Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
A study of 1566 community-dwelling Japanese elderly found elevated dementia risks in individuals with fewer remaining teeth. Individuals with 10-19 and no teeth had significantly higher risks compared to those with more teeth.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found a significant increase in dementia diagnoses among older adults in the Netherlands over two decades. The researchers analyzed data from primary care networks and estimated an annual growth rate of 2.1% for dementia incidence, with women being more likely to develop the condition.
A large-scale study found a significant association between autoimmune diseases and increased risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's. People admitted to hospital for autoimmune diseases were 20% more likely to be readmitted for dementia compared to those with other conditions.
Scientists from Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry are investigating a potential new drug therapy for dementia diseases. They aim to understand how impaired autophagy, or cellular recycling, contributes to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Research presented at American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2017 found that people with middle age heart disease risks, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or smoking, are at higher risk for dementia later in life. The study, which enrolled 15,744 participants, revealed that the risk of dementia was significan...
A study found that people who sleep for over nine hours each night have smaller brain volumes and double the risk of developing dementia in ten years. Early detection of cognitive impairment and dementia can lead to better healthcare decisions and improved quality of life.
A new study called Latino Core aims to learn about the aging process and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease in older Latino adults. The study will enroll over 300 participants and include yearly visits, memory exams, and brain donation to understand the pathophysiology of dementia in this population.
Research followed 695 bleeding stroke survivors for five years, finding 40% developed depression during follow-up, with high risk of dementia among those who also developed depression. Risk factors associated with hemorrhagic stroke also predicted depression risk.
Rhoda Au's e-cognitive health initiative collects data from over 2,200 participants using wearable devices, smartphone apps, and in-home devices to detect subtle changes in daily behavior that may indicate cognitive decline. The goal is to identify early signs of Alzheimer's and dementia, improving diagnosis and treatment options.
Researchers found that children of parents with C9orf72 mutations are more likely to develop frontotemporal dementia and ALS at a younger age, without accelerated disease progression. The study suggests that the length of the C9orf72 repeat is determinative for the age of onset of the disease.
A research team discovered that Tdp-43 cryptic exons are highly variable between cell types, potentially leading to early diagnosis and therapeutic agents for neurological diseases. This finding may elucidate the causes of Frontotemporal Dementia and Lou Gehrig's Disease.
A study has identified CTE pathology in four former soccer players, exceeding the average background rate of CTE found in a previous survey. All six brains also showed signs of Alzheimer's disease, highlighting a potential link between playing football and degenerative brain pathologies.
Researchers call for a shift from animal experiments to human-focused research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Population studies suggest that dietary changes and other modifiable lifestyle factors can reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Researchers at University of Bristol and UCLan uncover new type of LTP controlled by kainate receptors, promising therapeutic strategies for dementia and epilepsy. The study's findings have far-reaching implications for understanding memory and neurodegenerative disorders.
USC-led study finds that older women living in areas with high PM2.5 levels are 81% more at risk for global cognitive decline and 92% more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Exposure to air pollution particles may accelerate brain aging and promote Alzheimer's disease.
A breakthrough study by Dr. Xinglong Wang has linked ALS and dementias to TDP-43 toxicity in mitochondria, offering new hope for treatment. His team discovered a small-molecule peptide that can reverse symptoms of ALS in mice, paving the way for potential therapeutic approaches.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that delirium can accelerate dementia-related cognitive decline, with severe changes in memory observed among those with both conditions. The research highlights the importance of recognizing delirium in hospital settings to prevent brain injury and potentially delay or reduce dementia.
Recent preclinical research suggests microinfarcts can induce prolonged dysfunction in brain areas estimated 12-times larger than the visible injury site, contributing to cognitive decline and dementia. The study used a mouse model to examine the effects of individual cortical microinfarcts on surrounding tissue function in vivo.
The new guidelines provide a revised conceptual model of VCI and its subtypes, aiming to clarify diagnosis and facilitate collaboration among researchers. The study's findings have the potential to speed up research in this vital area and bring much-needed help to people with vascular cognitive impairment.
