Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
The study found that medication for chronic conditions was relatively stable during the first 2 years of COVID-19, with no significant disparities by race or ethnicity. This stability holds lessons for outpatient services during future pandemics.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that higher cumulative blood sugar levels after a stroke contribute to faster cognitive decline. Researchers adjusted data for various factors and discovered no association between high blood pressure or cholesterol and accelerated cognitive loss.
Researchers discovered a new genetic variant in the Reelin gene that provides protection from Alzheimer's disease. The variant was identified through clinical assessments, genetic and molecular studies, and neuropathological analysis of two patients with a similar genetic predisposition to developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered that toxic proteins, known as tau oligomers, are transported through synapses and contribute to the decline in brain function. The study found small clumps of tau oligomers inside synapses, which can spread through the brain and lead to neuron death.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a robot system that uses artificial intelligence to track objects, including medication and glasses. This technology has shown high accuracy in locating everyday items, potentially improving the quality of life for individuals with dementia.
A UNLV study found a significant correlation between 10 specific types of gut bacteria and the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, with certain bacteria identified as protective or risk factors. The findings suggest that an imbalance of gut microbiota may play a role in the disorder's development.
A cost analysis suggests Lecanemab, an antidementia medication with modest clinical benefit, could add billions to Medicare spending each year. Beneficiaries without supplemental coverage would face substantial out-of-pocket costs.
Researchers at NIH have identified large-scale DNA changes, known as structural variants, that contribute to dementia risk. These variants were found in samples from patients with Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia.
A former professional football player's life-altering cognitive decline was reversed after a comprehensive assessment revealed signs of hydrocephalus, which could be treated. The case study highlights the importance of considering alternative explanations for cognitive decline in athletes.
Researchers found that regular internet users had approximately half the risk of dementia compared to non-users, regardless of factors such as education and age. The study suggests that online engagement may help develop cognitive reserve, which can compensate for brain aging.
A large study found that people with dementia are at higher risk of self-harm within the first 12 months after diagnosis. The researchers emphasize the importance of providing psychosocial and mental health supports to patients upon diagnosis, particularly men, who are more likely to develop dementia after self-harm.
Exposure to air pollution is associated with worse verbal fluency and episodic memory in individuals with the APOE-4 allele. Higher levels of PM2.5 and NO2 are linked to increased cognitive decline over time, highlighting the importance of early identification and modification of modifiable risk factors.
More than half of stroke survivors develop cognitive impairment within a year, with 1 in 3 at risk for dementia. Early screening and comprehensive care are advised to support stroke survivors with cognitive impairment.
Research from Edith Cowan University found that lower grip strength and slower timed-up-and-go tests were significant risk factors for presenting with dementia. The study suggests that incorporating muscle function tests into dementia screening could help identify high-risk individuals who may benefit from primary prevention programs.
Dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS) display altered brain wave activity during sleep, including reduced slow-wave sleep and increased fast beta waves. This research builds on human studies linking disrupted sleep patterns to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers used EEGs on elderly dogs to determine whether brain-wave readings during sleep correlated with signs of cognitive decline. The study found that dogs with more advanced dementia suffered from more sleep disruptions and slept less overall than dogs with normal cognitive function.
A repurposed HIV drug has been found to restore the brain's autophagy function, helping prevent build-up of misfolded proteins and slowing disease progression in mouse models of Huntington's disease and dementia. This discovery provides clues to how this process could be slowed or prevented in humans.
A new genetic therapy, BIIB080, has been shown to safely lower levels of the harmful tau protein in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The trial found a greater than 50% reduction in tau protein concentrations after 24 weeks in treatment groups.
Targeting a specific antiviral pathway may one day offer a new way to treat or delay cognitive decline in Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. Researchers found that inhibiting a key enzyme called cGAS can help neurons become resilient to tau protein buildup, a hallmark of these diseases.
A new PANDA-project aims to develop and test an ear-EEG device that can screen patients for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The technology measures brain electrical activity and sleep patterns, with the goal of identifying early signs of the diseases and enabling earlier diagnosis.
