Articles tagged with Neurodegenerative Diseases
Researchers analyzed brain tissue from MSA patients and found that the immune cells known as microglia appear to be exhausted or dysfunctional in later stages of the disease. The study suggests that an overactive immune system may contribute to the development of MSA, providing a potential target for future treatment.
A new statistical approach used in Alzheimer's disease trials may exaggerate the link between amyloid reduction and cognitive benefits of new drugs. Researchers found that combining large groups of patients can hide variability and make it appear as if reducing amyloid is more predictive of cognitive benefit than it actually is.
A review from Florida Atlantic University links obesity to Alzheimer's disease through disruptions in metabolism, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial function and gut-brain axis balance. Early detection and whole-body prevention may become possible through monitoring metabolic health.
Scientists have discovered a protective brain pathway that preserves dopamine-producing neurons and reduces degeneration in female models with Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that strengthening this pathway could help slow the progression of the disease, offering new potential for treatment.
Researchers developed a new photonic material using lead iodide, enabling high-speed data transmission in the terahertz frequency range. The material confines light within submicrometer regions, paving the way for integrated photonic circuits that could replace or complement electronic circuits.
Researchers studying RNA pollution's impact on aging brains seek to develop therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist Anne Bang will use advanced robotics to test thousands of compounds.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine developed a new method to analyze brain energy network patterns, revealing insights into Alzheimer's disease progression. The study found that brain networks reorganize as the disease progresses, with memory and language functions showing increased metabolic demand in early stages.
A new review proposes a prevention-focused framework for understanding Parkinson's disease risk, highlighting the role of early-life vulnerability, environmental exposures, and resilience factors. The study suggests that susceptibility to PD may begin earlier in life through interactions between biology and environment.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston have been awarded a three-year, $7.8 million grant to better understand how Parkinson’s disease occurs in the brain. The project aims to identify proteins and cellular pathways involved in brain damage, with the goal of developing novel strategies for intervention.
A global research network, led by ASAP and MJFF, is expanding its efforts to map the biological blueprint of Parkinson's disease and develop a standardized toolkit of global research resources. This expansion aims to accelerate the development of personalized therapies by understanding the disease's inherent heterogeneity.
Researchers found three distinct trajectories of cognitive decline: stable, slow and fast decline. Biomarker data showed that participants who declined faster had higher P-tau217 levels and smaller hippocampi.
The researchers will investigate novel therapies to protect the aging brain from neurodegenerative diseases by eliminating RNA pollution. They will map out signatures of RNA pollution across over 200 cell lines and patient biofluids to understand its effects.
FINGERS-7B integrates lifestyle, clinical, genomic, and proteomic data to discover multi-omic biomarkers for preclinical Alzheimer's. The model delivers 4× more accurate preclinical diagnosis and 130% better responder stratification than prior art.
A randomized clinical trial examined the impact of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) screening in older adults on family members. The study found that primary care screenings did not worsen quality of life, depression, or anxiety over two years.
Researchers will use DNA-encoded chemical libraries and artificial intelligence to screen hundreds of millions of potential drug compounds, identifying those most likely to succeed in treating Alzheimer's. The project aims to shorten the timeline for identifying new treatments, bringing them to patients faster and with greater precision.
A phase 1 clinical trial has started enrolling patients with symptoms of prion disease, evaluating the safety and tolerability of a small interfering RNA targeting the prion protein. The trial aims to slow disease progression and is supported by NeuroNEXT, a program of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
A recent study has found that epigenetic clocks are associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, but only specific epigenetic markers related to smoking exposure are linked to neurodegenerative changes. The study suggests that measures of epigenetic age acceleration capture different aspects of biological aging.
A new study found comprehensive evidence that weight-loss GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide reduce amyloid-beta and tau buildup in the brain. Consistent reductions were seen in animal and cell studies, with liraglutide showing the most positive effects.
A national study found that people with severe strokes have a five times higher odds of developing dementia. Stroke severity also affects thinking and memory after stroke, highlighting the need for close monitoring and treatment of dementia risk factors.
