Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
Researchers found that higher levels of cell-free DNA in the blood are associated with increased cognitive decline and worsening frailty over an eight-year period. The study suggests that a simple blood test could detect risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive decline, potentially leading to early interventions.
A Baycrest study found that the gut microbiome plays a role in how diet and exercise affect brain health and dementia risk. Lifestyle interventions like Mediterranean-style diets can improve cognition and promote healthier microbiomes.
Researchers analyzing over 3,000 blood samples from Alzheimer's patients and healthy individuals to identify reliable biomarkers. They investigate how well blood tests can diagnose Alzheimer's disease and predict its progression.
Researchers found positive correlations between lipoxin A4 and cognitive brain functions, as well as its potential to potentiate the endocannabinoid system. The study suggests that reducing levels of this substance may weaken the body's defenses against neurodegeneration.
A new study found that caregivers, particularly women, experience higher odds of health-related vulnerabilities such as food insecurity and financial strain. Caregivers must balance their own lives with those of their dependents, finding ways to care for themselves while dedicating time to caring for loved ones.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. People with psychotic disorders are 2.5 times more likely to develop dementia than those without a psychotic disorder, according to the review.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that 3D printed flavor-based cues can stimulate rich sensory accounts and strong emotional connections in older adults, recalling memories from their youth. This technology has potential applications for dementia care, allowing individuals to relive cherished moments through the power of smell.
A study published in Nature has identified 61 additional genetic loci associated with stroke and six genes that are potential targets for drug therapy. The research also found a significant overlap between stroke and dementia, suggesting common biology between the two conditions.
Research has found that former Scottish international rugby union players are at a significantly increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and motor neurone disease. The study's findings suggest that strategies to reduce head impact and traumatic brain injury in all sports are necessary.
The I-CARE 2 trial will measure the impact of Brain CareNotes on informal caregivers and patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The randomized clinical trial aims to improve caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, and healthcare outcomes.
A study by Queen Mary University of London and University of Nottingham found that patients with young onset dementia are at a high risk of suicide, particularly if under 65 or have psychiatric illness. Early recognition and support after diagnosis are crucial in reducing distress caused by this devastating condition.
A nationally representative study of 594,000 persons in England found an increased risk of suicide associated with dementia diagnosis before age 65. The study identified younger patients diagnosed within the 3-month post-diagnostic period as high-risk groups for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
A new study found that fewer Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients qualify for anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatments, which may slow Alzheimer's progression. The treatment's effectiveness depends on the presence of amyloid plaques, with lower incidence in minorities.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $10.7 million grant to Cleveland Clinic to expand a national research consortium focused on improving diagnosis and treatments for Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The consortium, which includes multiple clinical sites, aims to identify biomarkers for disease and develop new therapies.
A study from UniSA researchers found associations between metabolic profiles and adverse brain findings, including lower hippocampal and grey matter volumes. People with metabolic profiles linked to obesity were more likely to have higher accumulation of iron in the brain.
A Rutgers study found that racial and ethnic minorities with dementia receive more intensive end-of-life care. This disparity may be attributed to systemic racism, discrimination, or poor physician communication. The researchers suggest improving end-of-life care and outcomes for people with dementia through initiatives like advance ca...
Researchers developed a machine learning model to quickly recognize predictive risk factors and their importance for undesirable hospitalization outcomes. The model achieved an accuracy of 95.6% and identified modifiable risk factors that can be mitigated through clinical interventions.
Researchers have discovered that neurons with double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in their DNA actively trigger an inflammatory response, which is mediated by the activation of the NFkappaB transcription factor. This process elicits an immune response from microglia, leading to synaptic loss and cognitive function impairment.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of 'junk' DNA in neurological disorders such as Motor Neurone Disease and Alzheimer's. The research found that breaks in this type of DNA can lead to oxidative genomic damage, which can accelerate aging and disease progression.
A study found that aberrant expression of MAO-B causes both peripheral and neuroinflammation in RA patients, leading to joint pain and cognitive impairment. Administering an MAO-B inhibitor called KDS2010 improved both joint inflammation and cognitive function in a RA animal model.
