Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
A new clinical trial will assess the effectiveness of improvisational dance in improving gait and balance problems associated with cognitive impairment and memory loss, as well as reducing apathy and depression. The 12-week program will be divided into four groups, including dance with social engagement and dance only.
Researchers review three cases of delayed-onset PTSD in patients with dementia, highlighting the importance of recognizing early life trauma. Clinicians can differentiate between PTSD and BPSD by considering a patient's unique narrative and history of previous trauma.
By 2040, over 1.2 million people will live with dementia in England and Wales, mainly due to longer lifespans. The incidence of new cases is declining, but overall prevalence is expected to rise substantially.
A study of over 40,000 Finnish adults with TBI found a significant link between TBI and dementia in working-age adults. The risk of dementia among TBI survivors remains high even years after the injury, suggesting that TBI may trigger a process leading to dementia.
A new study found that offering the New York University Caregiver Intervention (NYUCI) program to eligible Minnesota Medicaid enrollees could save $40.4 million over 15 years, with increased net savings of $52.2 million via video teleconferencing.
A retrospective cohort study of over 40,000 TBI patients found a significant increase in dementia risk after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Those with mild TBI had a 1.6% diagnosis rate, while those with moderate-to-severe TBI had a 3.5% diagnosis rate, highlighting the increased risk in middle-aged individuals.
A new technology called Ambient Activity aims to treat the cause of dementia behaviors rather than just symptoms. The device uses personalized content such as photos, games, music, and more to engage patients and promote meaningful physical, mental, and social engagement.
Research published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association finds that off-label antipsychotic medications increase mortality rates in elderly people with dementia. Non-drug interventions like behavior management and sensory stimulation show promise as effective alternatives.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley found that dementia patients tend to die sooner when cared for by family members with depression or anxiety. The study tracked 176 patients and their caregiver mental health over several years, revealing a strong link between patient survival and caregiver well-being.
The World Health Organization predicts 135.5 million dementia cases by 2050, yet all neurodegenerative diseases are incurable. This Special Focus issue addresses challenges and advancements in therapy.
Research found no link between proton pump inhibitors and increased risk of dementia in people 75-years-old or older. However, frequent PPI use was associated with higher rates of depression, heart disease, and other health conditions. Regular PPI use also showed a decreased risk of cognitive decline.
A new guide, Ensuring a Smooth Journey, aims to make air travel simpler and less stressful for people with dementia. The guide provides step-by-step advice on navigating Brisbane Airport's terminals, including planning and preparing for trips, managing at the airport, and choosing seats.
Florida Atlantic University has received a $1 million grant to establish the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, which will focus on reducing risk of neurodegenerative diseases through personalized prevention plans. The center aims to identify individualized strategies to build a better brain as people age.
Researchers at Scripps Florida and collaborators have won a $7.2 million grant to develop new RNA-based treatments for ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The project aims to create small-molecule drug candidates that target the root cause of these diseases.
A new study from Harvard Medical School suggests that RNA splicing errors, caused by a specific mutation in the C9ORF72 gene, may lead to the development of both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The researchers found that toxic peptides produced by this mutation can prevent accurate assembly of the...
The new Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium will centralize research efforts and create a national, coordinated registry for clinical data. Researchers aim to find DLB biomarkers to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with this disease.
Researchers discovered anthranilic acid as a circulating compound associated with the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The study identified promising findings in new biological pathways and potential drug targets for prevention.
Dementia with Lewy bodies affects 1.4 million Americans, often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. The new guidelines provide detailed guidance for diagnosing and treating the condition, which includes symptoms like visual hallucinations and sleep difficulties.
New international guidelines aim to accurately diagnose dementia with Lewy bodies, a disorder that shares symptoms with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The guidelines focus on clinical features and diagnostic biomarkers to establish an accurate diagnosis and improve management of the complex disorder.
Researchers at UCSF found a significant association between chronic pain and faster declines in memory function and increased risk of dementia in older adults. The study suggests that chronic pain could be related to changes in the brain contributing to cognitive decline.
