Research on Alzheimer's disease, from early signs to new therapies. Covers screening tools, brain damage mechanisms, risk factors, sleep, and drug targets.
Post-translational modifications on alpha-synuclein slow amyloid aggregation and protect neurons, potentially slowing disease progression. The study's findings suggest that targeting these modifications could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
A Northwestern University study found epigenetic changes in Alzheimer's patients' blood that increase the risk of the disease. The researchers discovered altered immune genes and proteins in the blood that could be triggered by previous viral infections or environmental pollutants, potentially leading to brain damage.
Researchers found that APOE4 accumulates on fat droplets in astrocytes, damaging brain cells and preventing them from cleaning up toxic lipids. This mechanism could explain why APOE4 increases Alzheimer's disease risk.
Researchers found an association between erectile dysfunction drug use and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Those taking the drugs were 18% less likely to develop Alzheimer's than non-users after adjusting for other factors.
Researchers have developed a fluorescent sensor array that can detect Alzheimer's-related proteins, allowing for earlier disease detection. The tool uses an array of sensor molecules that light up amyloids, providing a high level of sensitivity and selectivity in distinguishing between different amyloid-related conditions.
A team of scientists from the Beckman Institute has received a $3 million grant to develop diagnostic tools and imaging agents for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. They will use a combination of PET and MRI scans to target smaller beta-amyloid peptides and other signs of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.
Researchers discovered a new role for Mfsd7c in exporting excessive choline from the brain. The study suggests that targeting this protein could lead to therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
Researchers at Buck Institute for Research on Aging propose an alternate strategy for reversing memory problems in Alzheimer's disease by targeting the KIBRA protein. The findings suggest that KIBRA can rescue mechanisms that promote synapse resilience, potentially leading to improved memory function.
A new therapy called NIDUS-Family has shown promising results in improving the lives of people with dementia and their family carers. The study found that those who received the intervention were more likely to achieve their personal goals, such as increasing social engagement or improving caregiver support.
A team of neuroscientists has discovered that oligodendrocytes, myelin-forming cells, accelerate glucose consumption to deliver energy-rich molecules to rapidly firing axons. This communication is mediated by potassium signals and maintains axonal health.
A new analysis of ancient Greek and Roman medical texts suggests that severe memory loss was extremely rare 2,000 to 2,500 years ago. The study bolsters the idea that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are diseases of modern environments and lifestyles.
A study at Lake Okeechobee found that a faith-based approach increased ADRD diagnoses from 0.9% to 24.3%, with 55.3% of participants receiving referrals for further testing and treatment.
Researchers discovered that fasting raises arachidonic acid levels, which inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome and reduce chronic inflammation. This finding may explain how calorie restriction protects against diseases linked to Western diets.
A new RAND report suggests that engaging primary care providers in Alzheimer's disease screening and diagnosis could significantly reduce wait times and increase the number of people treated. Primary care practitioners are technically capable of performing cognitive assessments but often do not due to time constraints, researchers say.
Researchers have identified five cases of Alzheimer's disease acquired through exposure to contaminated cadaver-derived human growth hormone (c-hGH) used in medical treatment between 1959 and 1985. Biomarker analyses and autopsy results confirmed the diagnoses, highlighting a rare but significant risk of transmission via this route.
A Scripps Research team identified the energetic reactions in brain cells that malfunction and lead to neurodegeneration. They successfully restored many neuron-to-neuron connections in nerve cell models derived from human Alzheimer's patient stem cells by addressing a bottleneck in mitochondrial energy production.
A new study suggests that early conversations about brain health between clinicians and patients are rare due to stigma around Alzheimer's diagnoses. Tailored approaches, such as culturally relevant messaging and the Agile Diffusion Process, can facilitate these conversations.
Researchers have identified a network of lymphatic vessels at the back of the nose as a major hub for CSF outflow to deep cervical lymph nodes. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and treating conditions related to impaired CSF drainage, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UTA developed a novel learning-based framework to predict Alzheimer’s disease progression. The DETree strategy can pinpoint clinical status within the disease spectrum, allowing for more accurate planning and potential applications in other diseases with multiple stages of development.