A preclinical study suggests that abnormal immune activity in astrocytes is sufficient to cause cognitive deficits in dementia. Astrocytes produce excessive immune messengers, activating neurons and leading to hyperactivity.
Signs of common infections in middle-aged and older adults were associated with poorer performance on a test of global cognitive function. Elevated antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 or cytomegalovirus were individually linked to worse performance, with more positive tests related to multiple infections showing stronger effects.
Researchers at McGill University found that analyzing gene activity can classify brain diseases into five primary groups, improving diagnosis accuracy. The study identified previously unknown relationships among diseases, such as language development disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which share common genes and cell types.
A new online tool, CogDrisk, has been found to be effective in assessing dementia risk, providing a personalized report for patients and GPs. The tool uses a combination of statistical methods and modifiable risk factors to predict dementia risk, including physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet.
A simple memory test predicted the risk of developing cognitive impairment in people with no thinking and memory problems. The study found that those at stages one and two were twice as likely to develop cognitive impairment, while those at stages three and four were three times as likely.
A new study suggests that treating atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation may lower the risk of dementia compared to medication. Participants who received the procedure showed a reduced cognitive impairment score and were 36% less likely to develop dementia.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique that visualizes the interaction between reactive astrocytes and neurons in the brain, revealing a potential breakthrough in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment. The study found that acetate promotes reactive astrogliosis, leading to dementia, and offers a new target for AD treatment.
A study examining the link between hearing aid use and dementia found that those using hearing aids had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to non-users. The study was retracted due to an error in data processing, which rendered the findings inaccurate.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to reverse neurodegeneration and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by interfering with an overactive brain enzyme called CDK5. The peptide treatment reduced neurodegeneration, DNA damage, and improved behavior in mice with Alzheimer's.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that a type of sugar molecule in blood is associated with the level of tau protein, a critical factor in severe dementia. Measuring blood glycan levels can predict Alzheimer's disease risk to 80% accuracy, almost a decade before symptoms appear.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia using a PREP inhibitor. The PREP inhibitor reduced Tau accumulation and toxicity in cellular models and mice with tauopathy, improving cognitive skills.
A new UC Davis study found that high blood pressure in young adulthood is associated with lower regional brain volumes and worse white matter integrity, both factors linked to dementia. The research also showed sex differences in the negative brain changes, with men exhibiting stronger effects than women.
A Brown-led research team found that four dementia-care interventions saved between $2,800 and $13,000 in societal costs and reduced nursing home admissions while improving quality of life. Non-drug interventions have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and can help people with dementia stay safely at home longer.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that phototherapy improved cognitive function in patients with dementia. The analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials revealed no significant impact on symptoms of depression or sleep quality.
A new meta-analysis from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found a significant association between fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and the risk of developing dementia, with a 17% increase in risk for every 2 μg/m3 increase in average annual exposure to PM2.5.
Research finds exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with a heightened risk of dementia, with a 4% increase in risk for every 2 micrograms per cubic metre increase in average annual PM2.5 concentration. Nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide exposure also show a small increased risk.
Researchers found that COVID-19 infection leads to rapidly progressive dementia, blurring the lines between different types of dementia. Cortical atrophy and inflammation were key indicators, suggesting previously compromised brains have limited defense against new insults.
Research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that circadian disruption from jet lag can harm adult neurogenesis, which supports learning and memory. The study found that the Cryptochrome 1 gene regulates this process and that misalignment can lead to adverse health effects such as dementia and mental illness.
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that early menopause may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease dementia. However, women who received hormone therapy around the time of menopause onset did not experience an increased risk of dementia. The study suggests that timing is crucial when it comes to hormone therapy, ...
High blood pressure damages specific brain regions, including the putamen and white matter areas, leading to cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia. The study uses a combination of MRI, genetic analyses, and observational data to identify these affected regions.
A new study has uncovered the brain's internal compass, which helps it navigate changing environments. The research found that the brain uses a mechanism called 'network gain' to reorient itself after being disoriented, allowing for rapid recovery of its sense of direction.
