Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
A new study at Northwestern University found that teaching happiness skills to dementia caregivers reduces their depression, anxiety, and improves physical health. The intervention, called LEAF, increased feelings of happiness and positivity among caregivers after six weeks.
The Dementia Friendly Hospital Initiative targets comprehensive training for all hospital staff to improve quality and safety for patients with dementia. The program aims to lower rates for in-hospital injuries, length of stay, and 30-day readmissions.
A new form of dementia, Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), has been characterized by researchers. LATE affects multiple areas of cognition and its progression is more gradual than Alzheimer's disease. Further research into LATE may lead to the development of disease-specific drugs.
A newly recognized brain disorder called Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) has been defined with recommended diagnostic criteria. LATE is characterized by cognitive impairment and hippocampal sclerosis, similar to Alzheimer's disease, but progresses more gradually.
Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) is a newly-defined brain disorder resembling Alzheimer's disease but caused by misfolded TDP-43 protein. It affects 25% of individuals over 85 years old, causing gradual cognitive decline and impacting daily life.
A small study found that cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate treatments were safe for patients with strokes caused by damaged small blood vessels. The drugs may help improve blood vessel function and potentially reduce the risk of stroke and vascular dementia.
A specially designed mobile game, Sea Hero Quest, can detect people at risk of Alzheimer's by analyzing their spatial navigation skills. Researchers found that those with a high genetic risk, like the APOE4 gene, performed worse on the game, highlighting a potential early detection method.
Researchers found a critical structure within TDP-43 that causes nerve cell death in ALS and FTD. Modifying this structure could lead to new therapies for these devastating diseases.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Center discovered aberrant RNA processing in ALS and FTD patients, led by Dr. Rita Sattler's team finding ADAR2 mislocalization affects disease pathways, potentially leading to neuronal loss and neurodegeneration.
A commonly used blood pressure medication has shown potential in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that felodipine induced autophagy in mice with Huntington's disease and zebrafish models of dementia.
A new study found that nearly half of dementia cases in low- to middle-income countries, such as China and India, could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors like education, hearing loss, and obesity. Improving childhood education and health outcomes throughout life may lead to significant reductions in dementia rates.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that low scam awareness in older adults may be an early sign of impending mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The researchers observed a significant association between low scam awareness and Alzheimer disease pathology in the brain.
Researchers found a strong correlation between abnormal proteins and criminal behavior in dementia sufferers, especially those with frontotemporal dementia. The study of 220 deceased patients showed that 42% of FTD patients committed repeated crimes, compared to 15% of Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers found that the most common genetic cause of ALS, C9orf72 mutation, leads to toxic dipeptide repeat polypeptides (DPRs) disrupting nucleolar assembly. Longer DPRs are more toxic to cells, highlighting a potential prognostic value for ALS patients.
St. Jude scientists discover that ULK1 and ULK2 break down stress granules, which build up toxic proteins that kill muscle and brain cells in diseases including IBM, ALS, and FTD. Boosting these enzymes could help treat the conditions.
Researchers develop QC-01-175, a molecular tool that clears abnormal tau protein from human neurons, providing a new approach for studying disease progression and potential therapeutic benefits. The findings suggest targeted protein degradation technology can be used to transform a protein binder into a functional molecule with pharmac...
A new state-of-the-art sleep unit has opened at the University of East Anglia, pioneering research will investigate the link between sleep and dementia. The unit aims to determine whether treating sleep disturbances early on could help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found a link between fewer reproductive years and an increased risk of dementia in women. Women with shorter total reproductive years had a higher risk of developing dementia, particularly those who started menstruating later or went through menopause earlier.
Researchers at OHSU test video chat to stave off dementia in seniors, showing promise in improved cognitive tests. Social isolation is a major problem for seniors, and this study aims to identify healthy but isolated individuals and see if regular conversation can prevent age-related cognitive decline.
A new study found that controlling high blood pressure in mid-life patients with atrial fibrillation can reduce dementia risk by up to 15%. The study analyzed data from over 196,000 patients and found that lowering systolic blood pressure to 120-129 mmHg was associated with lower dementia risk.