A new study finds that high blood pressure speeds up cognitive decline in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults. However, differences in blood pressure control do not fully explain the higher risk of dementia in Hispanic adults.
Reduced kidney function and increased urine albumin excretion are associated with brain volume reduction in regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementia etiologies. Cognitive decline is common in patients with kidney disease, and this study provides new insights into the etiology and localization of brain damage.
A new study found that certain pre-existing conditions have a more significant impact on COVID-19 outcomes than previously thought. Researchers developed a novel prediction model, PDeathDx, which outperformed conventional models and identified degenerative neurological diseases, dementia, and severe disabilities as major risk factors.
The fasting-mimicking diet reduced Alzheimer's pathology in mice, including amyloid beta and tau protein levels, and showed less brain inflammation. Mice on the diet also performed better on cognitive tests, with some showing improved performance comparable to non-Alzheimer's mice.
A mortality prediction model for older adults with dementia can guide discussions about financial resources, treatment preferences, and reduce unnecessary medical interventions. The model considers factors such as age, sex, body mass index, chronic conditions, and ability to perform daily activities.
A new study proposes reducing toxic proteins in the blood as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease. By doing so, it aims to improve memory and learning capacity, as well as correct cognitive impairments. The next step is to test this treatment at a clinical level.
A $1 million NIH grant will help MU researchers analyze the effectiveness of a HIPAA-secure text messaging platform in nursing homes. The study aims to improve quality of care and prevent costly hospital transfers by speeding up decision-making.
A global consortium study aims to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain, with researchers evaluating over 1,000 participants worldwide. The study, led by UT Health San Antonio, uses advanced brain imaging and neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive function and identify potential causes of long-term brain changes.
Neflamapimod, a p38α kinase inhibitor, demonstrates reversible neurodegeneration in animal models and improves clinical endpoints associated with cholinergic neuronal function in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. The findings support the initiation of a confirmatory Phase 2b clinical trial for neflamapimod.
A cohort study of Chinese older adults found that sleeping for more than 8 hours increases dementia risk by 69% and going to bed before 9 PM doubles the risk. The study suggests monitoring cognitive function in those with prolonged sleep timing.
Research at the University of Birmingham suggests that people who experience frequent bad dreams in middle age are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia later in life. The study found that middle-aged individuals with weekly nightmares were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline over a decade.
A mutation in the SHMOOSE protein is associated with a 20-50% higher risk of Alzheimer's disease across four cohorts. The researchers suggest that targeting SHMOOSE may prove beneficial in neurodegenerative and other diseases of aging.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that adults with more chronic health conditions are at higher risk of serious financial problems, including late payments, poor credit scores, and bankruptcy. The study analyzed nearly 3 million privately insured adults and found that those with seven or more chronic conditions had three to four...
The study used a weakly supervised deep learning algorithm to analyze human brain autopsy tissues and predict the presence or absence of cognitive impairment. The model identified a signal associated with decreasing myelin staining, which was linked to cognitive impairment in the white matter.
Researchers found that a healthy lifestyle can almost halve the likelihood of developing dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. The study followed 445,364 participants and found that those with diabetes who had an unhealthy lifestyle were 65% more likely to develop dementia than those with the healthiest lifestyle.
A recent study published in Life Metabolism found that maintaining balanced energy intake throughout the day may improve cognitive function. The study analyzed data from over 3,300 participants and discovered that those with unbalanced eating patterns, such as skipping breakfast, were at higher risk of cognitive decline.
A new study has found associations between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men, including those with higher MMSE scores and slower rates of cognitive decline. These findings suggest that extracellular microRNAs may play a role in the early stages of cognitive decline.
A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in statistically significant cognitive improvement in older adults. The researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin supplementation roughly translated to a 60% slowing of cognitive decline.
Healthy older adults exhibit greater mental well-being despite poorer cognitive performance than younger adults. The study reveals that neural mechanisms underlying these findings may inspire new therapeutic interventions to promote healthy brain function.
