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Using new blood biomarkers, USC researchers find Alzheimer’s disease trial eligibility differs among various populations

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.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2025

Alzheimer’s erodes brain cells’ control of gene expression, undermining function, cognition

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.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2025

Brown University neuroscientists help identify a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease progression

Researchers at Brown University have identified a brain-based biomarker that can predict mild cognitive impairment development into Alzheimer's disease. They used a custom-built tool to analyze electrical activity from neurons and found distinct differences in beta events between patients who developed the disease and those who did not.

SourceBrown University·JournalImaging Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2025

Preoperative mini-cog score predicts postoperative delirium risk in ≥aged 75 patients

A multicenter study found that preoperative Mini-Cog scores can predict postoperative delirium risk in elderly patients. The study used a mendelian randomization analysis to identify genetic variants associated with cognitive performance, suggesting that preoperative screening may help identify high-risk patients.

Heart-healthy habits also prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, COPD, other diseases, Emory study finds

A new study from Emory University reveals that maintaining optimal cardiovascular health can significantly improve overall physical and psychological well-being. The review confirms that heart-healthy behaviors positively impact brain function, vision, hearing, muscle strength, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 18, 2025

AI can accelerate search for more effective Alzheimer’s medicines by streamlining clinical trials

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.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2025

Music may reduce distress for dementia patients

A new music therapy approach called MELODIC showed promising results in reducing distress symptoms and improving quality-of-life scores among dementia patients. The intervention, which costs £2,025 per month, could provide a low-cost and scalable alternative to current methods of managing severe distress.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

Record-breaking human imaging project crosses the finish line: 100,000 volunteers provide science with most detailed look inside the body

The UK Biobank has completed a groundbreaking imaging project, scanning the brains, hearts, abdomens, blood vessels, bones and joints of 100,000 volunteers to understand how diseases develop. The project is already improving patient care in the NHS and beyond, with over 1,300 peer-reviewed scientific papers published based on the data.

UCLA researchers uncover key mechanism of brain repair in vascular dementia, revealing promising therapeutic target

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2025

‘Chemo brain’ and the aging brain: Researchers examine similarities in search for improved cognition

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma investigate the overlap between cognitive decline caused by chemotherapy and aging, discovering decreased blood flow, disrupted blood-brain barriers, and senescent cells. Removing these cells with senolytics can improve cerebral blood flow, cognition, and overall brain health.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2025

USC researchers define brain scan marker to better classify Alzheimer’s disease-related changes

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.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalImaging Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 26, 2025

Staying physically active may slow cognitive decline

A new study from the University of Georgia found that sustained physical activity can reduce the rate of cognitive decline for older adults. The research analyzed data from over 13,000 survey respondents and found a significant association between longer and more frequent engagement in physical activity and delayed cognitive decline.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalThe Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer s Disease·DateJun 25, 2025

Popular diabetes and weight-loss drug may reduce risk of dementia

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that semaglutide lowers the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, suggests T2D patients taking semaglutide had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia compared to other antidiabetic medications.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2025

Mood disorders in late-life may be early warning signs for dementia

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.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2025

Museum specimens offer new lens on pollution history

A new study uses preserved plants and animals from natural history museums to track pollution trends over two centuries. Researchers found significant changes in pollutant levels between specimens collected in the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting the impact of industrial activity on human health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJun 4, 2025

Do night owls decline cognitively faster than early birds?

A recent study published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease found that evening people experience a greater rate of cognitive decline over time. This decline is attributed to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and poor sleep habits, which can be mitigated by working with one's natural chronotype.

SourceUniversitair Medisch Centrum Groningen·JournalThe Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer s Disease·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2025

Stress can lead to Alzheimer’s disease in women who are post-menopausal, UT Health San Antonio study finds

Researchers found that post-menopausal women with high midlife cortisol levels have increased amyloid deposition and are at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study also highlights the importance of identifying early risk factors in women, particularly those who experience menopause.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2025

Hereditary Alzheimer’s: Blood marker for defective neuronal connections rises early

A study has identified an early blood marker for hereditary Alzheimer's disease, beta-synuclein, which can detect neurodegeneration up to 11 years before dementia symptoms. This biomarker could help with early diagnosis and treatment, improving the potential of new medicines for Alzheimer's.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateApr 16, 2025

How GPS helps older drivers stay on the roads

A new study published in PLOS Digital Health found that older drivers with GPS navigation systems tend to drive more frequently, suggesting these tools help maintain driving mobility. The research reveals that using GPS can alleviate spatial orientation difficulties and support older adults' independence on the roads.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2025

Researchers link exosomes to blood-brain barrier dysfunction in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

A new study found that exosomes from children with pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disrupted blood-brain barrier integrity, leading to cognitive impairments. The research suggests a broader impact on barrier function and identifies potential biomarkers for OSA-related neurocognitive dysfunction.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournalExperimental Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 26, 2025