Research on Alzheimer's disease, from early signs to new therapies. Covers screening tools, brain damage mechanisms, risk factors, sleep, and drug targets.
A study by University of South Florida Health researchers suggests that fenchol, a natural compound in basil, can help reduce neurotoxic amyloid-beta in the brain. Fenchol stimulates FFAR2 signaling, reducing senescent neuronal cells and increasing Aβ degradation.
Researchers found that a cancer chemotherapy drug can restore memory and cognitive function in mice with Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting blood vessel growth. The study suggests repurposing approved anti-cancer drugs as treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, potentially shortening clinical development time.
The study found no significant causal relationship between genetically determined age at menarche or menopause and AD risk. However, an inverse association was detected between age at menarche and body mass index. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Researchers at Uppsala University have designed new antibodies that bind to both large and small aggregates of the amyloid-beta protein, potentially providing a more effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The new antibody format is stronger in binding to clumps and can also target smaller aggregates.
Researchers found that early accumulation of tau proteins in the brain, measured by PET scanner, is more effective at predicting memory impairment than other biomarkers. The study suggests that tau PET should be recommended for clinical prognostic assessment of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers found that vitamin B12 supplementation improved movement in worms with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, suggesting a potential link between diet and disease progression. The team also discovered that vitamin B12 relies on an enzyme called methionine synthase to work, and its effects are limited to those with dietary deficiencies.
The Buck Institute has been awarded a $14.3 million grant from the NIH to study cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging, as a driver of Alzheimer's disease and other age-related dementias. Researchers will investigate new mechanisms that can be developed into interventions to treat patients.
A new study led by UCSF indicates that depression in early adulthood can increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. The research found that moderate or high depressive symptoms were associated with a 73% higher odds of cognitive impairment among older participants.
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes impairs working memory performance by altering the connection between key brain regions. Researchers found that areas critical for forming and retrieving memories were over-connected, leading to errors in remembering correct information.
A Phase 2 clinical trial found that levetiracetam improved cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients with epileptic activity, particularly those under 65 when symptoms began. The study demonstrated a clear benefit from the medication for this subtype of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a potential blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's disease using atomic force microscopy technology. The test analyzes protein fibers made up of beta-amyloid peptides and tau proteins, which accumulate in patients' blood cells, indicating the stage of the disease.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered a small molecule that potently attenuates neuroinflammation in brain and glial cells. This finding presents a promising new approach to treat neurological diseases driven by neuroinflammation, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and neuropathic pain.
A UMass Lowell researcher has received a $2.7 million grant to develop models that predict how Alzheimer's disease advances. The study will use machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to analyze patient imaging data and make personalized predictions of future tau buildup.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital are testing a novel light therapy to slow Alzheimer's debilitating effects, aiming to improve both cognition and sleep. The treatment involves flashing pulses of light designed to enhance electrical brain waves and reset the sleep-wake cycle.
Researchers at the University of Colorado will test an online decision aid to improve firearm safety for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The study aims to reduce firearm injuries and deaths while promoting older adult independence and autonomy.
Researchers found a higher MIND diet score associated with better memory and thinking skills, independently of Alzheimer's disease pathology. The diet may contribute to cognitive resilience in the elderly, with potential benefits for brain health.
Researchers studied mice with Alzheimer's disease and found that pain sensitivity is maintained throughout the disease progression. Females are more sensitive to pain, while males experience greater emotional distress, highlighting age- and sex-specific responses to pain in Alzheimer's disease.
A pioneering EEG test has shown high effectiveness in detecting small changes in brain waves associated with memory recall. The passive test could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving patient outcomes.
A two-hour glucose tolerance test is linked to cognitive decline in a 10-year follow-up study. Higher blood glucose levels measured in the test were associated with weaker performance in a memory test and a greater decline in results.
A new algorithm uses amyloid PET scans to gauge brain levels of Alzheimer's protein and estimate when symptoms will arise. By analyzing age and single scan data, the algorithm yields an estimate of how far a person has progressed toward dementia.
