Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 has renewed support for the USC-led AI4AD initiative, expanding its efforts to better classify Alzheimer's and related diseases, predict progression, and identify new treatment targets. The $12.6 million award will develop AI tools to uncover biological causes of Alzheimer's and improve disease diagnosis.
A new study found that older people who forego necessary dental procedures due to financial barriers may experience heart failure, a heart attack, a stroke, or dementia. The researchers suggest that alleviating upstream factors such as financial constraints could prevent chronic disease.
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.
Researchers discovered subtle changes in the blood can reveal early signs of cognitive decline caused by chemicals produced by gut bacteria. A blood test may one day transform how we detect dementia, potentially identifying people at risk years before symptoms appear.
Researchers found that a novel compound can clear harmful protein from human neurons modeling frontotemporal dementia, preventing neuron death. Enhancing autophagy with the compound showed promise as a treatment strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Research found that people who spend a higher proportion of their total physical activity doing vigorous activity have substantially lower risks of all eight serious health conditions. The benefits of vigorous activity remained even when the amount of time was modest.
Adults who engaged in extended durations of mentally passive sedentary behaviors had a higher risk of dementia. Replacing passive with mentally active sedentary behaviors was shown to reduce the risk of dementia onset in later life.
A new book by Swansea University researchers argues that attention impairments, rather than memory dysfunction, are a key aspect of dementia. The authors suggest that recognizing these changes could lead to earlier identification, improved diagnosis, and better care for those affected.
The Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study, led by USF researchers, aims to delay the onset of dementia through computerized brain training exercises. With over $50 million in federal grant funding, the trial has enrolled 7,600 older adults and is expected to conclude in January 2028.
A study of 10,978 participants found that cooking at home at least once a week is associated with a lower risk of dementia. Novice cooks with few culinary skills saw a 70% reduction in risk, while skilled cooks still benefited from regular meal prep
A Finnish registry study found that severe infections, such as cystitis and bacterial disease, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. The study examined nationwide health registry data and identified 29 diseases linked to dementia risk, including mental disorders, Parkinson's disease, and alcohol-related mental disorders.
A multicenter randomized clinical trial found no significant differences in cognitive improvement between exercise, intensive pharmacological reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, or both in older adults. The study results challenge current recommendations on lifestyle modifications for dementia prevention.
A comprehensive protein atlas has been developed to understand the molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative diseases. By analyzing protein levels, modifications, and interactions across six major diseases, researchers identified alterations unique to and shared between diseases, as well as distinct subtypes within individual diseases.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that older people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease who consume relatively large amounts of meat have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The study also shows that the type of meat is important, with a lower proportion of processed meat associated with a lower risk of de...
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that analyzing fine-scale patterns in brain waves during sleep can provide insights into brain health. The research suggests that sudden large spikes on EEG, known as kurtosis, are associated with a lower risk of dementia.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that high meat consumption is associated with better cognitive trajectories and lower dementia risk among individuals with the APOE 34/44 genotype. The finding contradicts previous expectations, highlighting potential clinical and public health relevance for this population.
Researchers found that measures of blood vessel health from routine blood pressure readings can identify adults at increased risk for dementia. Vascular aging patterns may provide meaningful insight into future dementia risk, and managing vascular health earlier in life may influence long-term brain health.
Researchers found that early adult drinking combined with stress leads to cognitive decline in middle age, with brains damaged beyond recovery. Heavy drinking rewires the brain's circuitry, impairing decision-making and increasing risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that patients with both conditions exhibited different neuropsychiatric symptoms, which could inform diagnosis and treatment plans. The study's findings may help clinicians better understand the complex disease course of patients with multiple disorders, including Alzheimer's and frontotemporal lobar degeneration.
A genetic mutation found in high-altitude animals may help regenerate myelin sheath and repair nerve damage in conditions like MS and cerebral paralysis. The mutation increases production of a metabolite that promotes myelin production and maturation.
Researchers at USC identified differences in early Alzheimer's disease-related brain changes across racial and ethnic groups, with Black and Hispanic participants showing higher levels of tau in key memory-related regions. The study highlights the need for more inclusive approaches to studying and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at DZNE identified five particularly affected cell types in the motor cortex, which are equally susceptible to ALS and FTD. The study used molecular fingerprinting to analyze human tissue samples and found that excitatory cells are primarily affected by the disease.
Researchers develop world's first DNA aptamer that binds to neurofilament light chain, a protein released into the blood with neurodegeneration. The aptamer, MN711, shows high affinity and specificity comparable to commercially available antibodies.
A novel blood-based biomarker, p-tau217, can predict a woman's risk of developing dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appear. Higher levels of p-tau217 were strongly associated with future mild cognitive impairment and dementia among older, cognitively healthy women.
A new study models brain aging and resilience over the lifespan, uncovering individual factors that affect cognition and identifying potential biomarkers of healthy brain aging. Researchers are now incorporating diverse data, including social and lifestyle factors, to create a broader picture of the aging brain.
A new report finds that nearly nine in 10 primary care providers use standardized paper assessments, but are interested in adopting digital cognitive assessments. The surveys revealed key priorities for enabling broader adoption, including providing more support to clinicians.