Articles tagged with Neurodegenerative Diseases
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 $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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 '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.