Articles tagged with Neurodegenerative Diseases
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.
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.
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.
Researchers from FAU and the Sensing Institute created a detailed computer model of the mouse brain's vasculature, simulating how brain blood vessels respond to hemodynamics and vasodynamics. The model shows that transitional vessels play a critical role in regulating flow and protecting the brain during increased activity.
Researchers have discovered a new approach for treating proteinopathies by targeting dysregulated nuclear speckles, which can lead to neuron degeneration. Pyrvinium pamoate has been shown to improve proteostasis in various disease models, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and tauopathies.
SuperAgers, individuals with exceptional memory performance beyond their age, have been studied for 25 years. Their brains show a distinct neurobiological profile, linked to resistance and resilience mechanisms that may prevent Alzheimer's disease progression.
The Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative has launched a five-year plan to strengthen brain health in Africa and beyond, focusing on prevention and economic resilience. The six priorities of the 6x5 Plan include building resilient systems that support lifelong brain health and addressing cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine developed a way to replace more than half of the most severely affected brain cells with non-genetically matched precursor cells in mice. The approach helped animals live longer and reduced behavioral symptoms of the disease, offering hope for families of children with these rare diseases.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that lithium loss in the brain is an early change leading to Alzheimer's, while a novel lithium compound can reverse memory in mice. The study suggests a new theory of the disease and a potential strategy for diagnosis and treatment.
A study found amyloid beta protein particles build up in the bone marrow of aging mice, impairing bone-building cells and activating bone-resorbing cells. Removing senescent fat cells or blocking a protein called SAP/PTX2 may offer potential new targets for preventing or treating bone loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers have discovered that dialing down sugar metabolism can break down neural integrity, but manipulating this process can also activate protective programs in neurons. Two proteins, DLK and SARM1, are involved in extending axon health, with their activity influenced by the cell's internal conditions.
A technology expert predicts AI-based medicine will revolutionise care for Alzheimer’s and diabetes, but access must be made available to all patients. The author highlights key innovations such as diagnostic imaging and surgical robots that will aid in more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
A study led by Dr. Jessica Bernard at Texas A&M University investigates the role of the cerebellum in cognitive functions such as memory and language, with the aim of developing a non-invasive therapeutic approach using Theta burst simulation (TBS) to improve outcomes for older adults.
Researchers discovered that magnetized surfaces significantly influence amyloid protein assembly, forming more fibrils and longer structures when aligned in one direction. The study suggests a new physical factor, Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS), plays a direct role in protein self-assembly.
A new study by Stanford researchers reveals that declining proteostasis in the brain leads to increased protein aggregation, which is linked to neurodegenerative diseases. The findings were made using the turquoise killifish model, and shed light on the fundamental molecular principles of aging.
Researchers from Japan studied DJ-1's catalytic mechanism, revealing key amino acids involved in cPGA hydrolysis. Mutations in these residues revoked cPGA hydrolase activity, confirming the pathophysiological implications of DJ-1.
A $5.5 million federal grant will support clinical trials to treat fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). The project aims to develop accurate outcome measures for future trials, ensuring patients and caregivers have a say in what matters most.
Research examines undercarboxylated osteocalcin's impact on diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions like NAFLD and depression. Glu-OCN's influence on glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and cholesterol metabolism is discussed.
Researchers used machine learning to detect subtle behavioral changes in mouse models of Parkinson's disease, revealing that high-speed movements are the first affected behaviors. Levodopa treatment improves movement speed but not other attributes of these movements.
Researchers investigate how anxiety emerges and changes over the course of Parkinson's Disease, exploring its relationship to autonomic symptoms and brain regions like the amygdala. They aim to understand how functional changes in these areas may relate to behaviors.
A study from Gladstone Institutes reveals that genetic risk factors for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke exert their effects in blood vessels and immune cells. The research provides a detailed look at how genetic variants function across all major brain cell types, revealing distinct mechanisms for different diseases.
UCSF scientists identified a receptor that enables microglia to engulf and digest amyloid beta plaques, leading to fewer and smaller clumps. This discovery creates an opportunity for new therapies targeting the receptor ADGRG1.
