Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
A new study finds that individuals with dementia who are overweight or obese tend to live longer than those in a normal weight range. The researchers suggest that nutrition may play a key role in the health and survival of people with dementia, pointing to potential benefits of excess weight in this context.
Researchers at LMU identified a specific bacterial signal that shapes immune response to stroke, worsened brain injury in mice. Indole-producing bacteria acted on AHR receptor in dendritic cells, promoting protective T cells and reducing damage. The study raises potential for targeting gut microbiota to improve stroke outcome.
Research found that unfavorable social determinants of health are associated with a higher risk of dementia in adults with and without type 2 diabetes, with particularly strong associations observed among women with T2D. The study also found that diabetes-related dementia risk varies across social environments.
Flinders University researchers have identified a need for structured communication by health professionals when addressing driving cessation with people with dementia. The study suggests four phases of support: prepare the person, navigate fitness-to-drive decisions, deliver a recommendation, and adjust to life without driving.
A study analyzing 2,928 Spanish-speaking participants found that machine-learning clocks based on speech can estimate chronological age and brain aging. The speech clock was associated with biological aging, cognitive health, cumulative burden, and dementia.
A new review found that insomnia is associated with a 26% higher risk of stroke and 28% higher odds of hospital admission. The study also linked insomnia to depression, suicidal behaviors, and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Rima Kaddurah-Daouk named inaugural chair of Precision Behavioral Health, leading global collaboration to advance whole-person health through brain-brain connections. Her research focuses on Alzheimer's disease, metabolic changes, and gut microbiome's role in brain health.
Researchers at UCSF have identified 16 molecules in the blood that rise during menopause, associated with brain aging and Alzheimer's disease risk. Higher levels of these molecules in older women are linked to worse memory and thinking skills, as well as increased dementia risk.
The Kissick Family Foundation and the Milken Institute are funding $2.5 million in FTD research, supporting projects that uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Letters of intent for the fourth funding cycle are now being accepted.
The Michigan ADRC will support studies on basic science, clinical trials, caregiver interventions, and longitudinal research to advance Alzheimer's disease prevention, treatment, and care. The center aims to fast-track clinical trials and improve the health and well-being of caregivers.
A comprehensive review of the evidence links ultraprocessed foods to poorer cognitive outcomes and increased risk of dementia. The study highlights the need for further research to determine the causal relationship between these foods and brain health.
A new study has found that having a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Researchers analyzed 113,081 people with a TIA and found that over seven years, one in five developed dementia, compared to 15% of those without a stroke or TIA.
A new Curtin University-led resource, Brain Health WA, aims to help people protect their brain health and reduce their risk of dementia. The resource, developed with over 100 Western Australians, provides practical advice, everyday actions, and connections to support services.
A vaccine that could lower the risk of dementia by half for those at high risk has sparked interest among older adults, with nearly 3 in 4 expressing interest in receiving such a vaccine. The survey results highlight a growing interest in vaccines that may prevent or delay dementia, a major concern for aging populations.
A new Curtin University study reveals the immense impact of young onset dementia on families, highlighting the need for timely diagnosis and appropriate support. Care partners often become advocates and problem-solvers, but face difficulties finding age-appropriate services, leading to delays and emotional strain.
A new model, Circles of Care, will be tested to strengthen dementia care in the US by bringing together family members and social network members to develop a shared care plan. The project aims to enhance confidence, empowerment, and social connectedness while reducing caregiver burden and isolation.
Researchers found that dementia incidence among Tsimané and Mosetén communities in the Bolivian Amazon was comparable to that in US and northern European populations, but survival rates were significantly shorter. The study suggests that lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and access to medical care, may contribute to the lowe...
Binghamton University receives $500K grant for 'brain-on-a-chip' project to advance dementia research. The project will establish advanced imaging and electrophysiological analysis infrastructure for studying living brain tissue models.
Researchers at USC developed an algorithmic tool to improve screening of patients for Alzheimer's clinical trials, reducing unnecessary PET scans by over half. The tool uses blood plasma biomarkers to identify patients at risk of Alzheimer's disease, enabling faster and more efficient recruitment for trials like AHEAD 3-45.
New research from Texas A&M University suggests that younger brains may be more vulnerable to post-traumatic epilepsy after traumatic brain injury, despite their flexibility to adapt. Older brains showed fewer signs of epilepsy but were vulnerable to neuroinflammation, circuit remodeling, and memory loss.
