A new bioluminescence imaging technique allows researchers to observe oxygen movement in the brains of mice in real-time, providing insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's and strokes. The method reveals that small areas of the brain, called 'hypoxic pockets,' can be denied oxygen for brief periods, increasing risk for these diseases.
Researchers successfully transmitted familial Alzheimer's disease to normal lab mice through bone marrow stem cell transplant. The recipients developed cognitive decline and amyloid buildup at an accelerated rate, highlighting the systemic nature of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed an app to detect mild cognitive impairment, a potential indicator of Alzheimer's disease. The study used data from 199 older adults and found that the app detected MCI with high accuracy, comparable to in-clinic assessments.
A study using a xenotransplantation model has revealed that human microglia respond to amyloid-β plaques with a complex immune response, influencing the disease course. The research highlights the importance of considering genetic factors in microglia-targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified PDE4B as a potential target for treating Alzheimer's disease, where reducing its activity shows promise in improving memory and glucose metabolism. The study suggests that this approach may also protect against other forms of dementia, such as Huntington's disease.
A large-scale animal study reveals that brain pH and lactate levels are a common feature across various neuropsychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, depression, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. Changes in brain energy metabolism are linked to cognitive impairment, particularly working memory.
Rats consuming reheated sesame or sunflower oil showed increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, leading to significant damage in the colon and changes in endotoxins. The study suggests that long-term deep-fried oil consumption may contribute to neurodegeneration and highlight the need for further research on this topic.
A new study found that human brains are getting larger, with participants born in the 1970s having 6.6% greater brain volume and almost 15% larger brain surface area than those born in the 1930s. This increased brain size may lead to a higher brain reserve, potentially reducing the overall risk of age-related dementias.
Researchers found that a high-fat diet suppresses the expression of a key protein in the gut, leading to inflammation and increased risk of Alzheimer's. Managing diabetes may be key to preventing or slowing down dementia symptoms.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in humanin, a mitochondrial microprotein, that may help individuals with the APOE4 allele live longer and preserve cognitive function. The variant was found to reduce amyloid-beta buildup in the brains of mice engineered to express human APOE4.
A new study has identified 17 significant genetic variants linked to Alzheimer's disease in five genomic regions. The findings highlight the value of whole genome sequencing data in gaining long-sought insight into the ultimate causes and risk factors for Alzheimer's, which is the fifth leading cause of death among people 65 and older.
A team of researchers has developed the world's first 3D-printed brain phantom, which can be imaged using dMRI. The brain model is made up of microchannels that mimic nerve cells in the brain, allowing for more accurate analysis and research into neurodegenerative diseases.
Four studies conclude that longer genes are most susceptible to aging due to increased potential sites for DNA damage. Long genes have more sites for damage, making them prone to degradation with age, contributing to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
A study by Washington State University researchers found that people living outside urban areas and those of Native American and Hispanic descent face longer travel distances to see neurologists. This can result in delayed diagnoses, higher costs, and reduced quality of life for dementia patients.
A ketogenic diet significantly delays early stages of Alzheimer's-related memory loss in mice, according to a new study published in Communications Biology. The molecule beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is found to play a pivotal role in preventing this decline, improving synaptic function and memory formation.
A comprehensive review of brain network analysis in Alzheimer's disease reveals intricate patterns and challenges. The study offers novel perspectives and insights, highlighting the pivotal role of brain networks in disease progression and uncovering opportunities for pioneering diagnostic tools and predictive models.
Research from Amsterdam UMC found that social activities like interactions and organised events prevent cognitive decline in long-term care residents. Participation in these activities offers a protective effect, particularly for those with little or no cognitive impairment.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that effectively halt amyloid beta aggregation and toxicity using ultra-low-energy X-rays. The innovative treatment strategy shows promise in delaying disease progression by up to 36% in preclinical models.
A new JAMA article highlights the need for improved decision making prior to initiating lecanemab, an FDA-approved Alzheimer’s Disease drug, due to its potential side effects on patients with cardiovascular disease. The authors advocate for advanced care planning and shared decision-making models to guide treatment decisions.
Researchers have identified a genetic variant in SIRPβ1 gene that affects the immune system's response to beta-amyloid deposits, leading to altered Alzheimer's disease progression. The mutation has been shown to increase cognitive decline in early stages but slow it down in advanced stages.
