Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
University Hospitals Brain Health & Memory Center is now treating patients with KISUNLA, a medication approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer's disease. The treatment has shown promise in clinical trials and may be an option for patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.
A study of 61,214 dementia-free individuals found that high cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with better cognitive performance and a lower risk of dementia. The findings suggest that enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness could be a strategy for preventing dementia in people with a genetic predisposition.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age are more likely to develop dementia. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,200 U.S. adults and found a graded association between age at diagnosis and dementia risk.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences have identified a potential new drug, PNA5, that targets cognitive symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The study found that PNA5 dials back inflammation in brain cells, which may prevent further degeneration and alleviate cognitive decline.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that long-term use of common cardiovascular drugs is associated with a lower risk of dementia. The study, which analyzed data from over 880,000 people, shows that these medications can reduce dementia risk by 4-25%.
Researchers at Emory University are investigating how specific types of air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By analyzing biological responses to air pollution, they aim to identify potential intervention and prevention strategies.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that unclear procedures and distribution of responsibilities among healthcare workers can lead to poor oral health in older adults in nursing homes. The researchers suggest that a more structured process can promote communication and awareness of good oral health practices.
A new study reveals that many older adults in low-income communities are living with undiagnosed cognitive impairments, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The study found significant racial disparities, with African American patients being more than twice as likely to have undiagnosed MCI or dementia.
A global study of nearly 30,000 participants found that frailty accelerates dementia diagnosis by up to 9 years, with every additional health problem increasing the risk by 40%. Researchers emphasize the importance of targeted interventions and frailty screening for early disease prevention.
A new study found that significant year-to-year fluctuations in cholesterol levels without medication changes could indicate an increased risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline. Researchers suggest that reducing cholesterol variability could potentially be a promising therapeutic target for dementia prevention.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that TYK2 transforms tau into a toxic protein contributing to Alzheimer's disease. Partially restraining TYK2 could be a strategy to reduce tau levels and toxicity.
A study of socially and economically vulnerable older adults found that African Americans have twice the odds of unrecognized cognitive impairment as White patients. Approximately 82% of Black patients had undiagnosed dementia or mild cognitive impairment, compared to 64% of White patients.
A higher Brain Care Score (BCS) significantly reduces the risk of stroke, late-life depression, and dementia in individuals with a higher genetic predisposition to these conditions. The study's findings suggest that adopting healthy lifestyle choices can protect brain health regardless of genetic risk.
A new study found that people from more affluent backgrounds are less likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia. Those with higher education levels, managerial occupations, and wealth were also more likely to recover from mild cognitive impairment and improve their health.
A Michigan Medicine study of over 18,500 adults found that obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a higher risk of dementia symptoms or diagnosis at every age level. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than men, especially as they aged.
Researchers have discovered that a glaucoma drug, methazolamide, can clear tau build-up and reduce disease symptoms in zebrafish and mice. The study suggests that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may be effective in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Alzheimer's researchers identify specific inhibitors that prevent nerve cell loss and improve social recognition memory in mouse models. The study sheds light on the molecular sequence of events leading to cellular demise and opens up new research avenues for halting or preventing brain damage.
Baycrest leaders Dr. Allison Sekuler, Dr. Nicole Anderson, and Melissa Turzanski have been named winners of the WXN's Top 100 Awards for their groundbreaking work in aging and brain health research and innovation. Their contributions have transformed industries, communities, and country through exceptional leadership.
A new study led by CAMH shows that a combination of therapies can slow cognitive decline in older adults with conditions increasing the risk of dementia. Participants receiving Cognitive Remediation plus transcranial direct current stimulation experienced slower cognitive decline compared to those receiving a control intervention.
Researchers found that polypharmacy in older adults with Alzheimer's disease exacerbates symptoms, functional decline, and health outcomes. The study highlights the need for medication optimization strategies to improve quality of life among this vulnerable population.
The Ask the Experts series offers practical psychological insights to address common challenges, such as exam anxiety, supporting loved ones with dementia, and managing technology use. The books provide clear advice grounded in science and easy to apply.
