A new brain imaging benchmark may improve how researchers classify biologically meaningful changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found a tau cut-point that distinguished individuals with cognitive impairment from those aging normally, but its effectiveness was limited in non-Hispanic Black participants.
Researchers analyzed single-cell transcriptomes from early, middle, and late stages of AD to identify subtle shifts in cellular activity. They found that mitochondria in vulnerable brain areas began to fail early in the disease, even before amyloid plaque buildup. The study also identified a gene called MEG3 involved in regulating mito...
Researchers found that people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods have higher levels of tau, a biomarker related to Alzheimer's disease, and YKL-40, a marker of brain inflammation. Neighborhood disadvantage was also linked to faster increases in inflammation measured by CRP.
A new study reveals that the combination of an Alzheimer's peptide and a blood protein forms abnormal clots that trigger early Alzheimer's pathologies, including synapse loss and neuroinflammation. The findings provide hope for patients by identifying a promising new drug target: Aβ/fibrinogen complexes.
A study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that newborn babies and patients with Alzheimer's disease share elevated levels of phosphorylated tau, specifically p-tau217. In newborns, this protein reflects a healthy mechanism for brain development, while in Alzheimer's patients, it indicates disease progression.
A space-based experiment successfully analyzed Tottori-type amyloid β fibrils in microgravity, uncovering new insights into Alzheimer's disease mechanisms. The study found that microgravity suppresses off-pathway aggregates, enabling the formation of well-ordered fibrils suitable for structural analysis.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that semaglutide lowers the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, suggests T2D patients taking semaglutide had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia compared to other antidiabetic medications.
Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede joins Rice University's Department of Chemistry as a professor, bringing expertise in metalloproteins and protein aggregation to enhance cancer research. Her focus is on understanding the role of copper-binding proteins in cancer metastasis and potential future therapies.
A new study has found that a simple blood test can predict cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients, identifying insulin resistance as a key risk factor. The research used the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index to analyze 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, finding those with high TyG levels deteriorated rapidly.
A cohort study found breast cancer survivors have a lower risk of Alzheimer's dementia compared to cancer-free controls. Certain cancer treatments may confer benefits for reducing AD risk in this population.
A new bedtime recall exercise significantly improved memory performance in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and healthy older adults. The study suggests that this cost-free intervention could be an easily adopted approach to enhancing memory function.
A USC study found that high levels of iron in the brain contribute to cell damage and oxidative stress, accelerating Alzheimer’s symptoms in individuals with Down syndrome. This connection could lead to targeted treatments and improved outcomes for those at risk.
A 16-year study of over 10,000 individuals aged 50+ found that those with higher wellbeing were more likely to have better scores on memory tests. The association was independent of depressive symptoms and suggested that psychological factors affect brain health.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that T cell reactivity is highest during the prodromal period in Parkinson's disease, which can last for decades before noticeable symptoms. This finding may guide the development of early diagnostic tools and provide a new timeline for Parkinson's disease detection.
Researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute have successfully created human microglia cells in a dish, using induced pluripotent stem cells, within four days. This breakthrough enables new avenues for brain disease-focused research and potential therapeutic perspectives.
A proof-of-concept study shows that chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can distinguish between tau tangles and various forms of toxic amyloid plaques, two key contributors to Alzheimer's disease pathology. The technology has the potential to deliver therapeutic drugs directly to affected areas of the brain with reduced side effects.
Research found that approximately 50% of participants with late-life depression and bipolar disorder showed tau accumulation in their brains, compared to only about 15% of healthy controls. The study suggests that neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, can initially manifest as psychiatric symptoms.
A blood test detecting amyloid plaques in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease has received FDA clearance. The test is more than 90% accurate and offers a less invasive, more accessible diagnosis for patients over 55 years old.
Researchers from the Mount Sinai Health System are presenting new studies on the impact of sleep on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The studies explore the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and Alzheimer's pathogenesis, as well as the effects of sleep disruption on spatial learning and neuroinflammation.
