Articles tagged with Neurodegenerative Diseases
Hereditary spastic paraplegias are a diverse group of over 80 neurodegenerative disorders with limited therapeutic options. Boston Children's Hospital is expanding its research efforts to promote clinical trial readiness for these disorders, thanks to an $8.1M NIH grant.
Researchers at FAU Engineering have developed foot-mounted wearable sensors and a 3D depth camera that accurately measure how people walk, even in busy clinical environments. The study findings reveal that these technologies match the accuracy of traditional tools but are more scalable, remote, and cost-effective.
The 15th annual Les Turner Symposium on ALS will bring together leading researchers to discuss the latest research and perspectives on the disease. Dr. Don Cleveland, a renowned expert, will deliver a keynote address on developing designer DNA drug therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Case Western Reserve University researchers discovered pseudo leukotrienes, which may be the dominant players in the inflammatory cascade that causes disease. The findings open new avenues for treating asthma and other inflammatory diseases.
Tear-derived extracellular vesicles show promise as non-invasive biomarkers for ocular and neurodegenerative diseases. The study highlights their potential to provide valuable information about the eye's health, including processes related to neurodegenerative diseases.
Protein clumps associated with Parkinson's disease can actively break down ATP, draining brain cells of vital energy. Researchers discovered that these clumps transform into molecular machines when they bind to ATP, highlighting a new mechanism of damage.
A healthy microbiome promotes overall well-being, influencing areas like cognition, mood, immunity, and disease susceptibility. By incorporating proven dietary interventions, regular exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep, individuals can harness their microbiome for optimal health.
A team of scientists has created a detailed model of how cells regulate traffic through the nuclear pore complex, revealing that flexible protein chains create an entropic barrier that admits only properly escorted cargo. This breakthrough sheds light on diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and ALS, where this transport system fails.
A new trial finds that empagliflozin and intranasal insulin safely improve brain health in people with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease. The medications target metabolic and vascular problems, improving memory, brain health, and blood flow.
UCSF researchers found a key cellular switch driving pulmonary fibrosis and developed a new therapy to block it in mice. The treatment works by preventing healthy lung cells from converting to harmful cell types, reducing scarring and improving lung function.
Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a sex-chromosome linked gene that drives inflammation in the female brain, making women more susceptible to conditions like Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Deactivating this gene and using diabetes medication metformin showed promising results in reducing symptoms in female mice.
Researchers at the University of Kansas found that individuals with ALS can improve their speech rhythm control by speaking more slowly, making it easier for others to understand. The study aims to develop personalized speech therapy strategies for patients with progressive communicative disorders.
Researchers develop a new nanotechnological device that delivers lithium directly to the brain, targeting glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta enzyme. The treatment achieves similar effects as oral lithium but with lower concentrations and reduced side effects.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that protein ASPL regulates stress granule disassembly by facilitating VCP phosphorylation and stabilizes interactions among core stress granule proteins. Additionally, ASPL facilitates stress granule assembly independent of VCP by stabilizing G3BP interactions.
A recent study found that a person's genetic background, rather than a single gene, plays a key role in the development of complex disorders. The research revealed patterns of secondary variants that can modify the impact of primary genetic variants on clinical outcomes.
A study by UC Riverside researchers identifies a strong connection between demyelination and seizure activity in multiple sclerosis. The findings suggest targeted treatments could address the root cause of seizures without suppressing overall brain activity.
Akassoglou's research discovered that blood protein fibrin causes toxic immune reactions in the brain, leading to neurodegeneration and disease progression. Her new immunotherapy aims to neutralize these effects, protecting against Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions.
Researchers at UNF will investigate the molecular machinery preventing protein misfolding and clumping, a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. The study aims to develop targeted therapies enhancing the cell's ability to manage misfolded proteins, potentially slowing or preventing disease progression.
A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo identified high levels of neuroinflammation in young individuals with Down syndrome, contributing to the high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. The discovery paves the way for disease prevention strategies and personalized treatments.
A Barrow Neurological Institute study found a positive association between ambient trichloroethylene (TCE) and Parkinson's disease risk. The researchers identified a potential link between TCE exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, particularly in individuals living near facilities emitting the chemical.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that ALS is likely caused by an autoimmune reaction triggered by inflammatory CD4+ T cells targeting specific proteins in the nervous system. Anti-inflammatory CD4+ T cells may slow disease progression and prolong survival times.
