Articles tagged with Neurodegenerative Diseases
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.
Researchers have identified a new immune process that clears toxic amyloid plaques and delays cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. The 'Fc fragment' of the monoclonal antibody Lecanemab activates microglia, the brain's immune cells, to remove plaques more efficiently.
Researchers discovered that brain enzyme OTULIN regulates tau protein accumulation and has implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The study revealed OTULIN's role in controlling gene expression and RNA metabolism, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers aim to strengthen and retrain swallowing function in people with early Parkinson's disease using a novel treatment program. The three-year study will test the effectiveness of SwallowFIT on swallowing difficulties, aspiration rates and nutritional status.
Researchers identify a rare gene mutation that appears to protect the brain's immune cells from damage caused by Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals how this mutation can confer resilience on the brain, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers found that oral arginine significantly reduces amyloid buildup and neuroinflammation, suggesting a safe and low-cost therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease. Arginine also improves behavioral performance and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine genes.
A new study by UC San Francisco combines genetic risk with cardiovascular disease risk factors to predict who is more likely to develop dementia. The expanded view may help those worried about dementia, as lifestyle changes and improved control of illnesses can reduce brain damage and potentially delay or prevent symptoms.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that long-term pharmacological treatment improves memory alterations and inflammation in mice models for Down syndrome. The treatment targets the CB1 receptor, which is involved in neuronal connections and memory, and shows positive results even when age-related neurodegeneration is added.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that lithium supplementation did not significantly improve cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Alternative formulations like LIT-O may be a potential alternative to harness lithium's neuroprotective properties more efficiently.
A study by NTU Singapore researchers found that enlarged perivascular spaces, or 'clogged drains', in the brain are a likely early-warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. The condition can be visually identified on routine MRI scans, complementing existing methods to detect Alzheimer's earlier.
Researchers have successfully engineered functional brain-like tissue without animal-derived materials, opening doors to more controlled and humane neurological drug testing. The new material functions as a scaffold for donor brain cells and can be used to model traumatic brain injuries or neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study from Gladstone Institutes finds that dysfunctional mitochondria can initiate Parkinson's disease. The researchers used a unique mouse model to demonstrate the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and energy breakdown in cells, shedding light on potential new treatments.
A team from Tokyo Metropolitan University has identified a crucial precursor structure in the formation of tau protein fibrils, mirroring the crystallization of polymers. Dissolving these clusters prevents fibril formation, suggesting a new paradigm for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
A preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that hypertension impairs blood vessels, neurons and white matter in the brain before causing a measurable rise in blood pressure. Gene expression changes in individual brain cells could interfere with thinking and memory.
Researchers at UGA engineered a live bacterium to deliver Levodopa steadily from the gut to the brain, alleviating motor deficits in models of Parkinson's disease. This breakthrough could lead to fewer pills, steadier symptom control, and better quality of life for patients.
A comprehensive review identifies exosomes as critical mediators in the process of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related diseases. OSA-induced intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation alter exosome secretion and content, disrupting cell function and leading to various comorbidities.
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health is a $100 million facility that brings together clinical care, diagnostics and research under one roof. The center will redefine treatment of conditions including Alzheimer's, dementia, stroke and Parkinson's with multidisciplinary care teams.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that lecanemab treatment does not change short-term waste clearance function in Alzheimer's patients. The glymphatic system, which carries away metabolic waste like Aβ, is already damaged in AD patients, and treatment may not be enough to restore lost function.
The URI team developed a cost-effective, easy-to-use tabletop device to generate pressure waves mimicking blasts that cause neurodegeneration. The device helps researchers study the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including TBI-related neurodegenerative disease.
A new study reveals that increasing NAD⁺ levels corrects RNA splicing mistakes, improving brain function and restoring memory in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers discovered a previously unidentified pathway involving the protein EVA1C, which plays a crucial role in correcting tau-related neuronal damage.
Researchers uncover a unique structural motif in the tail region of kinesin-2 that acts as a molecular 'connector,' allowing the motor to correctly recognize and transport its cargo inside cells. The discovery provides new insights into brain transport and diseases, paving the way for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
A new study from Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that low-dose THC significantly reduced side effects and inflammation caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy. The treatment also increased serotonin levels, lowered cholesterol and toxic bile acids, and improved cardiovascular health.
Scientists discovered that eIF1A and eIF5B suppress toxic protein synthesis implicated in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind RAN translation, a process linked to neurodegenerative disorders.
A new study found that middle-aged people with higher levels of cardiac troponin I in their blood were more likely to develop dementia in later life. The study also found that damage to the brain seen in people with dementia accumulates slowly over decades before symptoms develop.
High-volume noise exposure in a mouse model of early-stage Parkinson's disease slowed movement and reduced balance, suggesting a connection between sound processing and movement areas. Chronic noise exposure mimicked Parkinsonian symptoms by damaging dopamine-producing cells.
Researchers at OIST discover a common molecular cascade disrupting brain signaling in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. They identify a shared mechanism affecting synaptic vesicle recycling, leading to impaired communication between brain cells.
A recent study from Houston Methodist reveals how Alzheimer's can disrupt the connection between nerves and blood vessels in fat tissue, worsening heart and metabolic conditions. The research highlights a potential link between neurodegeneration and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have identified a previously unknown hub in the brain's lymphatic drainage system, which helps remove waste from the brain. The study provides evidence of a slow-moving fluid flow through true lymphatic vessels, rather than blood vessels.
A new study published in Science finds CTE shares genetic similarities with Alzheimer's disease, including DNA damage and tau protein buildup in the brain. Researchers used single-cell genome sequencing to identify somatic mutations in neurons from patients with CTE, revealing abnormal patterns of damage similar to those seen in AD.
This review synthesizes current knowledge on how gut microbiota dysbiosis influences neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier integrity, and immune homeostasis. Dysregulation of the gut-brain-immune axis in neurodegenerative diseases drives inflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal damage.
A small study found that five volunteers with late-onset Alzheimer's disease showed significant improvements in cognitive tests and decreased biomarker tau proteins after two years of receiving 40Hz light and sound stimulation. This suggests that the therapy may slow cognitive decline and have direct biological impacts on Alzheimer's p...
Researchers have developed a blood test that detects Parkinson's disease by analyzing the activity of immune cells. The study found 22 genes whose expression was altered in patients with Parkinson's, suggesting potential diagnostic markers and insights into the disease's mechanisms.
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.
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.
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 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...