Researchers validated a blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease with 95% sensitivity and 82% specificity. The test measures two proteins associated with amyloid plaque buildup, offering a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to invasive PET scans.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that targets the root cause of Alzheimer's disease, influencing brain cell behavior to preserve cognitive function. Delivering the treatment at the symptomatic stage preserved hippocampal-dependent memory and altered gene expression in mice, suggesting potential to restore brain health.
A study reveals that APPswe promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by regulating the Notch pathway, while its extracellular segment blocks cell proliferation and migration. This suggests a potential role for APPswe in bone formation and treatment of bone loss in Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers identified novel truncated RNAs from jumping genes that encode reverse transcriptases in the aging human brain, particularly in neurons. This discovery may provide new insights into Alzheimer's disease and potential therapeutic targets.
A new study suggests that women who spend more time in their reproductive phase may experience slower brain aging. Estradiol, the most potent form of estrogen during this period, may help protect the brain from age-related decline. However, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between estradiol and brain health.
The annual Alzheimer's disease drug development pipeline report, led by Dr. Jeffrey Cummings, highlights an increase in active clinical trials and promising drugs, offering reason for optimism. The report assesses 138 drugs currently being studied and notes the growing importance of biomarkers in clinical trials.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System discovered that an immune molecule called STING drives the formation of harmful plaques and protein tangles associated with Alzheimer's. Blocking STING protected lab mice from mental decline, suggesting a promising treatment target for neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study found that adopting the MIND diet is linked with reduced dementia risk, even among older adults. Those who improved their adherence to the diet over time showed a greater pattern of risk reduction.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio discovered associations between blood lipid levels and Alzheimer's disease risk. Higher small dense cholesterol particles increased risk, while ApoB48 levels were associated with lower risk.
People who spend more time in bed sleeping or trying to sleep after a mild stroke are at risk of lower cognitive scores and brain damage. The study found an association between longer bed times and microbleeds in the brain, highlighting the importance of addressing sleep disorders in patients with mild strokes.
Researchers found that lemborexant improves sleep patterns and reduces abnormal tau protein buildup, which causes inflammation and brain cell death. The study suggests lemborexant could help treat or prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal syndrome.
A US study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that 37% of dementia cases could be linked to cardiometabolic diseases, with the strongest connection in the South. Hypertension was the leading cause, accounting for 9.6% of cases.
Researchers have discovered a new drug that protects the blood-brain barrier, preventing neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. The drug targets an enzyme that damages the BBB, which is also affected in traumatic brain injury and aging.
Moleculera Biosciences, a precision medicine company, is attracting investors with its technology developed by the University of Oklahoma. The company's diagnostic tests have helped properly diagnose over 16,000 patients and have shown remarkable recoveries in those affected by autoimmune disorders.
Researchers found that insulin signaling changes affect both Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy in animal tests. This discovery confirms clinical evidence of increased risk of Alzheimer's in people with epilepsy and highlights the need for a broader therapeutic approach to address the complex nature of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UCLA Health identified a candidate small molecule, DDL-357, that increases concentrations of secreted clusterin, reducing toxic protein phospho-tau and improving mitochondrial function. The drug also improved memory in treated mice in maze-based cognitive tests.
A large US study found that symptomatic herpes simplex 1 infection may contribute to Alzheimer's disease development. People treated with antiviral therapy were less likely to develop the condition, suggesting a potential protective effect.
Research highlights potential link between microplastics in ultra-processed foods and brain health, with possible connections to depression and dementia. The studies propose a novel hypothesis connecting ultra-processed food consumption, microplastic exposure, and mental health outcomes.
Scientists at MIT have identified new potential targets for treating Alzheimer's disease, including a pathway involved in DNA damage repair. The study suggests that a combination of treatments targeting different cellular pathways may be more effective in blocking disease progression.
Davis Joseph's groundbreaking discovery identifies a common master switch that can cure multiple brain-related diseases with a single method. The unified theory establishes that regulating axon-based 4E-BP2 protein deamidation can control disease progression.
Researchers found that post-menopausal women with high midlife cortisol levels have increased amyloid deposition and are at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study also highlights the importance of identifying early risk factors in women, particularly those who experience menopause.
