Research on Alzheimer's disease, from early signs to new therapies. Covers screening tools, brain damage mechanisms, risk factors, sleep, and drug targets.
Researchers found that biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease pathology, such as amyloid-beta and tau proteins, were associated with increased anxiety and apathy in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Higher levels of apathy were also linked to a more rapid cognitive decline.
Researchers at Lewis Katz School of Medicine identify reduced efficiency of protein transport system as key factor in Alzheimer-like changes. The study suggests that targeting the retromer complex could lead to new treatments for Down syndrome-related dementia.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified five genes that enable efficient sleep, contrasting with current thinking that lack of sleep accelerates neurodegeneration. These genes may confer protections against neurological disease and improve sleep quality, paving the way for new treatments.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that the number of healthy years a person lives is increasing even for those with common chronic conditions. However, men and women with cognitive impairment experienced a decrease in disability-free life expectancy.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that cognitive decline is the biggest factor in determining how long patients with Alzheimer's disease will live after diagnosis. The study, based on national data from autopsy-confirmed cases, identified seven factors that predict life expectancy variances among participants.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology improved an algorithm to detect Alzheimer's disease from MRI images, achieving over 98% accuracy. The new model uses a modified neural network and adapts to variations in data, such as differences in hospital equipment and patient positions.
Researchers identified peripheral tissues as source of blood amyloid beta, which regulates blood glucose levels and suppresses insulin secretion. The study suggests a possible mechanism linking type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease development.
Researchers found that brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease had higher levels of the protein Fli-1 and fewer pericytes lining their smallest blood vessels, leading to leakage. Blocking Fli-1 improved memory in mice, suggesting a promising new approach to treating the disease.
A new study led by UC San Francisco reveals that 87% of seniors with dementia would stop at least one medication if their doctor said it was possible. Polypharmacy contributes to challenges with adherence and adverse interactions, but most patients are willing to reduce their medications.
A recent study from the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has shown promising results for a blood test that could identify Alzheimer's changes in the brain before symptoms appear. The test detects proteins associated with Alzheimer's and brain damage, which may indicate preventative treatments can be used.
Melanoma skin cancer cells use Alzheimer's protein amyloid beta to survive in the brain, evading immune detection. A new study reveals a potential treatment target to counter this mechanism.
Researchers developed a new genomic technology to analyze DNA, RNA and chromatin from a single cell, providing a comprehensive database for better understanding of brain diseases. The technology helped identify 63 cell types in the human frontal cortex region.
A study found that intact astrocyte networks are essential for neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and spatial cognitive abilities in adult mice. Disrupting these networks impairs spatial learning and memory due to altered neuronal excitability and compromised synaptic transmission.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that people with dementia have difficulty responding to unexpected situations, which is a symptom seen across every type of dementia. The study used magnetoencephalography to analyze brain activity in patients and healthy controls while listening to changing sounds.
The UTHSC team will investigate how mitochondria affect the aging process and age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's. The five-year project will explore gene variants, diet, sex, age, and mitochondrial copy number to better understand these relationships.
Cedars-Sinai researchers identified two types of brain cells that divide continuous human experience into distinct segments, enabling the brain to recall memories. The discovery provides new hope for treatments of memory disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered a common thread between multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. A protein called TMEM106B forms fibrils in diseased brain tissue, potentially hobbling cells.
A new study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers identifies follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as the major pathogenic factor driving Alzheimer's disease in women. FSH increases during menopause and activates a critical pathway, leading to AD pathology.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals that the APOE4 variant increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease by triggering the secretion of potentially toxic lipids in astrocytes. This secretion can lead to the accumulation of harmful lipids, which may contribute to neuronal death and disease progression.
A study of 53.6 million Medicare enrollees found COVID-19 associated increased mortality in older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, especially in nursing homes and minority populations. The results suggest a potential association between the pandemic and accelerated mortality rates for these vulnerable groups.
