Articles tagged with Dementia
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that high blood pressure may be associated with a lower risk of dementia in people with physical frailty. Researchers compared data from over 6,000 participants and found that those with signs of frailty and elevated blood pressure were 32% less likely to develop dementia.
Researchers propose using low-dose lithium orotate to slow dementia progression in mild cognitive impairment, leveraging established neuroprotective mechanisms. The approach aims to mitigate kidney and thyroid risks associated with higher-dose formulations, offering a potentially accessible and inexpensive treatment option.
A study by DZNE shows that smartphone-based memory tests can detect subtle cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) more quickly than conventional testing. This approach has the potential to accelerate clinical trials for new dementia drugs and be used in routine care.
Researchers at Baycrest have made significant contributions to the understanding of paratonia, a common yet underrecognized condition in advanced dementia. The studies explore clinical features, recognition, and assessment approaches, emphasizing the need for more compassionate and person-centered care.
A large retrospective analysis found a significant association between glucosamine supplementation and increased likelihood of progressing from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. The study also revealed elevated sugar attachment in Alzheimer's brain specimens, suggesting metabolic dysfunction as a contributing driver.
The JTMF Foundation has expanded its footprint with a $3.3 million gift to fund three main initiatives: identifying early signs of Alzheimer's in adults with Down syndrome, expanding access to cutting-edge clinical research, and developing best-practice guidelines.
A study by Kyoto University researchers found that hospital admissions for persons with dementia result in higher healthcare spending, with a $2,500 increase in 30-day costs after an emergency room visit. However, there was no conclusive evidence linking hospital admission to 30 or 90-day mortality rates.
A new AI tool, AIDD, combines brain scans with machine learning to accurately diagnose two common forms of dementia. The tool showed near-perfect accuracy in identifying Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, offering a promising future for clinicians.
A large Japanese study found that maintaining a healthier profile with lower lifestyle and health risks can significantly lower dementia risk in people with one or no APOE ε4 alleles. However, individuals carrying two APOE ε4 alleles may require different preventive or therapeutic approaches.
A new University of Arizona study has found that several common sleep behaviors may be linked to signs of brain aging. Sleeping outside the recommended seven-to-nine-hour range, frequent daytime napping, and sleeplessness were distinctly associated with greater volume of white matter lesions in healthy people.
A new study by researchers at UC Davis Health and Kaiser Permanente found that long-term exposure to fine air pollution particles (PM2.5) is associated with lower semantic memory, a type of brain's encyclopedia. The study analyzed data from 740 adults aged 53-94 and found no impact on executive function or verbal episodic memory.
A study found an association between genetic variants for high pulse pressure and an increased risk of dementia as a contributing cause of death. Researchers constructed polygenic risk scores to calculate predisposition to disease, and found a 16% increased risk with higher scores.
A groundbreaking study created a world's first pure cerebral microbleed model by targeting brain vascular collagen IV using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The research implicated dysfunctional collagen in tiny brain hemorrhages, which are strongly associated with dementia and cognitive decline.
Dr. Owen Carmichael received the James W. and Neil Ann Parks Professorship for Dementia Research, Prevention and Treatment at Pennington Biomedical. His work focuses on developing advanced biomedical imaging techniques to better understand Alzheimer's disease and brain aging.
Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) enrollment was associated with significantly fewer hospitalizations for nursing home residents with dementia at the end of life, according to a retrospective cohort study. Effect sizes were larger for UnitedHealthcare (UHC) I-SNPs vs non-UHC plans. Plan maturity and volume likely impact success.
A large multisite study found that Black and Hispanic people with cognitive impairment are less likely to show Alzheimer's pathology on brain scans compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The study highlights ethnoracial differences in dementia and underscores the need for further research into underlying causes of dementia symptoms.
Researchers developed an experimental gene therapy that protects brain cells from toxic protein damage caused by TDP-43, which is linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The approach strengthens the neuron's resilience and helps preserve brain function.
A new preclinical study finds that estrogen loss in the extracellular matrix of the hippocampus may contribute to memory decline and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in postmenopausal women. The study suggests a possible new treatment approach focused on restoring the brain's supportive environment.