Researchers will use decades-old data from blood and urine tests to measure pesticide and metal levels among participants, then match with MRI scans and cognitive tests to identify potential contributions to dementia risk. The study aims to understand environmental links to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
A new study published in the journal Aging & Mental Health found that people with more positive expectations of aging tend to report less frequent cognitive problems and are less likely to perceive a decline in their cognitive performance over time. Researchers suggest that modifying older adults' aging expectations could support healt...
Research finds that sustained engagement in regular physical activity before and after a dementia diagnosis is associated with the greatest reduction in risk of death, regardless of dementia type. Maintaining an exercise routine or starting new activities also reduces mortality risk, with higher levels associated with greater reductions.
Jeah Jung is studying long-term care integration for dually eligible individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. She examines the effect of integrating medical services with long-term care through Medicare Advantage plans on health outcomes.
A new study by MIT scholars finds that hospice care generates substantial savings for the US Medicare system, with $29,000 in cost savings over five years for patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Hospice care provides palliative-type care at a lower cost than elaborate medical procedures, saving lives and reducing suffering.
A new study found that 3% of people with traditional Medicare switch to Medicare Advantage each year, but many switch back after a short period. The researchers discovered that people who switched from MA to traditional Medicare were more likely to choose higher-rated plans or those with broader networks.
A new Concordia study reveals that bilingualism is associated with larger and healthier hippocampi in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The research found no evidence of hippocampal atrophy in bilinguals across the continuum of Alzheimer’s development.
A recent meta-analysis of 21 longitudinal studies revealed that loneliness increases the risk of developing dementia by 31%, with specific causes including Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairments.
Researchers found that ACLY activity activates the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a pro-inflammatory environment associated with chronic inflammation and aging. Blocking ACLY activity reduces inflammation-related genes in aged cells, suggesting a potential strategy for managing aging and age-related diseases.
Researchers found that certain factors increased the risk of death after sepsis, including advanced age, dementia, heart disease, cancer, and previous hospitalizations. A total of 50.6% of patients with sepsis died within two years, highlighting the need for closer monitoring and follow-up care.
Mayo Clinic scientists created mini brain models in a dish that closely match key features seen in the brains of patients with Lewy body dementia. The team identified four potential drug compounds that may offer approaches to treating the disease.
A new study evaluated the efficacy of a combined hearing and vision rehabilitation intervention for people with dementia living at home. The SENSE-Cog trial showed significant improvements in quality of life in the short term, but further research is needed to understand its long-term impact.
Cardiovascular diseases like heart failure and atrial fibrillation are linked to cognitive impairment and increased risk of dementia. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and identifying vascular risk factors early may help preserve brain function and reduce the burden of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that speakers smiled more when listeners smiled more, especially in same-sex conversations. Smile synchronization is essential in creating social bonds and fostering positive feelings.
A new citizen science study has found that a person's subjective impression of their own memory problems is strongly linked to modifiable risk factors for dementia. The research used a smartphone app to gather data from 3,327 people and found a stronger association between subjective memory impairment and risk factors such as depressio...
A recent study found that tau protein buildup disrupts the salience network, a crucial communication network in the brain, leading to behavioral changes. The study used advanced medical imaging to analyze the brains of 128 people with early-stage dementia and showed a strong association between tau disruption and behavioral symptoms.
Researchers found that brain shrinkage patterns vary significantly among individuals with Alzheimer's, with some accumulating more outliers over time. This variability could enable the development of targeted treatments and predict future symptoms.
A study using a smartphone-based wayfinding task identified individuals with increased risk for dementia, based on their movement patterns and spatial memory. The research provides promising insights into the potential of digital technologies for early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a promising new drug, RI-AG03, that successfully targets and blocks both major aggregation-promoting 'hotspots' of the Tau protein. The peptide-based approach shows significant potential in preventing the build-up of Tau proteins and neurodegeneration, addressing a critical gap in current treatments.
