Articles tagged with Neurodegenerative Diseases
A study has identified a molecular pathway controlling TFEB activity, revealing new druggable targets for therapies in rare genetic diseases, cancer, and disorders linked to lysosomal dysfunction. Lysosomal stress triggers TFEB activation, which boosts cellular recycling and adapts to stress.
A study analyzing 2,928 Spanish-speaking participants found that machine-learning clocks based on speech can estimate chronological age and brain aging. The speech clock was associated with biological aging, cognitive health, cumulative burden, and dementia.
Rutgers engineers have developed a smart shoe that automatically analyzes how a person walks, tracking movement and calories burned with 95.4% accuracy. The prototype powers the analysis with energy generated from the wearer's footsteps, offering a potential solution to the 'energy-intelligence bottleneck' in existing health wearables.
In a mouse study, researchers found that blocking the immune response to tau protein can prevent brain cell death in Alzheimer's disease. By injecting an antibody that blocks CXCR3, they reduced T cell infiltration into the brain, preserving more brain tissue and reducing nerve cell damage. This approach offers a new strategy for treat...
A new review found that insomnia is associated with a 26% higher risk of stroke and 28% higher odds of hospital admission. The study also linked insomnia to depression, suicidal behaviors, and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) form tight anatomical associations with sensory, autonomic, and enteric nerve fibers, receiving neural regulation through activating and inhibitory pathways. ILC2s also secrete cytokines that can act back on neurons, forming positive feedback loops that modulate allergic and anti-infective immunity.
Rima Kaddurah-Daouk named inaugural chair of Precision Behavioral Health, leading global collaboration to advance whole-person health through brain-brain connections. Her research focuses on Alzheimer's disease, metabolic changes, and gut microbiome's role in brain health.
Mount Sinai researchers identified how APOE4 damages brain blood vessels, promoting abnormal protein buildup and neurodegeneration. They found that blocking TGF-β signaling restored pericyte coverage, reducing fibrosis and vascular amyloid accumulation.
The Michigan ADRC will support studies on basic science, clinical trials, caregiver interventions, and longitudinal research to advance Alzheimer's disease prevention, treatment, and care. The center aims to fast-track clinical trials and improve the health and well-being of caregivers.
A new drug, Kamuvudine K-9, has been shown to preserve nerve fibers and halt neurological damage in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. The drug, derived from HIV drugs, has been found to be more effective than existing treatments in restoring function and reducing inflammation.
Researchers identified shared and disease-specific molecular changes in human brain tissue, contributing to neurodegeneration, psychiatric illness, and cognitive decline. The collection establishes a foundational resource for understanding brain disorders, accelerating discovery and therapy development.
A novel research approach, the Law Clinic Study, allows people with dementia to contribute to knowledge, increasing societal understanding and improving future situations. Participants valued being heard and contributing to research, challenging stereotypes that people with dementia are unable to participate.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers suggests that hyperreactive astrocytes are a primary driver of childhood epilepsy, particularly in the inherited disorder tuberous sclerosis complex. The findings highlight possible therapies to reduce inflammation and alleviate seizures, challenging the traditional view that neurons are the sole ...
Researchers at UC San Diego identified a naturally occurring peptide called catestatin (CST) that reduces toxic protein accumulation, neuroinflammation, and improves cognitive function in mouse models. CST may provide a new peptide-based therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
This technology enables high-throughput screening for small molecules that selectively lower toxic CAG repeat RNA, helping to develop therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s and spinocerebellar ataxias. The system overcomes major limitations of previous constitutive systems by utilizing an inducible promoter, dual-re...
Researchers identify elevated levels of meprin-β in brain and cerebrospinal fluid of people with Alzheimer's disease, particularly in advanced stages. This finding suggests a possible relationship between meprin-β and beta-amyloid accumulation, a hallmark of the disease.
JMIR Neurotechnology invites submissions on digital health technologies in Parkinson disease, focusing on measurement and intervention. The call for papers aims to address challenges in validation, reproducibility, and clinical integration of these measurements.
The Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center will receive funding to accelerate research for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The center aims to understand why dementia progresses at different rates among individuals and across its various forms.
A Korea University study investigated plasma p-tau217 as an early marker of treatment response in early Alzheimer's disease. The study found that patients with greater reductions in p-tau217 levels had more favorable cognitive trajectories.
Scientists at Salk Institute create first microprotein atlas of human frontal cortex with and without Alzheimer's disease, identifying 1,067 new microproteins and a potential link to immune cell dysfunction in Alzheimer's. The atlas provides a system for investigating microproteins in aging and neurodegeneration, bringing scientists cl...
