Articles tagged with Neurodegenerative Diseases
A lattice-like structure called the membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) acts as a gatekeeper for endocytosis, regulating nutrient uptake and protein regulation in brain cells. Disrupting this structure can lead to accelerated endocytosis and increased cellular uptake of toxic molecules like amyloid precursor protein.
A new software tool developed by MIT researchers can reliably and finely resolve eight distinct nerve bundles in live diffusion MRI scans, shedding light on neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The BrainStem Bundle Tool (BSBT) reveals distinct patterns of structural changes in patients with these conditions.
Researchers have identified a specific brain network that is mainly active in the fast beta frequency range and modulates motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease through deep brain stimulation. Stimulating this network, which communicates at 20-35 Hz, can improve motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Keck Medicine of USC are investigating a unique therapy that uses lab-generated stem cells to repair damaged brain cells and produce dopamine, which may slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease. The treatment has shown promise in early clinical trials with 12 participants experiencing improved motor function.
Researchers found that altering how alpha-synuclein interacts with LRRK2 limits its ability to bind to cargo and disrupt axonal transport. This suggests a functional link between the two proteins, which may help understand the triggers of Parkinson's disease.
Scientists have discovered a new strategy to prevent the formation of toxic tau tangles in brain cells, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. By targeting polyserine, an amino acid chain that drives tau misfolding, researchers have found a potential preventative treatment for tauopathies.
Researchers found that overexpressed Fc gamma receptors on reactive microglia mistakenly identify healthy neurons, leading to their elimination. Immunotherapy targeting these receptors could slow disease progression by preserving dopaminergic neurons.
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that aging brains struggle with protein disposal, leading to the accumulation of damaged proteins in synaptic connections. This finding sheds light on the mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases and may lead to new insights into human brain aging.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a novel mass spectrometry tool called FLEXITau to analyze brain tissue from 203 patients with various tauopathies. The study identified 145 post-translational modifications and 195 cleavage sites across tau, providing a precise molecular roadmap for diagnostics and drug development.
Researchers at University College London discovered that Alzheimer's disease disrupts the brain's 'memory replay' process, leading to impaired navigation and memory loss. The study found that even when mice were resting, their brains replayed recent experiences in an altered pattern, which had consequences on memory tasks.
Two U.S. healthcare systems, Tufts Medicine and University of Utah Health, will implement the DAC-SP Early Detection Blueprint across ten primary care sites to improve early detection of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The initiative aims to refine a replicable model for early detection that can be adopted nationwide.
A new study from Lund University finds that modifiable risk factors like smoking and high blood pressure can damage brain blood vessels and increase dementia risk. Living a healthy lifestyle may help delay symptom onset in Alzheimer's disease.
A new study reveals how Parkinson's spreads from the gut to the brain via immune cells, identifying a key role for gut macrophages in transporting toxic proteins. Reducing these cells can slow disease progression and improve motor symptoms in mice.
A clinical study will investigate the effects of a three-month at-home intervention with MOVIVE on motor and cognitive responses, utilizing comprehensive assessments and brain imaging techniques. The study aims to inform tailored approaches to assessment and intervention for people with Parkinson's disease.
A multidisciplinary team at USC has developed selective compounds that inhibit an enzyme tied to brain inflammation in people at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s. The inhibitors preserve normal brain function and cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases.
A nationwide study found that Parkinson's disease is more common among individuals with higher socioeconomic status and in the northern provinces of the Netherlands. The risk increases with age, peaking between 75 and 85 years, and is higher among men.
A study reviews decades of research on Hsp70's role in neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting its protective effects and potential therapeutic value. The review reveals that different Hsp70 isoforms interact with co-chaperones and cellular pathways to determine protein clearance.
Dr. Manuel A. Friese has been recognized for his groundbreaking work studying the interactions between inflammation and nerve cell death, which drives disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). His research aims to identify new therapeutic targets and bring the field closer to stopping disease progression.
A team of researchers has discovered a potential new target for treating Parkinson's disease by blocking the interaction between toxic proteins that damages brain cells. The treatment, CS2, improves mobility and cognitive performance in various study models, including human brain tissue and mice models.