Researchers from USC Keck School of Medicine have developed a low-cost blood test that detects five biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease, including amyloid and tau proteins. The test uses xMAP technology and has the potential to catch the disease in its earliest stages, when treatment might be able to prevent or delay cognitive decline.
A new USC-led study found a significant link between type 2 diabetes and cortical thickness in older adults from various populations. The researchers discovered that individuals with T2DM exhibited thinner cortex, particularly in temporal and parietal regions critical for memory and cognitive function.
The study found that patients who used lecanemab were more likely to be male, white, from urban areas, and with higher socioeconomic status than those who did not. Uptake rates of lecanemab were also significantly higher for patients with these characteristics.
Long sleep duration is associated with poorer global cognition and specific cognitive abilities like memory, visuospatial skills and executive functions. This association is strongest in people with depressive symptoms, regardless of antidepressant usage.
Scientists have developed a sugar-coated nanotherapy that effectively traps misfolded proteins, neutralizing their toxic effects on neurons. The treatment significantly boosts the survival of lab-grown human neurons under stress from disease-causing proteins.
Cognivue launches CARM, a novel metric predicting amyloid presence and enabling early Alzheimer's detection. The CARM score combines age with cognitive subtests to generate a four-point risk score indicating the likelihood of amyloid presence in the brain.
A new research study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that increased sedentary behavior in aging adults is associated with worse cognition and brain shrinkage. Participants who spent more time sedentary were more likely to experience cognitive decline, even if they exercised regularly.
Zhaoqi Yan, a scientist at Gladstone Institutes, has been awarded the 2025 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar fellowship to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind blood-brain barrier dysfunction. His research aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's.
A team of researchers has discovered a small molecule that can selectively block cell death, which could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions. By targeting the killer protein BAX, the molecule can prevent excessive cell death in neurons, potentially slowing or halting disease progression.
Brazilian researchers found that hevin, a glycoprotein produced by astrocytes, increases connections between neurons and improves cognitive function in aged rodents. The study provides insight into the role of astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease and offers potential new treatment strategies.
Researchers found that lecanemab treatment resulted in rare and manageable side effects, especially in patients with very mild or mild Alzheimer's symptoms. Only 1% of patients experienced severe side effects requiring hospitalization, highlighting the feasibility and safety of the drug in real-world settings.
Researchers found that patients taking HIV drugs called NRTIs are substantially less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by Jayakrishna Ambati, analyzed data from two large health insurance databases and determined a significant reduction in Alzheimer's risk among patients on NRTIs.
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are rising rapidly in China due to population growth and high-risk factors like high blood sugar, smoking, and obesity. The study projects continued rise unless effective interventions are implemented.
A study published in PLOS One suggests that curiosity and interest in lifelong learning can help offset or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that state curiosity, which is a momentary feeling of curiosity when asked about specific topics, increased sharply after middle age and continued well into old age. This contrasts wi...
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that learning one's Alzheimer's risk can decrease negative emotions like depression and anxiety, but also leads to decreased motivation for maintaining healthy lifestyle changes. Researchers emphasize the importance of personalized disclosure processes to sustain healthy behaviors.
A team of researchers has developed a predictive model that uses genetic mutations to forecast the age of onset for familial Alzheimer's disease. The model suggests specific correlations between gene mutations and disease progression, enabling clinicians to tailor treatment strategies and improve early diagnosis.
Researchers have found that promoting glucose metabolism in glial cells can relieve inflammation and photoreceptor degeneration in Alzheimer's patients. This discovery presents an exciting new therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's.
A new brain atlas developed by researchers at Duke University will increase precision in measuring changes in brain structure, making it easier to share results. The tool, the Duke Mouse Brain Atlas, provides a detailed map of the entire mouse brain, from large structures down to individual cells and circuits.
A recent study has found that increasing physical activity between the ages of 45 and 65 can help reduce the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. The research, led by ISGlobal, suggests that even minimal amounts of exercise have health benefits for brain health.
A novel gene variant in Finns significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, affecting microglia function and leading to an earlier onset of the disease. The study provides valuable information for developing treatments and highlights the importance of translational research.