Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
A synthesis of 15 studies found that married people had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to lifelong singletons and widowers. The researchers suggest that marriage may promote healthier lifestyles and social engagement among couples, which can contribute to a lower risk of dementia.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found no link between proton pump inhibitor use and increased dementia risk among older adults. The study reviewed data from 3,484 participants aged 65 and older, concluding that developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease was not associated with taking PPIs.
Research at Kumamoto University found that MCI patients exhibit weakened short-term face memorization ability and distinct gaze behavior when trying to recall faces. This study may lead to early detection of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, which is characterized by cognitive decline in daily life.
The Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB) is associated with increased risk of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and incident dementia in older adults. High ACB scores are linked to a dose-response relationship between anticholinergic burden and adverse clinical outcomes.
A recent study has shed light on the causes of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) by revealing how toxic alpha-synuclein clumps disrupt vital parts of neurons and spread through brain connections. The research, led by the University of Edinburgh, used advanced technology to visualize synapses in DLB brains.
A randomized controlled trial found that computerized speed of processing training significantly reduced the risk of dementia among older adults. Participants who completed more training sessions had lower risk, with a 5.9% incidence rate compared to 10.8% in the control group.
A new study suggests that a breakthrough Alzheimer's treatment could leave millions of people without access to care due to the US healthcare system's limited capacity. The study identifies shortcomings in specialist diagnosis, diagnostic scanners, and infusion centers, and recommends measures to prepare for an Alzheimer's therapy.
A registry-based study from Aarhus University found that heart attack survivors are at a higher risk of developing vascular dementia, which is caused by vascular damage in the brain. The risk remains elevated for up to 35 years after the heart attack, with patients who underwent bypass surgery showing a fourfold increased risk.
Researchers develop new mouse model that captures pathology of sporadic neurological diseases, including ALS and FTD. The study reveals TDP-43 accelerates age-dependent degeneration of interneurons, a key finding with potential for studying neurological diseases accelerated by aging.
A study published in Neurology found that older adults with lower cardiac index have reduced blood flow in the temporal lobe regions of the brain, where Alzheimer's pathology begins. This suggests a link between heart health and cognitive impairment, potentially paving the way for new treatments.
A new study of 4886 SLE patients and 24,430 controls found a higher proportion of dementia among SLE patients (1.56% vs. 0.51%) and a 51% higher likelihood of developing dementia after adjustments.
Researchers aim to integrate advance care planning into nursing home workflow to support decision-making for dementia patients and their families. The multistate project will evaluate the effectiveness of a pragmatic program that helps staff identify patient goals and values.
A clinical trial involving 311 patients with prodromal Alzheimer's found significant advantages in nutrient-treated patients, including 45% less worsening in Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Box. The study also showed less brain atrophy in the active group, with notable benefits for hippocampal damage and everyday tasks.
A recent poll found that 78% of caregivers experience stress while caring for a loved one with dementia, but 85% also report it as a rewarding experience. The poll suggests that caregivers often neglect their own health and well-being due to caregiving demands.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that anticoagulant drugs used to prevent blood clots in atrial fibrillation patients also protect against dementia. The research analyzed data from over 444,000 patients and found a significant reduction in dementia risk among those taking anticoagulants.
Researchers are developing sophisticated methods to understand Alzheimer's disease mechanisms and predict its onset before symptoms appear. The five-year study aims to pinpoint factors leading to cognitive decline in relation to beta-amyloid proteins.
Researchers will investigate brain aging and Alzheimer's using advanced bio imaging technology on a representative sample of 1,310 Tsimane adults. The project aims to understand the relationship between vascular health and Alzheimer's risk.
The Canadian Foundation for Innovation provides a $1.8 million grant to Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI) to upgrade its MRI and MEG machines, enabling researchers to pursue unique ways to protect brain health during aging and prevent dementia.
Researchers analyzed 56 high-quality studies on dementia to identify gaps in knowledge, focusing on caregiver behavior, environment, and progression of disease. The study aims to inform treatment design and interventions to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia patients.