A new study reveals significant disparities in dementia care among minoritized racial and ethnic populations, including delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment. The researchers highlight the importance of granular data collection to address these disparities and promote health equity.
A team of researchers has devised a method to deliver mRNA into the brain using lipid nanoparticles, offering new hope for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease and seizures. The approach uses a special keycard-like system to bypass the blood-brain barrier, allowing therapeutic agents to enter the brain and target specific cells.
The study found that APOE4 carriers have elevated LDL cholesterol levels, increasing their risk of developing subclinical atherosclerosis. In contrast, APOE2 carriers have lower cholesterol and reduced atherosclerosis prevalence.
Researchers developed a new technology to track when brain cells shut off, providing insights into normal brain function and diseases like depression and Alzheimer's. The technique identifies a protein called pyruvate dehydrogenase that is rapidly changed immediately after brain cells are inhibited.
Researchers found that 94% of patients with posterior cortical atrophy had Alzheimer's pathology, while only 70% of those with memory loss did. Early identification of PCA may lead to better treatment options for Alzheimer's patients.
A recent meta-analysis of 20,000 patients with Alzheimer's disease found no clinically significant improvement in cognitive or functional abilities from monoclonal antibody treatment. The studies also revealed a high risk of serious harms, including cerebral edema and death, associated with the use of these expensive medications.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care developed a wearable patch that can receive wireless commands to schedule and trigger drug release from individual microneedles. The patch enables precise and customized drug delivery for various conditions, including Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that toxic short RNAs contribute to neuron death and DNA damage in Alzheimer's disease. Studies found that older individuals with superior memories have higher amounts of protective short RNA strands in their brains.
A meta-analysis of 5,000 participants found that daily multivitamins showed benefits for memory and global cognition. The study suggests that taking a daily multivitamin can help prevent memory loss and slow down cognitive aging by the equivalent of two years compared to placebo.
Researchers found that traumatic memories immediately following a distressing event are more memorable than the moments leading up to it. This discovery has implications for eyewitness testimonies, therapies for PTSD, and understanding memory decline in brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
The Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR) will continue for five years to investigate behaviors, lifestyle, and brain health in Black adults. Researchers hope to identify risk factors and protective measures to reduce disparities in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis among Black Americans.
HudsonAlpha researchers have identified a major gene involved in neurodegenerative diseases, tau, and its regulatory regions. The study found 97 candidate regulatory elements that control tau expression, some of which may hold promise for new therapeutic targets.
Researchers discovered that a little-understood synapse in the brain plays a pivotal role in producing myelin, the protective sheath around nerve cells. This finding could lead to new therapies for multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative conditions and brain cancer.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have received an NIH grant to create predictive models for Alzheimer's disease using brain MRIs and clinical data. The goal is to enable earlier detection of the condition, ideally two years before onset of symptoms.
A large-scale ancient human gene bank analysis revealed that genetic variants increasing MS risk were introduced by sheep and cattle herders 5,000 years ago. This finding explains the North-South Gradient of MS prevalence in Europe.
Dutch scientists identified five distinct biological variants of Alzheimer's disease through cerebrospinal fluid proteomics. These variants differ in protein production, immune system function and nerve cell growth, affecting disease progression and treatment responses.
Researchers develop nanoparticles that selectively bind to activated astrocytes and microglia cells in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's patients, demonstrating increased nanoparticle transport across the blood brain barrier with age. The study provides valuable insights into advancing nanoparticle-based drug delivery for treating neurode...
A new study by University of California Riverside researchers found that high-fat diets affect not only obesity and colon cancer but also the immune system, brain function, and potentially COVID-19 risk. The study, which analyzed genetic changes in mice fed different types of fat, showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil ...
A study by Mass General Brigham found that daily learning tests can detect Alzheimer's disease-related changes in memory among cognitively normal older adults. The test, called BRANCH, was completed over seven days on a smartphone, revealing diminished learning curves associated with elevated amyloid levels.
A study by McGill University researchers found that people with symptomatic H. pylori infection have an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest a potential role for the bacterium in the development of the disease, opening avenues for future research and possible prevention strategies.
