Articles tagged with Dementia
Research finds widespread pain associated with a heightened risk of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. People with widespread pain were 43% more likely to have any type of dementia and 47% more likely to have Alzheimer's disease compared to those without widespread pain.
Researchers discovered that skin fibroblasts from FTD patients exhibit pathological RNA foci, p62 protein-containing vesicles, and defective energy metabolism, which could lead to the development of novel biomarkers and treatments. These findings may also be useful in testing drug effects on FTD patients.
Scientists discovered beige fat cells mediate subcutaneous fat's brain protection and provide anti-inflammatory effects. Beige fat transplantation restored cognitive function in obese mice with dementia-like behavior.
The National Institute on Aging's $280 million investment in small businesses has advanced research on care interventions, diagnostic tools, and therapies for Alzheimer's disease. This funding has enabled the commercialization of technologies such as ActivePERS and PrecivityAD, which aim to improve care and diagnosis.
The University of North Florida will lead a six-site study using computerized cognitive training to improve cognition and potentially prevent dementia. The five-year study aims to recruit 1001 participants from the Jacksonville area, with a focus on African American and Hispanic populations.
Researchers from the University of Washington identified a strong link between fine particulate air pollution and an increased risk of dementia. A 1 microgram per cubic meter difference in PM2.5 pollution was associated with a 16% greater incidence of dementia, highlighting the potential neurodegenerative effects of air pollution.
A recent study discovered that brain cells cannot maintain the myelin sheath in the absence of the TDP-43 protein. Restoring cholesterol levels has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with TDP-43. The research found that oligodendrocytes, responsible for producing myelin, have def...
Researchers at City of Hope developed a powerful miniature brain platform to study the causes of Alzheimer's disease and test dementia drugs in development. They used human stem cell technology to model sporadic Alzheimer's disease, finding that exposure to serum from blood can induce multiple symptoms.
The NIH has launched Outreach Pro, an online tool designed to improve recruitment of underrepresented populations in Alzheimer's clinical trials. The platform provides customizable participant recruitment communications and culturally appropriate outreach materials.
A new study has found that harmful body fat can increase the risk of dementia and stroke, with grey matter atrophy being a key indicator. The research used genetic data from over 336,000 individuals to establish a link between obesity and declining brain health.
Researchers estimate global dementia cases will nearly triple to 152 million by 2050 due to a combination of factors, including aging population growth and increasing risk factors like obesity and heart health issues. The highest increase is projected in eastern sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Researchers recreated damage seen in a widely studied form of frontotemporal dementia by growing special types of cerebral organoids. The study found that the mutated tau protein triggers the death of specific class of neurons, which can be prevented with an experimental drug.
Reducing fine particulates and traffic-related pollutants in the air may lower dementia risk by 14-26% and slow cognitive decline. Studies found that older women living in cleaner areas experienced fewer cases of dementia and slower brain function deterioration.
A large study found that high coffee consumption is associated with reduced brain volume and an increased risk of dementia. Researchers warn that excessive coffee drinking, beyond six cups a day, may put individuals at risk for brain diseases such as dementia and stroke.
A clinical trial found pimavanserin significantly improves sustained symptom benefit and reduces relapse rate in people with dementia-related psychosis. The treatment also showed fewer serious side effects compared to other antipsychotics.
A meta-analysis of 74 studies found young-onset dementia affects approximately 4.3% of people under age 65 worldwide. The study's results provide a more precise estimate of dementia's global occurrence in younger populations.
Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, a UW Professor and researcher, wins Terrie Fox Wetle Rising Star Award for her work on social and behavioral communication patterns among individuals with moderate to advanced dementia. Her research aims to improve care and outcomes for persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
A study of 1,978 people with an average age of 80 found that those who engaged in cognitively stimulating activities such as reading and playing card games delayed the onset of Alzheimer's dementia by up to five years. The research suggests that it may be beneficial to start doing these things, even in your 80s.
A new study published in Age and Ageing found that hypothetical adverse life scenarios, such as dementia and chronic pain, significantly reduce people's desire to live into older ages. The study analyzed data from Norway, where the average preferred life expectancy was 91.4 years.
