Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
A cohort study in Taiwan found that spouses of individuals with dementia had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to unexposed spouses. The association varied depending on the family context and socioeconomic status, highlighting the importance of considering household factors in dementia risk assessment.
A new paper reveals a live concert and lecture series improves emotional well-being, intellectual stimulation, and social interaction among dementia patients. Participants reported high satisfaction and improved mood following sessions.
A new study by Sanford Burnham Prebys found that bolstering the SORLA protein can reduce tau tangle toxicity, a common culprit in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. This suggests potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating these conditions.
Researchers found that tau buildup in PSP affects brain networks involved in thinking, including the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. The study suggests that symptoms arise from both local tau-related damage and remote disruption of a broader cognitive network.
Research found reduced volume in areas of the brain connected to memory formation, indicating a potential link between TV watching and cognitive decline. Heavy TV viewing was associated with smaller frontal and occipital lobes and more white matter damage, even after controlling for physical activity.
A study analyzing 30,527 English dementia patients found hospital readmissions associated with multiple factors including sex, health conditions and post-discharge care. The research highlights the importance of monitoring and managing these risk factors to prevent hospital readmissions.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found a way to intervene early in traumatic brain injuries using a natural, gut-derived chemical that prevents post-traumatic epilepsy from taking root. The treatment reduced brain inflammation, improved memory and mood, protected brain cells, made seizures both rarer and harder to trigger.
A study from Binghamton University found that poor sleep quality is connected to hyperarousal in young people and neurodegenerative patterns among older women. Research analyzed brain scans from over 1,300 participants to see how brain networks connect at rest in those with poor sleep.
The University of Cincinnati launches the Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (CANDR) to improve dementia prevention and treatment outcomes. CANDR aligns with UC's mission to innovate and engage locally while addressing one of the region's most pressing public health challenges.
A recent clinical trial found that a combination of THC and CBD significantly reduced agitation in people with late-stage dementia. The study, which enrolled 120 participants, showed a 6.27-point reduction in mean agitation scores after 2 weeks and a sustained reduction at 12 weeks.
A new GSA report emphasizes the critical role of primary care providers in detecting and managing cognitive decline, with a focus on actionable insights for clinicians. The report highlights advances in diagnostic technology and modifiable lifestyle factors linked to brain health outcomes.
A multidecade study found dementia prevalence significantly increased in Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico from 9.6% to 14.5%, 7.6% to 11.7% and 10.7% to 15.7%, respectively over two decades. Dementia rates remained stable in Cuba and Dominican Republic.
The study reveals a growing dementia burden in Latin America and the Caribbean, contrasting with declining trends in high-income countries. Strengthened surveillance and investment in dementia care infrastructure are needed to address this uneven distribution of disease.
A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease estimates that dementia-related costs across 30 high-income European countries total €221 billion annually. Family caregivers carry a significant portion of this burden, providing an estimated €128 billion in unpaid care.
A digital therapy platform, iACT4CARERS, has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in dementia carers after three and six months. The study, which involved almost 500 volunteers, found that carers using the platform had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those receiving usual care alone.
A study found people with early-onset dementia experienced reduced work productivity up to 15 years before diagnosis, with average losses of $86,000 per person. The study also revealed varying productivity losses depending on the type of dementia, highlighting a need for interventions to prevent or delay decline.
Scientists at King's College London have developed a human-safe drug that repairs DNA breaks and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This approach targets multiple features of the disease simultaneously, providing a broader therapeutic strategy than previous approaches focused on individual disease hallmarks.
Research suggests alcohol interacts with Alzheimer's-related brain circuits in distinct ways, depending on the type of pathological change. Alcohol reduced communication in amyloid-beta models but increased it in tau models, highlighting an important principle in biology.
Researchers developed a human-safe drug that repairs DNA breaks and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The approach targets multiple disease-relevant cellular pathways, providing a broader therapeutic strategy than previous approaches focused on individual disease hallmarks.
A new Virginia Tech study finds that patterns of repetitive negative thinking can carry anxiety into deeper distress among dementia caregivers, but also suggests that mindfulness training may help identify and interrupt this progression. Researchers also found that introducing mindfulness early on can aid in managing stress before it d...
Researchers at University of Arizona have found a promising new approach to slow fatal nerve disease ALS by blocking a small part of a key protein. The experimental drug XL20 protects nerve cells and reduces muscle weakness in mice and human nerve cells, representing a potential breakthrough.
A USC interdisciplinary team has identified a promising pathway to turn off brain inflammation before it does its damage, increasing the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's. The Norman and Mary Pattiz Foundation funding will support research on novel drug discovery, early detection, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
A cohort study found that mid-urbanicity neighborhoods had the highest dementia mortality rates, while dense urban cores and rural areas showed lower risks. The study suggests targeted improvements in neighborhood conditions could reduce dementia mortality and promote equity.
Nearly half of dementia cases can be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors like physical inactivity and smoking. A new review found that large-scale awareness campaigns often lead to limited behavior change, highlighting the need for more personalized and community-driven approaches.
Researchers found that animal models with Alzheimer’s-related brain changes developed problems with cognitive flexibility months before showing signs of memory impairment. The study suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may affect neural circuits involved in executive function and adaptability before causing noticeable memory problems.
Researchers discovered that a brain protein called Arc helps spread toxic Tau from sick brain cells to healthy ones in mice. This finding suggests that targeting the spread of Tau could be a powerful tool to stop Alzheimer's disease progression. The study also highlights the potential protective role of Arc in early stages of the disease.
Research suggests exposure to extreme heat and cold increases risk of emergency department visits among people with dementia. Extreme temperatures accelerate health events that would otherwise occur later, potentially leading to increased healthcare demand.
Adults with both epilepsy and hearing loss who use hearing aids have a 23% lower risk of developing dementia. The association was observed consistently across all analyses, suggesting that correcting hearing impairment may have a greater impact on dementia risk in people with reduced cognitive reserve.
Researchers identified karyoptosis as a key link between toxic protein accumulation and neuron death in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. The study found that targeting proteins acting as 'switches' in this pathway may slow or prevent cell death by karyoptosis.
A cohort study found that a dietary pattern with lower inflammatory potential was associated with lower dementia risk among individuals with Alzheimer disease pathology. Targeted dietary strategies may help prevent dementia in those already at elevated risk.
A study of 87,577 adults found that average daytime light exposure above 1,000 lux reduced dementia risk by 16%. Longer exposure to bright light was associated with an even greater reduction in risk. Daytime light exposure was stronger predictor of dementia than established risk factors.
A new study finds that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will cost the US $818 billion this year, driven by costs associated with care and loss of productivity. The study's comprehensive model accounts for often-overlooked factors like diminished quality of life and unpaid care provided by family members.
A new poll shows nearly all Michiganders age 50 and over value keeping their brains healthy, but less than half know daily habits can reduce dementia risk. Only half practice key brain-protecting habits.
Researchers at UC San Diego have received major grants to investigate the relationship between menopause and hormone therapy on dementia risk in women. The studies aim to develop a clinical tool for earlier dementia detection and improve prevention and treatment strategies.
A new study investigates whether obesity contributes to faster brain aging and earlier memory decline. Researchers found that high K63 polyubiquitination levels in young obese rats matched those seen in older brains, suggesting a connection between obesity-induced and age-related memory loss.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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.