Researchers discovered that LSD1 removal in adult mice induces changes in gene activity similar to Alzheimer's disease. LSD1 protein is also perturbed in human brain samples with Alzheimer's and FTD, suggesting it as a central player in these neurodegenerative diseases.
A Swedish registry study found that dementia patients with stroke can receive thrombolysis treatment without increased risk of brain haemorrhage or death. However, those over 80 may experience worse functional outcomes and be more likely to be discharged to nursing homes.
A first-of-its-kind study found that frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) causes substantial economic burden on patients and caregivers, with combined annual costs of $119,654. The study revealed significant impact on household income and quality of life, with most patients forced to leave the labor force during their prime earning years.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that high blood pressure in women's 40s is associated with a 65% increased risk of dementia. Women who developed high blood pressure in their 40s were 73% more likely to develop dementia than those with stable blood pressure throughout their 30s and 40s.
Up to two thirds of people with Alzheimer's disease experience psychotic episodes, linked to faster cognitive decline and accelerated death rates. New approaches to clinical trials aim to develop effective non-drug interventions to alleviate symptoms without adverse outcomes.
A long-term study of 3,000 adults found that those who couldn't identify four out of five common odors were more than twice as likely to develop dementia. The study's lead author notes that the sense of smell is closely connected with brain function and health.
A research team led by DGIST Professor Moon Cheil has identified the reason behind olfactory dysfunction in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals that a toxic protein called beta-amyloid accumulates in the peripheral nervous system, specifically in the olfactory epithelium, leading to olfactory failure.
A comprehensive study from Florida State University found no evidence that personality changes occur before the onset of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Researchers analyzed data from over 2,000 individuals and discovered that personality traits remained stable even in the years leading up to clinical diagnosis.
A recent study published in Neurology found that both high and low levels of magnesium in blood may increase the risk of developing dementia. The research involved 9,569 participants who were followed for eight years, with those having high or low magnesium levels showing a 30% higher risk of dementia compared to the middle group.
A new study by Duke-NUS Medical School found that Alzheimer's patients with CeVD exhibit different brain network changes compared to those without CeVD, suggesting distinct underlying pathology. This finding may improve diagnosis, treatment, and management of neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers found that individuals with frontotemporal dementia were physically aggressive earlier and exhibited more severe behavior towards strangers compared to those with Alzheimer's disease. The study of 281 deceased patients revealed a significant difference in the manifestation of aggression between the two groups.
Researchers found patients with FTD showed thinning of outer retina compared to control subjects. The degree of retinal thinning was worse in those with lower cognition scores.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that contagious yawning is triggered automatically by primitive reflexes in the primary motor cortex. Their study showed that individuals' propensity for contagious yawning is determined by cortical excitability and physiological inhibition, with limited ability to resist yawns.
A study published in Neurology found that less REM sleep and longer sleep latency are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Research followed 321 participants over 12 years, revealing a nine percent increase in all-cause dementia risk for each percentage reduction in REM sleep.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that people who get less rapid eye movement (REM) sleep may have a greater risk of developing dementia. The researchers found a link between lower percentages of REM sleep and an increased risk of dementia, with every percent reduction resulting in a 9% increase in dementia risk.
Researchers developed an algorithm using AI and big data to recognize dementia signatures two years before onset from a single amyloid PET scan. The tool could improve patient care and accelerate treatment research into Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study by McLean Hospital researchers highlights the need for better security and privacy measures in health apps designed for dementia patients. The paper found that many apps collect user-generated content without adequate protection, posing a risk to patients' sensitive information. Clinicians are urged to educate themselves...
A new study estimates that families of individuals with dementia incur $184,500 greater in lifetime care costs compared to those without dementia. Reducing symptoms by 10% can lower lifetime costs by $3,880 and $680, respectively.
A new simulation study shows that dementia can more than double the healthcare expenditure of aging individuals, with the majority of the financial burden falling on family members. The total average cost to care for a person with dementia was $321,000 over five years, compared to $137,280 without dementia.
Researchers detect granulins inside cells for the first time, suggesting a potential FTD treatment strategy by targeting lysosomal function. The discovery may have therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease as well.
