on overall cognitive ability. However, visual memory and facial recognition were improved by 13% compared to a milk protein placebo.
A study published in Neurology found that exposure to solvents can lead to cognitive impairment in less-educated individuals, while those with higher education levels remain unaffected. The study, which analyzed data from 4,134 workers, suggests that improving early education may protect against future cognitive decline.
A new study found that people who used statins before and during their hospital stay were more likely to return home than those who did not, with 57% of statin users returning home compared to 47% of non-users. Statin use was also associated with a lower risk of dying in the hospital.
A new study suggests that repeated head impacts in college athletes participating in contact sports can worsen their ability to acquire new information. The research found that 22% of contact sport athletes performed worse than expected on a test of new learning, compared to 4% of non-contact sport athletes.
A new study found that how well people respond to their first drug treatment for newly diagnosed epilepsy can predict their likelihood of having more seizures. The study showed that 50% of participants were seizure-free after the first drug, while only 4% remained seizure-free after the third drug regimen.
A new study suggests that consuming omega-3 fatty acids from foods like fish and nuts can lower blood beta-amyloid levels, a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study found a strong association between increased omega-3 intake and reduced plasma beta-amyloid levels.
The American Academy of Neurology issues new guidelines for preventing migraine, recommending several treatments including prescription drugs and over-the-counter options. These guidelines aim to address the underrecognition and undertreatment of migraine, with potential benefits in reducing attack frequency and severity.
Early treatment with interferon beta-1a significantly reduced the likelihood of progression to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in a three-year clinical trial. Those who received the drug soon after their first signs of possible MS were less likely to be diagnosed with MS than those who switched from placebo.
A new study found that repeated blows to the brain can cause measurable changes in memory and thinking after a certain threshold, despite earlier brain volume changes. Athletes with more years of fighting and fights per year performed worse on memory and thinking tests.
A study published in Neurology found that daily physical exercise and low-intensity activities like cooking and washing dishes can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. People in the bottom 10% of daily activity were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's, highlighting the importance of regular movement.
A phase three clinical trial shows LCIG reduces 'off' time by an average of nearly two extra hours per day compared to standard levodopa-carbidopa therapy. This innovation delivers levodopa-carbidopa continuously, minimizing fluctuations that contribute to wearing off.