Research on Alzheimer's disease, from early signs to new therapies. Covers screening tools, brain damage mechanisms, risk factors, sleep, and drug targets.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered how brain cells form networks of nanotubes to transport toxic molecules, including amyloid-beta, which accumulates in Alzheimer's disease. This finding may advance understanding of the disease and pave the way for potential new therapies.
Researchers at WashU have gained unprecedented views of a protein linked to ALS and FTD, revealing unique shapes that may contribute to disease progression. The discovery opens doors to new approaches for treatment and prevention, with the team planning further experiments to understand the protein's role in health and disease.
A new study finds that benzodiazepines and antipsychotics prescribed to patients with dementia receiving hospice care may carry major unintended risks, including increased mortality. The study highlights two policy issues: lack of oversight of medication use in hospice and a mismatch between hospice policy and dementia care.
A McGill University-led clinical trial shows online brain training exercises can enhance cholinergic function, a chemical system influencing attention, memory, and decision-making. The study found improved cognitive abilities in older adults after 10 weeks of using the game-like app BrainHQ.
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health will unveil a 7-Tesla Terra.X MRI system, providing ultra-high-resolution brain images for diagnosing and studying conditions like dementia and Parkinson's. The technology expands what is possible in research and discovery.
Researchers explored the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol for Alzheimer's disease by assessing its effects on immune responses and neuroinflammation. CBD treatment reduced expression of key regulators for neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's mice, associated with less proinflammatory molecules.
Researchers developed a nanotechnology strategy that reverses Alzheimer's disease by targeting the blood-brain barrier and restoring its natural waste-clearing pathway. The therapy achieved a significant reduction in amyloid-β levels and improved cognitive function in mouse models, showing promise for treating dementia.
Akassoglou's research discovered that blood protein fibrin causes toxic immune reactions in the brain, leading to neurodegeneration and disease progression. Her new immunotherapy aims to neutralize these effects, protecting against Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions.
A new study found that adipose-derived extracellular vesicles, tiny cell messengers in obese individuals, accelerate the buildup of amyloid-β plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope targeting these tiny cell messengers could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with obesity.
A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo identified high levels of neuroinflammation in young individuals with Down syndrome, contributing to the high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. The discovery paves the way for disease prevention strategies and personalized treatments.
Senescent astrocytes lose their ability to support brain endothelial cells, leading to BBB dysfunction. Increased angiotensin signaling is implicated in this process.
Researchers at the University of Bath develop a peptide fragment that locks alpha-synuclein into its healthy shape, blocking toxic clumps that cause nerve cell death. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential of rational peptide design to transform large proteins into compact drug-like molecules.
Researchers found that a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease also strengthens the immune system, offering insights into innovative treatments for cancer, aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The protein, amyloid beta, plays a dual role in the body by damaging brain cells while boosting T-cells' energy production.
Researchers developed a fiber-optic method to track Alzheimer's plaques in freely behaving mice, allowing for real-time monitoring and long-term tracking of pathological changes. The technique uses fluorescent dye to bind specifically to amyloid fibrils and provides a minimally invasive way to study disease progression.
Researchers at USC have developed a groundbreaking brain imaging technique that reveals how tiny blood vessels in the brain pulse with each heartbeat, which may hold clues to aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. The method shows that microvascular pulsatility increases with age, especially in deep white matter, a region critical for co...
A new research network aims to detect early signs of dementia through open-source digital tools. Penn State will lead a $39 million grant to advance Alzheimer's detection and reduce the financial, interpersonal, and health impacts of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study published in Biomaterials has developed a tiny, bioengineered system to deliver anti-inflammatory proteins to specific targets in the brain. The AstroCapsules, which are 300 micrometers in diameter, were confirmed to function when implanted into the brain and reduced neuroinflammation by measuring inflammatory biomarkers.
Leading researchers are advocating for increased diagnostics and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, citing significant advances in research and the availability of new medicines. The European Union has approved two medicines that slow the progression of mild dementia by removing amyloid plaques from the brain.