A community-adapted brain health program in Kikuyo Town, Japan, has achieved significant improvements in attention scores and dietary balance among older adults. The 24-week program, combining aerobic exercise, cognitive exercises, and lifestyle guidance, resulted in high attendance rates and positive feedback.
A. Campbell Sullivan, a neuropsychologist, discovered a gap between treatment and science of ALS and dementia in her own family. She notes that advances in genetics and biomarker discovery are transforming research and care in ALS and FTD.
A new web-based tool, Cog-Free, estimates dementia risk using routine health examination data without cognitive tests. The tool, validated in a prospective cohort study, achieved high accuracy and clinical utility, with variables such as education, grip strength, and age contributing to risk assessment.
A cohort study found that only 30.7% of brain donors with clinician-adjudicated dementia had neurodegenerative death certification. The study suggests factors like worsening cognitive symptoms and functional impairment may be associated with increased likelihood of neurodegenerative death certification.
A nationwide study found that early initiation of statins after type 2 diabetes diagnosis was associated with a 15% lower relative risk of dementia over 10 years. Statin treatment was also linked to a 10% lower risk of dementia in patients who initiated treatment between one and five years after diagnosis.
A community-based trial in rural China found that intensive blood-pressure lowering intervention reduced dementia risk by 15% compared to usual care. The intervention also showed benefits in cognitive impairment and serious adverse events. This scalable approach may help reduce the increasing burden of dementia globally.
A study finds that dementia with Lewy bodies preferentially affects certain brain regions, including those with genes linked to mitochondrial function and synapses. These regions show distinctive patterns of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA receptors, suggesting a potential target for new treatments.
A new study published in Neurology found that a brain scan biomarker can predict the progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia in people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The biomarker measured gray matter shrinkage in key brain areas, predicting faster progression and higher risk of dementia.
A large UK study found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may reduce the risk of dementia, particularly for women who have undergone surgical menopause. The study, which followed over 180,000 postmenopausal women, found that HRT was associated with a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to non-users.
Researchers found a pattern of brain atrophy visible on MRI that can predict disease progression in people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could help clinicians identify patients likely to have a slower or faster disease course, supporting treatment and care planning.
A new study published in The BMJ found that nearly a quarter of former NFL players who died from 2016 to 2021 had confirmed CTE, with stage IV CTE linked to symptoms typical of dementia. The study provides one of the most informative estimates to date of CTE burden among former NFL players.
A new app, WeCareAdvisor, has shown promise in improving the quality of life for dementia caregivers by providing a systematic approach to manage behavioral symptoms. Caregivers who used the app reported significant reductions in distress and behavioral symptoms, as well as improved well-being.
Microglial cells from patients with genetic and sporadic frontotemporal dementia differ in function and gene expression. Changes in lysosomal function and gene expression profiles are observed, suggesting a common factor in disease processes.
Researchers found that healthier superficial white matter is associated with stronger language skills, and that gray matter atrophy measures remain the strongest predictors of cognition. However, the relationship between gray matter and cognitive performance depends on superficial white matter health.
New research suggests that leisure-time exercise, such as walking or sports, is associated with a lower risk of dementia, while physically demanding jobs may increase dementia risk. The study analyzed data from over 4.2 million people and found that household physical activity also appeared beneficial.
Researchers discovered how anesthesia, surgery, and intensive care stress alter gene activity in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment and delirium. A new drug, vorinostat, reversed these changes, restoring memory formation and regulating the internal biological clock.
According to a national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, most U.S. adults believe brain health habits should begin before age 40. Regular exercise, quality sleep, healthy eating, and strong social connections can help support long-term brain health.
A large prospective cohort study found that daytime light exposure is associated with a lower risk of dementia, with participants exposed to bright light levels above 1,000 lux having a 16% reduced risk. Longer durations of bright light exposure also showed significant reductions in dementia risk.
A study by Stanford Medicine scientists reveals that wayward tau molecules can gum up mitochondria's internal energy-production lines, initiating a vicious cycle of pathological events. This discovery provides a new mechanism driving tauopathies and renders these disorders amenable to new therapeutic interventions.
According to the study, people with none of these risk factors lived nearly 13 years longer without dementia than those with all three. Women and white participants also had longer survival times without developing dementia. The study highlights the importance of preventing these vascular risk factors in midlife.
