Research on Alzheimer's disease, from early signs to new therapies. Covers screening tools, brain damage mechanisms, risk factors, sleep, and drug targets.
Researchers from Osaka University found that quercetin in buckwheat liquor induces autophagy, a process that cleans up damaged proteins, and aggrephagy, which removes protein aggregates. This could lead to new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and alcoholic liver disease.
A new study shows that having someone available to listen can improve cognitive resilience and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The study found that individuals with higher listener availability had better cognitive function despite similar physical aging or disease-related changes.
Researchers investigated association between social support, cognitive function, and brain marker for Alzheimer's vulnerability. They found that different forms of social support were related to brain volume and cognition.
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to show that cholesterol regulates the production of Amyloid Beta (Aβ) in the brain, a key feature of Alzheimer's disease. Cholesterol helps maintain clusters of molecules called lipid rafts, where enzymes cleave Aβ.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will study the genomics of Alzheimer's disease in people of African heritage across the US. The study aims to address the lack of diversity in existing genetic research and identify novel risk factors for the disease.
Researchers at Niigata University have identified a key pathway involving the protein optineurin that may contribute to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. The study found that optineurin inhibits the formation of stress-induced TDP-43 protein aggregates in motor neurons, which are a hallmark of ALS.
A study found a significant association between higher tau concentrations and lower physical activity with increased cognitive decline rates in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that increasing physical activity may help slow cognitive decline.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have successfully used a synthetic compound to regulate the TREM2 gene, implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. The findings raise hope for developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The National Institute on Aging's $280 million investment in small businesses has advanced research on care interventions, diagnostic tools, and therapies for Alzheimer's disease. This funding has enabled the commercialization of technologies such as ActivePERS and PrecivityAD, which aim to improve care and diagnosis.
Scientists discovered beige fat cells mediate subcutaneous fat's brain protection and provide anti-inflammatory effects. Beige fat transplantation restored cognitive function in obese mice with dementia-like behavior.
Researchers discover that a slightly acidic environment is conducive to the formation of Alzheimer's disease-causing toxic protein aggregates, known as Aβ oligomers. The study also reveals that endosomes and lysosomes play a crucial role in their development.
The University of North Florida will lead a six-site study using computerized cognitive training to improve cognition and potentially prevent dementia. The five-year study aims to recruit 1001 participants from the Jacksonville area, with a focus on African American and Hispanic populations.
Researchers have successfully characterized a new form of toxic Aβ42 fibrils in Alzheimer's disease using sensitivity-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The study paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting these aggregates that drive AD progression.
Researchers from the University of Washington identified a strong link between fine particulate air pollution and an increased risk of dementia. A 1 microgram per cubic meter difference in PM2.5 pollution was associated with a 16% greater incidence of dementia, highlighting the potential neurodegenerative effects of air pollution.
A comprehensive review of keto diets found potential health risks, including increased heart disease risk, cancer risk, and adverse effects on pregnant women and kidney patients. For most people, the possible long-term benefits of a keto diet are outweighed by its potential drawbacks.
The American Academy of Family Physicians is investigating an 'educational' session promoting dairy products linked to increased risk of prostate cancer and other diseases disproportionately affecting African Americans. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine filed a complaint, citing standards set by the Accreditation Counci...
The NIH has launched Outreach Pro, an online tool designed to improve recruitment of underrepresented populations in Alzheimer's clinical trials. The platform provides customizable participant recruitment communications and culturally appropriate outreach materials.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has launched Outreach Pro, a new online tool to help increase awareness and participation in Alzheimer's clinical trials among traditionally underrepresented communities. The tool allows researchers to create customizable recruiting materials with an emphasis on reaching diverse populations.
Research found associations between COVID-19 and persistent cognitive deficits, including brain fog, loss of smell, and acceleration of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Biological markers of brain injury and neuroinflammation correlate with neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
Researchers developed a non-invasive optical technique using spectroscopy to identify structural changes in the brain and diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The new technology has potential as a simple, completely non-invasive method of early detection and could also assess treatment effectiveness.
