Researchers found that even a small reduction of 12% in daily calories activated most biological pathways important for healthy aging. Calorie restriction upregulated genes responsible for energy generation and metabolism, while downregulating inflammatory genes.
A commonly used diuretic pill may help treat Alzheimer's disease in individuals with the apolipoprotein E gene APOE4. Researchers analyzed data from brain tissue samples and found that those taking bumetanide had a significantly lower prevalence of Alzheimer's disease compared to those not taking the drug.
The National Institute on Aging has expanded its network of cutting-edge Alzheimer's disease and related dementias centers, with two new centers in North Carolina and Texas. The Duke/University of North Carolina ADRC will focus on understanding age-related changes across the lifespan and identifying disparities in dementia among differ...
The National Institute on Aging's $280 million investment in small businesses has advanced research on care interventions, diagnostic tools, and therapies for Alzheimer's disease. This funding has enabled the commercialization of technologies such as ActivePERS and PrecivityAD, which aim to improve care and diagnosis.
The NIH has launched Outreach Pro, an online tool designed to improve recruitment of underrepresented populations in Alzheimer's clinical trials. The platform provides customizable participant recruitment communications and culturally appropriate outreach materials.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers found that a diet higher in fatty fish and lower in vegetable oils can reduce the number of migraines and intensity of pain. Participants experienced a 30-40% reduction in headache hours per day compared to those on a control diet.
A new clinical trial found that a tailored, earlier heart failure rehabilitation program improved frailty, depression, and overall quality of life in hospitalized patients. The study showed significant gains in physical functioning and self-perception of health status.
A new NIH-funded study in mice suggests that enhancing the brain's lymphatic system may lead to better clinical outcomes for Alzheimer's disease patients. The study found that treatments such as immunotherapies BAN2401 or aducanumab might be more effective when the brain's lymphatic system can better drain amyloid-beta protein.
Researchers will present on anti-amyloid treatments and new late-stage clinical trials for Alzheimer's. NIA is funding over 230 active clinical trials to support the development of new treatments.
The NIH has augmented the Health and Aging Brain Among Latino Elders (HABLE) Study to include additional biomarkers, including positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, to better understand Alzheimer's disease in Mexican Americans. The study will help identify health disparities and potential treatments for the condition.
The National Institute on Aging has funded four new exploratory Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers to broaden current research initiatives with underrepresented populations. These centers will prioritize rural communities and focus on specific scientific areas such as vascular risk factors and disparities in the Deep South region.
A large, NIH-funded trial found that a nurse-managed, individually tailored falls prevention plan did not significantly reduce the risk of serious fall injuries in older adults. The study assessed the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention implemented by trained Falls Care Managers.
A combination of physical activity, not smoking, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, high-quality diet, and cognitive activities reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 60% among those with four or five healthy behaviors. The study included data from nearly 3,000 participants from two NIH-funded longitudinal study populations.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that disulfiram, normally used to treat alcohol use disorder, can help obese mice normalize their body weight and reverse metabolic damage. The drug's anti-inflammatory properties are believed to be key to its beneficial effects.
A large-scale study has identified protein network changes that could be developed into treatment targets and fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. The research found that sets of proteins regulating glucose metabolism are strongly associated with Alzheimer's pathology and cognitive impairment.
The A4 study found that higher levels of the amyloid protein in the brain are associated with an early stage of Alzheimer's disease. The study analyzed data from 4,486 participants and showed that amyloid burden is linked to a family history of disease, lower cognitive test scores, and reports of daily cognitive decline.
A new blood test detects abnormal tau protein accumulation, differentiating healthy participants from those with Alzheimer's pathology and predicting disease progression. The test shows promise for early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
A rare gene variant, APOE3ch, has been identified as a potential protective factor against Alzheimer's disease. The study, funded by the NIH, reveals that an individual carrying this variant remained dementia-free for nearly three decades beyond expected onset age.
The National Institute on Aging has funded a major study to examine the benefits and risks of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins in adults age 75 or older. The trial, called PREVENTABLE, aims to determine whether statin therapy can help prevent dementia and disability in this age group.
The National Institute on Aging announced winners of its Eureka competition, which aims to spur technological innovations in dementia care. MapHabit took first place with a mobile app helping people with dementia follow simple commands and receive feedback from caregivers.
A newly recognized brain disorder called Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) has been defined with recommended diagnostic criteria. LATE is characterized by cognitive impairment and hippocampal sclerosis, similar to Alzheimer's disease, but progresses more gradually.
Analysis of genetic data from over 94,000 individuals has revealed five new risk genes for Alzheimer's disease and confirmed 20 known others. The study also implicated a genetic link to tau binding proteins and suggested that therapies developed for early-onset disease could be applied to late-onset Alzheimer's.
The SPRINT MIND trial found that intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure did not significantly reduce dementia risk, but had a measurable impact on mild cognitive impairment. The study demonstrated that intensive blood pressure control is safe for the brain and may offer avenues for prevention.
A new study reveals that incorporating genetic diversity into a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease improves translatability, enabling more accurate predictions and potential treatments. The Resilience-Alzheimer's Disease Consortium has created a genetically diverse panel of mice with Alzheimer's mutations.
