Articles tagged with Alzheimer Disease
Researchers at the University of Rochester discovered that Alzheimer's patients suffer from motion blindness, a condition where they struggle to interpret visual cues, leading to disorientation. This can be a significant factor in their daily lives, including driving and navigating familiar environments. The study's findings may lead t...
The NIA-funded Memory Impairment Study aims to test two drugs to slow or stop the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive placebo, vitamin E, or donepezil, and the study will be conducted at 65-80 medical research institutions in the US and Canada.
Researchers found that changes in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer's disease begin years before clinical symptoms like memory loss. The study used brain tissue from over 60 subjects, including healthy individuals and those with dementia, to identify amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Researchers from the University of Kentucky Medical Center have found no significant association between mercury levels in autopsied brains and dental amalgam status. The study, which compared over 200 brain samples, suggests that small amounts of mercury released from dental amalgams are not taken up by the brain.
Researchers at NYU School of Medicine have developed a method to measure anatomical changes in the entorhinal cortex, a key memory center in the brain. This technique uses MRI scans and reveals that patients with very mild Alzheimer's disease show significant shrinkage in this area compared to healthy volunteers.
A study by Oregon Health Sciences University found that healthy older adults lose brain tissue at a relatively constant rate, not accelerating with age. The research suggests that it's possible to age normally without a rapid decline in brain health.
Free-radical activity was found to be roughly doubled in the frontal and temporal lobes of brains of people who died of Alzheimer's disease. The levels of two biochemical markers of free-radical tissue damage were also elevated in these areas, which are critical for memory and intellectual function.
A study reveals that mutant tau proteins disrupt microtubule assembly, leading to neuronal death in frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism (FTDP-17). This discovery suggests a primary role for tau tangles in disease progression, pointing to potential therapeutic strategies involving tau-stabilizing drugs.
Researchers are testing a new painkiller to see if it can delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease. The study, involving 1,300 patients, targets the cycloxygenase-2 enzyme, which is believed to contribute to the development of the disease.
Researchers propose that an inactive enzyme may contribute to memory impairment in Alzheimer's patients. A transgenic mouse study found impaired memory in animals lacking the enzyme MMP-9, supporting the idea that its inactivity plays a role in the disease.
A new study found that chronic stress can reduce the activity of natural killer cells in people with a history of cancer, especially those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that high levels of perceived stress and biological predisposition to cancer can compromise the body's ability to fight cancer.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have identified Apaf1 as a key component of apoptosis, a process crucial for embryonal development and preventing diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. The study sheds light on the gene's role in programmed cell death, with potential applications for medical research and treatment.
A study of 206 patients with Alzheimer's disease found that those with the lowest genetic risk had fathers who were significantly older at birth. This suggests a possible link between paternal age and increased susceptibility to the disease, which could be influenced by environmental factors affecting the father's DNA.
Researchers developed mice with human apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) in the brain, showing learning and memory problems similar to those seen in human Alzheimer's patients. The apoE4 mice performed poorly in tests requiring spatial learning and memory skills.
Researchers have confirmed a genetic influence for Alzheimer's disease in families with high incidence of the disorder. The study identified a gene on chromosome 12 associated with an increased risk and susceptibility to late-onset Alzheimer's disease, offering new insights into the disease's causes.
Researchers found signs of C. pneumoniae in 17 Alzheimer's sufferers, but stress it may not cause the disease. The bacterium infects microglia and astroglia, producing inflammatory cytokines that trigger inflammation in Alzheimer's brains.
A University of Rochester team has developed a technology that provides the most thorough information yet on cells from the brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients, enabling comparison with healthy and sick cells. The study identified five genes whose expression differed significantly between healthy and Alzheimer's brains.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have linked specific patterns of cognitive decline to specific brain abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease patients. The study found that certain brain sectors are associated with specific cognitive problems, such as memory loss and visual-spatial skills impairment.
A study by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health found that one APOE variant can predict the age of onset for Alzheimer's disease in those predisposed. The research suggests that lifestyle choices may be protective against the disease.