Dementia caregivers want robots to support positive moments and alleviate emotional stress through tasks like answering repeated questions, managing daily schedules, and providing reminders. The researchers are now building high-tech prototypes based on the initial low-tech prototypes designed by caregivers.
A robot-guided video game has been developed to get older adults learning and working together, staving off dementia. The game's goal is to encourage physical movement and social interaction, addressing isolation a key contributor to dementia progression.
A new study found that catheter ablation significantly reduces the risk of dementia and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and carotid arterial disease compared to medication treatment. Researchers identified 5,786 patients and found that ablation made a significant difference in those with both conditions.
Chronic periodontitis may increase the risk of developing dementia by 6%, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The research suggests that preventing and treating periodontitis could lead to a reduced risk of dementia.
Dorothee Dormann's work reveals similarities in ALS and FTD pathogenesis, highlighting the role of protein FUS in disease progression. Her research aims to identify molecular targets for therapy and explore common mechanisms with other neurodegenerative diseases.
A large study of over 8,200 adults found no association between midlife diet quality and later risk of dementia. The study followed participants for nearly 25 years, but repeated assessments of diet quality during midlife didn't show any significant link to subsequent risk for dementia.
FAU's Dementia Prevention Initiative aims to identify novel biomarkers and peripheral predictors of disease, enabling personalized evaluation and prevention plans. The $3 million grant will enable researchers to follow patients for three years, share data with other investigators, and provide training.
Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that an existing therapy used to treat Alzheimer's disease may also be effective for patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a type of dementia that destroys language. The study found that individuals with PPA exhibit the same loss of cholinergic neurons and axons in the fo...
A study of 800 Swedish women found that those with high levels of mental activities like reading, singing, and gardening were 46% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Women who were physically active also had a reduced risk of developing dementia, with a 52-56% lower risk compared to inactive participants.
A Swedish study of 800 women found that those with a high level of mental and physical activities had a lower risk of developing dementia. Mental activities included reading, playing instruments, singing in a choir, and gardening, while physical activity ranged from light walking to regular intense exercise.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology developed a computer game for dementia carers, offering immersive scenarios to build knowledge and skills. The game is freely available online, providing a hands-on approach to train caregivers in dealing with the challenges of dementia care.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that insufficient sleep is associated with changes in DNA methylation in gene regulatory elements related to the nervous system development pathway. This indicates a potential link between chronic sleep deprivation and long-term health risks.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that education does not play a significant role in when the disease starts or how fast it progresses. Researchers found an association between higher education and better thinking and memory skills at the start of the study, but this did not translate to slower cognitive decline.
A large UK population-based study found no association between the antidepressant trazodone and a reduced risk of dementia. Researchers analyzed data from over 15 million patients and compared them with users of other antidepressants, but found higher incidence rates among trazodone users.
The American Geriatrics Society recommends excluding feeding tube preference from Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms due to research showing that they harm patients with dementia. PEG tubes can increase discomfort and agitation, leading to restraints and bedsores.
Research found differences in gut microbiota between patients with and without dementia, with higher levels of ammonia and indole associated with increased dementia risk. Lower levels of beneficial Bacteroides organisms were also observed in dementia patients.
A study published in Communications Biology found that chronic conditions like cancer and diabetes share common underlying mechanisms with aging. The researchers analyzed genetic data from over 300,000 people and identified 12 genetic loci associated with healthy life expectancy.
A clinical trial led by Wake Forest School of Medicine found that intensive control of blood pressure significantly reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older people. MCI is a precursor to early dementia and increases the risk of dementia progression, but reversion to normal cognition is possible.
A randomized clinical trial involving 9,400 adults with hypertension found that intensive blood pressure control did not significantly reduce the risk of probable dementia. Early study termination and fewer than expected cases of dementia may have limited the power to detect a difference.
The Alzheimer's Association has awarded funding for the SPRINT MIND 2.0 Study, which aims to investigate intensive blood pressure treatment and its impact on reducing dementia risk. The study will continue to follow up trial participants with two years of additional assessment.
The SPRINT MIND trial found that intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure did not significantly reduce dementia risk, but had a measurable impact on mild cognitive impairment. The study demonstrated that intensive blood pressure control is safe for the brain and may offer avenues for prevention.
A UK study found lower cognitive scores and earlier dementia diagnoses in Asian and Black patients compared to White patients. The research highlights the need for tailored prevention initiatives and early diagnosis across ethnic groups.
Research suggests that frailty makes older adults more susceptible to Alzheimer's dementia, regardless of brain changes. The study found a significant association between frailty and cognitive decline, suggesting that maintaining function and independence may help reduce dementia risk.
A Danish population-based study found that vital exhaustion, a state of emotional suffering and somatic symptoms, is associated with a higher risk of dementia later in life. The study, published in IOS Press, suggests that addressing psychological risk factors may be crucial in preventing dementia.
A recent study published in Neurology found that older adults who engage in regular physical activity may maintain better thinking and memory skills despite having brain lesions or biomarkers linked to dementia. The study, conducted by Rush University Medical Center, compared cognition test results and activity data for 454 older adult...
A study found that moving more, even simple routine physical activity like housework, can protect the brain from damage and preserve memory and thinking skills. The study looked at 454 older adults and found that those who moved more had better thinking and memory skills compared to those who didn't.
The new AI system uses machine learning algorithms to identify early symptoms of urinary tract infections in people with dementia. This allows for earlier treatment and reduction in hospitalizations, according to researchers at the University of Surrey.
Regenstrief Institute researcher Malaz Boustani advocates for Medicare payment for team-based care, which improves patient outcomes and reduces costs. Collaborative care models, including the Aging Brain Care model, have shown effective results in managing dementia and related dementias.
The My Brain Robbie campaign aims to fill an educational gap in dementia prevention by providing public health education for children aged 6-12. The project uses an animated video and free resources to teach eight simple steps to keep brains healthy, connecting with modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline.
Researchers identified five distinct subtypes of insomnia, each with unique characteristics and underlying brain mechanisms. These findings have significant implications for treatment effectiveness and the prevention of depression, offering a new direction in understanding this complex mental disorder.
A European research project aims to uncover the physiological pathways underlying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Down syndrome, which are linked by evolving dementia. The HEROES project seeks to develop biomarkers for dementia progression and explore new therapeutic approaches.
A Swedish study found a significant correlation between dementia and ischemic stroke, with patients dying from IS having a higher mortality rate compared to those who did not have IS. The study also highlights the importance of accurate death certificate diagnoses, particularly for deaths reported outside Swedish hospitals.
Researchers have identified a single mutation in the MAPT gene as the culprit behind inherited frontotemporal dementia, leading to impaired communication between brain neurons and neurodegeneration. The study offers new potential treatment targets for both this condition and Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that female veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression are more likely to develop dementia than their counterparts without these conditions. Women with PTSD were about 80% more likely, while those with depression were about 70% more likely to develop dementia.
The new guidelines aim to support doctors in assessing and managing patients with dementia who drive. Key findings indicate that many people with dementia are safe to drive in the early stages, but making the decision to stop can be difficult.
The five-year study will investigate the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat severe agitation and aggression in people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will compare ECT treatment plus standard therapies to standard therapies alone for individuals with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's dementia.
A recent study reveals a significant increase in worldwide dementia cases over the past 26 years, with the number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias rising to 43.8 million in 2016. This represents a 117% growth, attributed to both aging and global population growth.
A UCLA-led research team has identified two major groups of genes involved in mutations that result in an overproduction of tau protein, a hallmark of progressive dementia. The study suggests that these genetic processes may be targetable with experimental drugs.
Researchers found that quick cognitive assessments can be wrong, with varying biases based on factors like education, age, ethnicity, and living conditions. This study highlights the need for more accurate and unbiased methods to detect dementia in primary care settings.
New research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that trazadone is associated with a comparable risk of falls and major osteoporotic fractures to atypical antipsychotics. This finding challenges the assumption that trazodone is a safer alternative for treating behavioral symptoms in seniors with dementia.