Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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...
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.
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.
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 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...
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers have identified a novel biomarker for dementia, IGFBP-2, which is associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Elevated circulating levels of IGFBP-2 significantly improved dementia risk classification when added to traditional risk factors.
A stepwise approach to assessing dementia risk in primary care uses a single question on subjective memory loss, followed by cognitive function tests. This method predicts incident dementia over seven years with high accuracy.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with newly diagnosed hearing loss who receive hearing aids have a lower risk of developing dementia, depression, and fall-related injuries compared to those who do not. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 115,000 Medicare beneficiaries, a...
A study of 114,862 older adults found that using hearing aids was linked to lower risks of Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and injurious falls. The risk of these conditions was 18-13% lower for those who used hearing aids compared to those who did not.
Research linking migraines to increased risk of dementia highlights the importance of early detection and prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease. Migraines were identified as a mid-life risk factor for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, in a study of 679 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older.
Researchers at Imperial College London visualized protein 'tangles' associated with dementia in patients who suffered a single head injury, showing collective likelihood of tau tangles and nerve damage. The study may accelerate treatment development by enabling medics to monitor tau protein levels.
Researchers found that nearly all dementia diagnoses were made by non-specialist physicians, leading to missed opportunities for more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment. The study highlights the need for better training and tools for primary care doctors to diagnose dementia subtypes.
A new study from the European Society of Cardiology reveals that heart failure patients have a high likelihood of developing dementia-type brain lesions, similar to those found in stroke patients. The study also suggests a link between heart failure and an increased risk for dementia.
A new study found that married people are less likely to develop dementia as they age, whereas divorced individuals are twice as likely to experience the condition. The research analyzed data from over 15,000 respondents and suggests that marital status is an important social risk factor for dementia.
Research found that social and executive brain functions are essential for successful language processing, even in individuals with dementia. Patients with frontotemporal dementia performed poorly on language tests despite showing no speech impairment, highlighting the importance of non-language brain regions.
Caregivers of people with dementia experience significant sleep loss, estimated at 2.5-3.5 hours per week, affecting both their mental and physical health. Simple interventions such as morning sunlight, regular bedtime routines, and moderate exercise can improve caregivers' sleep quality.
A new study found that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who have a heart attack are less likely to receive evidence-based treatment. Despite this, researchers emphasize that MCI does not necessarily mean reduced benefit from treatment and that patients should still receive care when indicated.
Researchers say increasing evidence suggests age-related diseases, rather than age itself, may be the key cause of cognitive decline. This shift in thinking highlights the importance of addressing bodily changes that lead to diseases like dementia.