A nine-session weekly group program in rural Spain improved caregiver burden, quality of life, and self-efficacy. Key factors associated with greater burden include personal health problems and extended caregiving hours.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a key neural circuit, the locus coeruleus, which plays a central role in cognitive flexibility and adapting to new rules. Disrupting this circuit impairs the brain's ability to reorganize neural networks during complex decision-making.
A new UC San Diego study reveals that women are more vulnerable to dementia risk factors affecting cognition, with some risk factors having stronger impacts on women than men. The findings suggest a greater need for targeted interventions, such as managing depression and improving cardiovascular health.
A new study by Curtin University found that millions of dementia cases across the Western Pacific Region could be prevented by implementing country-specific strategies to address key risk factors. The research highlights a major opportunity for prevention, showing how different countries' economic and social contexts affect risk factors.
A Peking University study found that population ageing, not just air pollution, contributes to rising dementia deaths in China. Lower PM2.5 levels have brought health benefits, but the rapid growth of China's older population offsets progress.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that maintaining good overall brain health can help reduce the impact of Alzheimer's-related changes on cognitive function. The research found a link between higher socioeconomic status and reduced cognitive vulnerability, highlighting the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles.
A case-control study found associations between ambient particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide exposure and increased risks of Lewy body dementia and Parkinson disease-related dementia. The study's findings suggest air pollution may impact brain health, warranting concern.
A recent study from Texas A&M University suggests that irregular sleep patterns may increase the risk of dementia. The research team, led by Karienn Souza, found that chronically disrupted circadian rhythms can lead to activated microglia, which can contribute to inflammation and damage in the brain. The team plans to test a new therap...
A new analysis of police data reveals that one in 10 missing incidents among people with dementia results in serious harm. The study highlights the need for preventative action to keep people with dementia safe and finds that older age, night disappearances, and longer durations of absence are risk factors for harm.
A new study has found that individuals with insulin-requiring type 1 and type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without diabetes. The study, which examined over 1.3 million adults in South Korea, suggests that dementia risk is not the same for all types of diabetes.
The US had substantially higher death rates between 1999 and 2022 compared to other wealthy nations, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of excess mortality. An estimated 12.7 million US deaths could have been averted during this period if US mortality rates mirrored those of its peers.
A new study found that at-home blood tests combined with online brain tests can accurately predict dementia risk. The study used a finger-prick blood test and performance on brain tests to categorize participants into low, medium, or high risk groups.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed an ultrasensitive test to detect abnormal clumps of TDP-43 protein in cerebrospinal fluid, a biomarker for specific form of dementia called FTLD-TDP. The test shows promise in diagnosing patients with the correct pathology and tracking disease progression.
A study finds microplastics in the human brain associated with increased risk of stroke and dementia. Apheresis, a medical treatment, is proposed as a potential removal method for microplastics from the body.
A cohort study found that poor housing affordability was associated with higher risks of frailty, disability, dementia, and mortality, while poor housing quality was linked to increased risks of frailty, disability, and mortality. Housing insecurity is identified as a clinically relevant social determinant of health among older persons.
A new study investigates plasma biomarkers' role in early-onset Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The findings suggest distinct trajectories and clinical associations, supporting their potential utility for risk stratification.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that half of older patients with dementia remain on psychotropic drugs a year after starting them. The medications, including antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, are often prescribed in acute and post-acute settings such as emergency rooms and skilled nursing facilities. This raises c...
Researchers found three distinct trajectories of cognitive decline: stable, slow and fast decline. Biomarker data showed that participants who declined faster had higher P-tau217 levels and smaller hippocampi.
A recent study has found that epigenetic clocks are associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, but only specific epigenetic markers related to smoking exposure are linked to neurodegenerative changes. The study suggests that measures of epigenetic age acceleration capture different aspects of biological aging.
A national study found that people with severe strokes have a five times higher odds of developing dementia. Stroke severity also affects thinking and memory after stroke, highlighting the need for close monitoring and treatment of dementia risk factors.
A new study found comprehensive evidence that weight-loss GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide reduce amyloid-beta and tau buildup in the brain. Consistent reductions were seen in animal and cell studies, with liraglutide showing the most positive effects.
