Articles tagged with Alzheimer Disease
Researchers have discovered a new class of small molecules that can break up and remove amyloid clumps in the brain, potentially providing a therapeutic application for Alzheimer's disease. These compounds also show potential to cross the blood-brain barrier, protecting the brain from harmful substances.
Researchers have found that in late-onset Alzheimer's disease, beta-amyloid is produced at a normal rate but not cleared efficiently from the brain. This discovery may lead to improved biomarker measures for early diagnosis and new treatment approaches.
Researchers found that acetylcholine facilitates NMDA receptors by inhibiting SK channels, allowing for enhanced learning and memory. The discovery provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying learning and memory, with potential therapeutic applications for Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas have discovered a family of small molecules that protect brain cells against nerve-degenerative diseases. The compounds, developed by SMU and UT Dallas scientists, showed promise in tissue culture models and animal models of neurodegeneration.
Researchers developed detailed models of brain energy metabolism to explain why some neurons die in Alzheimer's disease, while others remain unaffected. The models identified a key enzyme that allows GABAergic neurons to survive despite disrupted gene function.
Researchers found that dynamic Hsp27 regulation is crucial for clearing abnormal tau protein and preventing neurofibrillary tangles. Effective Hsp27 switching promotes tau recycling in healthy nerve cells and clears brain abnormalities.
Researchers found reduced enzyme activity in young adult brains carrying the APOE4 gene, a common Alzheimer's risk factor. The study suggests mitochondrial changes contribute to disease risk, providing a potential target for prevention therapies.
A 10-year study found that walking at least five miles per week protects brain structure and slows cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment. The study also showed that physical activity levels are correlated with MRI results and reduced the risk of cognitive decline.
Scientists discovered that increasing EphB2 levels can fix memory problems caused by amyloid proteins in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that blocking amyloid proteins from binding to EphB2 and enhancing its functions may be beneficial for AD treatment.
Researchers found that metformin counteracts alterations of cell structure protein Tau in mice nerve cells, a main cause of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests metformin may be an effective therapy for Alzheimer's diseases if confirmed in humans.
Research found that a high-fat cholesterol diet in rats caused memory impairment, inflammation, and brain damage similar to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a possible link between chronic high cholesterol levels and the pathology of this disease.
Researchers used computer models to illuminate protein behavior in crowded cells, revealing enzyme activity was 15 times more active. This discovery can aid in designing efficient therapeutic means for diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.
A new study suggests that regular exercise can improve brain function and reduce cognitive decline risk in people carrying a high-risk gene for Alzheimer's disease. Participants who exercised showed greater brain activity in memory-related regions compared to sedentary counterparts.
Researchers at Temple University found that 5-lipoxygenase plays a regulatory role in amyloid beta formation, a major component of Alzheimer's plaques. Asthma inhibitors may prevent or treat the disease by modulating this protein.
Reduced pericyte levels have been found to disrupt blood flow and worsen the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, allowing toxic substances to reach brain tissue. This can lead to structural damage to neurons, impaired learning and memory, and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study by Rush University Medical Center researchers found structural brain changes in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Those who progressed to the disease showed thinning of cortical areas receiving input from a specific brain region.
Researchers have identified brain changes in people with Alzheimer's disease, suggesting new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. These findings may help identify individuals at risk and improve early detection, potentially leading to more treatable stages of the disease.
A family history of Alzheimer's disease significantly increases the risk for developing the disorder, with a new study suggesting that which parent has the disease is crucial. Researchers found altered levels of amyloid and oxidative stress proteins in adult children of mothers with Alzheimer's, increasing their risk.
A new study reveals that APP695 is the primary source of amyloid-beta peptide, a toxic compound contributing to Alzheimer's disease. This discovery enables researchers to target their work more precisely, potentially leading to a better understanding and treatment of the disease.
A new study published in Neurology found that middle age women whose cholesterol levels decline are at a 2.5 times greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia than those whose cholesterol stayed the same or increased over time.
