Articles tagged with Dementia
Margaret Gatz, a renowned expert in clinical geropsychology, has been awarded the GSA's 2018 Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award. Her pioneering work includes the world's largest twin study of dementia and extensive research on age-related changes in depressive symptoms.
Patients with high blood pressure are at increased risk of developing dementia within five years, yet cognitive function is not routinely measured. A clock drawing test was found to be more effective in detecting cognitive impairment than the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in adults with high blood pressure.
A study published in Cell describes the discovery of a molecular link between aging and two major genetic causes of neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The findings reveal possible new targets for treatment and highlight the need for a better understanding of the biology of...
A study of 6,626 French adults aged 65+ found that those with optimal levels in six cardiovascular metrics (nonsmoking, weight, diet, physical activity, cholesterol, and blood pressure) had a lower risk for dementia. Each additional metric at the recommended level was associated with a lower risk for cognitive decline.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that rogue RNA-binding proteins, including TDP-43, FUS, and hnRNP A1, accumulate in the brains of patients with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. This discovery suggests a common disease mechanism between inherited and sporadic forms of both diseases.
The Hastings Center report explores advanced care directives for dementia patients, childhood obesity, and patient demands for specific healthcare providers or racial/ethnic backgrounds. Competent individuals should have control over life-sustaining treatments, while environmental factors contribute to childhood obesity.
A new study analyzes fatalities among people with dementia in long-term care homes, revealing that nearly half of deaths were caused by physical contact. The study also found that evenings and weekends are the most vulnerable times for incidents to occur, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent these events.
A new study reveals that older adults who initiate hemodialysis for kidney failure are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The study found that age, Black race, female sex, and institutionalization were the strongest risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A study of over 350,000 patients found elderly kidney disease patients on dialysis have a substantially higher risk of dementia than healthy community-dwelling older adults. The study calls for more monitoring and prevention measures to address this pressing issue.
A significant link was discovered between age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease. Patients with these eye conditions were at a 40-50% greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to similar individuals without these conditions.
A three-part study of 22 retired pro football and hockey players found no increase in the rate of early-onset dementia or cognitive decline. Standard neuropsychological tests and brain imaging scans showed minimal differences between groups, contradicting previous concerns about CTE.
A new UCL-led study found that dementia diagnosis rates are 25% higher among black women and 28% higher among black men compared to white counterparts. Researchers suggest that inequalities in care, stigma, and cultural background may contribute to these disparities.
Researchers assessed 21 professional athletes on neuropsychological measures, executive function, and advanced brain imaging. The study found mild cognitive impairment but no statistically significant impairment compared to non-contact sport controls.
New research suggests that non-drug approaches should be prioritised in treating agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease, ranking assessment and management of underlying causes as the top treatment. Non-pharmacological treatments such as person-centred care and tailored activity programmes are also recommended for managing symptom...
A new study finds that long term abstinence from alcohol and heavy drinking are associated with an increased risk of dementia. The researchers found that every 7 unit a week increase in consumption was associated with a 17% increase in dementia risk among those drinking above 14 units a week.
A study by the University at Buffalo found that nearly 92% of caregivers with dementia experience poor sleep quality, waking up frequently and sleeping less than six hours per night. This can lead to depression, weight gain, heart disease, and premature death.
A new e-learning programme trained care home staff to increase social interaction from two minutes a day to ten, improving resident wellbeing and staff attitudes. The programme, called WHELD, uses simple measures such as talking to residents about their interests and involving them in decisions around their care.
The SPRINT MIND Study found significant reductions in the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and combined risk of MCI plus all-cause dementia through intensive blood pressure control. This study provides the strongest evidence to date on reducing MCI and dementia risk through cardiovascular disease treatment.
Researchers emphasize need for more targeted trials to detect potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, citing only 42 active trials on disease-modifying therapies. The study also identifies promising compounds and approaches to target amyloid and tau proteins, as well as repositioning existing drugs.
A new study found that middle-aged individuals with orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up, are at a greater risk of developing dementia and stroke decades later. Those with orthostatic hypotension had a 54% higher risk of dementia and twice the risk of ischemic stroke compared to those without it.