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota reveals that non-invasive brain stimulation can change a specific brain mechanism related to human behavior. The technique, called transcranial alternating current stimulation, modulates brain activity by shifting when brain cells are active.
A Duke University-led study suggests that targeting disadvantaged neighborhoods for dementia prevention programs could help lower dementia risk. People living in poorer neighborhoods show early signs of cognitive decline and have measurably poorer brain health as early as age 45, regardless of their own personal income or education.
The study reveals that neurological conditions are the leading cause of ill health and disability globally, with 3.4 billion people affected in 2021. The analysis shows a significant increase in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by these conditions over the past three decades.
Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the effects of APC treatment on AD transgenic mice, revealing alterations in glial cells and upregulated genes associated with AD progression. APC treatment downregulates inflammatory processes and recovers nervous system functions.
A study published in Neurology found that middle-age veterans who experienced concussions from blasts had lower levels of amyloid-beta in their spinal fluid, a potential marker for Alzheimer's disease. The study also linked lower spinal fluid amyloid levels to poorer performance on memory and thinking tests at older ages.
Researchers at Aarhus University have found a way to spot Alzheimer's disease before it develops into dementia using an advanced blood test analysis. The study suggests that activating the body's immune system at an early stage of the disease may slow down its progression.
A first-of-its-kind study uses gait analysis to detect subtle impairments in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting curved path walking as a more sensitive detection method. The novel system employs a non-invasive depth camera to record gait and provides detailed information on functional performance.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a gene, DEK, involved in the degeneration of neurons vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease. By manipulating the levels of this gene, they found that it leads to the accumulation of tau and degeneration of these cells.
A study published by the University of Florida suggests a connection between elevated amyloid blood levels and subtle brain microstructural changes in individuals without dementia. Researchers used diffusion MRI to detect free-water in the brain, revealing associations with structural abnormalities even when PET scans were negative.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a neural-specific protein, PSD-95, as an early biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. The study found that inhibiting PSD-95 slowed seizure activity in mice with amyloid-beta pathology, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for early-stage Alzheimer's.
Researchers at MIT discovered that daily exposure to light and sound with a frequency of 40 hertz protects brain cells from chemotherapy-induced damage, preventing memory loss and improving cognitive functions. The treatment also helped prevent DNA damage, inflammation, and promoted the growth of oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible...
The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies is open to media registration for its 2024 event. Journalists can access the latest research discoveries in neuroscience fields such as dementia, addiction and depression.
A new study led by Cleveland Clinic researchers suggests that sildenafil may help protect brain cells from Alzheimer's disease. The study found that sildenafil can lower levels of neurotoxic tau proteins and improve brain function in patients with Alzheimer's.
Scientists trained AI models on brain activity data from mice to detect hippocampal ripples, a biomarker of memory, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. The model toolbox can be applied to non-human primate and human data with similar recording techniques.
Researchers found that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) struggle with ambiguous sentences, indicating a key deficit in processing complex language. This deficit is independent of memory loss and may serve as an additional 'cognitive biomarker' for early detection.
Research suggests that magnetite particles, found in air pollution, can induce signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The study exposed mice to fine particles of iron, magnetite, and diesel hydrocarbons, finding that magnetite induced Alzheimer's disease pathologies, including neuronal cell loss and amyloid plaque formation.
Researchers discovered a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease also prevents Type 2 diabetes by blocking the formation of toxic IAPP clusters. A synthetic peptide was shown to bind and neutralize these clusters, keeping beta cells alive.
Researchers at Salk Institute have created a novel organoid model of the human brain that includes mature, functional astrocytes. This allows for the study of inflammation and stress in aging and diseases like Alzheimer's with greater clarity, revealing a relationship between astrocyte dysfunction and inflammation.
A groundbreaking study has unveiled promising pathways to simplified Alzheimer's diagnosis using blood tests, demonstrating strong correlations with brain amyloid plaques across diverse populations. The Bio-Hermes study shows that blood tests can be used to identify persons with amyloid plaques in the brain, regardless of symptoms or r...
A new study suggests that walking through historically Black neighborhoods while reminiscing can improve cognitive function and mood in older Black adults. The program, known as SHARP, combines exercise, social connection, and active reminiscence to make a cumulative impact on health.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that stimulating a key brain rhythm with light and sound increases peptide release from interneurons, driving clearance of Alzheimer's protein. The study suggests that 40Hz sensory stimulation promotes increased amyloid clearance via the glymphatic system.