Research reveals that transgender and gender nonbinary adults experience higher rates of subjective cognitive decline, depression, and functional limitations compared to cisgender adults. The findings highlight the need for culturally competent healthcare services to address the unique needs of aging transgender individuals.
Researchers found that cardiometabolic abnormality, such as hypertension and high cholesterol, were more strongly associated with cognitive function and decline than obesity alone. Individuals with obesity and cardiometabolic abnormality had lower performance results on testing and greater cognitive decline.
A phase 2 study found that riluzole slowed brain metabolic decline and improved cognitive performance in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The drug targets glutamate dysregulation thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's.
A group of six leading Alzheimer's experts has made the first recommendations for the appropriate use of aducanumab (Aduhelm), a newly approved treatment for early Alzheimer's disease. The guidelines aim to provide clinicians with greater clarity and specificity in using the new treatment.
Researchers estimate global dementia cases will nearly triple to 152 million by 2050 due to a combination of factors, including aging population growth and increasing risk factors like obesity and heart health issues. The highest increase is projected in eastern sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Researchers recreated damage seen in a widely studied form of frontotemporal dementia by growing special types of cerebral organoids. The study found that the mutated tau protein triggers the death of specific class of neurons, which can be prevented with an experimental drug.
Reducing fine particulates and traffic-related pollutants in the air may lower dementia risk by 14-26% and slow cognitive decline. Studies found that older women living in cleaner areas experienced fewer cases of dementia and slower brain function deterioration.
A research team at VIB-KU Leuven discovered the early assembly of gamma-secretase, a protein complex involved in plaque production and linked to Alzheimer's disease. The 'buckle up' mechanism prevents premature assembly and activity, allowing for precise regulation of gamma-secretase activity.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a framework to detect Alzheimer's disease and other forms of neurodegeneration using cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. The ATN framework, which includes three biomarkers, has been shown to provide accurate diagnoses for patients with frontotemporal degeneration.
Russian scientists have synthesized chemical compounds that activate intracellular mechanisms to combat neurodegenerative pathologies. These substances increase the survival of neuronal cells in cellular models of Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury, offering a breakthrough treatment for brain diseases.
Scientists developed a label-free optical microscopy approach that can image deep brain cells with high resolution and minimal invasiveness. They used the 1700 nm water absorption window to visualize neuronal cell architecture across the entire depth of the mouse neocortex, revealing severe pathology in deep but not superficial cortex.
A study of 1,978 people with an average age of 80 found that those who engaged in cognitively stimulating activities such as reading and playing card games delayed the onset of Alzheimer's dementia by up to five years. The research suggests that it may be beneficial to start doing these things, even in your 80s.
A new study in Nature reveals a subset of astrocytes releasing interleukin-3 (IL-3) to convert killer microglial cells into nurturing and protective ones, potentially warding off Alzheimer's disease. This mechanism may provide a new therapeutic opportunity to combat neurological diseases.
A new machine-learning model uses vocal features from phone conversations to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The study found a novel prediction model that can detect dementia risk using telephone conversations.
A new University of Arizona Health Sciences study found that women on hormone therapy were significantly less likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. The study suggests a precision medicine approach to preventing these diseases by using individualized hormone therapies.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified potential new treatment targets for Alzheimer's disease, focusing on defective proteins and existing FDA-approved drugs. The study provides hope for clinical trials to begin sooner, targeting brain damage caused by amyloid buildup.
Researchers discover new insights into gut-brain axis, finding microbiome manipulation may treat devastating neurological disorders. Probiotic treatment improves ALS symptoms by restoring gene expression patterns and function.
A new signaling pathway has been identified in fruit flies that causes neural cells to divide after damage, a process similar to what occurs in Alzheimer's Disease. Researchers hope to apply this knowledge to prevent abnormal cell division and neuronal death in humans.
Aducanumab, a monoclonal antibody approved for Alzheimer's disease, has no proven benefits in treating cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), according to doctors. The FDA approval opens the door for off-label use, but experts caution against it due to safety concerns and lack of evidence.