Researchers found that patients with a lower DTI-ALPS index in the left hemisphere of the brain were more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, while those with higher levels of free water in the basal nucleus of Meynert were eight times more likely to convert to dementia with Lewy bodies
A new study published in Biomaterials has developed a tiny, bioengineered system to deliver anti-inflammatory proteins to specific targets in the brain. The AstroCapsules, which are 300 micrometers in diameter, were confirmed to function when implanted into the brain and reduced neuroinflammation by measuring inflammatory biomarkers.
A new research network aims to detect early signs of dementia through open-source digital tools. Penn State will lead a $39 million grant to advance Alzheimer's detection and reduce the financial, interpersonal, and health impacts of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study provides a comprehensive view of how brain cells interact in Alzheimer's disease, mapping protein networks that reveal communication failures and point to new therapeutic opportunities. The researchers discovered that disruptions in glia-neuron communication are closely linked to the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from the University of Illinois shows that severe flu infection in pregnant mice leads to a breakdown in placental and brain barriers, allowing potentially harmful molecules to accumulate in the fetal brain. Fibrinogen accumulation has also been linked to neuroinflammatory conditions, and researchers found it accumulated in...
Researchers at Northern Arizona University are developing a breakthrough tool to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The new technology uses microvesicles in the blood to identify biomarkers indicating improved neuroplasticity, which can help track the disease's progression.
The USC team is developing a new drug aimed at a previously unexplored biological target in Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on a trigger of brain inflammation. They have identified an enzyme that predisposes the brain to inflammation and are now working to find a drug that can block it without harmful side effects.
Researchers highlight NAD+ supplements as potential key to healthier ageing and disease prevention, but call for larger studies. Early trials report improvements in memory, movement, and metabolism.
New antibody treatments for Alzheimer's disease show promise in slowing progression, but high costs, complex testing, and suboptimal care hinder their potential. Experts call for coordinated global action to reform healthcare systems, public policy, and societal attitudes.
Research links oral bacteria to Parkinson's disease via the gut-brain axis, finding Streptococcus mutans produces metabolite imidazole propionate that contributes to disease progression. Targeting the oral-gut microbiome may offer a new therapeutic approach for Parkinson's treatment.
A multidisciplinary team analyzed the interaction between neurons and glial cells, revealing key pathways that could be pivotal in neurodegeneration. The study highlights the importance of understanding cellular crosstalk in developing effective treatments for Alzheimer's.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston will lead a national initiative to unlock discoveries about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias using real-world data. The project, ReCARDO, aims to develop advanced AI tools and common data elements to make sharing and comparing data easier.
A University of Houston researcher found that recording brain activity while listening to a story can help diagnose primary progressive aphasia, a rare neurodegenerative syndrome. The method was up to 75% effective in classifying the disorder's subtypes using machine-learning algorithms and electroencephalography data.
A NIH-funded study reveals that repeated head impacts from contact sports can cause early neuron loss and inflammation in the brains of young- to middle-aged athletes. The findings suggest that these changes may occur years before CTE develops its hallmark disease features.
The Mount Sinai Health System has received an $8 million grant from DataPhilanthropy to fuel urgently needed research into CADASIL, a genetic disease associated with migraines, strokes, cognitive decline, and dementia. The center will focus on extending brain healthspan and preventing dementia in individuals with genetic risk for cereb...
A Chinese Medical Journal study reviews the association between lipid metabolism and Parkinson’s disease. The research highlights how lipid disruptions contribute to α-Syn aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, suggesting lipids as a promising therapeutic target for PD.
Researchers found that a high-fat diet impairs memory formation in fruit flies by reducing autophagy, a crucial cellular recycling process. This suggests that lifestyle interventions promoting autophagy, such as exercise or intermittent fasting, may improve cognitive decline associated with HFD.
A large meta-study of over 12,000 participants reveals that APOE ε4 genotype, female gender and advanced age are significant risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. The study confirms previous research and provides highly reliable prevalence estimates.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin discovered that nanoplastics can interfere with brain energy production by disrupting the electron transport chain in mitochondria. This finding may have implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and learning/memory issues.