Researchers have discovered a new gene mutation associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, which interacts with other Alzheimer's genes and proteins. The A2M protein plays a crucial role in breaking down toxic amyloid plaques, suggesting a potential target for drug development to prevent or treat the disease.
Medicines commonly used to treat epilepsy appear effective in soothing agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease, a symptom affecting nearly all patients. The findings suggest these compounds may be as good as or better than current treatments for agitation, promising relief for families and caregivers.
Researchers identified specific aspects of attention that help predict driving performance in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Those who scored poorly on attention tests also performed poorly on driving tests, highlighting the importance of attentional control in driving.
Scientists have created a synthetic peptide that blocks the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain, destroying existing plaques and preventing nerve cell death. This breakthrough may lead to a new therapy for Alzheimer's disease and other diseases caused by defective protein folding.
A new study from Penn State found that families with patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease are more likely to accept available treatment, whereas those with advanced-stage patients may choose to withhold care. The study also highlighted the need for family involvement in making treatment decisions.
A new study by Ohio University researcher Julie Suhr found that simple muscle relaxation techniques can help people with Alzheimer's disease control anxiety, aggression, and irritability. The techniques may also improve mental performance and reduce the need for psychotropic medication.
A new Alzheimer's disease treatment, metrifonate, has been shown to improve behavioral disturbances and mental performance in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia. The study found that metrifonate slowed the mental decline associated with Alzheimer's disease over a six-month period.
Researchers discovered a possible link between elevated blood homocysteine levels and Alzheimer's disease, with lower folate and vitamin B12 levels also observed. Long-term clinical trials are needed to determine if lowering homocysteine levels can prevent or delay the progression of the disease.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis studied 82 healthy adults aged 64-83 over 12 years, finding that most remained stable and only 40% developed cognitive deterioration. The study's key findings suggest that subtle changes in performance can signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to early intervention.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University and Queen's University have identified the first step in the formation of toxic amyloid plaques believed responsible for Alzheimer's destruction. Researchers have found promising lead molecules that may prevent plaque aggregation, potentially leading to new treatments.
Researchers found that even mild forms of Alzheimer's can be distinguished from normal aging-related memory changes. The brains of patients with even mild Alzheimer's were found to have amyloid plaques, indicating early disease onset.
Researchers found that African Americans and Hispanics with the APOE-4 allele have a similar risk of Alzheimer's disease as whites, but those without the allele had significantly increased risks. The study suggests that there may be new genes or environmental factors involved in the disease.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology have rediscovered brain sections of Auguste D., a 51-year-old woman with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The analysis confirmed the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, consistent with today's understanding of the disease.
Researchers found a genetic link between bleomycin hydrolase and Alzheimer's disease, with individuals having two copies of the G allele being four times more likely to develop AD. This discovery offers new opportunities for early intervention and potential therapy targeting this enzyme.
Researchers found that combining the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genetic test with clinical examinations significantly improved diagnosis accuracy for Alzheimer's disease. The study showed a 45% to 16% reduction in false positive diagnoses, emphasizing the potential of ApoE testing as a diagnostic aid.
A recent study by 26 National Alzheimer's Disease Centers found that a test for the ApoE E4 form of genetic testing can reduce false positive diagnoses by approximately 30%. The study suggests this tool may be helpful in supplementing clinical diagnoses of dementia, but more research is needed to confirm its universality.
Researchers found that a specific gene variant, e4, is linked to higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH), a severe form of stroke, in African Americans. The study also revealed that these strokes occur at an earlier age in African Americans compared to whites.
Researchers have discovered a new genetic variation that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study found that changes in the APOE gene can lead to higher levels of beta-amyloid, contributing to the development of senile plaques in the brain.
Researchers found increased levels of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in brains with compact and insoluble beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. BChE may play a role in transforming benign amyloid protein deposits into the disease-causing plaques.
Researchers discover new protein AD7c-NTP significantly elevated in brain tissue of people with Alzheimer's disease, even in early stages. The protein's presence suggests a possible role in the disease's progression and potential as a diagnostic tool.
