Research on Alzheimer's disease, from early signs to new therapies. Covers screening tools, brain damage mechanisms, risk factors, sleep, and drug targets.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of 'junk' DNA in neurological disorders such as Motor Neurone Disease and Alzheimer's. The research found that breaks in this type of DNA can lead to oxidative genomic damage, which can accelerate aging and disease progression.
A new study finds that high blood pressure speeds up cognitive decline in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults. However, differences in blood pressure control do not fully explain the higher risk of dementia in Hispanic adults.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
Researchers have discovered that neurons with double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in their DNA actively trigger an inflammatory response, which is mediated by the activation of the NFkappaB transcription factor. This process elicits an immune response from microglia, leading to synaptic loss and cognitive function impairment.
The fasting-mimicking diet reduced Alzheimer's pathology in mice, including amyloid beta and tau protein levels, and showed less brain inflammation. Mice on the diet also performed better on cognitive tests, with some showing improved performance comparable to non-Alzheimer's mice.
A mortality prediction model for older adults with dementia can guide discussions about financial resources, treatment preferences, and reduce unnecessary medical interventions. The model considers factors such as age, sex, body mass index, chronic conditions, and ability to perform daily activities.
Researchers at FIU Stempel College are investigating the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) in relation to Alzheimer's disease. They aim to determine if an increase in TSPO levels is harmful and may be a potential target for treatments.
A new study proposes reducing toxic proteins in the blood as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease. By doing so, it aims to improve memory and learning capacity, as well as correct cognitive impairments. The next step is to test this treatment at a clinical level.
Researchers have cloned minipigs with a mutation in the SORL1 gene, which is linked to early onset Alzheimer's disease. The pigs can be used to test new drugs and understand the early changes in brain cells that occur before dementia sets in.
A global consortium study aims to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain, with researchers evaluating over 1,000 participants worldwide. The study, led by UT Health San Antonio, uses advanced brain imaging and neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive function and identify potential causes of long-term brain changes.
New research shows that COVID-19 infections can lead to a range of neurological complications in the first year after infection, including strokes, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches. The study analyzed over 14 million medical records and found that COVID-19 survivors were at increased risk of developing the...
The University of California, Irvine has received a $47 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to develop mouse models for studying late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The project aims to better understand the biology of the most common form of the disease and set the stage for preclinical drug testing.
A new study reveals that European moles reduce their brains by 11% in winter and regrow them by 4% in summer to conserve energy. This phenomenon, known as Dehnel's phenomenon, is driven by cold conditions rather than food shortage alone.
A mutation in the SHMOOSE protein is associated with a 20-50% higher risk of Alzheimer's disease across four cohorts. The researchers suggest that targeting SHMOOSE may prove beneficial in neurodegenerative and other diseases of aging.
The study used a weakly supervised deep learning algorithm to analyze human brain autopsy tissues and predict the presence or absence of cognitive impairment. The model identified a signal associated with decreasing myelin staining, which was linked to cognitive impairment in the white matter.
Scientists at UCLA discovered several molecules that can destroy tau fibers, long filaments thought to cause Alzheimer’s and similar diseases. The green tea molecule EGCG helped identify these molecules, which could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer’s and related conditions.
A new study has found associations between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men, including those with higher MMSE scores and slower rates of cognitive decline. These findings suggest that extracellular microRNAs may play a role in the early stages of cognitive decline.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with hospital-treated infections in early- and mid-life had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The research analyzed data on over 291,000 cases and matched controls to identify the association between infections and neurodegenerativ...
A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in statistically significant cognitive improvement in older adults. The researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin supplementation roughly translated to a 60% slowing of cognitive decline.
Researchers discovered that dense liquid droplets in human cells can act as 'computers' by recognizing and calculating responses to incoming chemical signals. The formation of these condensates is driven by molecular crowding and can influence the activity of enzymes called kinases, which are involved in various cellular processes.
A three-year study of over 2,200 older adults found daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in a statistically significant cognitive benefit. The Alzheimer's Association emphasizes the need for independent confirmatory studies to establish effectiveness.
New research estimates the overall disease burden of genetic risk factors on healthy life years lost, prioritizing interventions using genetic information. The study found that common genetic variants for cardio-vascular diseases and Alzheimer’s disease have a substantial population-level impact.