Researchers synthesized hybrid vitamin K analogues with enhanced neuroactive properties, exhibiting threefold greater potency in inducing neural progenitor cell differentiation compared to natural vitamin K. The compounds preserved vitamin K and retinoic acid's biological activity via the SXR and RAR receptors.
A UCLA Health study found that only a handful of top Alzheimer's disease organizations in Los Angeles County had features or tools to improve access for Latino and Hispanic families. The study highlights the need for accessible digital solutions to close the existing digital divide among these communities.
Researchers used AI-powered video analysis to identify early motor function changes in Parkinson's disease and idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder. The study found that even healthy-looking individuals had subtle movement alterations that could indicate underlying brain disorders.
Researchers used quantitative susceptibility mapping MRI to detect changes in brain tissue linked to iron levels, predicting mild cognitive impairment and later Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that higher iron levels in specific brain areas could spot early changes years before symptoms appeared.
A study found that living in areas with high air pollution concentrations accelerates cognitive decline and worsens Alzheimer's disease by increasing the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain. Exposure to fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, was associated with increased risk of severe amyloid and tau pathology.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that exergame training improved cognitive performance, memory, and structural brain changes in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The study suggests a potential causal effect of the training on disease-modifying effects and plans for longer-term studies are underway.
Researchers found that individuals from African American, Hispanic and Asian groups were less likely to have elevated amyloid in the brain based on blood levels of p-tau217. This finding suggests that these groups may have a lower prevalence of amyloid and are not at sufficient risk to qualify for amyloid-lowering trials.
The Center will unite clinicians, neuroscientists, and data experts to understand who is at risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers will test strategies to delay or prevent disease progression using REM sleep behavior disorder as a model.
Researchers found that increased levels of EPS8 drive pathological protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in worms and human cell models. By reducing EPS8 activity, they prevented toxic protein accumulation and preserved neuronal function.
A new brainwave test developed at the University of Bath has been shown to detect signs of memory impairment linked to Alzheimer's disease years before clinical diagnosis. The Fastball EEG technology, a three-minute passive test, can reliably identify memory problems in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
A new study reveals that Alzheimer's progression is characterized by a breakdown of epigenomic stability, leading to compromised compartmentalization and the loss of gene regulation. The research provides insights into the molecular mechanisms driving disease progression and resilience, shedding light on potential new treatments.
Researchers found that mice lacking STING developed signs of more damaging inflammation than normal aging brains. Microglia, a key immune cell, lost efficacy in clearing debris and supporting other brain cells.
Researchers at POSTECH and Korea Brain Research Institute unveil NeuO's mechanism of selective neuron staining through PAK6 kinase phosphorylation. This breakthrough opens path for precise tracking and study of living neurons in brain.
A new study from the University of Southern California has found that measuring brain blood flow dynamics may be key to understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease. The research team developed a novel 'physio-marker' called the Cerebrovascular Dynamics Index (CDI) using non-invasive Doppler ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy.
Researchers at Lund University found that specific sequences within non-coding genome help shape the developing human brain. Disrupting these sequences leads to abnormalities in gene activity and brain organoid growth, highlighting their importance in regulating genes and development.
Researchers have reimagined hemoglobin as an antioxidant protein in the brain, where it breaks down harmful reactive oxygen species. A new compound, KDS12025, selectively enhances this natural defense mechanism to protect against ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and autoimmune disorders.
Dr. David Rubinsztein shares his personal journey from childhood curiosity to discovering autophagy, a natural process that clears toxic proteins causing devastating neurodegenerative diseases. His research has established autophagy upregulation as a viable therapeutic strategy for conditions affecting millions worldwide.
An international team of researchers established standardized guidelines for analyzing oxylipins, bioactive lipids related to inflammation and disease. The guidelines aim to improve reproducibility in laboratories and facilitate the transfer of scientific discoveries to clinical practice.
A clinical trial shows that giving risdiplam to newborns as early as 16 days old is safe and effective in improving motor function and increasing survival rates. The treatment can delay or prevent disease progression and preserve strength, function, and quality of life from birth.
The initiative aims to uncover critical genetic and metabolic mechanisms that may explain the increased incidence of ALS among high-performing populations. By using remote-participation technology, up to 500 participants will be collected, eliminating logistical barriers and expanding who can take part in research.