A recent study found that 44% of nursing home residents with dementia were taking PIMs at admission, and many stopped or started these medications during their stay. The researchers suggest a person-centered approach to discontinuing PIMs, especially for frail older adults.
Greater intraindividual reaction time variability was found to predict shorter survival times in older adults, independent of cognitive decline. The study used computerized reaction time tests to measure participants' responses and found that increased variability was associated with a higher risk of mortality.
A cohort of 861 adults aged 70-90 years showed that greater reaction time variation predicted all-cause mortality. The findings suggest that reaction time variability could be an independent marker for predicting shorter time to death, even when accounting for other risk factors.
Researchers stopped FUS protein clumping using phosphorylation, a natural cellular process that increases protein charge and repels aggregation. The findings could have positive implications for treating ALS and dementia.
Researchers found that people with high blood pressure variability are more likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Home monitoring of blood pressure may be a useful tool for assessing future dementia risk.
A large NIH-funded study found that middle-aged Americans with vascular health risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure are more likely to develop dementia later in life. The study analyzed data from 15,744 participants over 25 years and found a strong link between midlife vascular health and the risk of developing dementia.
A University of California San Diego study found that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced mortality and greater chances of remaining cognitively healthy into older age. Among men and women aged 85+, individuals who consumed 'moderate to heavy' amounts of alcohol were twice as likely to be cognitively healthy than no...
Research by the University of Stirling found that hospital patients with dementia and other causes of confusion have inferior treatment outcomes and longer stays. This study is the first large population-based study to prove this, affecting over one-third of older hospital admissions.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that individuals born in high stroke mortality states have a higher risk of developing dementia. Black participants had the highest risk, with cumulative 20-year dementia risks at age 65 being 30.13% compared to 21.8% for those not born in high stroke mortality states.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia has found that delirium after surgery is associated with a significant increase in dementia risk in elderly patients. Researchers analyzed data from over 2,000 patients and found that those who developed postoperative delirium were three times more likely to suffer permanen...
Researchers developed a new, non-invasive method called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to distinguish between Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The technique accurately diagnosed the conditions with 90% accuracy in most cases.
A five-year research programme is improving care for patients living with dementia in hospitals. Distractions during drug rounds can hinder treatment, but the involvement of family or carers can be hugely beneficial. The study's findings aim to create and implement specific care pathways that acknowledge differences in dementia present...
A high proportion of former NFL players had neuropathological evidence of CTE, with 110 out of 111 players diagnosed. The study also found a link between CTE and previous football participation, with severe pathology more common among professional players.
Childhood dementia, an inherited disorder affecting brain metabolism, shows promise in treating with immunomodulators. Inflammation of the brain is a key feature, and drugs like fingolimod and teriflunomide have shown therapeutic effects in mouse models.
A study of 13,864 participants found no convincing evidence linking PPI use to increased dementia risk. The research suggests that PPIs are safe for patients who require them for long-term treatment, and benefits may outweigh risks.
The first Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care identifies powerful tools to prevent dementia. Nonmedical interventions such as social contact and exercise can reduce the incidence of dementia by up to 20% in early life and 15% in late life, according to a new report.
A new report models the impact of nine risk factors on dementia, including education, hearing loss, and smoking, and estimates that removing these factors could prevent 35% of all dementia cases. Increasing education in early life, reducing hearing loss, and stopping smoking are identified as key interventions.
A large-scale trial found that goal-oriented therapy significantly improves people's ability to engage in important daily tasks and maintain independence. The therapy, which involves setting and achieving individual goals, shows promising results for supporting individuals with early-stage dementia to live fulfilling lives.
Researchers at Cardiff University have discovered two new genes that increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The findings build on previous research identifying 24 susceptibility genes and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the disease.
A large-scale trial found that person-centered activities combined with one hour of social interaction per week can improve the lives of people with dementia in care homes. The approach also saves money compared to standard care.
Researchers will use PET scans and MRI to detect harmful chemical build-up and measure brain structure, with a focus on 40-65 year olds. The project hopes to develop ways to intervene before irreversible damage is done.