A new study has found that research participation is associated with greater use of and adherence to medications for dementia, while also revealing significant racial/ethnic disparities. The research suggests that Black and Latino participants had lower rates of medication uptake and persistent use compared to White participants.
Researchers at MUSC and University of Florida successfully visualize the complete human brain lymphatic system in living humans using a new non-invasive MRI technique. This breakthrough enhances our understanding of brain function and may provide insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
The AAN has issued an evidence-in-focus article on aducanumab, a treatment for early changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease. The article notes that while aducanumab reduces amyloid plaques, its effects on symptoms and side effects are unclear.
A large-scale study aims to understand how individual brains change over time, identifying factors that increase cognitive decline risk and those that confer resilience. The Adult Aging Brain Connectome study will follow 1,000 participants across a decade, collecting brain scans, blood samples, and demographic data.
A study found that people with poor scores on a simple memory test may have higher amounts of beta-amyloid in their brains and lower brain volume, suggesting early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The test can help detect cognitive decline before dementia diagnosis.
A new blood test developed at Washington University School of Medicine has proven highly accurate in detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, with a 93% accuracy rate. The test assesses amyloid plaques based on the ratio of A´2 and A´0 proteins in the blood, providing a low-cost alternative to expensive brain scans and spinal taps.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory discovered that age-related chronic inflammation is caused by disruption of chromatin architecture. This leads to misexpression of genes lacking CpG islands, resulting in inflammation and loss of cellular function. The findings provide a unifying theory for the age-related degenerative diseases.
Researchers analyzed health records of nearly 80,000 patients to identify new risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, including depression, anxiety, and hearing loss. The study found that these conditions were associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's up to 15 years before the onset of symptoms.
Researchers found that higher levels of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. The study suggests that a high-fiber diet may play a preventative role in reducing the incidence of dementia.
A new UCLA study has found that hippocampal neurons in rats accurately map the position of a moving object even when stationary, challenging prevailing hypotheses about brain function. The findings open up new research avenues into memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new discovery by VUB professor Ann Massie's research group reveals a strategy that prolongs life expectancy and preserves hippocampal function in the aging brain. The absence of system xc- has positive effects on mouse longevity and cognitive function, challenging current understanding of the aging process.
Researchers found AI/AN adults with dementia face high hospital costs & chronic conditions, highlighting need for outpatient care & home services. Existing resources are often inadequate due to rurality & social determinants, leading to disparities in access.
A new study identifies common genetic factors in depression and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a potential causal role of depression on dementia. The research found that depression played a significant role in AD development, with those experiencing worse depression experiencing faster memory decline.
A study using an Alzheimer's disease mouse model found that female brains experience a faster decay in information processing ability compared to male mice. This results in weaker memory formation and increased memory loss, contributing to the increased vulnerability of females to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that repetitive exposure to environmental hypoxia prevented memory loss and reversed impairments in nerve-to-nerve communication. Adult offspring also inherited this protection against dementia.
Researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology discovered that cells have mechanisms to clear protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and ALS. However, the cells fail to activate these tools due to a lack of understanding or incorrect activation of stress-response chaperones.
Researchers developed a new cell model of the olfactory mucosa, which is impaired in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study provides new insights into the disease pathophysiology, including the potential role of viral infections and air pollutants in brain function.
A team of researchers from MIT created a comprehensive atlas of cerebrovascular cells in human brain tissue, identifying 11 subtypes and their functions. The study reveals differences between healthy and diseased cells, potentially leading to new targets for treating Huntington's disease.
Researchers designed a nanocleaner that specifically targets the blood-brain barrier at lesions to clean toxic proteins like A± and regulate inflammation in Alzheimer's disease. The nanocleaner, containing rapamycin and KLVFF peptide, accelerates ± degradation and alleviates oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory response.
Researchers will test the effectiveness of WeCAN, a group-based treatment designed to teach long-lasting management skills to individuals with traumatic brain injury and dementia. The study aims to identify behavioral, neuroimaging, and blood biomarkers that correlate with treatment efficacy.