A Rutgers Health study found that abdominal fat depots are related to lower cognitive functioning and brain volumes in middle-aged males at high Alzheimer's risk, but not females. The study challenges the use of BMI as a primary measure for assessing obesity-related cognitive risks.
Medical University of South Carolina researchers report that worsened anxiety and depression can predict the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study found that patients with more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms were more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to full-blown Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed scSNV-seq to investigate genetic changes affecting gene activity and disease development. The technique accurately assesses the impact of thousands of DNA mutations in cells, providing crucial insights for developing targeted therapies.
A new study by Baycrest and the University of Toronto suggests that talking speed is a more important indicator of brain health than difficulty finding words. Changes in general talking speed may reflect changes in the brain, indicating its importance in detecting cognitive decline faster.
A UCLA Health study suggests Kundalini yoga can improve cognitive function, memory and brain health for postmenopausal women. The study found that yoga prevented brain matter decline, reversed aging and inflammation-associated biomarkers – improvements not seen in a group who received standard memory training exercises.
Researchers decode underlying mechanisms of DCM, hippocampal neurotoxicity, and dysbiosis mediated AD progression using mass spectrometry imaging. The studies found metabolic changes in DCM rat hearts and regulation of CYPs in the hippocampus, providing new perspectives on treatment strategies.
Researchers at UCSF used clinical data and a precision medicine approach to identify early risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, predicting its onset with 72% accuracy. High cholesterol, osteoporosis, and erectile dysfunction were found to be predictive factors in both men and women.
A new blood test has been shown to diagnose Alzheimer's disease pathology as accurately as FDA-approved spinal fluid tests, making early diagnosis and treatment accessible to more people. The blood test measures levels of Alzheimer's proteins in the blood, detecting molecular signs of the disease even before symptoms appear.
Researchers found that people with higher air pollution exposure were more likely to have high amounts of amyloid plaques in their brains, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that environmental factors like air pollution may contribute to Alzheimer's disease, especially in those without the APOE e4 gene va...
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers have developed a new drug delivery platform that harnesses helical amyloid fibers designed to untwist and release drugs in response to body temperatures. This discovery could be useful in treatment to reverse Alzheimer’s Disease impact by degrading amyloid plaques.
Researchers have developed a blood test that accurately detects Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with high accuracy rates of over 96% and 87%, respectively. The test measures multiple biomarkers and is applicable across ethnic populations, offering a global solution for diagnosis and management.
A new blood test uses the biomarker BD-tau to predict functional outcomes in patients after ischemic stroke. Higher levels of BD-tau are associated with more severe outcomes.
Researchers found that an experimental drug called Yoda1 may help repair the brain's lymphatic system and glymphatic function in mice with craniosynostosis and aged mice. The study shows promise for treating Alzheimer's disease by improving brain waste-clearance systems.
Researchers developed protein-like polymers to disrupt the Keap1/Nrf2 protein-protein interaction, preventing cellular damage and oxidative stress. This approach holds promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS.
The D-CARE Study successfully enrolled 2,176 racially/ethnically diverse persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and their caregivers, highlighting the importance of adaptable recruitment strategies. The study provides valuable insights into how to better support patients with dementia and their caregivers.
Researchers found GV1001 decreases BACE and Aβ1-42 levels, reducing neurodegeneration and senescence in 3xTg-AD mice. It also increases survival, telomere length, and telomerase activity, contributing to improved lifespan.
A recent study has uncovered 145 genes crucial for genome stability, shedding light on genetic factors influencing human health over a lifespan. The research highlights the potential of SIRT inhibitors as a therapeutic pathway for cohesinopathies and other genomic disorders.
A new study from Uppsala University found that people who have had herpes virus are twice as likely to develop dementia as those who have never been infected. The researchers studied 1,000 70-year-olds over 15 years and confirmed previous research on the potential link between herpes and dementia.
A new study reveals that Agent Orange damages frontal lobe brain tissue in laboratory rats, causing molecular and biochemical abnormalities similar to early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This research has important implications for the long-term brain health of aging veterans and people exposed to biologically similar herbicides.