A newly developed agonistic antibody targeting TREM2 reduced amyloid burden and alleviated cognitive decline in mice with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that increasing TREM2 activation could have therapeutic effects such as improved cognition.
A recent study found that people with dementia are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality due to underlying health conditions. The research identified risk factors such as comorbidities, anxiety, and delayed symptom recognition.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a universal mechanism for lysosomal repair, known as the PITT pathway, which helps maintain cellular longevity. The study reveals that damaged lysosomes are quickly repaired through the PITT pathway, but defects in this process can contribute to age-related diseases such as Al...
A team of researchers at Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been awarded a grant to study the role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to develop treatments for Alzheimer's and related dementias. The project focuses on understanding astrocyte function and dysfunction in disease pathology.
A study led by the University of Pittsburgh found that the TV drama 'This Is Us' reduced stigma around Alzheimer's disease and encouraged family discussions about aging plans. The narrative was developed in consultation with experts and met with the show's writers to ensure accuracy.
Researchers have developed a novel DNA-based method to identify people at greater genetic risk of developing Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear. The method uses data on common DNA variants from over 7.1 million individuals and predicts a person's risk of Alzheimer's, depending on which DNA variants they have.
Researchers used novel 3D imaging technology to study a human brainstem nucleus and found intriguing complexity and previously undescribed cellular forms of tau pathology. The study reveals dendritic atrophy as an early sign of tau-bearing neuron degeneration, potentially contributing to symptoms like sleep disturbances and anxiety.
A new study from USC researchers uncovers the sequence of early molecular changes caused by APOE4, a discovery that may help identify potential treatment targets in the brain's blood vessels. The research reveals problems with the blood-brain barrier and synapses, leading to behavioral deficits and cognitive dysfunction.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that a 20-minute non-invasive treatment regimen can improve both short-term and long-term memory in individuals 65 years and older. The treatment involves electrical brain stimulation delivered through scalp electrodes, and its effects were observed to last at least one month.
Neurobiologists identified mechanisms underlying atypical protein tangles that kill neurons in neurodegenerative disorders. Engineering Drosophila adults with human Tau revealed a 'traffic jam' effect, where reduced retromer activity accelerates neurodegeneration. Inhibiting the shortened form of Tau could stall neuron loss.
A team of researchers from Florida Atlantic University and Tel Aviv University are investigating the connection between neuroimmune serotonergic interactions and Alzheimer's-related mood disorders. By studying mice with AD-linked mutations, they aim to determine if immune-serotonin crosstalk plays a role in depressive traits.
A new music intervention called Musical Bridges to Memory sparks an emotional connection between patients with dementia and their caregivers. The program enhances social engagement and reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms in both patients and caregivers.
New research reveals that tau protein can self-assemble to form an envelope around microtubules, compacting them and affecting how other proteins attach. This novel behavior may play a regulatory role in healthy brain tissue, bringing us closer to understanding its connection to disease.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered a new pathway that could help prevent Alzheimer's dementia. Increasing the clearance of waste products in the brain by ramping up a genetic quirk known as readthrough may be effective for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.
A large study of over 296,000 patients found that being overweight was negatively associated with dementia in women, while underweight was positively linked to an increased risk of dementia in men. The results suggest that moderate weight gain may be beneficial for cognitive health in older women.
A recent study has identified the tau protein's involvement in normal learning and memory processes in the healthy brain. The researchers used proximity labelling to map out all proteins that interact with tau and found that it interacts with enzymes controlling vesicles and cell surface receptors for neurotransmitters.
Researchers found that increasing new neurons in mice with AD rescues their memory defects by restoring neural circuits and dendritic spines. Boosting neurogenesis may be a viable strategy to treat AD patients.
The University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has received a $1.5 million grant to further research a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The grant will help move work forward on a brain-penetrant, small molecule drug candidate called MW189.
A new study found that Alzheimer's disease damages a circuit that connects the vision processing centers of each brain hemisphere, leading to disrupted visual memory. The researchers discovered neurons that extend axons across the corpus callosum, which connect the hemispheres, and showed that these cells play a crucial role in synchro...