A new study found that avoiding three risk factors in middle age is linked to nearly 13 more years without dementia. Participants who had no risk factors lived without developing dementia an average of 30 years, compared to 17 years for those with the three risk factors.
The Boston University-Quantitative Population Science and Healthy Cognitive Aging Research Program (BU-SHARP) aims to better understand how and why Alzheimer's disease manifests among certain populations. The center will fund pilot studies, provide technical assistance, and facilitate access to underutilized datasets.
A new report finds that delayed discharges and poor hospital environments keep people with dementia in hospitals unnecessarily, costing £328 million annually. The study suggests community-centric approaches can reduce hospitalisations and improve care.
The LifeAfter90 study found that women 90 and older are at two-fold greater risk for dementia, while Black participants have a 75% greater risk than Asian participants. APOE2's protective effects continue past age 90, reducing risk by 60%, but APOE4 increases the risk among men and Black participants.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that about 65% of patients who developed psychosis after age 40 showed abnormal tau buildup, compared to 15% of healthy older controls. The findings suggest diverse tau-related brain changes may be involved in late-onset psychosis.
A new study from UT Health San Antonio found that any degree of physical activity can slow cognitive decline in Hispanics. The research, which included 402 participants, also showed that controlling blood sugar levels and cardiovascular health are associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline.
A new USC study uses AI to generate detailed maps of brain aging, revealing distinct patterns of neurodegeneration in specific regions. The approach sheds light on how local brain age correlates with changes in cognitive function across the lifespan.
University of Rhode Island researcher William Van Nostrand will study cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) using a $1.5 million grant, aiming to elucidate disease mechanisms and identify early-stage biomarkers for this prevalent disease in the elderly population and Alzheimer's patients.
A study of over 64,000 people found that those born before and during World War II sugar rationing had a lower risk of developing dementia. Those with lower sugar levels in early life also experienced a delay in dementia development, on average by 2.6 years.
A Phase 2 clinical trial shows that a THC/CBD combination significantly reduces agitation in hospice-eligible people with dementia. The study, conducted across multiple US sites, achieved its primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating the efficacy of this treatment approach for end-of-life agitation.
A new study from UT Health San Antonio found that Hispanic populations experience higher rates of frontotemporal dementia, with significant delays in diagnosis due to educational disparities. The research highlights the importance of culturally sensitive diagnostic tools and interventions for equitable dementia care.
A Canadian pilot study examined ways to link dementia patients' medical records with those of their caregivers. The report highlights critical gaps in clinical application due to EMR incompatibility, varying provincial privacy rules, and consent requirements.
A comprehensive review of dementia prevalence and risk factors in India reveals unique health outcomes for South Asian populations. The study sets the stage for the SAMARTH initiative, tracking brain health in South Asian Americans to identify modifiable risks and protective factors.
A new $3.3 million study aims to investigate how people perceive cognitive changes as they age, with a focus on identifying predictive markers for dementia. The 'worried well' - individuals with cognitive complaints but normal test results - may hold clues to early disease detection.
A small clinical trial found that time-restricted eating improved spatial planning and problem-solving skills, reducing errors related to memory and learning. After six months, participants who limited their daily eating window showed significant cognitive improvements compared to those maintaining a standard eating window.
A study found that brain immune cells undergo substantial remodeling in midlife, leading to chronic neuroinflammation and potential dementia risk. The research used advanced single-cell analysis techniques to analyze postmortem hippocampal tissue from 40 healthy adults.
A new study by University College London researchers found that people who experienced persistent money struggles in early and middle adulthood performed less well in cognitive tests at age 53. They also found worse brain health, including more brain shrinkage, in later life, particularly for men and those with childhood disadvantage.
Researchers found no correlation between SuperAgers' exceptional memory and low inherited Alzheimer's disease risk. Instead, they identified unique biological and psychosocial characteristics associated with SuperAging.
The Biggs Institute is leading a $2.5 million national, multi-site study to improve detection and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. The study will enroll 125 participants and evaluate multiple possible new tools and methods to accurately identify individuals who have accumulated abnormal alpha-synuclein in the brain.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, or psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia show increased brain aging patterns. The researchers analyzed MRI data from over 45,900 controls and compared them to 2,698 patients with different brain conditions.