Delirium is an often-undiagnosed syndrome affecting nearly 18% of long-term care residents, characterized by disorganized thinking and attention deficits. Prevention strategies include avoiding non-essential surgery, maintaining hydration, and minimizing medication exposure.
Researchers found tablet use to be safe and engaging for nearly all patients with dementia, reducing symptoms of agitation. The tablets demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving mood and behavior, particularly among patients with milder forms of dementia.
A study of 6.6 million people found that those living within 50 meters of a major road had a small increased risk of developing dementia, with up to 7-11% cases potentially attributed to traffic exposure. The study also found no link between traffic exposure and Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
A study of over 6.5 million Ontario residents found that those living within 50 meters of high-traffic roads had a seven percent higher likelihood of developing dementia compared to those further away. The risk increased with proximity, but not for Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
Scientists have developed a new technique to examine blood vessels in the brain using 3D Image Analysis, allowing for greater understanding of how diseases like dementia, brain cancer, and stroke affect veins and capillaries. This innovative method could help identify early warning signs of these illnesses, potentially saving lives.
Researchers confirm the use of a simple sniff test as a supplementary tool for diagnosing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's dementia. The study found that combining the sniff test with a standard cognitive assessment significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, particularly in identifying people at high risk of worsening.
A 20-year study found that men taking a sauna 4-7 times a week were 66% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia. The study also showed a significant reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Rates of dementia and Alzheimer's disease are higher among older kidney transplant recipients than in the general population. Older patients with kidney failure who receive a kidney transplant are at increased risk of developing these conditions, which can threaten both their transplanted organ and survival.
A meta-analysis published in Neurology found that people with protein in their urine are 35% more likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia. Chronic kidney disease shares many risk factors with dementia, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland found that hip fracture risk is higher among those with Alzheimer's disease. Regular assessments of medications and targeted interventions such as exercise, home safety assessment and modification, and medication reviews are proposed as feasible approaches to reduce this risk.
A national cohort study found that patients using more than one health system had significantly higher rates of potentially unsafe medication prescribing compared to those using the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) only. The prevalence of such prescribing was particularly high among dual users, suggesting a need for improved coordin...
Research reveals women with dementia have fewer visits to the GP, receive less health monitoring, and take more potentially harmful medication than men. Women are at particular risk of staying on antipsychotic or sedative medication for longer due to fewer check-ups.
A randomized clinical trial found that long-term collaborative care and occupational therapy did not slow functional decline in persons with Alzheimer disease. The study suggests that new assistive devices, home modifications, and technologies are needed to support patients and families at home.
A randomized trial involving 180 Alzheimer's patients found that occupational therapy did not slow the loss of physical function, despite tailored to individual patient needs. The results underscore the burden on caregivers and highlight the need for additional support strategies, such as home modifications and assistive devices.
A new study finds that dementia rates are decreasing in the US, particularly among those with more years of education. However, three risk factors – diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity – are on the rise and could offset these gains.
A decline in dementia prevalence was reported in the US between 2000-2012, affecting an estimated 4-5 million older adults annually. The decline may be attributed to factors such as increased education levels and improved cardiovascular treatment, leading to a 24% reduction in dementia prevalence.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who use warfarin are two to three times more likely to develop dementia compared to those without atrial fibrillation. Erratic blood levels of warfarin contribute to the risk, suggesting that managing abnormal heart rhythm may also lower dementia risk.
A recent study published in JCI Journals reveals that immune cells, specifically perivascular macrophages, play a crucial role in the development of dementia in individuals with hypertension. The research suggests that targeting these cells may be a potential approach for preventing cognitive decline in high blood pressure patients.
Researchers found that brain training improves memory and mood in people with mild cognitive impairment, but not in those with dementia. A meta-analysis of 17 studies involving nearly 700 participants showed significant benefits for brain training in preventing cognitive decline.
Researchers found people with early Alzheimer's disease have different daily patterns of activity than those without the disease, spending less time in moderate-intensity activities. Customized interventions targeting morning physical activity may help improve sleep and slow cognitive decline.