The American Academy of Neurology provides ethical guidance for neurologists caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The position statement emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy, involving families in care decisions, and addressing ethnic disparities in dementia diagnosis and treatment.
A new grant from the NIH is supporting the development of an AI-powered smartphone app that scans speech and vocabulary patterns to catch early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The app aims to provide affordable and accessible self-assessment technology, potentially encouraging patients to seek help sooner.
Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a novel disease-modifying therapeutic candidate SAK3 that rescues neurons in most protein-misfolding neurodegenerative diseases. SAK3 administration significantly prevented progression of neurodegenerative behaviors, including cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction.
The National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD) at IU School of Medicine has been renewed with a $30 million NIA grant over five years. The repository supports research on causes, early detection, and therapeutic development for Alzheimer's and other dementias.
A new online calculator can predict an individual's risk of dementia in the next five years by assessing factors such as age, physical activity, diet, and stress. The tool, developed by Canadian researchers, aims to empower individuals to modify their lifestyle and reduce their risk.
A study by University of Bath researchers found that augmented reality prompts with a 'ghosthand' are more effective for older adults, leading to faster completion and increased confidence. The study highlights the need for designers to prioritize inclusivity and usability in AR applications to cater to this growing demographic.
A three-year study found significant changes in brain connectivity in older adults with subjective cognitive decline, which may predict dementia. The study suggests that brain alterations underlie the experience of decline and could emerge before cognitive assessments detect a deficit.
A two-year study will explore the health benefits of older people adhering to a Mediterranean diet and undertaking daily walking. Early pilots show improved memory and thinking in participants who followed the MedWalk intervention.
A third of Americans employ unregulated caregivers for older adults and those with dementia, highlighting gaps in access to care. Gray market caregivers often lack training and screening, increasing potential for exploitation or abuse.
A new study found that statin therapy is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly trial and found no significant difference in the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment between statin users and non-...
Studies of people with RA show a decline in dementia risk over time, from 12.7% to 6.2% between the 1980s and 2000s. Heart failure risks also decrease, with no excess risk seen in 2000s compared to general population.
Researchers found no protection against Parkinson's and Lewy body dementias when reducing tau protein in brain neurons. Instead, the study highlights distinct roles of tau in these diseases compared to Alzheimer's, where reducing endogenous tau levels is protective.
A systematic review of 501 chatbot apps found that none performed well on all testing criteria, with linguistic biases and usability challenges. The apps' limited program content made it hard to have extended or varied conversations between users and chatbots.
Research found that lipophilic statins double the risk of developing dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment. PET scans revealed a decline in brain metabolism, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex.
A large-scale brain epigenetics study has identified 84 new genes linked to dementia, providing new insights into the disease. The study found that epigenetic changes in the brain can be consistently distinguished from those without the disease, with over 70% accuracy.
A novel tau protein conformation, cis P-tau, is a toxic early driver of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Silencing of this protein through immunotherapy has been shown to prevent disease pathology and memory loss in preclinical models.
Researchers at the University of Bradford say naked mole rats' long lifespan and resistance to cancer could lead to new treatments for degenerative diseases like cancer and dementia. The animals' unique DNA repair mechanism may provide insights into preventing these conditions, with potential applications in humans.
A personalized soundscape using AcustiCare can help individuals with dementia by providing clues about time of day and place. The system refines the sounds to reinforce time and space, improving sleep quality, reducing agitation and distress, and decreasing stress on caregivers.
A study of over 700,000 TBI patients found that those with sleep disorders had a 25% higher risk of developing dementia. The risk was similar for male and female patients, highlighting the importance of targeted awareness about sleep disorders in TBI patients.
A national panel of experts recommends recognizing seven major modifiable risk factors for dementia and taking steps to lower risk through medication, lifestyle changes, and interventions. By controlling vascular risk factors, people can preserve cognitive function and reduce heart attack and stroke risk.
A new international study has identified a drug that can halt the progression of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in sportspeople who sustain repeated head injuries. The treatment was successfully tested in animal models and shows promise for preventing neurological problems associated with CTE, which affects cognition and behavior.