Researchers have developed a peptide inhibitor called RI-AG03 that effectively prevents Tau protein aggregation in lab and fruit fly studies. The breakthrough targets both major aggregation-promoting 'hotspots' of the Tau protein, potentially paving the way for more effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that biomarker levels for diagnosing Alzheimer's vary with time of day, with lowest levels in the morning and highest in the evening. The study suggests standardizing sample times to improve diagnostic accuracy and disease tracking.
Researchers found that living with dementia in communities with senior centers providing adult day health and social services was associated with fewer hospitalizations and lower Medicare costs. The study suggests that senior centers can minimize healthcare costs and acute care usage among those with dementia.
A research team led by Maria Glymour will investigate four modifiable risk factors for ADRD: lifetime alcohol use, depression, vision and hearing impairments, and social isolation. The project aims to provide comprehensive evidence on how these risk factors contribute to ADRD risk.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that older adults who sustained a traumatic injury were more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias if they experienced falls. The study suggests that completing cognitive screenings in older patients after a fall could help detect dementia sooner.
Research finds poor sleep quality directly relates to mortality risk, even before adjusting for lifestyle factors. Dementia is associated with increased mortality risk among individuals with better sleep quality, males, and older White adults.
A new study by UT Health San Antonio found that higher levels of leptin are associated with better signal-transmitting brain white matter in middle-aged adults. The researchers also discovered a link between leptin bioavailability and reduced risk of cognitive impairment, providing potential insights into obesity's role in dementia.
ASU has created an Edward R. Roybal Center to develop and adapt technology-enabled lifestyle and behavioral interventions for older adults with cognitive decline. The center aims to help individuals maintain independence while managing challenges of aging.
A class of diabetes medications called SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce the risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease. The study found that people taking these drugs had a 20% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, 30% lower risk of vascular dementia, and 20% lower risk of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers identified known genetic variants for Alzheimer’s disease as risk factors for all-cause dementia and vascular dementia. The study also found a substantial genetic overlap with vascular dementia and cerebral small-vessel disease.
The Mount Sinai Health System is deploying blood-based biomarkers and confirmatory tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, enabling early detection and intervention. The system aims to stratify patients rapidly, non-invasively, and cost-effectively.
A new study by University of Oklahoma researchers identifies key measurements of brain blood flow and ability to compensate as better predictors of mild cognitive impairment than traditional risk factors. The findings provide hope for preventing or treating memory problems early before they progress to dementia.
Researchers have developed a new diagnostic algorithm using positron emission tomography (PET) to distinguish between Alzheimer's disease and primary tauopathy. The biomarkers enable doctors to identify the presence of a 4-repeat tauopathy with high accuracy, facilitating earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.
Researchers have successfully manipulated brain waves during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep using sound stimulation, which may help improve cognition in individuals with dementia. The study found that stimulating brain waves could increase their frequency, offering a promising new approach for treating the condition.
A new study estimates nearly 10.5 million U.S. adults have A-Fib, a three-fold increase from previous estimates. Early detection and treatment can reduce its adverse outcomes.
A study published in the journal Brain shows that increases in protein levels with new Alzheimer's drugs can explain the slowing of cognitive impairment at least as well as the reduction in amyloid plaques. The researchers found that higher levels of a critical brain protein correlate equally well with cognitive benefits.
A UCLA-led research team has identified degeneration-associated molecular markers shared by several forms of dementia. The study also found cell type-specific changes that underlie each condition, highlighting potential new therapeutic targets.
A recent study presented at the Future of Dementia in Africa conference reveals genetic differences between African and Caucasian populations with Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that a lack of diversity in genomic studies may limit the effectiveness of targeted therapies across diverse populations.
The UW Medicine program aims to improve the detection and management of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias among American Indian and Alaska Native elders. Trainees will learn to recognize early symptoms, manage dementia locally, and promote culturally appropriate community outreach.
A new study reveals a significant correlation between entorhinal cortex thickness and financial exploitation vulnerability, a potential early indicator of Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that assessing financial awareness could help identify cognitive changes in older adults.