Research highlights glial cells as dynamic regulators of brain health, playing both protective and harmful roles in neural function. Promising therapeutic targets include oligodendrocyte dysfunction, mitochondrial transfer, and extracellular vesicle engineering.
Researchers summarize itaconate biology highlighting its chemical reactivity and therapeutic potential in treating infectious diseases, sepsis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders. Itaconate exerts biological effects through post-translational modifications, altering protein activity and signaling pathways
A new study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that blood sugar spikes after meals may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with postprandial hyperglycaemia had a 69% greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The SPINECRAFT project aims to create a cutting-edge, 4D human spinal cord construct that mirrors the architecture and functionality of the real spinal cord. This platform will enable detailed studies of spinal cord biology and integrate patient-derived cells to recreate disease-specific environments.
Researchers highlight shared and distinct immune features between neurodegenerative and neuroimmune diseases, pointing to novel treatment strategies. The study suggests that a deeper understanding of Parkinson's disease immunology informed by lessons from multiple sclerosis may bridge the therapeutic gap for PD.
A study found that increased bone morphogenetic protein signaling is linked to impaired neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease, particularly in female mice. The research suggests that activation of BMP signaling may be a key factor contributing to the sex-based differences observed in AD.
Researchers at Umea University have identified two autophagy protein complexes as the long-sought sensors of lysosomal damage. These proteins respond to protons or calcium leakage, initiating the repair system that seals the hole, thereby preventing inflammation and cell death.
Researchers found that close to half of all dementia cases would not arise without the APOE gene's influence, and potentially more than 90% of Alzheimer's disease cases are linked to variants in this single gene. The study highlights the APOE gene as a powerful target for drug development.
Researchers found that OTULIN, an enzyme regulating the immune system, drives tau formation and brain inflammation. Deactivating OTULIN halted tau production and removed it from neurons.
A new UCLA study combines human and animal research to identify chlorpyrifos as a potential environmental cause of Parkinson's disease. Long-term residential exposure to the pesticide increases the risk of developing the condition by more than 2.5 times.
A comprehensive review synthesizes emerging evidence on AMPKα isoforms' dual roles in Alzheimer's disease. The analysis proposes that this complexity may explain why pharmacological approaches have yielded mixed results in treating the disease. Isoform-specific targeting is proposed as a novel therapeutic strategy.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that propofol, a common anesthetic agent, can improve cognitive function after surgery in older individuals. Additionally, intranasal insulin was found to mitigate age-related memory impairment by modulating neuroinflammatory mechanisms.
Researchers demonstrated that 40-Hz auditory stimulation significantly elevates beta-amyloid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of aged rhesus monkeys, with effects persisting for over five weeks. The study provides evidence supporting 40-Hz stimulation as a non-invasive therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discovered that female brain immune cells called microglia express more interferon-related genes when responding to amyloid-β plaques, causing more harm to neuronal connections. This finding suggests a potential sex-specific treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discovered that calcium alpha-ketoglutarate restores key memory-related brain functions disrupted in Alzheimer's disease. The molecule enhances synaptic plasticity, protects neurons from degenerative changes, and supports healthier cognitive ageing.
Researchers have successfully reversed Alzheimer's disease in animal models by restoring the brain's energy balance, leading to both pathological and functional recovery. The study used preclinical mouse models and human AD brains to show that maintaining proper NAD+ levels can prevent and even reverse the disease.
A comprehensive review of prior research found no evidence that menopause hormone therapy increases or decreases dementia risk in post-menopausal women. The study included data from over 1 million participants and analyzed the impact on mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, with no significant association found.
In a new study, Northwestern scientists identified a previously unknown toxic sub-species of amyloid beta oligomers that drive brain changes in Alzheimer's disease. NU-9 decreased this toxin and reduced damage in a mouse model, suggesting it could prevent or delay the cascade of toxic events that destroy neurons.
Scientists at Salk Institute find protein CCN1, secreted by astrocytes, maintains stable neural circuits in adult brains. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics for brain injury and stroke.
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers investigated a combination of stem cell therapy and BDNF enhancement to treat Parkinson's disease. The strategy aims to promote neuroregeneration and functional recovery by introducing progenitor cells genetically matched to the donors, while upregulating BDNF to mitigate neuronal loss and enhance motor function.