A large clinical trial found that two commonly used antipsychotic drugs did not affect delirium or survival rates in critically ill ICU patients. The study suggests that antipsychotics may not be an effective treatment for delirium and highlights the need to reexamine current treatment strategies.
A large clinical trial found that daily low-dose aspirin did not prolong healthy, independent living in older adults without previous cardiovascular events. Aspirin was associated with a significantly increased risk of bleeding and an increase in cancer deaths, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract and brain.
A new study found that longer daily fasting times improved health and longevity in male mice, with benefits seen across different diets and calorie consumption levels. The researchers also discovered that extended fasting periods enabled repair and maintenance mechanisms, which may help prevent age-related metabolic disorders.
Researchers found that injecting senescent cells into young mice results in physical dysfunction. Treating the mice with a combination of dasatinib and quercetin cleared senescent cells from tissues and restored function.
Researchers analyzing brain data from people with and without Alzheimer's disease found evidence that viral species may play a role in the disease. The study suggests a complex interplay between viral and host genetic factors, adding to our understanding of Alzheimer's biology.
The NIH summit recommends a precision medicine approach to Alzheimer's treatment and prevention, with a focus on developing interventions tailored to an individual's unique risk profile. The recommendations aim to build a collaborative research ecosystem capable of delivering urgently needed cures for people at all stages of the disease.
An international team has confirmed a new genetic mutation link to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by identifying KIF5A as a key player in axonal transport. The study used massive amounts of genetic data to pinpoint the link, providing important new directions for future gene therapies.
Researchers found a connection between abnormal glucose breakdown in the brain and the severity of Alzheimer's symptoms, with lower glycolysis rates and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe pathology. The study suggests that targeting glycolysis defects could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that deaths among middle-aged white Americans increased significantly between 1999 and 2013. The top causes of death were suicide, drug and alcohol poisoning, and chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis.
The NIH awards grants for analyzing genome sequence data to identify rare genetic variants that protect against or contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The projects will also explore differences in data from different racial/ethnic groups and examine the association between brain images and genome sequences.
A large, multi-site trial will test individually tailored interventions to prevent fall-related injuries in older adults. The study aims to improve the lives of those at risk for falls by integrating proven strategies into a cohesive intervention that can be adopted by healthcare systems.
Researchers identified 11 new genes associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, including SORL1 and CASS4, which affect amyloid and tau protein accumulation. The study also found connections between these genes and inflammation, synaptic function, and brain cell activity.
The National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Association Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease outline new approaches for clinicians and researchers. The guidelines cover the full spectrum of the disease, including preclinical stages, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia due to Alzheimer's pathology.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown protective mechanism in mice that helps remove blood clots and other blockages from the brain. The finding provides insights into mechanisms involved in age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and recovery from stroke.
Researchers at the NIA have discovered a key to ES cell rejuvenation in the gene Zscan4, which restores telomere length through recombination. This process enables infinite generations of functional ES cells, offering new insights into aging research and regenerative medicine.
Resveratrol slows age-related deterioration and functional decline in mice, improving cardiovascular function, bone health, and motor coordination. However, it does not increase longevity when started at middle age.
A study found that smokers tend to quit in groups, with entire clusters of spouses, friends, siblings, and co-workers giving up the habit concurrently. Close relationships within the social network have a significant influence on quitting smoking.
Despite increased life expectancy, Americans aged 65+ face disparities in health status, economic security, and education. Key findings include a widening gap in median net worth between white and black households, as well as lower life expectancies compared to other industrialized countries.
A new NIH study finds that elevated stress hormones in diabetic rodents disrupt hippocampal function, leading to learning and memory deficits. Normalizing stress hormone levels reverses the negative impact and restores learning and memory.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant in the BCL11A gene associated with higher levels of fetal hemoglobin and milder beta-thalassemia symptoms. This finding has implications for developing targeted therapies to alleviate hemoglobin deficiencies in people with beta-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.
Researchers have discovered more than 25 genetic variants associated with lipid levels, including seven previously unknown genes. These variants may lead to new strategies for treating and preventing coronary artery disease.
A new NIH-supported study shows that obesity spreads within social networks, with closer connections increasing the influence on developing obesity. The study analyzed data from the Framingham Heart Study, finding that a person's chance of becoming obese increased by 57% if they had a close friend who became obese.
A new study found that most people with dementia have a combination of Alzheimer's disease and other chronic diseases in their brains. The researchers suggest that controlling blood cholesterol levels and hypertension may help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, potentially reducing the risk of dementia.
Researchers from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) report promising early findings on imaging and biomarker analysis. The study reveals improved methods and uniform standards for tracking brain changes and predicting Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to faster and more efficient evaluation of potential thera...
A nationwide clinical trial is evaluating whether omega-3 fatty acid DHA slows cognitive and functional decline in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The 18-month study aims to measure the impact of DHA on brain atrophy, proteins, and other biological markers.
A recent analysis found that Americans in their early to mid-50s report poorer health, more pain, and trouble with everyday physical tasks compared to older peers. This trend raises questions about whether today's pre-retirees could reach retirement age in worse shape than their predecessors.