A recent study published in Brain reveals that a mathematical model can classify genes into four categories based on their interaction with the brain's network patterns. This classification helps explain why some brain regions deteriorate rapidly while others remain intact, providing new insights into Alzheimer's disease.
A groundbreaking brain imaging study confirms intranasal insulin safely reaches key memory regions in older adults with Alzheimer's. The research reveals differences in uptake among individuals with early cognitive decline, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches.
Researchers developed an AI-based screening tool using pangrams to detect Parkinson’s disease with nearly 86 percent accuracy. The web-based test analyzes voice recordings for subtle patterns linked to the neurodegenerative disease, identifying potential warning signs.
Researchers developed an 'aging clock' that can assess the biological age of brain cells and identify potential rejuvenating interventions. The study found 453 unique compounds with therapeutic potential, some of which are known to extend lifespan in animal models.
Answer ALS has launched a groundbreaking collaborative initiative, LADDIA, to accelerate AI-powered drug discovery for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. The partnership aims to identify and prioritize therapeutic targets using AI-driven insights from the largest open-access ALS dataset.
Aging and depression are linked to complex brain-body communication, with organs aging at different rates and influencing disease susceptibility. Dr. Hamilton Oh's research reveals how immune cells and metabolic organs amplify or dampen mood symptoms, offering novel therapeutic targets.
Researchers discovered a two-step mechanism where inhibitory neurons release nitric oxide to rapidly dilate blood vessels, followed by slower, localized vasodilation via astrocyte activation. This breakthrough sheds light on how neural signals are translated into blood volume changes in brain imaging.
Researchers at NTU Singapore and Oxford University have discovered a mechanism by which cells identify and repair highly toxic DNA damage, known as DPCs, that cause cancer, neurodegeneration, and premature ageing. The study reveals how SPRTN, a key repair enzyme, selectively targets DPC lesions, increasing its activity 67-fold.
Research reveals insulin resistance and dysglycemia contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression, affecting cognitive function. The study identifies new gold standards for clinical care practice, including metformin and other glucose-lowering agents.
Researchers used an AI model to reassess a completed clinical trial for an Alzheimer's disease drug, finding it slowed cognitive decline by 46% in early-stage patients. The AI model predicts patient progression and allows for more precise selection of trial participants, potentially reducing the cost of developing new medicines.
Researchers now have access to high-value datasets that could transform our understanding of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Data from 3 million human cells across 9 brain regions will help explore the brain at unprecedented resolution.
Long-haul COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome share similar pathophysiologies, including oxidative stress, autoantibodies, and impaired mitochondrial energy conversion. These conditions also exhibit neurodegenerative outcomes, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of dementia.
A cohort study found that GLP-1RAs like semaglutide and tirzepatide lower risk of dementia, stroke, and all-cause mortality in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings suggest potential neuroprotective benefits beyond glycemic control.
Scientists at University of South Australia developed a long-acting injectable formulation that delivers levodopa and carbidopa over a week, reducing the need for multiple daily tablets. The biodegradable formulation improves treatment outcomes and patient compliance, offering a potential game-changer for Parkinson's care.
An international team has uncovered a new mechanism by which mitochondria and peroxisomes work together to defend against oxidative stress, maintaining cellular health. This discovery challenges the long-standing idea that cellular defense is confined within individual compartments.
Researchers identified four distinct pathways leading to Alzheimer's disease, revealing how conditions progress step-by-step toward the condition. The study validated findings in a nationally diverse population, suggesting that understanding these pathways could fundamentally change how clinicians approach early detection and prevention.
Professor Eran Meshorer's groundbreaking research in epigenetics and stem cell biology has uncovered critical insights into chromatin structure and gene expression. His work has broad implications for regenerative medicine, developmental biology, and understanding neurological disorders.
Researchers at UCLA Health have made a groundbreaking discovery about the mechanisms underlying vascular dementia. They found that targeting inflammation in brain blood vessels can promote brain repair and functional recovery in mice. This breakthrough highlights a potential new treatment approach for this understudied form of dementia.