A comprehensive review reveals tau protein plays essential roles in brain functions while driving neurodegeneration and psychopathology. Tau deficiency enhances insulin secretion, normalizing glucose levels in diabetic mouse models.
A new study suggests that midlife depression is driven by a small cluster of specific symptoms, rather than depression overall. The six symptoms are loss of self-confidence, difficulty coping with problems, and poor concentration, which can lead to reduced social engagement and decreased cognitive reserve.
CEMIP is associated with the breakdown of myelin, a protective sheath around nerve cells. Elevated levels of the enzyme inhibit myelin regeneration in people with multiple sclerosis. Researchers hope targeting CEMIP may promote central nervous system repair and slow disease progression.
A new study reveals that factors present in aged blood can accelerate the accumulation of amyloid proteins and influence behavior in an experimental mouse model of Alzheimer's. The study found more than 250 differentially expressed proteins linked to synaptic functions, endocannabinoid signaling, and calcium channels.
The International Linked Clinical Trials Program aims to change that by supporting and facilitating clinical trials of potentially disease-modifying treatments. Over 6,800 people with Parkinson's have participated in these trials, and approximately 40% of prioritized drugs have been approved for clinical trials.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a deep learning model that detects and evaluates Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) using EEG brainwave analysis. The model achieved over 90% accuracy in distinguishing individuals with dementia from cognitively normal participants.
Researchers developed an AI tool to identify patients with undiagnosed Alzheimer's disease using electronic health records, addressing underdiagnosis and healthcare inequities. The model achieved sensitivity rates of 77-81% across diverse populations, promoting fairness while maintaining high accuracy.
Scientists at Michigan Medicine have developed machine learning models that can analyze blood samples for biomarkers to detect ALS earlier and predict disease severity. The models show promising results, with predictions accurate up to 91% in some cases, and could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment options.
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health brings together expertise in dozens of disorders, emphasizing education, family support and community connection. The center is part of ongoing national research initiatives, including a study on ALS and HEALEY ALS Platform Trial.
This study found that older mice blood worsens Alzheimer’s-related changes, while younger blood improves memory and cognitive function. The researchers identified key proteins involved in neurodegeneration and inflammation, suggesting new avenues for targeting blood-borne factors to slow or modify disease progression.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich uncovered a mechanism that protects nerve cells from premature cell death, known as ferroptosis. A single mutation in the GPX4 gene disrupts its function, leading to severe neurodegeneration in children with early-onset dementia.
A new study highlights five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain, including immune cell activity and oxidative stress. Microplastics weaken the blood–brain barrier, causing immune cells to attack them and leading to further damage.
The EBRAINS Summit 2025 will bring together experts to assess how neuroscience can drive medical progress, digital innovation, and responsible data use. Preliminary results from the EPINOV clinical trial, integrating virtual brain technology for epilepsy surgery planning, will be presented.
Dr. Paul Lucassen's research on adult neurogenesis reveals the link between early life experiences, lifestyle factors, and depression/dementia risk. His work has implications for therapeutic approaches to brain health and disease.
A new method developed by Penn State researchers improves the analysis of genetic data, identifying more genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. The technique, BASIC, integrates both bulk tissue samples and single-cell data to uncover shared genetic effects across different cell types.
A large Korean cohort study reveals a link between restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease, highlighting opportunities for early detection. Dopamine-agonist therapy may reduce the risk of developing PD in RLS patients, according to the study's findings.
A recent study found that the protein TDP43 regulates genes responsible for fixing DNA mistakes, which can lead to cancer when overactive. The discovery could lead to new treatments by controlling overactive DNA repair, offering a therapeutic strategy for diseases such as ALS and dementia.
The USC Epstein Family Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute is leading the charge against Alzheimer’s with advances in blood tests and treatments. Researchers aim to develop effective preventive therapies within the next decade.
Researchers discover GFAP's crucial role in regulating mitochondrial fusion and fission, a dynamic process that meets cells' energy needs. The study sheds light on Alexander disease, a genetic disorder caused by GFAP mutations, providing potential new avenues for therapies.
Researchers identified biological markers of inflammation, liver stress, and early damage to brain cells in young adults with obesity. Low blood levels of choline, essential for liver health and long-term brain function, were also found. These findings suggest that metabolic stress and inflammation may begin far earlier than expected.