A new grant from the NIH is supporting the development of an AI-powered smartphone app that scans speech and vocabulary patterns to catch early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The app aims to provide affordable and accessible self-assessment technology, potentially encouraging patients to seek help sooner.
Researchers found that LSL60101 improved cognitive deficit and biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease in animal models. The compound acts on I2 imidazoline receptors, which are altered in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
The study seeks to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with infection in Alzheimer's disease development. Researchers will analyze the role of peripheral and brain infections using transgenic mice, human samples, and novel in vitro techniques.
The National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD) at IU School of Medicine has been renewed with a $30 million NIA grant over five years. The repository supports research on causes, early detection, and therapeutic development for Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a novel disease-modifying therapeutic candidate SAK3 that rescues neurons in most protein-misfolding neurodegenerative diseases. SAK3 administration significantly prevented progression of neurodegenerative behaviors, including cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction.
Researchers at UC University challenge prevailing Alzheimer's theory by discovering that normalizing brain protein levels can prevent cognitive impairment. The study found a correlation between high levels of soluble amyloid-beta peptide and normal cognition, suggesting future therapies should focus on replenishing these proteins.
Researchers have developed a new mouse model that mimics Alzheimer's neurodegeneration without relying on the pathogenic proteins amyloid or Tau. The GluN3A knockout mouse model highlights the role of calcium and neuronal hyperactivity in driving neurodegeneration, providing potential leads for new treatments and preventive strategies.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered that disulfide bonds on certain amino acids stabilize tau protein, leading to its accumulation and triggering neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The study suggests that targeting these chemical groups may lead to novel treatments to reduce or prevent tau accumulation.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that low-intensity ultrasound can effectively restore cognition without crossing the blood-brain barrier in mice models. The findings provide a potential new avenue for non-invasive treatment and will help clinicians tailor medical treatments to individual disease progressions.
The research data provides insights into the biology of Alzheimer's disease among Mexican Americans, highlighting lower levels of beta amyloid protein and earlier onset of cognitive loss compared to non-Latino whites. This comprehensive study is a first-of-its-kind examination of health disparities and diagnostic opportunities for unde...
A new AI model can quantify individual deviations from typical aging trajectories in patients with mild cognitive impairment, indicating potential for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The study found that the model's predicted age difference was significantly associated with cognitive decline and progression to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers detected changes in fractal motor activity regulation (FMAR) patterns in cognitively healthy adults, particularly among women, which were associated with preclinical Alzheimer's disease pathology. FMAR may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for testing and screening AD.
A new review suggests chronic psychosocial stress contributes to Alzheimer's development by impacting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to neurodegeneration and dementia. Genetic factors influencing this axis may also affect inflammation, further increasing disease risk.
Researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid have developed a method to measure the roughness of retinal layers, which indicates the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The study uses fractal dimension analysis and can be used for quick and low-cost testing.
Researchers found that higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12 and IFN-γ, are associated with slower cognitive decline in aging adults with amyloid beta deposits in their brains. Elevated levels of IL-12 were also linked to fewer tau tangles and better brain health outcomes.
The study found that gantenerumab reduced amyloid plaques, lowered soluble tau and phospho-tau levels, and slowed neurofilament light chain rise in participants with dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease. The drug showed potential benefit as a secondary endpoint.
Researchers found that a protein associated with reduced heart disease also protects against Alzheimer's-like brain damage in mice. Increasing levels of LDL receptor may slow or stop cognitive decline, offering a promising treatment strategy for dementia.
A new study found that statin therapy is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly trial and found no significant difference in the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment between statin users and non-...
Researchers have identified cyclic peptides from the butterfly pea plant as potential therapeutic solutions for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. The peptides protected neurons against β-amyloid toxicity and oxidative stress in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have identified structural elements on human prions that drive their replication in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to a new strategy to stop Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, as scientists explore ways to bind to these sites to block progression.
A FDA advisory panelist outlines numerous issues with aducanumab's accelerated approval for Alzheimer's disease, including uncertainty regarding its clinical benefits and safety. The approval may lead to a substantial financial burden on American families due to the already substantial cost of the disease.