A study at University at Buffalo found that L-arginine enhances protein droplet stability, preventing fibril conversion and preserving microtubule assembly. This naturally occurring small molecule may help guide therapies targeting fibril formation in Alzheimer's disease.
tACS modulates brain oscillations, induces synaptic plasticity, and regulates neurotransmitter release to alleviate symptoms of various neuropsychiatric conditions. Personalized approaches are essential for treatment efficacy.
A study from the University of São Paulo reveals that neurodegenerative processes extend beyond the central nervous system, affecting various targets throughout the body. The researchers identified over 9,000 autoantibodies linked to immune status, neurological damage, and symptoms specific to each disease.
Researchers discovered that small lesions in white matter can trigger a response in connected grey matter, leading to neuronal activity fall, microglia activation, and synapse loss. However, this response is part of the repair process, essential for brain regeneration.
Researchers discover cancer-driving genes in microglia of Alzheimer's patients, suggesting a link between blood cancers and the neurodegenerative disease. The findings could lead to new diagnostic tools and therapeutic options for Alzheimer's.
A new study reveals that people with Parkinson's disease have a distinct gut microbiome, as do those at genetic risk but without symptoms. This could lead to early detection and potential prevention strategies.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed mini brain-like structures grown in the lab that could be used to evaluate how patients with Alzheimer's disease respond to certain drugs. The study found that tiny particles secreted by these brain tissues may contain cellular information that could help scientists find new biomar...
A study by UC San Diego researchers identified CgA-centered stress-response pathways as key drivers of cognitive resilience in individuals with asymptomatic Alzheimer's disease. The findings also introduce a new framework to accelerate the discovery of preventive therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found SIRT6 is essential for maintaining protein homeostasis, regulating the protein life cycle to prevent protein aggregates that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Reduced SIRT6 levels play a critical role in aging and age-related neurodegeneration.
NYU Langone Health experts present platform talks on practical strategies to counter medical misinformation, phase 3 X-TOLE2 trial results for novel epilepsy treatment, and exploring healthcare accessibility for patients with disabilities. The Department of Neurology features over 80 presentations from faculty members.
Researchers identify senescent macrophages as a driver of fatty liver disease, inflammation and aging. Clearing these cells reversed liver damage in mice on unhealthy diets.
A new Cochrane review of 17 clinical trials found that anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drugs have no significant impact on cognitive decline or dementia severity, but may increase the risk of brain swelling and bleeding. The evidence suggests that these drugs are unlikely to provide clear benefit to patients.
Researchers develop molecular tool called SynTrogo, which enables selective dismantling of synaptic connections in brain circuits. By harnessing astrocytes, the system reduces synapse number while strengthening remaining connections, leading to enhanced long-term potentiation and improved memory.
A new study from Edith Cowan University found that higher sodium intake is associated with a faster decline in episodic memory in men. The study of over 1,200 participants suggests that diets high in salt may have broader cognitive impacts than previously understood.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
A new study by POSTECH researchers found that the protein tau interacts with DNA during cell division, forming condensates that capture microtubules. This interaction affects chromosome alignment and can lead to cellular abnormalities even in healthy cells.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a safer and more effective way to treat Alzheimer's disease by combining anti-amyloid antibodies with molecules found in grapes, berries, peanuts, and turmeric. This combination approach neutralizes amyloid protein clumping in the brain, leading to better outcomes.
The Barrow Neuro Analytics Center has nearly doubled its dedicated research space to 18,000 square feet, supporting growing neurological research programs. Researchers at the center are globally renowned for their work on Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and other neurological disorders using data-focused methods.
A team led by Jiefu Li developed a new method to examine proteins lining the inside surface of blood vessels, revealing two proteins and pathways that play a role in opening and closing the blood-brain barrier. This discovery could help scientists understand how the barrier functions and develop better ways to deliver medicines for neu...