A Bristol-led research team has identified specific receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that re-route information flowing through memory circuits in the hippocampus. The discovery holds promise for developing new, safer treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Ground-breaking Curtin University-led research has discovered a probable 'blood-to-brain pathway' that can lead to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that toxic protein deposits may leak into the brain from fat-carrying particles in blood, opening up potential new treatments.
A new study found that cholesterol produced by astrocytes is required for controlling amyloid beta production, leading to the accumulation of insoluble plaques. Blocking this cholesterol manufacturing reduced amyloid beta production in lab mice, offering a potential strategy against Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discovered that amyloid beta peptides, which form gummy plaques in Alzheimer's disease, go through several intermediate stages of frustration as they dock and lock to growing fibrils. This suggests that drugs might be developed to stabilize the fibril tips and block further aggregation by targeting the 'Achilles' heel' of f...
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago found a potential direct connection between neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), glaucoma, and herpesvirus. The study suggests OPTN protein restricts HSV-1 virus spread in cells.
A new study published in PNAS has identified 33 metabolic compounds associated with dementia, which could aid in diagnosis and treatment. The researchers found that levels of these metabolites differed significantly between patients with dementia and healthy elderly individuals.
A study led by Ruixue Zhaoyang found that frequent and pleasant social interactions can boost cognitive performance in older adults. Participants who reported more social interactions had better cognitive performance on the same day and for days following.
Researchers found that over 92% of patients with Alzheimer's disease related dementia met at least one aducanumab trial exclusion criterion, highlighting the need for additional research on high-risk groups. The study suggests that Medicare should restrict coverage for aducanumab to eligible patients only.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley have been designated as a new National Institute on Aging (NIA)-designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The centers aim to promote research collaboration, encourage data sharing, and offer information and clinical trials f...
A large Swedish study found a link between ADHD and dementia across generations. Parents of individuals with ADHD had a 34% higher risk of dementia compared to those without ADHD, while grandparents had a 10% increased risk.
The National Institute on Aging has expanded its network of cutting-edge Alzheimer's disease and related dementias centers, with two new centers in North Carolina and Texas. The Duke/University of North Carolina ADRC will focus on understanding age-related changes across the lifespan and identifying disparities in dementia among differ...
The new center will focus on identifying age-related changes that impact the development, progression, and experience of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Researchers will also investigate how factors such as race, age, female sex, and genetic predisposition contribute to racial and geographic disparities in dementia.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified two distinct patterns of alpha-synuclein accumulations in the olfactory bulb, associated with differing disease types of dementia with Lewy bodies. These findings support the classification of the disease into two distinct forms, one progressing to the amygdala and another to th...
Researchers found that patients taking omega-3 supplements showed stable memory function compared to those in the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in biomarkers in spinal fluid samples. The study provides valuable insights into the potential effects of omega-3 on Alzheimer's disease.
A deep learning-based method developed by Kaunas University of Technology researchers can predict the possible onset of Alzheimer's disease from brain images with an accuracy of over 99%. The algorithm was trained on functional MRI images from 138 subjects and performed better than previously developed methods.
A new brain model developed by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital has identified specific forms of amyloid beta-protein and tau protein associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The model uses induced pluripotent stem cell lines from over 50 individuals, providing a powerful experimental system for understandi...
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences are investigating the biological complexities of Alzheimer's disease in women during midlife aging. The study aims to reveal transformations in the brain that lead to greater risk of Alzheimer's, with a focus on the menopausal transition.
Research found a strong correlation between Aβ42 peptide levels in companion dog brains and cognitive decline, supporting the use of dogs as models for Alzheimer's disease. The study's results demonstrate the potential of canine cognitive dysfunction as a tool for understanding human aging and age-related diseases.
Scientists have found that misfolded tau protein accumulates RNA tags called N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) in nerve cells, leading to neurodegeneration. Inhibiting this RNA-tagging pathway shows promise as a potential approach to treat Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study by MPIDR researchers found that participating in the labor market until age 67 slows cognitive decline and protects against cognitive impairment. This effect holds regardless of gender or educational/occupational attainment, with a slowed rate of cognitive decline rather than improved function.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that restoring DAXX protein levels can prevent the misfolding of proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers. This finding could lead to new targeted approaches for treating these diseases, including reducing neurodegeneration and tumor growth.
The Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center will receive funding to accelerate research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The center aims to develop individualized treatment approaches for individuals with aging-associated brain disorders.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that brain tissue inflammation is a key driver of Alzheimer's disease progression. By targeting neuroinflammation, they believe combination therapy could be more effective in reducing amyloid plaque formation and limiting tau fiber spread.
Researchers found that astrocytes carrying the AD-associated APOE4 gene released more cholesterol, leading to increased beta-amyloid production in neurons. This study suggests modulating brain cholesterol could be a potential treatment option for Alzheimer's disease.
Georgia State University researcher Vince Calhoun has received a $3.5 million grant to develop new methods for capturing dynamic connectivity in the brain and identifying biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers aim to analyze real-time connectivity patterns to predict future cognitive decline.
A recent study found that fine particle pollution, specifically PM2.5, may contribute to the disproportionate number of African American women affected by dementia. Despite adjusting for various risk factors, Black women still had double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to white women.
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation has provided NeuroVision Imaging Inc. with additional funding to accelerate the development of a novel blood-based lab test that can predict dementia before clinical onset. This technology has the potential to make diagnostic testing more practical, less invasive and less costly.
A new study published in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that dementia-related deaths have increased over the past 20 years, becoming the most common cause of death among people diagnosed with dementia. The growth may reflect improved diagnostic rates and a greater understanding of dementia as a fatal disease.
Researchers identified physical binding sites for cholesterol in GIRK channels, which play a role in neurodegenerative diseases. The study provides structural insights into how cholesterol alters channel function, paving the way for drug development.
Researchers found increased capillary blood flow in mice brains during REM sleep, indicating a possible role of adenosine A2a receptors in brain refreshing. This unique state may be crucial for waste removal from the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease development.
A new study from University of California - San Diego suggests that protein deposits in the retina and brain may be a sign of Alzheimer's disease risk. Retinal imaging may potentially serve as an early biomarker for detecting AD risk, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional brain scans.
A recent study found that regular physical exercise modulates iron homeostasis in both the brain and skeletal muscle of mice with Alzheimer's disease. The results suggest that IL-6 is a key modulator of hepcidin in exercise-induced brain iron modulation, which may help explain why exercise is beneficial for AD prevention or treatment.
Researchers identified a large list of candidate genes associated with alcohol consumption and AUD, including SPI1 and MAPT. These genes are linked to other psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists developed a new mouse line to study protein balance and quality control in the mammalian brain. The research revealed that different neurodegenerative diseases have distinct protein misfolding patterns, offering insights into potential therapeutic options.
Chronic light exposure disrupts circadian rhythms in rats, leading to memory deficits and amyloid β accumulation similar to Alzheimer's disease. Fluoxetine treatment prevents these effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
A study from Lund University reveals that Alzheimer's protein accumulates inside nerve cells, leading to increased production and potentially devastating effects. The research suggests that targeting misfolded amyloid-beta within cells may be a more effective approach than focusing on plaques outside the brain.
Researchers at UC San Diego have discovered the main components driving amyloid beta-associated synapse degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. They found that blocking a toxic signaling pathway can protect synapses and preserve cognitive function, offering a potential therapeutic agent.
A study published in Cell Reports found that a protein called 5MP can regulate abnormal cellular translation and reduce neuronal decay. By increasing 5MP levels, researchers were able to repress neuronal toxicity and enhance the lifespan of affected flies.
Researchers at HKUST have developed a novel genome-editing strategy to reduce Alzheimer's disease pathologies in genetically modified mouse models. The technology offers immense potential as a long-acting therapeutic treatment for AD patients, with lasting effects that prevent amyloid-related neurodegeneration.
A defective KCNQ3 channel disrupts the brain's navigation system, leading to disorganized place cell activity patterns. This study provides new insights into the role of KCNQ3 channels in Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders, suggesting potential targets for future drug research.