A new study aims to uncover the link between high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia using a vast repository of blood samples. The project will analyze these samples for biomarkers that diagnose Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University are developing a breakthrough tool to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The new technology uses microvesicles in the blood to identify biomarkers indicating improved neuroplasticity, which can help track the disease's progression.
The USC team is developing a new drug aimed at a previously unexplored biological target in Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on a trigger of brain inflammation. They have identified an enzyme that predisposes the brain to inflammation and are now working to find a drug that can block it without harmful side effects.
Researchers highlight NAD+ supplements as potential key to healthier ageing and disease prevention, but call for larger studies. Early trials report improvements in memory, movement, and metabolism.
New antibody treatments for Alzheimer's disease show promise in slowing progression, but high costs, complex testing, and suboptimal care hinder their potential. Experts call for coordinated global action to reform healthcare systems, public policy, and societal attitudes.
Decades of research reveal immune cells shape the burden of Alzheimer's disease by both speeding up memory loss and protecting against it. New insights could transform treatment approaches and provide more effective outcomes.
A large meta-study of over 12,000 participants reveals that APOE ε4 genotype, female gender and advanced age are significant risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. The study confirms previous research and provides highly reliable prevalence estimates.
A University of Houston researcher found that recording brain activity while listening to a story can help diagnose primary progressive aphasia, a rare neurodegenerative syndrome. The method was up to 75% effective in classifying the disorder's subtypes using machine-learning algorithms and electroencephalography data.
Researchers found that a high-fat diet impairs memory formation in fruit flies by reducing autophagy, a crucial cellular recycling process. This suggests that lifestyle interventions promoting autophagy, such as exercise or intermittent fasting, may improve cognitive decline associated with HFD.
The Mount Sinai Health System has received an $8 million grant from DataPhilanthropy to fuel urgently needed research into CADASIL, a genetic disease associated with migraines, strokes, cognitive decline, and dementia. The center will focus on extending brain healthspan and preventing dementia in individuals with genetic risk for cereb...
A large-scale U.S-based randomized trial shows that intensive lifestyle changes can significantly improve global cognition in older adults at high risk of cognitive decline. The intervention emphasized regular physical activity, healthy diet, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, leading to clinically meaningful improvements. T...
Researchers at Lund University created a digital cognitive test to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in primary care, providing early diagnosis and accurate treatment options. The test measures various aspects of cognitive impairment, increasing the accuracy of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin discovered that nanoplastics can interfere with brain energy production by disrupting the electron transport chain in mitochondria. This finding may have implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and learning/memory issues.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a 'molecular magnifying glass' that allows them to visualize subtle environmental changes in proteins, which can indicate the earliest stages of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer. This tool provides real-time monitoring of protein microenvironment changes in living cells.
Researchers discovered elevated TSPO levels in the brain of genetically engineered mouse models and human patients with familial Alzheimer's disease, indicating a potential biomarker for early detection. The study aims to explore how blocking or enhancing TSPO could halt disease progression.
A study by Aarhus University researchers has identified a defect in the production of exosomes in cells as being associated with mutations seen in dementia patients. This defect may lead to a better understanding and potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from McGill University provides insight into how the brain distinguishes objects from background when finding direction. The research found that specific brain areas fired when mice looked at objects, increasing their perception of where they were relative to the object.
A new study from MIT neuroscientists reveals how rare variants of the ABCA7 gene contribute to Alzheimer's risk by disrupting lipid metabolism and cell membrane function. Treating neurons with choline can reverse some cellular effects of ABCA7 loss.
Researchers used quantitative susceptibility mapping MRI to detect changes in brain tissue linked to iron levels, predicting mild cognitive impairment and later Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that higher iron levels in specific brain areas could spot early changes years before symptoms appeared.
A study by University of Rhode Island Professor Jaime Ross found that microplastic exposure can lead to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's-like conditions in mice carrying genetic risk factors. The research exposed mice to microplastics, resulting in sex-dependent changes in behavior similar to those seen in human Alzheimer's patients.
