Articles tagged with Dementia
Assistant Professor Søren Grubb has discovered precapillary sphincters in mice, which regulate the resistance between arterioles and capillaries. The findings suggest a potential link to diseases like migraine, Alzheimer's, and vascular dementia, which are associated with blood vessel defects.
A new study found that Asian people with dementia are less likely to receive anti-dementia drugs and take them for shorter periods than white peers. Black people with dementia prescribed antipsychotic drugs take them for longer, potentially putting them at greater risk of harm.
Researchers found no depression or anxiety from dementia screening in older adults. The study also showed that screening did not reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Dementia screening provides awareness for patients and families to take action, including advance care planning.
A class of antibiotics called aminoglycosides has been found to be effective in treating frontotemporal dementia by fixing a genetic mutation that prevents the production of progranulin protein. Researchers discovered two specific antibiotics, Gentamicin and G418, which were able to recover up to 50-60% of progranulin protein levels.
A study found that Italian and English speakers with primary progressive aphasia experience different speech and reading difficulties due to their native languages. Italian speakers tend to produce simpler sentences but struggle with pronunciation, whereas English speakers have more trouble pronouncing words.
A physically and mentally active lifestyle can slow FTD symptoms by providing cognitive resilience to brain degeneration. Research participants with dominant genetic mutations showed slower functional decline in the most active group compared to the least active group.
A new study by McGill University researchers found that APOEε4 carriers have greater levels of tau tangles in memory centers, even after controlling for amyloid plaques. The study provides evidence that the gene's risk of dementia is related to both hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Universidad Complutense de Madrid have identified brain biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer's disease. A study found that patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment who develop dementia show increased and then decreased synchronization in brain regions, indicating cortical network dysfunction.
A large study of over 1 million women found that obesity in midlife increases the risk of dementia later in life, while poor diet and lack of exercise are not. The study also revealed short-term associations between these factors and dementia risk may be due to early symptoms of dementia.
A team of scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital has developed an algorithm to estimate dementia risk using EHRs, predicting new diagnoses up to eight years in advance. The tool uses machine learning and NLP to analyze clinical terms and estimate patient risk.
A new AI-powered computer model has been developed to identify early signs of dementia, potentially improving diagnosis rates in the UK. The model, created by a collaboration between astrophysicists and medical researchers, can analyze patient records to predict 70% of dementia cases before a formal diagnosis.
A new tool developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Netherlands predicts a person's survival probability after dementia diagnosis over three years. The tool provides clear tables for primary care physicians and specialist clinics to estimate post-diagnosis life expectancy based on easily identifiable factors.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that amyloid beta and tau proteins work together to hamper key genes responsible for brain messaging in people with Alzheimer's disease. This damage can be reversed by reducing the presence of tau proteins, according to the study.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a new version of the Mediterranean diet incorporating lean pork, which delivers cognitive benefits while catering to Western tastes. The Med-Pork diet outperforms low-fat diets in delivering higher cognitive processing speeds and emotional functioning.
A study of over 4,700 participants found a strong link between elevated sCD14 levels and increased risk of dementia, as well as brain atrophy and decline in executive functions. The researchers hope that sCD14 could serve as a useful biomarker for assessing cognitive decline and dementia risk.
Researchers found improved wellbeing in people with dementia after participating in an art gallery program, marked by reduced depressive symptoms and increased cognitive function. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, used saliva tests to measure cortisol levels and demonstrated the program's benefits.
Researchers at KBRI found a new molecular mechanism that can inhibit neuronal degeneration by TDP-43, which is a major cause of dementia and Lou Gehrig's disease. The discovery reveals a potential therapeutic strategy to remove abnormal protein accumulation in neurons of patients with dementia.
A new study by Temple University Health System scientists shows that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) can defend against tauopathies, a type of mental decline linked to frontotemporal dementia. EVOO supplementation in mice with abnormal tau protein resulted in a 60% reduction in damaging deposits and improved brain function.
A recent study by the University of California, Davis Health, found that nearly 10% of middle-age and older Latinos in the US meet the criteria for mild cognitive impairment. Factors such as cardiovascular disease and depression were identified as risk factors for MCI.