A UC San Diego study found that diabetes is associated with changes in biological signals in the blood linked to Alzheimer's disease and brain damage in Latino adults. Researchers suggest that metabolic health may play a role in shaping future dementia risk.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with epilepsy who experience poor sleep are at a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without epilepsy. Optimal sleep, defined as six to eight hours per day, is associated with better cognitive function and lower dementia risk.
A new study suggests that a digital platform called Living Memory Home for Dementia Care Pairs (LMH-4-DCP) can help reduce grief severity and improve relationships between caregivers and individuals with dementia. The platform facilitates reminiscing and shared memories, promoting dignity and respect for care recipients.
A web tool called Living Memory Home for Dementia Care Pairs facilitates collaborative reminiscence therapy, reducing feelings of pre-death grief and improving relationship quality. The app promotes well-being and connection between dementia patients and caregivers, leading to better care outcomes.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed mini brain-like structures grown in the lab that could be used to evaluate how patients with Alzheimer's disease respond to certain drugs. The study found that tiny particles secreted by these brain tissues may contain cellular information that could help scientists find new biomar...
A study by UC San Diego researchers identified CgA-centered stress-response pathways as key drivers of cognitive resilience in individuals with asymptomatic Alzheimer's disease. The findings also introduce a new framework to accelerate the discovery of preventive therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will use AI and machine learning to analyze over 1,800 potential genes that have been identified as suitable new targets for treating Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to deliver a prioritized list of genetically validated drug targets to pharmaceutical developers and clinicians.
A new Cochrane review of 17 clinical trials found that anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drugs have no significant impact on cognitive decline or dementia severity, but may increase the risk of brain swelling and bleeding. The evidence suggests that these drugs are unlikely to provide clear benefit to patients.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
A study found that weaker, more fragmented daily rhythms were associated with smaller memory-related brain regions and faster brain atrophy. The study suggests that a weaker circadian rhythm can be an early sign of adverse neurological changes and contribute to the underlying neurodegenerative process.
Researchers at UT Arlington are working to improve dementia care through education and support initiatives. The university has received a grant to develop best practices and new developments in care, bridging the gap between research and real-world practice.
A research team at DGIST has discovered a mechanism to treat dementia by regulating brain immune cells. Somatostatin, a neurotransmitter, prevents the overactivation of immune cells and restores their protective role in removing waste from the brain.
A new study from the University of Chicago suggests that smoking may be linked to dementia through a previously unmapped route between the lungs and brain, involving pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and exosomes that disrupt iron balance in neurons.
A meta-analysis of millions of community-dwelling adults found that regular physical activity, less sedentary time, and appropriate nightly sleep (7-8 hours) were associated with a lower subsequent risk of dementia. Conversely, too little or too much sleep was linked to an increased risk, highlighting the importance of optimal sleep du...
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that a higher quality plant-based diet is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Researchers compared participants based on their diet scores, finding that those who followed healthier plant-based diets had a lower risk of dementia.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that individuals with higher optimism have a lower risk of developing dementia. After analyzing data from the Health and Retirement Study, researchers discovered a 15% lower risk associated with a one-standard-deviation increase in optimism.
Gladstone Institutes investigator Ryan Corces receives $750,000 to investigate unknown genetic variants contributing to Alzheimer's disease. He aims to identify new drivers and therapeutic targets using artificial intelligence and CRISPR tools.
A study by Concordia University found that individuals with hearing loss exhibit worse dual-task performance, including slower walking and less stable gait. Exercise and cognitive training can improve these outcomes, but the effects vary by sex and severity of hearing loss.
The Dementia Trials Accelerator is revolutionizing dementia research by streamlining the recruitment process for clinical trials. With over 10,000 participants expected to be recruited by 2027, this initiative aims to accelerate diagnosis and treatment development for those affected by dementia.
Scientists have found that the APOE4 gene variant causes hyperactivity in two regions of the hippocampus, an important memory center of the brain, even before middle age. In mice with the APOE4 gene, reducing Nell2 levels reverses neuronal changes and improves cognitive function.
The NIH grant will support the creation of a comprehensive long-term dataset on Hispanic and Latino brain aging, examining the factors that matter most for healthy cognitive aging. The study aims to understand how Alzheimer's disease, vascular injury, and other brain changes develop over time in Latino adults.