A study published in Nature Communications has identified a single biomarker, neurofilament light chain (NfL), that can accurately reveal underlying neurodegeneration in people with cognitive issues. NfL levels in blood were found to be higher across all neurodegenerative disorders compared to those with no cognitive problems.
Researchers found that patients with dementia and especially Alzheimer's are three times more likely to die from COVID-19. The risk is six times greater for those over 80. Chronic inflammatory conditions or defective immune responses may contribute to the increased vulnerability of these patients.
Researchers found that people with low blood sugar events had a 75% greater risk of developing dementia, while those with high blood sugar events had more than twice the risk. People experiencing both types of events faced the greatest risk, with an incidence rate of 98.5 cases for every 1,000 person-years
Researchers found that disturbances in cholesterol catabolism are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The study also suggests that bile acid synthesis may impact brain signaling pathways, leading to sex-specific effects on dementia progression. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A study found that the Tsimane indigenous people have slower brain atrophy than Westerners, suggesting their physically active lifestyle and high-fiber diet may hold the key to slowing down aging. The researchers enrolled 746 Tsimane adults in their study and compared their brain volumes with those in three industrialized populations.
Research suggests that spending moderate amounts of time watching television during midlife is associated with greater cognitive decline and lower brain volume. This could be due to prolonged sedentary behavior affecting brain health, which may impact overall well-being in later life.
Researchers found that adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors can significantly lower dementia risk for those at higher risk due to a family history of dementia. Participants who followed more healthy behaviors had lower rates of familial dementia and were less likely to develop dementia overall.
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration recommend adopting best practices in designing exploratory trials, including rigorous statistical analyses and biomarker selection. These recommendations aim to reduce costs and improve patient engagement in clinical trials.
A study of over half a million people found that certain mid-life cardiovascular risk factors are associated with dementia in both men and women. However, the relationship between blood pressure and dementia risk varies by sex, with higher blood pressure linked to increased risk in women.
A large study of plasma proteins and dementia found abnormal blood levels of dozens of proteins up to five years earlier may predict dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. High levels of one protein, SVEP1, are linked to the disease process.
A new study found that individuals experiencing pre-loss grief symptoms can adjust, but certain factors such as gender and caregiving burden exacerbate the experience. The research documented a significant correlation between dementia patients' family members and severe pre-loss grief.
People with dementia have twice the risk for developing COVID-19, with high hospitalization rates and mortality. Alzheimer Europe urges governments to prioritize these groups in vaccination campaigns to prevent further harm.
A large observational study by Karolinska Institutet researchers found a clear link between poor kidney function and increased risk of dementia. The study of over 325,000 individuals suggested that an eGFR score of 30-59ml/min was associated with a 71% increased risk of dementia.
A study analyzed 121 published studies on virtual and in-person cognitive assessments for diagnosing dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The analysis found good reliability and accuracy of virtual assessments for diagnosing dementia, but identified barriers to implementing cognitive assessments for older adults.
Researchers found that people with reduced kidney function have an increased risk of developing dementia, with those with moderate chronic kidney disease having a 71% higher risk. The study highlights the importance of identifying and treating cases of kidney disease to reduce the risk of dementia.
A new study published in Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research found that older people with vision loss are more likely to suffer mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia. The research examined World Health Organisation data on over 32,000 people and found a significant correlation between vision loss and increased risk o...
A new algorithm developed by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland uses blood biomarker measurements to aid in early diagnosis and differentiation between types of dementia. This innovation aims to provide precise diagnoses, enabling targeted treatment and improving patient outcomes.
Using naturalistic driving data, researchers developed random forests models that accurately predicted mild cognitive impairment and dementia with 88% accuracy. The study identified age, trip patterns, and braking events as key predictors of the conditions.
A recent study examined the association between age at diabetes onset and subsequent dementia risk. The research found that younger individuals with type 2 diabetes were more likely to develop dementia compared to those who developed diabetes at an older age.
A new study used autopsy data to evaluate the AT(N) framework, a standard tool for assessing Alzheimer's risk. The researchers found that even in the highest-risk group, a third of individuals did not develop dementia, highlighting the complexity of Alzheimer's disease and the need for additional biomarkers.