A survey of 1,019 adults aged 50 to 64 found that 48.5% perceived a high risk of developing dementia during their lifetime. Only a few participants discussed potential ways to reduce dementia risk with their physician.
A new study finds that nearly half of 50- to 64-year-olds think they're likely to develop dementia, but only 5% have talked to a doctor about reducing their risk. Meanwhile, many use unproven tactics like supplements and brain games to stave off the disease.
Researchers are studying brain aging and dementia in 500 individuals born in 1946, using detailed assessments and brain scans to identify risk factors. The goal is to develop better preventative health strategies and improve clinical trials.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that increasing cardiorespiratory fitness can halve the risk of getting dementia. Participants with poor fitness in the 1980s who improved it within a decade lived two years longer without dementia.
The Alzheimer's Association has received a $1.34 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to strengthen psychosocial research in dementia care. The LINC-AD project aims to develop evidence-based measures and tools to improve quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers.
A study published in Neurology found that adults with low levels of education and limited access to education were more likely to develop dementia. Adults who learned to read and write had lower scores on memory and thinking tests at the start of the study, but their test scores did not decline as rapidly as those who were illiterate.
A population-based cohort study found that people with substantial changes in blood pressure over time were at greater risk of dementia. Variations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure led to similar findings, suggesting potential to prevent dementia through targeting blood pressure variability.
A massive collaborative research incubator will develop trials for Alzheimer's disease interventions, funded by the National Institute on Aging. Regenstrief researchers will lead a two-year junior career development program to train researchers in embedded pragmatic clinical trials.
The Global Brain Health Leader Awards announce initiatives addressing dementia prevention, care and support in 14 countries. The awards span $675,000 funding to drive projects and research.
Researchers found that a key Alzheimer's gene (APOE) behaves differently among Caribbean Hispanics depending on ancestral origin. Individuals with African-derived APOE had a 39% lower risk of Alzheimer's compared to those with European-derived APOE.
A large-scale study found that high waist circumference is associated with an elevated risk of obesity-related dementia in older populations. Participants with a waist circumference of 90cm or more had a significantly increased risk of dementia after adjusting for other factors.
The Alzheimer's Association is investing in three research projects to develop new treatments and protect against Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are exploring a gene that may reduce risk, preventing nerve cell death, and using ultrasound to stimulate brain activity for improved memory.
A new study found that performing well on two brief tests measuring cognitive ability and odor identification indicates very low risk for Alzheimer's. The tests may offer an accurate way to distinguish between those at risk for Alzheimer's and those with ordinary age-related memory decline.
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias is projected to nearly double to nearly 13 million over the next 20 years. Women will shoulder more than 80 percent of the cumulative costs, with 4.7 million women expected to have dementia by 2020.
A recent NIH-funded study highlights the need for research on aging individuals with Down syndrome. The analysis reveals that nearly a third of those aged 55+ have filed at least three claims for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study shows that nearly all adults with Down syndrome harbor signs of dementia by age 40, and by age 55, three in five will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a similar neurodegenerative condition. The study highlights the need for early diagnosis and support services for people with Down syndrome as they age.
A high-salt diet can cause cognitive impairment by activating a pathway in the brain that leads to tau protein clumping, according to a new study. The researchers found that this effect is not due to a loss in blood flow to the brain, but rather to the accumulation of tau protein aggregates that interfere with brain cell function.
A high-salt diet may negatively affect cognitive function by causing a deficiency of nitric oxide, which is vital for maintaining vascular health in the brain. This can lead to the accumulation of tau deposits, contributing to dementia and cognitive impairment.
A new study found that people with dementia whose parents also had dementia develop symptoms an average of six years earlier. Factors such as education and genetic variants accounted for less than a third of the variation in age at onset, suggesting more to be discovered about the factors affecting when symptoms arise.
A recent study reveals that semantic memory deficits are involved in specific eating disorders in patients with dementia. The research found a correlation between the severity of these eating disorders and reduced performance on semantic memory tests, suggesting that these behaviors depend on the integrity of semantic memory. This brea...