Researchers found that baseline amyloid burden and brain health are stronger predictors of Alzheimer's progression than age alone. The study also showed that individuals with higher amyloid levels developed dementia two years earlier than those without.
Researchers found that inhibitory neurons in the entorhinal cortex continue to migrate and build new connections until age two, contributing to neuroplasticity periods and potential susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered the structural proof of DNA and RNA breakdown by PLD3, an enzyme linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study provides a map of the protein, which could lead to better understanding of its role in certain diseases.
A growing number of studies have found that non-invasive sensory, electrical, or magnetic stimulation of gamma brain rhythms can reduce Alzheimer's pathology and its consequences. These studies have shown increases in gamma power, brain network connectivity, and improvements in memory, cognition, and sleep.
Recent studies suggest that gamma brain wave stimulation can yield beneficial effects on brain function, disease pathology, and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Various cells beyond neurons are involved in mediating these effects.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System discovered that tau proteins damage brain cells by warping their nuclei, altering gene function and increasing tau production. This finding could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.
A new study found that people with Alzheimer's dementia who were treated with lipid-lowering statins showed slower cognitive decline compared to those not treated. The researchers emphasize caution due to the observational nature of the study and initial concerns about statins' effects on patients with dementia.
Zarbio and Georgia State University scientists propose a framework for understanding Alzheimer's disease, linking molecular mechanisms, beta-amyloid biomarkers, and diagnosis. The Amyloid Degradation Toxicity Hypothesis resolves long-standing paradoxes in AD research.
A study found that the common drug Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) increases plasma Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels in patients with cardiac failure, making them falsely positive on a debated Alzheimer's blood test. This could lead to misclassification of patients as having Alzheimer's disease.
The study aims to refine and validate a set of remote-testing methods called R-CARE Toolbox to assess older adults with dementia in diverse populations. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments both in-person and remotely, followed by follow-up assessments at 18 and 36 months.
A new study reveals altered gene activity in Alzheimer's patients' olfactory mucosa after SARS-CoV-2 infection, potentially leading to exacerbated COVID-19 outcomes. The research found heightened oxidative stress and altered immune responses in infected cells.
Scientists have discovered that amyloid-beta oligomers play a role in speeding up mitochondrial energetics during the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. This finding challenges prior research and offers new insights into the potential causes of the incurable neurodegenerative disease.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that physically active individuals experienced less decline in entorhinal cortex thickness over a seven-year period. Cognitive reserve is also boosted through regular mental stimulation, suggesting that brains can be trained like muscles to counteract age-related decline.
Researchers found that Helicobacter pylori infection can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 11-24% in people over 50, potentially due to inflammation and damage to the brain. The study analyzed data from over four million people and considered the time interval between infection and increased risk.
Researchers found that a rare genetic mutation in the APOE gene, known as the Christchurch mutation, may prevent Alzheimer's dementia by severing the link between amyloid and tau accumulation. This discovery offers new hope for preventing the disease.
Researchers developed novel nanoparticles that deliver RNA to microglia immune cells, reducing inflammation linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study showed a 42% reduction of PU-1 expression and multiple inflammatory markers in human cell cultures and mice models.
Researchers found lower levels of serotonin transporter and higher levels of amyloid-beta protein in brains of people with mild cognitive impairment, a potential target for treatments to slow or stop disease progression. Further research is needed to study the role of serotonin in disease progression.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that Veterans experiencing housing instability are 53% more likely to receive an Alzheimer's disease or dementia diagnosis. The study included over 44,000 participants and tracked their health outcomes from 2011 to 2019.
A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials found significant improvements in sleep efficiency and psycho-behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Light therapy also alleviated depression and reduced patient agitation and caregiver burden.
A study found increased brain inflammation and structural changes in special operations personnel exposed to blasts, potentially increasing the risk of long-term brain-related disease. The research suggests that repetitive exposure to low-level blasts may cause brain injuries and highlights the need for better protective measures.
A small clinical trial found that twice daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease, particularly word recall and recognition. Cortical plasticity was also enhanced after 6 weeks of treatment.