The IRIDIS app assesses physical aspects of design impacting on older people's quality of life, recommending changes such as lighting and colour contrast improvements. It provides a simple 20-minute assessment of home suitability for an older person.
Dr. Randy McIntosh's team developed the Virtual Brain Project, an integrated computer model of a fully functioning human brain to help detect dementia and brain diseases earlier. The platform allows for testing potential treatments before prescribing them to patients.
Researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University found that dual gait testing can predict dementia progression in seniors with mild cognitive impairment. The study showed that individuals with slower gait speeds while performing a cognitively demanding task are at higher risk of progressing to dementia.
Researchers discovered two brain proteins with unique functions in the development of dementia, leading to potential new treatments. The study used Drosophila fruit flies to examine the effects of these proteins on nerve cell survival and activation, revealing one form is linked to poor movement and another to greater neurodegeneration.
Regular physical activity can improve daily living and mobility in older adults with Alzheimer's, as well as reduce the risk of developing the disease. The study suggests that exercising may be a practical and accessible intervention for preventing and managing Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that patients with Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies died approximately two years earlier than the general population. The highest risk of death was seen among those with multiple system atrophy with parkinsonism, highlighting the need for tailored care and management strategies.
A Mayo Clinic study found that patients with Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and related conditions died 2-6 years earlier than the general population. The study used data from 1991 to 2010 and compared 461 patients with these diseases to 452 patients in the general population.
A new study has found that delayed treatment with anticoagulation therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation increases the risk of dementia. The study, conducted by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center, included over 76,000 patients and found a significant increase in dementia rates among those who received delayed treatment.
Researchers discovered brain structure changes in older adults without noticeable memory problems, using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test. These findings suggest that brain imaging may predict dementia years prior to diagnosis.
Researchers found combining Intermountain Mortality Risk Score (IMRS) with traditional CHA2DS2-VASc score improves identification of atrial fibrillation patients at higher risk of dementia. This study used data from nearly 75,000 AFib patients with no history of dementia.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University developed a new tool to measure couples' communication in dementia. The Verbal and Nonverbal Interaction Scale-CR (VNIS-CR) tool evaluates social and unsociable behaviors, enabling caregivers to improve communication and mental health.
The study found that personalized music playlists reduced the use of antipsychotic medications by 20.1% and antianxiety medications by 24.4%, while also reducing behavioral problems by 56.5%. These improvements were seen in nursing homes that implemented the MUSIC & MEMORY program, but not in similar homes that did not adopt the program.
Researchers discover progranulin's novel function as a chaperone for lysosomal protease cathepsin D, contributing to neuronal dysfunction in FTD. Progranulin knockout mice show impaired axonal regeneration after nerve injury, highlighting its importance in neurotrophic support.
Researchers found that low-dose cannabis can reverse cognitive decline in older mice by increasing nerve cell connections and reversing molecular signatures. This breakthrough opens the door to potential human clinical trials for treating age-related dementia.
A growing threat to health equity, dementia care disproportionately falls on women due to lack of affordable in-home care options. Working women face higher risk of career trajectory disruption and stress-related disability claims if not addressed.
The Baycrest Memory Clinic will pool anonymous medical records from clinics across Toronto to accelerate dementia research and provide access to better integrated care for patients. The database will allow TDRA researchers to share research data across institutions and access a greater pool of volunteer research participants.
Mutations in progranulin protein result in obsessive-like behaviors and immune system alterations, implicating TNF as a potential therapeutic target for FTD. Targeting NF-B activity in microglia may also prevent excessive grooming and improve social behavior.
A review of eight studies found no link between low-dose aspirin and reduced cognitive decline. Researchers are calling for more research on the potential benefits of long-term aspirin use at younger ages.
Research found that drinking at least one artificially sweetened beverage a day increased the risk of developing ischemic stroke by three times and Alzheimer's disease dementia by 2.9 times compared to less frequent consumption. The study highlights the need for more research into this area.
Yuna Ayala's research team discovers how TDP-43 protein causes damaging plaque buildup in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and frontotemporal dementia. They found that phosphorylation regulates TDP-43's activity, location, and processing, which may be crucial for cellular metabolism.