Researchers analyzed high school personality traits and found a significant association with later dementia diagnoses over 50 years later. The study used Medicare records to assess the relationship between early personality traits and late-life dementia.
A new study at Rush University Medical Center aims to determine whether a combination of lifestyle changes can protect memory and thinking skills in people at risk of developing dementia. The two-year U.S. POINTER clinical trial will enroll 2,000 adults between 60-79 years old with no current memory problems or exercise habits.
Increased inflammatory activity found in FTD patients, associated with parkinsonism symptoms and rapid disease progression. The study also revealed a low prevalence of cancer among FTD patients, suggesting an overactive immune system may contribute to the disease.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that outdoor activities were more clinically effective than anti-psychotic medication for treating physical aggression in patients with dementia. Massage and touch therapy were also more efficacious than usual care or caregiver support for patients with physical agitation.
A new study at UCSF used brain maps to predict FTD progression by analyzing connected brain networks, offering insights into the disease's spread and potential clinical tools. The research suggests that individualized predictions can be made based on neural network maps, which could lead to more effective treatment development.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that nonpharmacologic treatments, such as massage and touch therapy, were more effective than pharmacologic treatments in reducing aggression and agitation in adults with dementia. The authors recommend prioritizing nonpharmacologic approaches over medications due to potential harms associate...
Researchers found that serum neurofilament levels are significantly higher in patients with frontotemporal dementia than those with psychiatric disorders. This biomarker shows promise for differential diagnosis and prognostication of the disease.
Researchers analyzed Toronto resident Vivian White's diary entries from 1985 to 2016, finding a significant relationship between language changes and cognitive decline. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 84, White included the first-person pronoun 'I' consistently in her writing.
A new study led by a University of Miami neurologist found that sleep disturbances among Hispanics may increase their risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Insomnia and prolonged sleep duration were linked to declines in memory, executive function, and processing speed, which can precede the onset of dementia.
Researchers developed new diagnostic criteria that consider a woman's sex when evaluating verbal memory performance, leading to improved diagnosis accuracy and potentially detecting cognitive impairment earlier. This could result in better study designs for clinical trials and more accurate studies on disease progression.
The National Institute on Aging announced winners of its Eureka competition, which aims to spur technological innovations in dementia care. MapHabit took first place with a mobile app helping people with dementia follow simple commands and receive feedback from caregivers.
A new $2.8 million grant will support a preclinical efficacy study of MW150, a potential treatment for dementia. The drug targets dysregulated brain inflammation driven by p38-MAPK, which is also linked to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.
A $4 million grant will study the impact of an easy-to-use online platform called WeCareAdvisor on managing dementia symptoms and caregiver distress. The platform provides education, daily tips, and a systematic approach for describing strategies to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms.
A monthly phone call from a care team navigator can suppress depression and improve quality of life for dementia caregivers. The 12-month study found a significant decrease in caregiver depression and a notable increase in patient quality of life.
An observational study of 3,021 adults aged 72 and older found that alcohol consumption was not significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia in those without mild cognitive impairment. However, among those with MCI, drinking more than 14 drinks per week was linked to the highest risk of dementia
A Regenstrief Institute research scientist is testing a novel mobile app designed to improve care for people with Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to determine if the Brain CareNotes app can manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, leading to improved quality of life for patients and caregivers.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that people with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia have unique walking patterns that signal subtle differences between the two conditions. Analyzing step length variability and step time asymmetry can accurately identify 60% of all dementia subtypes.
A commonly used Alzheimer's treatment, donepezil, significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that can cause kidney damage. The study found a two-fold higher risk of hospitalization with donepezil compared to other cholinesterase inhibitors.
A new MRI analysis technique using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) helped predict thinking problems and dementia related to small vessel disease. Participants with the most brain damage were more likely to develop these conditions, and the scan accurately predicted three-fourths of dementia cases.
Researchers found that people with mild cognitive impairment may have different brain changes depending on the type of dementia they have. The study suggests that these changes could potentially be used to track early changes in Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease.
Researchers at Brown University and Hebrew SeniorLife will create a collaborative research incubator to support trials aimed at improving care for people living with dementia. The grant will fund up to 40 pilot projects that test non-drug, care-based interventions.