A new study suggests that mid-life cholesterol levels may not be linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, but large decreases in cholesterol in old age could be a better predictor. After 32 years, women with the greatest decline in cholesterol were more than twice as likely to develop dementia.
Researchers will test culturally relevant intervention, behavior activation (BA), to prevent cognitive decline in older African-Americans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The 24-month study aims to demonstrate that BA can boost public health efforts and encourage active lifestyles.
Researchers discover that amyloid beta disrupts an anti-oxidant protein called catalase, causing neural damage. A new coating molecule protects catalase from amyloid's harmful effects, restoring its function and potentially treating Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by UC Davis researchers reveals that silent vascular disease is common among healthy, active older adults and can lead to subtle deficits in mental functioning. The study found that white matter hyperintensities are associated with greater declines in global cognition over time.
A Canadian research team found that bilingual individuals experienced a delay in the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms by as much as five years. The study analyzed clinical records of over 200 patients and found that bilingualism contributed to cognitive reserve, delaying symptom onset.
Gladstone scientists discovered a process by which Alzheimer's disease spreads through the brain, starting in vulnerable regions like the entorhinal cortex. The study suggests targeting this region could be an effective therapeutic approach.
A randomized controlled trial of DHA supplementation in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease found no beneficial effect on cognitive and functional decline. The study included 402 participants who received either DHA or a placebo for 18 months. No significant difference was observed in the rate of brain atrophy, ADAS-c...
Dr. Charles DeCarli, an international leader in neuroimaging, has received the 2010 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking research on imaging of the aging brain and its connection to vascular diseases.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that heavy smoking in midlife is associated with a 157% increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 172% increased risk of vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is caused by conditions affecting the blood supply to the brain.
A large cohort study found that heavy smoking in middle age was associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that smoking may affect the development of dementia through both vascular and neurodegenerative pathways.
Researchers at the Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research have found that peripheral administration of misfolded protein fragments can induce Alzheimer's-like brain pathology in mice. This discovery provides new clues on the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and may lead to new strategies for prevention and treatment.
A seven-year study found that higher levels of vitamin B12 reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease by two percent, while low homocysteine levels were associated with a 16% increased risk. The study suggests that vitamin B12 may be used as a supplement to help protect memory.
A new Penn study has found a class of drug that can enter the brain and stabilize degenerating neurons in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. The epothilone D class of microtubule-stabilizing drugs may offer hope for treatment by restoring microtubule tracks to their original supportive structure.
Lowering STEP protein levels reversed cognitive deficits in mice with Alzheimer's disease, according to a Yale University study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research found that reducing STEP levels is sufficient to reverse cognitive defects in mice without the Alzheimer's mutation.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered that ApoE4 causes learning and memory deficits by impairing GABAergic interneuron function. The study found that apoE4-dependent deficits were rescued by pentobarbital, a compound that enhances GABA action.
Researchers found a common denominator between Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease: PGC-1, a key regulator of glucose. Decreased PGC-1 levels may contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression by promoting beta-secretase degradation.
A new definition of Alzheimer's disease has been proposed to diagnose the condition earlier and select patients for trials of disease-modifying treatments. The revised definition includes biomarkers as a key diagnostic feature, enabling diagnosis at an earlier stage, and allows for more precise selection of patients for clinical trials.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have created an experimental vaccine that stimulates more than 10 times as many antibodies against beta-amyloid as similar DNA vaccines. The new approach shows promise in generating enough antibodies to be useful clinically in treating patients.
Scientists have discovered a close link between elevated iron levels and the production of brain-destroying plaques found in Alzheimer's patients. The findings lay the foundation for new therapies to slow or stop iron buildup, which contributes to the disease.
A study by Saint Louis University scientist John E. Morley found that low testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in older Chinese men. The study, which analyzed data from 153 participants, also revealed elevated ApoE 4 protein levels and high blood pressure as additional risk factors.