A new UCLA-led study has identified multiple new risk genes for Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) by combining new testing methods. The researchers used high-throughput testing to simultaneously test 5,706 genetic variants in 25 loci associated with Alzheimer's and nine loci associated with PSP.
A study found a strong link between post-COVID loss of smell or taste and memory problems in patients. Those with the most severe sensory disorders performed worse in cognitive tests, especially memorization.
Researchers at Florida International University discover that DDT causes an increase in toxic amyloid beta, a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. By blocking sodium channels with tetrodotoxin, the production of toxic amyloid-beta species is prevented.
Researchers found that the APOE4 gene variant associated with Alzheimer's disease decreases risk of glaucoma by blocking a disease cascade. They also identified a potential treatment strategy using Galectin-3 inhibitors to prevent vision loss in mice with glaucoma.
Researchers developed a peptide that can be administered through nasal spray to reduce seizure activity and protect neurons in both Alzheimer's and epilepsy. The A1R-CT peptide inhibits neurabin, a protein that prevents the overactivation of neurons, allowing for increased action by adenosine receptors.
The expert panel identified actionable and inclusive solutions to accelerate the development of novel therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. The panel suggested strategies such as increasing diverse population representation, addressing logistical, financial, and trust barriers to participate in trials.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have discovered how to shift damaged brain cells from a diseased state into a healthy one using CRISPR technology. The study found that reprogramming microglia cells can help remove protein plaques and protect synapses, potentially treating Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
This special collection of articles explores the 'dark side' of Alzheimer's Disease, revealing new biomarkers for brain hyperexcitability and its impact on vigilance and sleep-wake cycle. The findings provide a foundation for an extended model to speed up research lines and discovery.
Researchers at UNH will develop and test social assistive robots to aid in the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia in their own homes. The robots will be equipped with smart home devices, artificial intelligence, and wearables to track patients' activity levels and health management.
Research led by Drs. Yuhai Zhao and Walter J Lukiw reports a pathway from the gut to the brain that contributes to Alzheimer's disease development. Adequate dietary fiber intake can prevent this process. The study suggests a potential means to modify the abundance of microbes in the microbiome.
A new study found that rural Americans with early-onset Alzheimer's are less likely to be seen by specialists and receive essential tests, which can impact diagnosis, symptom management, and disease progression. This disparity puts rural patients at a disadvantage and overburdens primary care providers.
A team of researchers from The Mount Sinai Hospital has made a groundbreaking discovery into the genetic and molecular mechanisms that predispose individuals to Alzheimer's disease. They identified 21 candidate risk genes, including SPI1, which regulates microglia and AD risk.
Microglia that express the APOE4 gene cannot metabolize lipids normally, leading to a buildup of excess lipids that interferes with nearby neurons' ability to communicate. Restoring normal lipid metabolism in microglia may help treat some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
A 60-year study found that building mental resilience through education, socializing, and exercise can reduce dementia risk even among those with low childhood cognition or genetic predisposition. Participants with higher cognitive reserve index and reading ability showed slower cognitive decline.
Researchers at KAIST developed a novel fusion protein drug, αAβ-Gas6, which efficiently eliminates amyloid beta (Aβ) without causing inflammatory side effects. The study showed that αAβ-Gas6 promoted the robust uptake of Aβ without inflammation and neurotoxicity.
Researchers discovered that vitamin K acts as an antioxidant, inhibiting ferroptotic cell death and identifying FSP1 as the warfarin-insensitive enzyme responsible. This finding has implications for treating Alzheimer's disease and acute organ injuries.
Research reveals that physical activity has a noticeable effect on almost all brain regions, with higher intensity and duration increasing brain volume and cortical thickness. The hippocampus, a key memory center, benefits most from physical activity, which can help counteract age-related loss of brain matter.
Researchers found that microscopic blood vessel disease in the brain's white matter is associated with worse cognitive function and memory deficits in individuals with Alzheimer's. Lifestyle changes such as reducing hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and inactivity may help prevent or slow disease progression.
Timothy Huang has been awarded $2.8 million by the National Institute on Aging to study the SORLA gene and its link to Alzheimer's disease. The project will use human stem cells transplanted into mice to determine how specific mutations impact microglia function.