A UCLA Health study found that only a handful of top Alzheimer's disease organizations in Los Angeles County had features or tools to improve access for Latino and Hispanic families. The study highlights the need for accessible digital solutions to close the existing digital divide among these communities.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals how cells slice built-up protein clumps into manageable pieces to eliminate waste. Researchers discovered a key mechanism involving the proteasomal 19S subunit, which could lead to enhanced autophagy and improved treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A special MRI technique detecting brain iron levels can predict mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Elevated brain iron is linked to higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and faster cognitive decline.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that exergame training improved cognitive performance, memory, and structural brain changes in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The study suggests a potential causal effect of the training on disease-modifying effects and plans for longer-term studies are underway.
A new blood-based biomarker study identifies a link between self-reported cognitive decline and blood-based biomarkers, paving the way for a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The approach could be faster, less-invasive, and more affordable than existing screening tools.
A study found that fine particulate matter air pollution exposure is associated with increased dementia severity and Alzheimer disease neuropathologic changes. Population-based studies are needed to better understand this relationship.
Keith Cole has received a five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging to conduct integrated research on dual decline, mobility, cognition and aging. This research aims to identify predictors and treatment targets for older adults at risk of physical and cognitive decline.
Researchers found that individuals from African American, Hispanic and Asian groups were less likely to have elevated amyloid in the brain based on blood levels of p-tau217. This finding suggests that these groups may have a lower prevalence of amyloid and are not at sufficient risk to qualify for amyloid-lowering trials.
Researchers at UCSF screened hundreds of industrial dyes to identify those that stick to protein clumps in the brain, a hallmark of dementia. They found 10 sure hits that illuminated tau clumps in animal models and human samples, offering new hope for diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in Science Advances found that individuals with 'subjective cognitive decline' (SCD), a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, performed worse on navigation tasks compared to those without SCD. The researchers hope this could lead to more sensitive testing methods for early diagnosis and drug studies.
Researchers found that increased levels of EPS8 drive pathological protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in worms and human cell models. By reducing EPS8 activity, they prevented toxic protein accumulation and preserved neuronal function.
Scientists Sharon Swanger and Shannon Farris study how mitochondria in vulnerable memory circuits become overloaded with calcium, contributing to early memory breakdowns. Their research aims to find early signs of stress or failure in the entorhinal cortex-hippocampus circuit.
A new brainwave test developed at the University of Bath has been shown to detect signs of memory impairment linked to Alzheimer's disease years before clinical diagnosis. The Fastball EEG technology, a three-minute passive test, can reliably identify memory problems in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
A new study reveals that Alzheimer's progression is characterized by a breakdown of epigenomic stability, leading to compromised compartmentalization and the loss of gene regulation. The research provides insights into the molecular mechanisms driving disease progression and resilience, shedding light on potential new treatments.
Researchers found that a high fiber diet reduced Alzheimer's-related frailty and tremor in mice by restoring balance in the gut immune system. This discovery provides a potential new therapeutic pathway for the disease.
Researchers found that people with Alzheimer's disease show more frequent brain reorganization than those without the disease, and this can be used to identify risk. Higher neural flexibility in specific brain networks may also predict transition to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at POSTECH and Korea Brain Research Institute unveil NeuO's mechanism of selective neuron staining through PAK6 kinase phosphorylation. This breakthrough opens path for precise tracking and study of living neurons in brain.
Researchers have found a strong link between abnormal changes in retinal blood vessels and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that routine eye exams could potentially reveal early signs of the condition.
Researchers at Heidelberg University have discovered a key mechanism for Alzheimer's disease, identifying a neurotoxic protein-protein complex responsible for nerve cell death and cognitive decline. A novel pharmacological inhibitor, FP802, has shown promising results in slowing disease progression.
A new study from UC Davis found that people with a higher sense of purpose in life were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment and dementia. Purpose helped the brain stay resilient with age, even for those with a genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from the University of Southern California has found that measuring brain blood flow dynamics may be key to understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease. The research team developed a novel 'physio-marker' called the Cerebrovascular Dynamics Index (CDI) using non-invasive Doppler ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy.
A new study published in Sleep Medicine found that daily sleep patterns have a significant impact on cognitive function. Researchers discovered that individuals with moderate-to-regular sleep patterns performed better in cognitive assessments than those with highly irregular or rigid sleep patterns.