UT Southwestern researchers have found a set of proteins in blood serum that shows promise as a sensitive and accurate way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The analysis proved 94 percent accurate in detecting suspected Alzheimer's and 84 percent accurate in ruling it out in people without the disease.
Researchers aim to establish dosing and safety guidelines for transplanting human umbilical cord blood cells into animal models of Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to gain FDA approval for clinical trials with patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
A UTHealth researcher has been awarded a three-year grant to develop an early biochemical diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to detect the disease years before symptoms appear, allowing for treatment to begin earlier and potentially preventing death.
Researchers developed a questionnaire that relies on friends and family to evaluate cognitive changes, which corresponded with biomarker results more consistently than traditional cognitive tests. The Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) tool provides a brief and low-cost alternative for identifying individuals who need follow-up evaluations.
A genome-wide association study has identified a gene, MTHFD1L, associated with an increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with a particular variation in this gene may be twice as likely to develop the disease.
A team of researchers has identified a gene, MTHFD1L, that appears to increase the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study found individuals with the variation may be nearly twice as likely to develop the disease compared to those without the variation.
Researchers found that tau acetylation contributes to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibiting tau acetylation may be a new approach for reducing tau-related pathology.
Researchers found that patients with occupations requiring high verbal skills had greater tissue loss on the right side of the brain, while those with low verbal skills had greater loss on the left. This effect was most pronounced in the temporal lobes of the brain.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have identified neutral sphingomyelinase as a key player in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. By inhibiting this protein, they were able to prevent activated brain cells and beta-amyloid from killing neurons.
The World Alzheimer Report 2010 estimates that dementia costs $604 billion globally, with the problem set to accelerate in coming years. The report urges governments worldwide to take immediate action to address the social and health consequences of dementia.
Researchers identified a genetic marker associated with rapid progression of Alzheimer's disease, which may lead to drug treatment targeting tau accumulation. The discovery helps determine the rate at which Alzheimer's patients develop full-blown dementia after diagnosis.
A genetic marker linked to elevated tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid predicts rapid progression of Alzheimer's disease. The marker is associated with higher tau levels and more severe dementia in patients, offering new insights into the disease's progression.
A study published in Neurology found that mild memory changes are caused by brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's and other dementias, contradicting the long-held notion that age is a primary factor. The study involved over 350 participants and showed a rapid decline in cognitive function in the last four to five years of life.
A study analyzing protein biomarkers in blood serum identified individuals with Alzheimer's disease with high accuracy. The findings suggest an inflammatory subtype of the disease and hold potential for targeted therapeutics.
Scientists have discovered a strategy to prevent Alzheimer's-associated traffic jams in the brain by reducing tau protein levels. By blocking amyloid beta proteins, which disrupt transport of vital cargoes between brain cells, researchers found that tau reduction effectively prevents such traffic jams.
The Kennedy Krieger Institute will conduct research on the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. The studies aim to establish criteria for early diagnosis and develop methods to identify mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers have synthesized hundreds of new compounds that can specifically reduce A-beta 42 levels in the brain, a primary component of Alzheimer's disease. The compounds, called gamma-secretase modulators, were tested in mouse models and showed promising results, reducing neuritic plaques and A-beta 42 levels.
Researchers found that NGP 555 selectively targets gamma secretase, reducing Aβ42 and amyloid pathology in a transgenic mouse model. Chronic administration led to significant reduction in diffuse and neuritic plaques without GI side effects.
A recent UCI study discovered that liver defects may be a likely cause of low levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in Alzheimer's patients. The research found that DHA is not only essential for brain health but also plays a crucial role in preventing the neurodegenerative disease.
Scientists at NPL have developed a new strategy for quicker and more precise detection of biomarkers, proteins indicating disease. This approach uses a probe to 'fish' for likely proteins in crowded blood samples, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's and cancer.