Researchers discovered lower α-synuclein levels in red blood cells of patients with Dementia with Lewy Bodies, a potential biomarker for early diagnosis. This finding may contribute to improving treatment outcomes and patient care for those affected by DLB.
A study reveals that ultra-small nanoparticles can induce abnormal protein conformation and have the potential to cause pathological conditions like Alzheimer's disease. The researchers used spectroscopy-based experiments to analyze the interactions between bovine serum albumin and silica nanoparticles.
A new brain imaging benchmark may improve how researchers classify biologically meaningful changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found a tau cut-point that distinguished individuals with cognitive impairment from those aging normally, but its effectiveness was limited in non-Hispanic Black participants.
The new centre will investigate neural dynamics, developing novel interventions and devices to improve symptom relief and quality of life for people with brain disorders. It aims to harness neural dynamics for people with conditions like Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have identified a new brain protein involved in Parkinson's disease and found that targeting it with a drug treatment improved motor function in experimental models. The study suggests that this approach could slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's disease in humans.
Researchers analyzed single-cell transcriptomes from early, middle, and late stages of AD to identify subtle shifts in cellular activity. They found that mitochondria in vulnerable brain areas began to fail early in the disease, even before amyloid plaque buildup. The study also identified a gene called MEG3 involved in regulating mito...
Researchers suggest that brains reach a critical state to learn, remember, and think, which can be measured using fMRI technology. This framework offers a new perspective on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which disrupt the brain's ability to maintain criticality.
Researchers have discovered that a rare genetic mutation delays Alzheimer's disease by suppressing inflammatory signaling in the brain. The study found that inhibiting this pathway with a drug-like inhibitor replicated key protective effects of the mutation in a preclinical model.
Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede joins Rice University's Department of Chemistry as a professor, bringing expertise in metalloproteins and protein aggregation to enhance cancer research. Her focus is on understanding the role of copper-binding proteins in cancer metastasis and potential future therapies.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that T cell reactivity is highest during the prodromal period in Parkinson's disease, which can last for decades before noticeable symptoms. This finding may guide the development of early diagnostic tools and provide a new timeline for Parkinson's disease detection.
Research found that approximately 50% of participants with late-life depression and bipolar disorder showed tau accumulation in their brains, compared to only about 15% of healthy controls. The study suggests that neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, can initially manifest as psychiatric symptoms.
Researchers developed a digital motor score, HDDMS, using smartphone apps to track disease progression in Huntington's disease. The HDDMS is around twice as sensitive as the current clinical measure, allowing for more efficient clinical trials and potentially accelerating drug development.
Researchers from the Mount Sinai Health System are presenting new studies on the impact of sleep on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The studies explore the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and Alzheimer's pathogenesis, as well as the effects of sleep disruption on spatial learning and neuroinflammation.
Researchers discovered how VCP, an enzyme that unravels proteins, interacts with tag-removing enzymes DUBs to regulate protein degradation. This interaction may have implications for treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and certain cancers.
Researchers identified novel truncated RNAs from jumping genes that encode reverse transcriptases in the aging human brain, particularly in neurons. This discovery may provide new insights into Alzheimer's disease and potential therapeutic targets.
A new study suggests that women who spend more time in their reproductive phase may experience slower brain aging. Estradiol, the most potent form of estrogen during this period, may help protect the brain from age-related decline. However, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between estradiol and brain health.
Researchers have discovered a new method to enhance brain waste clearance by precisely stimulating the lymphatics under skin on the neck and face. This non-invasive approach may offer a safer alternative to current treatments for age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Vanessa Casha, a postdoctoral scholar at the UCLA Brain Research Institute, received the 2025 Hereditary Disease Foundation's Nancy S. Wexler Young Investigator Prize for her research on Huntington's disease. She aims to identify key proteins driving the disease and potential therapeutic targets.
A new study found that adopting the MIND diet is linked with reduced dementia risk, even among older adults. Those who improved their adherence to the diet over time showed a greater pattern of risk reduction.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System discovered that an immune molecule called STING drives the formation of harmful plaques and protein tangles associated with Alzheimer's. Blocking STING protected lab mice from mental decline, suggesting a promising treatment target for neurodegenerative diseases.