A review of hundreds of studies found a link between childhood plastic exposure and long-term health concerns like heart disease, obesity, and asthma. Parents can take simple steps to limit their children's plastic exposure, such as replacing plastic containers with glass or stainless steel.
A UNM researcher has identified 10 disease processes that contribute to vascular-based brain injury, including effects of nano- and microplastics. The findings suggest a potential half of Alzheimer's patients may also have vascular disease, paving the way for new classification and treatment approaches.
The study aims to identify better ways to predict which children with ADHD will benefit from medication treatment. Researchers will examine how the brain processes reward and frustration to understand why some children show improvements with ADHD medication while others do not.
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 new study found that people with three or more symptoms of physical frailty were nearly three times more likely to develop dementia than those without frailty. The researchers also discovered changes in brain structure and biomarkers in people with frailty, which may be a mechanism underlying the pathway from frailty to dementia.
A study found that older adults with Parkinson's disease have a higher rate of brain amyloid positivity compared to younger patients, even without dementia. The researchers suggest this may indicate an accelerated transition from healthy cognition to dementia in PD patients.
A large-scale U.S-based randomized trial shows that intensive lifestyle changes can significantly improve global cognition in older adults at high risk of cognitive decline. The intervention emphasized regular physical activity, healthy diet, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, leading to clinically meaningful improvements. T...
The VasCog-2-WSO criteria update provide operationalization and guidance on neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers for VCID diagnosis. This new standard aims to facilitate diagnostic consistency among clinicians and researchers worldwide.
A study from the University of Waterloo found that high hair cortisol levels may signal mental health risks in children with chronic physical illnesses. The research suggests that identifying these risk factors early could help doctors and families intervene before emotional difficulties take hold.
A cohort study found that childhood loneliness was associated with cognitive decline and increased dementia risk in later life. Early interventions may help promote lifelong cognitive health and reduce dementia risk.
Researchers have demonstrated a portable, noninvasive technology that can detect metabolic changes linked to Alzheimer's disease by measuring cytochrome c oxidase activity. The study found that including oxCCO measures improved the ability of the brain-monitoring tool to capture clinically relevant brain changes.
Researchers at Penn State found that weight fluctuations and changes can lead to faster cognitive decline in older adults. The study analyzed data from 4,304 participants and showed that those with greater variability in weight experienced more rapid cognitive declines.
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 12-week high-intensity interval training intervention did not improve hippocampal integrity or cognitive/mental health impairments, but reduced cannabis craving. Regular physical exercise may be a potential strategy for managing cannabis use disorder.
A special MRI technique detecting brain iron levels can predict mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Elevated brain iron is linked to higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and faster cognitive decline.
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.
A new blood-based biomarker study identifies a link between self-reported cognitive decline and blood-based biomarkers, paving the way for a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The approach could be faster, less-invasive, and more affordable than existing screening tools.
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.
Researchers at UCSF screened hundreds of industrial dyes to identify those that stick to protein clumps in the brain, a hallmark of dementia. They found 10 sure hits that illuminated tau clumps in animal models and human samples, offering new hope for diagnosis and treatment.
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.
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 have found a strong link between abnormal changes in retinal blood vessels and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that routine eye exams could potentially reveal early signs of the condition.
Aging populations exhibit a positivity bias in recognizing emotions, associated with observable changes in brain linked to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. The study correlates age-related positivity bias with poorer cognitive performance but not necessarily emotional decline.
The Fork It Fund has awarded $1 million to support a major initiative at Stevens INI, accelerating scientific discovery by making critical research data more accessible worldwide. GAAIN is a global data-sharing platform connecting Alzheimer's disease and dementia-related data repositories from around the world.
Researchers have identified over 400 genes linked to accelerated aging, including subtypes such as cognitive decline and metabolic problems. The findings support the 'geroscience hypothesis' and suggest that treating aging itself may be key to preventing chronic illnesses.
A recent study by Open Collaboration for Cognitive Accessibility found that 90% of Canada's federal and provincial disability support programs present accessibility barriers, excluding tens of thousands of Canadians with cognitive disabilities from obtaining financial support. The study highlights the need for clear and accessible info...
A study of over 30,000 adults found that regular time spent helping others outside the home significantly slows cognitive decline. Informal helping behaviors also provided comparable cognitive benefits to formal volunteering.
A new tool called the ReaderBank Imagination Quiz identifies four forces of imagination linked to mental imagery and immersion in stories. This diversity of imagination skills may help refine treatments for similar traits in mental ill health.
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 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.
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.
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 aim to uncover how menopause and lifestyle factors shape brain aging in women during midlife. The three-year project will analyze MRI scans and health data from thousands of women worldwide to track changes in brain structure and connectivity.
The US POINTER trial found that a structured lifestyle intervention of regular exercise, adherence to the MIND diet and social engagement had greater benefits on global cognition compared to an unstructured intervention. The study showed significant cognitive benefit after two years in older adults at elevated risk of Alzheimer disease.
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 by Florida Atlantic University reveals that up to 40% of hospital transfers from nursing homes can be avoided. The study identified common medical conditions linked to unnecessary hospitalizations, including feeding tube complications and urinary tract infections.
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.
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 at the University of Arizona Health Sciences will use a precision medicine approach to increase the effectiveness of sleep apnea treatment in people with Down syndrome. The study aims to evaluate the combination of two medications, atomoxetine and oxybutynin, for OSA in individuals with Down syndrome.
A UNIGE team analyzed data from 33,000 Europeans to examine the impact of hearing loss and loneliness on memory. The findings show that hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline particularly among individuals who feel lonely, regardless of social isolation.
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.
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.
The study identified a rare genetic alteration associated with high levels of the ADAM10 protein, which plays a role in breaking down beta-amyloid precursor protein. The researchers aim to develop a panel of prognostic biomarkers to differentiate Alzheimer's disease from other types of dementia.
A recent multinational study found that people diagnosed with dementia are living longer due to advancements in diagnosis and care. The study of over 1.2 million individuals across eight regions revealed a lower risk of death in five regions, primarily attributed to improved prevention and treatment methods.
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.
A community-based cohort study found that COVID-19 hospitalization was associated with accelerated declines in cognition among older adults, compared to those not infected. Avoiding severe SARS-CoV-2 infection may help preserve cognitive function in this population.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mark Ramos developed software to help therapists measure children's skill development in autism therapy, providing a more accurate estimate of mastery. The tool, called MIEBL, employs Bayesian estimates to set performance criteria based on predicted success and observed data.
A 16-year study of over 10,000 individuals aged 50+ found that those with higher wellbeing were more likely to have better scores on memory tests. The association was independent of depressive symptoms and suggested that psychological factors affect brain health.
A study found that brain age gap plays a key role in the connection between cognitive impairment risk factors and thinking memory skills. Researchers discovered that accelerated brain aging influences the relationship between cognitive decline and risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.
A new study found that gut microbiome composition is associated with cognitive impairment in adults, and that food insecurity may jointly influence brain function. Adults with lower microbial diversity and specific imbalances in gut bacteria were more likely to experience cognitive impairment.
A study found that children whose mothers experienced Superstorm Sandy during pregnancy showed distinct brain differences that could affect their emotional development. Prenatal exposure to extreme heat and climate events rewrote critical emotion regulation centers in the developing brain.
A comprehensive study found dementia rates were 25% higher in the Southeast compared to the Mid-Atlantic. The Northwest and Rocky Mountains had 23% and 18% higher rates respectively. These differences remained even after accounting for factors like age, race, and cardiovascular disease.
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 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.
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.
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.