Scientists at NTU Singapore found that glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) amplifies α-synuclein toxicity by altering fat metabolism in brain cells. Targeting GPAT activity may offer a new strategy for treating Parkinson's disease.
Gladstone Institutes investigator Ryan Corces receives $750,000 to investigate unknown genetic variants contributing to Alzheimer's disease. He aims to identify new drivers and therapeutic targets using artificial intelligence and CRISPR tools.
A Georgia State University study found that Alzheimer's affects men's and women's brains differently, with women showing steeper and more widespread decline. The research suggests that brain compensation mechanisms may help maintain cognitive performance in women earlier in the disease.
Scientists have found that the APOE4 gene variant causes hyperactivity in two regions of the hippocampus, an important memory center of the brain, even before middle age. In mice with the APOE4 gene, reducing Nell2 levels reverses neuronal changes and improves cognitive function.
A team of researchers, led by Bistra Iordanova and Liang Zhan, are developing multiscale models of brain metabolism to predict cognitive decline and dementia. They will analyze data from brain imaging, blood flow, and neural activity to identify metabolic changes that affect brain function in aging.
The NIH has renewed support for the USC-led AI4AD initiative, expanding its efforts to better classify Alzheimer's and related diseases, predict progression, and identify new treatment targets. The $12.6 million award will develop AI tools to uncover biological causes of Alzheimer's and improve disease diagnosis.
The review highlights LRRK2's diverse cellular functions and pathogenic mechanisms in various diseases, including Parkinson's disease and inflammatory disorders. Therapeutic strategies targeting LRRK2, such as kinase inhibitors and emerging approaches like PROTACs and gene therapy, show promise for correcting cellular imbalances and re...
Researchers developed an AI model that can detect several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, from a single blood sample. The model uses protein measurements from over 17,000 patients and outperforms previous models.
A new model of brain wiring could shorten the path to developing medicines for multiple sclerosis and other degenerative brain diseases. The model, made of a water-filled gel, replicates the physical properties of human axons and has been successfully grown from human cells in the laboratory.
Researchers at Nagoya University found that a brief spike in testosterone after birth causes muscle-wasting disease to develop decades later. Treating the disease at birth significantly reduced nerve cell breakdown in adult mice.
A new book by Swansea University researchers argues that attention impairments, rather than memory dysfunction, are a key aspect of dementia. The authors suggest that recognizing these changes could lead to earlier identification, improved diagnosis, and better care for those affected.
The Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study, led by USF researchers, aims to delay the onset of dementia through computerized brain training exercises. With over $50 million in federal grant funding, the trial has enrolled 7,600 older adults and is expected to conclude in January 2028.
The Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation has donated to USC's Keck School of Medicine to enhance clinical trials for individuals with Down syndrome at risk for Alzheimer's. This will increase domestic and international sites, accelerating the development of treatments specifically for this population.
The Brain Health Collaboratory aims to accelerate the discovery, validation, and delivery of non-invasive neuroprotective therapies for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Cognito Therapeutics' Spectris technology platform will be combined with Ochsner's clinical network to explore new approaches to brain health care delivery.
A new biomarker in cerebrospinal fluid significantly improves the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The test is highly specific, distinguishing between patients with these conditions and Alzheimer's disease.
Older adults with and without Parkinson's disease have increased brain activity and muscle signals when recovering from balance disturbances. This makes it more difficult for them to recover their balance.
A comprehensive protein atlas has been developed to understand the molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative diseases. By analyzing protein levels, modifications, and interactions across six major diseases, researchers identified alterations unique to and shared between diseases, as well as distinct subtypes within individual diseases.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a new blood marker that significantly improves the accuracy of Alzheimer's diagnosis. The study found that combining two biomarkers, p-tau217 and eMTBR-tau243, can identify people with established Alzheimer's disease with an accuracy rate of around 80%. This breakthrough reduces false posit...
Huntington's disease is caused by a toxic protein that builds in brain cells and spreads to other cells through tunneling nanotubes. Disrupting this pathway reduces the spread of the disease-causing protein, suggesting a new target for therapy.