A new study finds contact sports associated with an increased risk of Lewy Body Disease (LBD), which can cause Parkinson's disease and dementia. LBD was linked to problems with movement, cognition, depression, sleep, and visual hallucinations, independent of CTE pathology.
New research highlights the importance of targeted clinical trials to address the shortage, with 142 active trials worldwide and only 29 disease-modifying therapies in phase 2 or 3 development. The study suggests that considering biomarkers and risk factors can increase the power per patient screened to detect potential treatments.
A new study highlights the need for effective treatments for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and behavioral changes. Researchers found that synthetic cannabinoid treatment, like nabilone, may be an effective option for treating agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that opioid-based painkillers increased side effects such as personality changes and sedation by tripling in people with dementia. The study suggests that people with dementia produce more natural opioids, making them sensitive to painkillers.
The new National Strategy for Recruitment and Participation in Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Research aims to increase enrollment of underrepresented groups, including African Americans. The strategy focuses on local outreach, awareness, and incentives to facilitate participation and addresses physical, fiscal, and psychological barriers.
Research suggests that reproductive factors, including number of children, miscarriages, age at first menstrual period, and reproductive period, may contribute to dementia risk in women. Women who had three or more children were found to have a lower risk of dementia, while those with earlier onset of menstruation or shorter reproducti...
A virtual reality learning program is being used to prepare high school students to interact with older adults with Alzheimer's disease. The program aims to increase empathy and reduce negative attitudes towards people with dementia.
The recommendations aim to improve timely and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease by emphasizing a multidisciplinary evaluation approach. The guidelines also focus on compassionate communication with patients and caregivers, and establishing a structured assessment process.
The study found significant rates of depression, hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease among sexual minority older adults, contributing to the level of dementia. The prevalence of dementia increases with age, even in 'oldest old', and survival time for people with dementia is six years regardless of age.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that whole-brain low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy improved cognitive dysfunction in mice with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The treatment was shown to enhance blood vessel formation, nerve cell regeneration, and protein expression without serious side effects.
A new machine-learning model has shown promising signs of being able to predict undiagnosed dementia in primary care, with an accuracy of 84%. This could significantly reduce the number of those living with undiagnosed dementia in the UK from around 50% to 8%.
A recent study found that a substantial majority of older adults with probable dementia in the US are either undiagnosed or unaware of their diagnosis. Factors such as lower education levels, attending medical visits alone, and fewer functional impairments were linked to this lack of awareness.
Researchers have discovered a specific brain neuron with a central role in learning and improving memory formation. The study found that activating this brain cell improved memory function, while overactivating it led to impaired learning and memory.
Researchers have discovered a possible treatment approach for cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), the most common cause of dementia and stroke in older adults. Studies with rats showed that treating SVD can reverse changes in blood vessels in the brain associated with the condition, as well as prevent damage to brain cells.
Researchers found that stabilizing dysfunctional endothelial cells with approved drugs reverses cellular dysfunction in a rat model of cerebral small vessel disease. The study suggests a potential new treatment for vascular dementia, which is a major cause of cognitive disability in the elderly.
A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with changes to brain structure similar to those seen in early-stage dementia. The study suggests that screening for OSA and treating it could help prevent dementia in older adults.
A review highlights the importance of early detection, community-based supports, and caregiver education in caring for seniors with dementia. These interventions have been shown to delay admission to long-term care facilities and reduce caregiver stress.
Researchers are exploring the benefits of brain training and lifestyle interventions to prevent dementia. Studies show that mentally stimulating careers and hobbies can lower cognitive decline risk. A combined diet and exercise intervention may also improve memory and thinking skills, while protecting against brain damage.
A study of over 1.23 million Medicare beneficiaries found a significant association between gout and increased risk of dementia in the elderly. Gout was linked to a 17-20% higher risk of dementia, with the risk being highest in older age groups, females, and people with comorbidities.
Researchers found that patients with high blood pressure are at higher risk of developing dementia and show early signs of brain damage on MRI scans. These changes can be detected before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier intervention to prevent further deterioration.