Scientists demonstrate a definitive link between mitochondrial oxidative damage and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease using a transgenic mouse model. The study found that Aβ1-42 aggregation in the hippocampus caused cognitive impairment, while oxidation led to mitochondrial dysfunction.
A new study finds that immune cells clear away a key Alzheimer's disease protein on an oscillating daily cycle controlled by circadian rhythms. The discovery provides a potential mechanism linking Alzheimer's disease to disruptions in sleep cycles and may lead to the development of chronotherapeutics.
Researchers from University of Otago hope to identify Alzheimer's risk in middle age with a simple eye test. Thinner retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell layer are linked to cognitive decline, suggesting optical scans could aid diagnosis.
Researchers introduce a genetic mutation that reduces Alzheimer's risk by preventing amyloid plaque formation. The mutation, found in Icelanders, has no known disadvantage and may be used to treat familial and sporadic forms of the disease.
Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that the circadian system influences the immune cells' clearance of Amyloid-Beta 42, a key protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. Boosting daily oscillations could increase clearance and prevent brain damage.
Scientists have engineered baker's yeast to produce D-lysergic acid, a medication used to treat neuro-cognitive diseases. This sustainable method could potentially produce up to five tons of DLA annually, reducing the environmental impact of industrial drug production.
A new study has found that Aboriginal Australians living in urban areas have high dementia rates comparable to those in remote areas. The study highlights the need for culturally appropriate and effective dementia risk reduction strategies due to ongoing social and health disparities.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have made a groundbreaking connection between the gut microbiome and cognitive decline in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Fecal implants induced significant behavioral and cognitive changes in mice, offering new avenues for treating or forestalling dementia.
A study found a three-fold increase in dementia risk among lonely Americans younger than 80 who didn't carry the APOE ε4 allele. Loneliness was associated with poorer executive function and changes in brain structure indicating vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease.
A small study found that COVID patients' brains display similar molecular changes to those with Alzheimer's disease, including increased phosphorylated tau and defective ryanodine receptors. The findings suggest a link between the immune response and neurological symptoms in long COVID patients.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that reducing air pollution exposure can slow cognitive decline in older women, with benefits seen across various demographics. The research followed 2,232 women for up to 20 years, revealing a significant association between improved air quality and reduced cognitive decline.
Neurobiologists demonstrated that humans can unconsciously distinguish between even very similar sounds, but often don't recognize these differences. The study used EEG to measure brain responses to stimuli and found that the brain reacts differently to local and global irregularities in sound sequences.
University of Kentucky researchers found enhanced ApoE proteins in dementia patients without the APOE ε4 allele. The correlation between dementia diagnosis and ApoE peptides was stronger than that seen for Tau, Aβ, or α-Synuclein, suggesting an active disease-driving role for ApoE.
Scientists have found evidence that carnosic acid in rosemary can block SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduce inflammation. The compound has been shown to inhibit the powerful inflammatory pathway active in severe COVID-19 and other diseases.
Dorothee Dormann and Rosa Rademakers are collaborating on a research project to understand the causes of frontotemporal dementia, a group of brain disorders affecting the frontal and temporal lobes. The researchers aim to identify the role of the FUS protein in this disease and its interactions with other proteins.
Researchers discovered increased activity in the hippocampus during anesthesia and sleep, preceding Alzheimer's symptoms by years. This abnormality may enable early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
A recent review highlights the potential of structural proteomics in understanding pathological processes and predicting drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases. The field combines protein chemistry and mass spectrometry to determine protein structure and interactions, which can lead to breakthroughs in treating serious health c...
Researchers developed a new method to screen drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease, shedding light on why current treatments have been ineffective. The study identified new targets for drug development by analyzing disease mechanisms in human neurons.
Researchers found that non-mutated Apolipoprotein E was strongly enriched in dementia patients' brains, correlating with dementia diagnosis. Even those without the disease-driving APOE ε4 allele showed significant levels of ApoE peptides.
A virtual reality 'Shopping Task' has been developed to measure cognition and assess age-related decline. The study found that the immersive environment engaged key brain structures, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex.