Articles tagged with Alzheimer Disease
A study by Robert A. Sweet MD establishes that Alzheimer's disease with psychosis (AD+P) may aggregate in families, suggesting a genetic link. The presence of psychotic symptoms in AD patients is also linked to aggressive behavior, rapid decline, and early institutionalization.
The Emory study uses the COGNIShunt device to drain off toxins from the cerebrospinal fluid, a potential breakthrough in treating Alzheimer's disease. The 18-month trial aims to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and its impact on patients' symptoms.
A new blood test was developed using a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, which can detect amyloid plaques and predict dementia risk. The test uses a protein called Ab40, which is not reflective of brain pathology unless an antibody is injected into the animal.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute develop a new drug-discovery strategy using click chemistry to create a potent inhibitor against the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This breakthrough allows the target enzyme to select and catalyze its own synthesis, resulting in a highly effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study suggests that galanin, previously thought to be detrimental to Alzheimer's patients, may actually enhance acetylcholine release from remaining cholinergic basal forebrain neurons. This compensatory role could delay disease progression and inform the development of galanin antagonists as a potential treatment option.
Researchers found that folic acid deficiency led to decreased neurons and increased homocysteine levels, causing DNA damage in the hippocampus. Adequate folate intake helped repair this damage, suggesting a possible cause-effect relationship between folic acid and Alzheimer's disease prevention
A first-of-its-kind clinical study presented at the AAGP meeting shows that treatment with ARICEPT significantly improved cognitive and global function in patients with vascular dementia. The study, which included 616 patients, found improvements in both cognitive abilities and overall functioning.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified chromosomal regions linked to the age at onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The study found evidence for age-at-onset genes on chromosomes 10, 1, 4, and 8, which could lead to new avenues of research to delay disease onset.
Elevated homocysteine levels are strongly linked to increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, doubling the chance of developing AD. The study found that consistently high homocysteine levels throughout the period of the study were at highest risk for dementia and AD.
A study by scientists at Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center found that more frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research showed a 33% reduction in risk for each one-point increase in cognitive activity.
As Alzheimer's symptoms progress, so do the costs of caregiver and patient care, with average six-month costs exceeding $29,000 per patient. Researchers urge earlier treatment to prevent increased costs and burden on caregivers.
The study found that in older people with MCI, the brain produces more choline acetyltransferase, an enzyme important for memory and cognitive functions. This increase may be the brain's attempt to maintain normal function as neurons die.
A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that people with Alzheimer's disease struggle to perceive their own motion while driving, leading to increased risk of getting lost. The researchers tested 26 elderly patients with Alzheimer's and found they had difficulty judging their location on the road.
A 24-week study found patients with vascular dementia taking ARICEPT experienced significant cognitive and global function improvements compared to placebo. The medication was well-tolerated, even when taken with other medications, according to the researchers.
A Dutch study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of dementia among older individuals. The research found a significant association between light-to-moderate alcohol intake and a lower risk of developing dementia, as well as vascular dementia.
Recent studies suggest that modulating glial inflammation may be an effective approach to delaying onset or slowing progression of neurodegeneration. New compounds described in a study selectively block production of IL-1B, iNOS and NO by activated glia without diminishing the production of other glial proteins.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to visualize brain lesions indicative of Alzheimer's disease in living patients using FDDNP and PET scans. This breakthrough will enable doctors to monitor disease progression and test new treatments more effectively.
A researcher at Medical College of Georgia has identified three genetic flaws on chromosomes in patients with the most common type of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Poduslo's study suggests that late-onset Alzheimer's is linked to multiple genes and may be subdivided into specific categories, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment options.
Participation in leisure activities such as reading and socializing reduces risk of dementia by 38%. Intellectual activities show highest risk reduction, with an additional 8% benefit per activity engaged. High education and occupation levels also previously linked to reduced AD risk.
Recent research from San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center suggests a closer connection between HIV and Alzheimer's disease. The study found that immune cell markers of AIDS dementia remain even after treatment with anti-retroviral drug cocktails, similar to those elevated in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at USC have discovered an increase in BACE enzymes in patients with inclusion-body myositis (IBM), a crippling muscle disease. The findings suggest that cholesterol may play a role in the production of toxic amyloid-ß protein, which could lead to new treatment options for both IBM and Alzheimer's disease.