Research from the Whitehall II study found that 50-year-olds with systolic blood pressure above 130mmHg have a 45% greater risk of developing dementia. This association was not seen at ages 60 and 70, suggesting a link between midlife hypertension and brain health.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have discovered a way to reverse memory deficits and tau pathology in mice with dementia. By administering a drug that blocks leukotriene formation, they were able to improve spatial learning and working memory in treated animals.
Researchers from Kumamoto University analyzed over 107 Alzheimer's patients and found that face-saving responses are a common communication pattern in the disease. The study suggests that these responses may indicate conflicted feelings about questions that patients cannot answer correctly.
A study of Japanese adults aged 60 found that short and long daily sleep durations were risk factors for dementia and premature death. Participants with optimal sleep duration (5-6.9 hours) had a lower risk of dementia and death compared to those with shorter or longer sleep durations.
A new study from the University of Surrey has developed AI-powered technology to monitor the wellbeing of people with dementia. This innovative system uses IoT devices installed in homes to detect potential health issues early on, preventing hospital admissions and improving care outcomes.
Researchers found that proxies more accurately predict length of life left and are less likely to agree to burdensome treatments for residents believed to have less than 6 months left. This discovery was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.
A new study published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found that people with dementia are more likely to wander and become lost, resulting in potentially life-threatening outcomes. The researchers recommend implementing a 'Silver Alert' system, similar to Amber Alerts for missing children, to minimize this risk.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg have discovered a new role for stress granules in the formation and elimination of these structures. The study found that ZFAND1 protein is necessary for normal clearance of stress granules, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and FTD if not properly eliminated.
A large-scale study has identified three new genes linked to the risk of Alzheimer's disease, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the condition. The findings, published in Translational Psychiatry, are based on genetic data from over 300,000 people and could pave the way for new approaches to treating the disease.
Machine learning has detected small vessel disease, a common cause of stroke and dementia, in CT scans more accurately than current methods. The software can identify and measure the severity of SVD, enabling clinicians to administer better treatments and predict patients' likelihood of developing dementia.
A study published in The BMJ found that a moderate to high intensity exercise program improved physical fitness in individuals with mild to moderate dementia. However, the program did not slow cognitive decline or improve daily activities. Researchers suggest exploring other forms of exercise and considering potential negative effects ...
A nationally representative sample of older English adults found that wealth in late life is associated with increased dementia risk. The study suggests that individuals with fewer financial resources are at higher risk for dementia.
Research from University College London reveals that older adults with fewer financial resources are more likely to develop dementia. The study analyzed data from over 6000 adults and found a significant link between socioeconomic factors and dementia incidence.
A simple visual screening tool, VAT, shows increased predictive value for dementia risk when combined with MMSE score declines. The tool may help identify older adults at increased risk of developing dementia.
Researchers found that inheriting a variation in the PM20D1 gene increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, making it an excellent candidate for clinical prevention trials. The study highlights the importance of international scientific collaboration and multidisciplinary research to tackle complex diseases like dementia.
Research from Intermountain Medical Center reveals that carotid artery disease and atrial fibrillation significantly increase a patient's chances of developing dementia due to restricted blood flow to the brain. The study stresses the need for physicians to monitor and screen patients for both diseases, especially those with risk factors.
Researchers found changes in hippocampal neurons early after alpha-synuclein aggregates appear, suggesting potential therapeutic treatments to halt or reverse cognitive impairments. The study suggests defects in pre- and post-synaptic functions, indicating plasticity in the neurons.
The study found that good relationships, social engagement, and everyday functioning are linked to better quality of life for people with dementia. Factors such as poor mental or physical health, agitation, and unmet needs are associated with lower quality of life.
Researchers found that TDP-43 and DISC1 protein clusters disrupt dendritic local translation, leading to abnormal cell function and behavior. The study provides a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers identified new combinations of risk factors linked to increased dementia risk, including age, marital status, lower BMI, and less sleep at mid-life. The study suggests that modifiable risk factors may be targeted for prevention and early intervention.