A study by University of Chicago researchers has shed light on the vital role of fat and cholesterol transport in maintaining healthy brain function. The team found that certain genetic variants, such as apoE4, can disrupt this process, leading to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that a gene linked to family-inherited Alzheimer's accelerates amyloid peptide production and plaque formation. The study suggests that early changes can be targeted with drugs to slow or prevent the disease.
The study found that people with the 4/4 variant are 15 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with the 3/3 variant. In contrast, individuals with the 2/3 genotype appear to be protected from developing AD due to the presence of the protective 2 allele.
Researchers have identified a genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, combining the E4 variant of apolipoprotein E with the butyrylcholinesterase K variant. This combination significantly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in people over 65 years old.
Scientists have identified a new genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, accounting for up to 15% of cases. The gene located on chromosome 12 works independently of the previously discovered ApoE gene, which accounts for half of all patients with the disease.
A study of 65 patients found that those with the Alzheimer's-related gene apoliprotein E-4 (APOE-4) are more susceptible to mental impairment after open heart surgery. The researchers believe this is due to the variant gene's inability to repair nerve cells efficiently.
University of Washington scientists investigate how estrogen replacement therapy protects against Alzheimer's disease by promoting neuron survival and protecting against toxic substances. They found that estrogen may activate an enzyme to increase the expression of neurotransmitter genes, facilitating learning and memory.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found an association between the HLA-A2 gene and the age of onset for Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that the two susceptibility genes HLA-A2 and apolipoprotein E (APOE) together account for a decade variation in the age of onset.
A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that brain activity in individuals with Down's syndrome can predict Alzheimer's-like dementia, offering new hope for early detection and intervention. Researchers used PET scans to measure brain activity while subjects were at rest or stimulated by visual stimulation.
Researchers at MGH discovered that presenilin genes are involved in programmed cell death, a natural process where unneeded cells commit suicide. Mutations in these genes increase the propensity of nerve cells to undergo apoptosis, a process that can contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
A study of 472 women found a significant link between estrogen use and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that estrogen may stimulate nerve cell growth, inhibit apolipoprotein E levels, and increase neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, potentially reducing the risk of AD.
A long-term study found that women who used estrogen replacement therapy after menopause had a 50% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted by the National Institute on Aging, suggests that estrogen may play a protective role in warding off the onset of this devastating disease.
Researchers found a significant delay in disease progression with selegiline and Vitamin E treatment, particularly among those with moderately severe disease. The drugs showed promise in reducing symptoms, but further studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness.
Researchers discovered a way to disrupt the aggregation of proteins that form poisonous plaque deposits in Alzheimer's patients. By synthesizing specific inhibitor molecules, they successfully blocked the toxicity of beta amyloid proteins, potentially leading to new treatments for the devastating disease.
A study by scientists at the National Institute on Aging and Johns Hopkins University found that long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research tracked over 1,686 participants for nearly two decades and showed a significant decrease in Alzheimer's risk with longer NSAID use.
Scientists have found that dysregulation of programmed cell death may underlie the earlier onset and rapid downhill course of inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that a specific gene, PS2, plays a crucial role in apoptosis and may contribute to neurodegeneration by triggering a stress response.
Researchers created genetically engineered mice with a mutated gene linked to AD, producing 50% more A-beta42 peptide. This discovery may lead to targeted drug treatment for AD by understanding the mechanism of presenilin-1 and APP production.
Researchers found increased enzyme activity in Alzheimer's patients, suggesting a potential factor in disease development. A peptide inhibiting ACTH synthesis and secretion was also identified as a regulator of the body's adaptive response to stress.
A group of scientists agreed upon revised criteria to distinguish different forms of Alzheimer's disease. The new guidelines take into account the distribution of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, providing a more accurate diagnosis and aiding researchers in their understanding of the disease.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that nicotine inhibits the formation of amyloid plaques, a toxic substance in Alzheimer's patients. The study suggests a potential link between nicotine and preventing or slowing down amyloid formation in AD patients.
Research by Dr. Roger Rosenberg and colleagues found that people with one-fourth Cherokee or less ancestry had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a potential protective genetic effect. The study suggests that ancestry may play a role in delaying the development of the disease after age 65.