Research suggests that Alzheimer's disease may be caused by defects in a protein's role as an attachment point for a molecular motor that transports packets of protein within nerve cells. The study found that the missing protein, APP, and other proteins stay mainly in the cell body when it is absent, stalling normal cargo transport.
The amyloid beta protein found in plaques stimulates the production of toxic substances that attract new surrounding cells, causing brain cell death. Astrocytes, normally involved in maintaining brain structure, slow down these processes and protect against inflammation.
A study by René Verreault and colleagues found that past vaccine exposure was associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The researchers used multivariate logistic regressions to compare vaccinated and non-vaccinated subjects, adjusting for age, sex, and education.
Researchers identified a specific mutation in the presenilin 1 gene that increases beta amyloid expression, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study found 18 unrelated families with the same mutation, suggesting a common ancestral origin.
A recent study has found that women with a particular gene sequence are at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted by researchers at UCSF and Axys Pharmaceuticals, followed over 2,800 women for seven years and found that those with the high-risk polymorphism were 30-40% more likely...
A recent Indiana University study found that nearly one in four older African Americans have measurable cognitive problems, with prevalence increasing with age. Researchers also discovered that a significant proportion of those with cognitive impairment may progress to dementia within 18 months.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Pharmacia have found that mice engineered to produce human COX-2 protein develop age-related memory loss, mirroring problems seen in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests targeting the protein could prevent neurological diseases.
A study published in Neurology found that cognitive impairment No Dementia (CIND) affects 23.4% of community-dwelling participants aged 65 and older, with rates increasing by 10% for every 10 years after age 65.
A study of African-American residents aged 65 and older found that 23% had cognitive impairment without dementia, with rates increasing with age. The majority of cases lacked a medical cause, suggesting potential transient nature
Research reveals that selected NSAIDs decrease AB42 levels by up to 80%, providing hope for plaque-reducing drugs without anti-inflammatory side effects. The study suggests a new mechanism through which NSAIDs may confer protection against Alzheimer's disease, independent of direct anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers have discovered that synthetic catalytic anti-oxidants can rescue a severe neurological phenotype and enhance lifespan of mice engineered to undergo oxidative damage. Treatment with these compounds resulted in a dramatic improvement in survival rate and reversal of neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers aim to better understand cellular immunity in fighting Alzheimer's disease using a new mouse model jointly developed by USF and the University of Pennsylvania.
A new study has found that small head circumference coupled with the ApoE e4 gene variant significantly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that having a large 'brain reserve' may protect against the disease, with head circumference being one way to measure brain reserve.
A study by Boston College chemists shows that water plays a crucial role in protein function, enabling enzymes to adapt to extreme conditions. The findings have positive ramifications for designing more stable proteins, such as medicinals and laundry detergent enzymes.
Scientists discovered that Alzheimer's and Parkinson's proteins interact to accelerate disease progression, causing cognitive and motor function destruction. The study found that Abeta, a metabolic breakdown product of hAPP, enhances the accumulation of hSYN in brain cells.
The Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) has received a five-year grant of $54 million to conduct clinical trials and research on new approaches to treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers aim to delay the onset of the disease and have already made significant progress in the past decade.
The ADCS has expanded its clinical trials to test new therapies for Alzheimer's disease, including a cholesterol-lowering statin drug, an antioxidant, and a high-dose vitamin regimen. The trials aim to slow the progression of cognitive decline in people with AD.
The NeuroGraph device, developed with Office of Naval Research funding, reads brain activity through a cap outfitted with electrodes to analyze differences from the norm. Pharmaceutical trials may also utilize NeuroGraph to test new drugs' efficacy on brain activity.
Research found that patients taking Reminyl experienced reduced time spent supervising and assisting daily activities, while caregivers reported a decrease in stress and an increase in independence. The medication may delay institutionalization and have a positive economic impact.