Researchers explore the potential of shadow AI in healthcare, voice analysis for early disease detection, and digital resurrection technologies for bereavement. A recent FDA approval also highlights the therapeutic benefits of video games for ADHD treatment, with potential for personalization and immersion in the future.
A new study found that aging significantly limits the ability of support cells in the retina to be reprogrammed into new neurons, a discovery that has important implications for the future of regenerative medicine. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also found that inflammation and decreased ce...
Binghamton University receives $500K grant for 'brain-on-a-chip' project to advance dementia research. The project will establish advanced imaging and electrophysiological analysis infrastructure for studying living brain tissue models.
A new brain atlas reveals that neurons build their identity in the first hours of life, rather than inheriting it from their parent cells. The atlas, which mapped nearly 250,000 fly brain cells, shows that neuronal identity is established through a flexible, modular system involving different DNA switches and regulatory proteins.
The Lasker Foundation has announced the 2026 Lasker Award winners, honoring fundamental discoveries in sleep research, revolutionary therapy for hemophilia A, and leadership in Parkinson’s disease research advocacy. Emmanuel Mignot and Masashi Yanagisawa will receive the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award for discovering orexin...
Researchers at MIT found that short bursts of pink noise during sleep can increase the amplitude of slow electrical waves and CSF flow, leading to more restorative sleep. This technology may also help clear brain waste and potentially improve cognitive function, particularly in people with insomnia and neurodegenerative diseases.
A. Campbell Sullivan, a neuropsychologist, discovered a gap between treatment and science of ALS and dementia in her own family. She notes that advances in genetics and biomarker discovery are transforming research and care in ALS and FTD.
A cohort study found that only 30.7% of brain donors with clinician-adjudicated dementia had neurodegenerative death certification. The study suggests factors like worsening cognitive symptoms and functional impairment may be associated with increased likelihood of neurodegenerative death certification.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute discovered a link between wildfire smoke and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Wildfire smoke particles activate astrocytes, leading to inflammation and damage to nearby brain cells.
Researchers develop a polymer nanogel system called Nano-ERASER that uses antibodies to degrade targeted proteins, inducing neuron regeneration and restoring neural circuits in human brain organoids and mice with Alzheimer's disease. The study provides a critical step in regenerative neuroscience, offering a roadmap for a potential cure.
A study finds that dementia with Lewy bodies preferentially affects certain brain regions, including those with genes linked to mitochondrial function and synapses. These regions show distinctive patterns of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA receptors, suggesting a potential target for new treatments.
Research identifies aberrant ERBB4 expression in excitatory neurons as an early driver of Alzheimer's disease pathologies, including neuronal hyperactivity, synapse loss, and cognitive decline. Manipulating ERBB4 expression in mouse models reveals its role in driving disease features, including reactive gliosis and amyloid buildup.
Jeffery Kelly, a Scripps Research professor, has been elected to the European Academy of Engineering for his groundbreaking research on protein folding and its link to diseases. His work led to the development of FDA-approved therapeutics for amyloid polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy.
A new study published in The BMJ found that nearly a quarter of former NFL players who died from 2016 to 2021 had confirmed CTE, with stage IV CTE linked to symptoms typical of dementia. The study provides one of the most informative estimates to date of CTE burden among former NFL players.
The publication of the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (αSyn-SAA) biomarker highlights a decade of collaborative progress in biomarker development. This milestone enables earlier testing of new treatments for Parkinson's disease, which could delay or prevent disease onset and progression.
Salk Institute researchers found microglia's novel way to contribute to ALS progression and death, using TAM receptors to find and kill motor neurons in spinal cords of mice with ALS. The study suggests a new target for therapy innovation, but notes the complexity of variables involved.
Researchers review evidence on potential transmission of amyloid-beta and CAA through blood transfusions, citing a 2023 study that found recipients of contaminated blood had a higher risk of brain bleeds. The authors argue for additional safety measures, citing a cautionary tale from the Infected Blood Inquiry.
A nationwide study found that people living within 500 feet of dry cleaners had a 14% greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those living further away. The study, led by Barrow Neurological Institute, highlights the potential role of environmental exposures in disease development.
Researchers found that healthier superficial white matter is associated with stronger language skills, and that gray matter atrophy measures remain the strongest predictors of cognition. However, the relationship between gray matter and cognitive performance depends on superficial white matter health.