Researchers have discovered an antibody that can detect tau in the serum of patients with tauopathies, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by toxic protein clumps. The antibody, HJ8.5, has shown promise in increasing tau levels in human patients and mouse models, potentially paving the way for new treatments.
A new study led by Jennifer Tjia found that training nursing home staff to recognize unmet needs of cognitively impaired residents significantly reduced antipsychotic medication use. The OASIS program shifted care planning from focusing on limitations to meeting resident needs, resulting in a 7% drop in antipsychotic prescriptions.
Scientists identify a common mechanism in two forms of neurodegeneration affecting young adults and the elderly, linked to progranulin protein mutations. The discovery advances efforts to find better treatments and cures for these diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease had difficulty distinguishing novel figures called Greebles, even when others could not. This method may allow for earlier detection and potential treatment of the disease.
Researchers found a 30% increased risk of pneumonia in patients with Alzheimer's disease taking benzodiazepines, particularly within the first 30 days of treatment. The study suggests that benzodiazepines' sedative nature may increase the risk of pneumonia by increasing saliva or food aspiration into the lungs.
Researchers found that SuperAgers' brains shrink more slowly than peers', resulting in greater resistance to memory loss and dementia. The study suggests that age-related cognitive decline is not inevitable, contradicting traditional approaches to Alzheimer's research.
A new study analyzing over 50,000 patients with prostate cancer reveals a significant link between androgen deprivation therapy and dementia risk, suggesting that long-term use of this therapy may impact brain function. The findings also hint at a possible association between the treatment and Alzheimer's disease.
A US study reveals that the annual cost of neurological diseases in the US is nearly $800 billion, with an estimated $600 billion to be spent on stroke and dementia treatment by 2030. The study emphasizes the need for increased funding to develop treatments and cures for these conditions.
The most common neurological diseases in the US pose a substantial financial burden, totaling $789 billion in 2014 dollars. The report emphasizes the need for increased investment in neurological research and clinical management to reduce this burden.
A leading dementia expert emphasizes the importance of cognitive rehabilitation for people with dementia, sharing similarities with physical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation aims to enable individuals to participate meaningfully in everyday life and family/family activities.
A new study found that individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (iCST) delivered at home by family caregivers has no effect on dementia patients' cognition but improves their relationship with caregivers. The therapy also enhances the caregiver's quality of life.
Researchers have found that synapses in brain cells display unusual properties before disease progression, pointing to a new approach for treating dementia. The study highlights the importance of synaptic stability in the development of the condition.
Researchers Claudia Kawas and Kristine Yaffe received the 2017 Potamkin Prize for their work on Alzheimer's disease epidemiology in the oldest-old population. Their studies highlight the critical role of modifiable risk factors in dementia prevention.
Researchers found that unsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in Alzheimer's brains compared to healthy patients, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests a crucial role for fats in dementia onset and progression, with surprising findings on omega-3s and their impact on the disease.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that vitamin E and selenium supplements did not prevent dementia in asymptomatic older men. The study involved over 7,500 participants who took the supplements for an average of five years, but showed no significant reduction in dementia incidence among the groups.
A new study has estimated that one in four Australian women over 70 will develop dementia. Researchers used a unique technique called capture-recapture to provide an up-to-date estimate for dementia in the Australian population.
Researchers have discovered a new potential predictor of early dementia through abnormal brain activity in older adults with no noticeable communication problems. Brain regions that process speech were found to be more resilient to Alzheimer's disease, but showed changes that predicted mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
A trial in UK general practices found encouraging patients with potential memory deficits to seek GP advice did not change their behavior or lead to earlier dementia diagnoses. The intervention did increase the proportion of patients consulting GPs with suspected memory problems.
Research suggests that temporary episodes of dizziness upon standing may cause lasting damage to the brain, increasing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Middle-aged individuals with orthostatic hypotension were 40% more likely to develop dementia than those without it.
A retrospective analysis of 30,112 home-care clients with dementia found that chronic comorbidities significantly increase the risk of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The study suggests that targeting high-risk individuals may help prioritize healthcare resources.