A new study using brain PET scans identifies metabolic changes in older adults that may indicate an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope to develop a diagnostic tool to identify individuals at risk for the disease, allowing them to take preventive measures.
A 24-week study found consistent benefits of ARICEPT in patient function, cognition, behavior, and activities of daily living. The medication showed statistically significant overall improvement vs. placebo in behavioral disturbances associated with Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that estrogen patches can improve attention and memory skills in women with Alzheimer's disease. The research used estradiol, a type of estrogen shown to have an effect on the brain, and found significant improvements in attention and memory tests.
A new double transgenic mouse model has been developed to study Alzheimer's disease, featuring both brain plaques and tangles associated with the condition. The model is expected to contribute significantly to knowledge about the course of the disease and aid in further development and testing of potential therapies.
A US study of 415 people found that patients taking donepezil maintained their level of functioning 72% longer than those receiving a placebo. Another study involving 286 people in Scandinavia and the Netherlands showed similar results, highlighting donepezil's effectiveness in preserving daily activities.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health successfully immunized mice against Alzheimer's disease using a new vaccine that reduces amyloid plaque and soluble beta levels. The vaccine, modeled on a modified peptide, appears to be non-toxic and shows great promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have designed and synthesized highly potent inhibitor compounds that could lead to an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The new inhibitors are substantially smaller, comparable in size to HIV protease inhibitor drugs, and still potent.
Researchers used voxel-compression mapping to identify early structural brain changes in individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease. The study found that progressive atrophy began 3 years or more before symptom onset, suggesting a presymptomatic phase of increased tissue loss.
Researchers have identified a potential link between the apoE4 protein and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that apoE4 may disrupt brain cell interactions and lead to the degeneration of neurons in this disease.
Researchers propose that the APP tail participates in gene expression by binding to DNA, potentially activating transcription. This finding may shed light on mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease and raise concerns about the effectiveness of drugs intended to prevent plaque formation.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered an antibody that targets a specific region of the amyloid-beta protein, drawing it out of the brain and into the blood. The study found that mice treated with the antibody developed fewer amyloid plaques in their brains than control animals.
The [18 F]FDDNP PET scan revealed longer retention times of the tracer in areas with high densities of ß-amyloid senile plaques. This finding provides valuable insights into Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. The image is expected to shed light on disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Scientists at Mayo Clinic have identified a region on chromosome 10 as a potential contributor to late-onset Alzheimer's disease, affecting amyloid β protein processing. Researchers hope to discover the associated gene and potentially identify individuals at risk before they develop the disease.
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital found a region on chromosome 10 that may harbor a genetic variant predisposing people to late onset Alzheimer's disease. The researchers believe this variant could be more potent than previously discovered risk factors like ApoE4 and A2M.
Researchers have discovered a potential genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease on chromosome 10, linked to amyloid protein processing. The findings suggest that more than one gene may contribute to the development of late-onset AD, offering new hope for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have identified a new genetic risk factor for late onset Alzheimer’s disease on chromosome 10, which may interact independently of the APOE4 gene. The study found a potential mechanism linking this region to elevated amyloid-beta levels in the brain, suggesting new therapeutic opportunities.
Scientists have discovered a vaccine that may prevent and treat Alzheimer's by blocking the production of toxic amyloid ß peptides, which accumulate in the brain and cause dementia. The vaccine has shown promise in removing amyloid plaques and preventing learning impairment in transgenic mice, paving the way for potential human trials.
Researchers at Penn have found a simple urine test that can help track and treat Alzheimer's disease by measuring isoprostane levels. This non-invasive method provides an easier alternative to spinal taps, allowing doctors to diagnose the disease earlier and prepare better treatment.
The conference will examine the latest research efforts towards understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases. Novel approaches using stem cells, vaccines, gene therapy and hormone modulation will be discussed.
Researchers at OHSU are conducting a four-year study to determine whether ginkgo biloba can delay or prevent the early stages of Alzheimer's disease in people 85 years and older. The study aims to recruit 200 subjects who do not display signs of mental impairment and will use written, verbal, and MRI tests to assess cognitive function.