A study found that complex referral criteria are contributing to delays in dementia diagnosis, with some clinics requiring multiple investigations. Alternative approaches, such as primary care-led processes and direct access to memory clinics, may speed up diagnosis while reducing pressure on GPs and specialists.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that a lack of hippocampus shrinkage may indicate an increased risk of developing dementia with Lewy bodies. The study found that individuals with normal hippocampus volume were 5.8 times more likely to develop probable dementia with Lewy bodies than those with atrophy.
A new study published in Neurology found that people with thinking and memory problems who lack shrinkage in the hippocampus area of the brain are more likely to develop dementia with Lewy bodies. This finding could help doctors identify patients at risk for the disease and provide early treatment.
Claudia Satizabal, a Boston University researcher, has received an Alzheimer's Association research grant to investigate the impact of midlife obesity on brain aging and dementia. Her study aims to understand the mechanisms by which obesity increases the risk of dementia and AD.
Researchers found that distinct tau aggregate conformations cause different pathological patterns in the brain, affecting specific regions and progressing at varying rates. This discovery has implications for developing targeted therapies and diagnosing dementias.
A novel approach to analyzing brain structure shape reveals structural asymmetries that vary among individuals, increasing with disease severity. This technique, BrainPrint, may predict disease progression and allow early detection of dementia.
A new telemedicine program offers specialized speech therapy for people with dementia-related language problems, significantly improving their ability to recall words they had lost. The Communication Bridge program uses a secure video-chat platform and home assignments like virtual flashcards to support language memory.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that elderly people displaced by disasters may experience increased symptoms of dementia. Those who lost touch with neighbors and reported depression had the highest levels of cognitive decline.
Boston University School of Medicine professor Sudha Seshadri has been awarded three grants totaling $20 million to study healthy brain aging, stroke, and dementia. Her research aims to identify biomarkers for AD and explore reversible lifestyle and vascular risk factors that contribute to dementia risk.
A new retrospective study found that men with prostate cancer treated with testosterone-lowering drugs are twice as likely to develop dementia within five years as those whose testosterone levels are not tampered with. The study used deidentified records from Stanford Medicine's clinical-research data warehouse and aggregated several f...
A new study found that androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer may be associated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly among older men. The study analyzed electronic medical records data and found a significant association between ADT use and dementia development.
A new study suggests that air pollution, vitamin D deficiency, and occupational exposure to certain pesticides may contribute to dementia risk. The research highlights the importance of addressing environmental factors in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease.
A 24-year study found that sudden blood pressure drops are associated with a 15% increase in long-term dementia risk. Orthostatic hypotension was linked to brief episodes of reduced brain blood flow, potentially leading to detrimental effects on brain tissue.
A 13-year study found that nearly doubling ICU ventilation use among advanced-dementia patients did little to improve outcomes, raising concerns about late-life suffering and unnecessary care costs.
Researchers found that current testing procedures are only 77% accurate in predicting driving safety for people with dementia, highlighting the need for better tools to assess their ability to drive safely. Healthcare professionals should work closely with older adults and caregivers to determine when it's time to stop driving.
A 10-year study found that moderate to high caffeine consumption was linked to a 36% reduced risk of dementia. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,400 postmenopausal women and adjusted for various risk factors.
A new study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that most elderly individuals who suffer a hip fracture will not regain their pre-injury level of physical activity or independence. The likelihood of recovery was particularly low for those over 85, with dementia, or multiple comorbid conditions.
Screening for suicidal thoughts and behaviors decreases with patient age, especially in those over 85. Younger and middle-aged adults have higher rates of identified suicidal thoughts.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a set of guidelines for assessing vascular cognitive impairment, which can help determine the likelihood that cognitive decline was caused by vascular disease. The guidelines are based on pathological criteria and can be used to streamline research into dementia.
A University of East Anglia academic and experts argue that the premature mortality target sends a clear message that prioritizing younger groups over older ones is necessary. They propose redefining or abandoning this target to avoid ageism, saying it distracts from palliative care challenges for older people.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a way to detect alpha-synuclein, a protein linked to Parkinson's disease, in spinal fluid samples. The new test shows promise in identifying patients with Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia in early stages.