A study published in Neurology found that people with type 2 diabetes who followed seven healthy lifestyle habits had a lower risk of dementia. The habits included getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and having frequent social contact.
A new study published in leading journals found that achieving 10,000 steps a day can lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, cancer, and death. However, a faster stepping pace showed even greater health benefits, making walking faster a crucial factor for overall health.
A team of researchers has designed in silico molecular probes to track the progress of a misbehaving protein linked to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and FTD. The probes can detect TDP-43 aggregates at high resolution, paving the way for early diagnosis.
Poor periodontal health is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Tooth loss alone increases the odds of cognitive decline by 23% and dementia risk by 13%.
A recent study found that people with dementia are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality due to underlying health conditions. The research identified risk factors such as comorbidities, anxiety, and delayed symptom recognition.
A team of researchers at Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been awarded a grant to study the role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to develop treatments for Alzheimer's and related dementias. The project focuses on understanding astrocyte function and dysfunction in disease pathology.
A study led by the University of Pittsburgh found that the TV drama 'This Is Us' reduced stigma around Alzheimer's disease and encouraged family discussions about aging plans. The narrative was developed in consultation with experts and met with the show's writers to ensure accuracy.
A new music intervention called Musical Bridges to Memory sparks an emotional connection between patients with dementia and their caregivers. The program enhances social engagement and reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms in both patients and caregivers.
A long-term study found that older homeless people are at a high risk of dying, with a median age of death of 64.6 years old. The study also found that people who first became homeless at age 50 or later were about 60 percent more likely to die than those who had become homeless earlier in life.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that a 20-minute non-invasive treatment regimen can improve both short-term and long-term memory in individuals 65 years and older. The treatment involves electrical brain stimulation delivered through scalp electrodes, and its effects were observed to last at least one month.
Researchers are investigating whether COVID-19 contributes to the development of cognitive decline that may lead to dementia. The study will analyze data from over 500 participants, including those with Parkinson's disease and related disorders, to determine if there is a connection between COVID-19 infection and neurocognitive decline.
New research reveals that tau protein can self-assemble to form an envelope around microtubules, compacting them and affecting how other proteins attach. This novel behavior may play a regulatory role in healthy brain tissue, bringing us closer to understanding its connection to disease.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered a new pathway that could help prevent Alzheimer's dementia. Increasing the clearance of waste products in the brain by ramping up a genetic quirk known as readthrough may be effective for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.
A recent study has identified the tau protein's involvement in normal learning and memory processes in the healthy brain. The researchers used proximity labelling to map out all proteins that interact with tau and found that it interacts with enzymes controlling vesicles and cell surface receptors for neurotransmitters.
A study led by University College London found that poor heart health at age 36 predicts a higher brain age later in life, with men having older brains than women of the same age. The research used machine learning to estimate brain age from MRI scans and found an association between brain age and increased brain shrinkage over time.
Researchers at UC San Diego have received a $1.3 million grant to study the role of misfolded tau proteins in causing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. The team aims to develop new tools for understanding and treating these diseases, which affect nearly 6 million people worldwide.
A research team has been awarded $10 million to develop a collaborative care model to prevent Alzheimer's disease and other dementias among delirium survivors. The study aims to improve cognitive recovery and quality of life for patients after emergency surgery.
Researchers at HKUMed & CityU discover that transcorneal electrical stimulation can alleviate depression-like symptoms and improve cognitive function in animal models. The technique also induced the expression of genes involved in brain cell growth, offering a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found a link between atrial cardiopathy and dementia in older adults, with those having the condition at a higher risk of developing dementia over time. The study suggests that subtle changes in the left atrium may be an independent risk factor for dementia, even after controlling for other vascular risk factors.
A meta-analysis found that leisure activities overall were linked to a reduced risk of dementia. Mental activities like reading or watching TV had the greatest impact, followed by physical activities such as walking or sports.
Researchers found a strong association between atrial cardiopathy and dementia in a study of over 15,000 participants. The study revealed that even those without atrial fibrillation or stroke were at higher risk for dementia, highlighting the need to better understand the mechanisms behind this link.