A new study links shorter telomeres to multiple changes in the brain associated with dementia, including reduced grey matter volume and a thicker cerebral cortex. Longer telomeres were found to be protective, reducing the risk of dementia but not stroke or Parkinson's disease.
Scientists have used gene therapy to increase 'cold shock protein' levels in mice brains, protecting them against prion disease. The approach could lead to a safer treatment for acute brain injury and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study of over 6,000 participants found that those consuming more than 550 milligrams of magnesium per day had a brain age approximately one year younger by 55 compared to those with normal intake. Increased magnesium intake was also associated with lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function.
A study published in Neurology found an association between low bone density and an increased risk of developing dementia. Researchers analyzed data from 3,651 participants and found that those with the lowest total body bone density were 42% more likely to develop dementia than those with the highest bone density over a 10-year period.
A Swedish study suggests that elite male footballers are 1.5 times more likely to develop neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, compared to population controls. Football players had a higher risk of dementia due to head trauma exposure, with goalkeepers showing no significant increase in risk.
Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias exhibit significantly higher readmission rates and overall episode costs compared to their non-dementia counterparts. Judicious preoperative assessment and care planning are strongly advised for this vulnerable patient population, particularly in the post-discharge period.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have found a way to spur brain immune cells to clear toxic waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease by targeting their metabolism. The study reveals a ‘metabolic switch’ in the brain’s immune cells that can be manipulated to improve their function.
A growing connection between diabetes, oral health, and dementia highlights the importance of dental care and diabetes management as we age. Older adults with both poor oral health and diabetes experience accelerated cognitive decline, emphasizing the need for regular dental visits and adherence to diabetes treatment.
A traditional Mediterranean-type diet rich in seafood, fruit, and nuts is associated with a lower risk of dementia. Individuals with higher adherence had up to 23% lower risk compared to those with lower adherence. The study, published in BMC Medicine, analyzed data from 60,298 individuals from the UK Biobank.
A new study found that individuals who followed a Mediterranean-like diet had up to 23% lower risk for dementia than those who did not. The research analyzed data from 60,298 individuals and suggested that even those with higher genetic risk could benefit from a better diet.
Recent studies have identified key psychological processes, such as repetitive negative thinking and self-reflection, that may impact cognitive aging and dementia prevention. Researchers propose incorporating psychological elements to reduce dementia risk through cognitive-behavioral interventions.
People with recent atrial fibrillation diagnosis have a 13% higher risk of developing dementia. A stronger link is seen in younger patients and those without chronic kidney disease. The study's findings may lead to important clinical and public health implications.
A new AI study suggests dementia prevalence rates in India could be up to 8.44%, affecting 10.08 million older adults, higher than previous estimates and comparable to countries like the US and UK
A University of Gothenburg study reveals that dementia is the dominant risk factor for COVID-19 infection and mortality among residents of Swedish nursing homes. Early-onset dementia was found to be the strongest association with increased mortality rates, particularly in the 65–75 age group.
A large study found that individuals with atrial fibrillation had a modestly elevated risk of developing dementia, particularly in younger adults and those without chronic kidney disease. The risk was higher in younger adults and those without chronic kidney disease, but did not substantially vary across sex, race, or ethnicity.
A new study found significant links between sleep disturbances and the risk for developing dementia over a 10-year period. Sleep-maintenance insomnia was associated with a lower risk of dementia, while sleep-initiation insomnia and sleep medication use were linked to an increased risk.
Researchers will use data from New IDEAS study to enroll a representative population of patients with memory impairment and their family members. The goal is to better understand the psychological impact of receiving biomarker-informed diagnoses and inform best practices in diagnostic evaluation.
A study found that time-restricted feeding improves muscle performance in obese fruit flies by upregulating genes related to glycine production and utilization. This approach may provide a natural alternative therapy for managing obesity-related pathologies.
Two studies found that adults with high cardiovascular health scores tend to live longer lives free of major chronic diseases. The research highlights the importance of maintaining ideal cardiovascular health to delay onset of age-related diseases, allowing individuals to enjoy life in their years as well as their years in life.