Researchers have discovered lymph node-like structures in the skull bone marrow of mice that act as rapid first responders against brain cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery offers a new way to fight brain cancer and other neurological diseases.
Researchers have discovered a gene linked to Parkinson's disease may also strengthen the body's ability to fight dangerous infections. The study found that a well-studied mutation in the LRRK2 gene increases the production of reactive oxygen species, making immune cells more effective at eliminating intracellular bacteria.
A study confirms the 20-item prosopagnosia index questionnaire is an effective screening tool for detecting developmental prosopagnosia, a condition where individuals struggle to recognize familiar faces. The researchers also identified opportunities for refinement to improve the questionnaire's accuracy.
Researchers discovered how anesthesia, surgery, and intensive care stress alter gene activity in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment and delirium. A new drug, vorinostat, reversed these changes, restoring memory formation and regulating the internal biological clock.
Researchers from the University of Osaka developed an analytical tool called acoustic tweezers to investigate the mechanical properties of biopolymer condensates. The study found that changes in the natural movement of a droplet in solution can provide information on the stiffness of the droplet and the state of the molecules inside.
Researchers identified TIMP2 as a key factor supporting healthy microglial function in the aging brain. Restoring TIMP2 in aged mice improved microglia's ability to clear debris and reduced inflammation, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.
According to a national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, most U.S. adults believe brain health habits should begin before age 40. Regular exercise, quality sleep, healthy eating, and strong social connections can help support long-term brain health.
Researchers at UC San Diego identified a key cellular pathway that drives brain degeneration in both Sanfilippo syndrome type A and Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals how the brain's immune cells respond to waste buildup, providing a novel target for drug development.
Researchers at UH College of Pharmacy are developing breakthroughs to combat sepsis, a leading cause of hospital deaths, and diseases such as Alzheimer's and sickle cell disease. A dual-action nanomedicine has shown a 100% survival rate in preclinical trials for sepsis treatment.
Researchers developed a novel imaging approach called SANDI to study microstructural brain abnormalities associated with Huntington's disease. The model revealed differences in cell density and size, correlating with disease progression and motor performance.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified structural changes that enable the LRRK2 protein to become overactive, a key step in Parkinson's disease progression. Understanding these changes is crucial for developing targeted therapies to slow or halt the disease.
Researchers found that exercise-induced molecular changes contribute to neuronal health, improving movement and quality of life in PD patients. Exercise types such as aerobic exercises, resistance training, balance training, and multimodal exercise were found to be helpful in reducing falls, disabilities, and improving brain function.
The first complete marmoset genome is now available, providing a high-quality reference for studying complex diseases like Alzheimer's. The new genome reveals variation in genes linked to Alzheimer's disease, as well as immune system genes and previously un-catalogued ribosomal DNA genes.
A study by Stanford Medicine scientists reveals that wayward tau molecules can gum up mitochondria's internal energy-production lines, initiating a vicious cycle of pathological events. This discovery provides a new mechanism driving tauopathies and renders these disorders amenable to new therapeutic interventions.
Researchers used real human brain tissue samples to test the underlying mechanisms of deep brain stimulation. They found that brain cells became more synchronized in communicating, similar to memory formation, while altering gene expression across different types of brain cells.
The Boston University-Quantitative Population Science and Healthy Cognitive Aging Research Program (BU-SHARP) aims to better understand how and why Alzheimer's disease manifests among certain populations. The center will fund pilot studies, provide technical assistance, and facilitate access to underutilized datasets.
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that aging brings a large influx of immune cells into the brain, upending previous assumptions about the brain's immune system. The study suggests that these immune cells may interact with the brain and contribute to its resilience against Alzheimer's disease.
A new report finds that delayed discharges and poor hospital environments keep people with dementia in hospitals unnecessarily, costing £328 million annually. The study suggests community-centric approaches can reduce hospitalisations and improve care.
A new USC study uses AI to generate detailed maps of brain aging, revealing distinct patterns of neurodegeneration in specific regions. The approach sheds light on how local brain age correlates with changes in cognitive function across the lifespan.
Researchers have identified a new type of brain plaque, called mitochondrial plaques, that may emerge at the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease. These plaques contain high levels of amyloid precursor protein and can directly affect neurons, making them a potential target for new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a gene editing tool to treat Huntington's disease by altering a specific point in the huntingtin gene. The treatment reduced toxic protein fragments, symptoms, and brain degeneration in mice, providing a new approach for treating genetic diseases.