Articles tagged with Dementia
A study published in BMJ Open found that the UK's research funding for dementia and stroke is still too low, with cancer receiving nearly two-thirds of the £856 million allocated. The social care costs of dementia outweigh those of other conditions, highlighting the need for increased investment in these areas.
Research published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggests that being underweight in middle age is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. In contrast, obese middle-aged individuals are nearly 30% less likely to develop dementia than those of a healthy weight, contradicting previous research findings.
NTU scientists have discovered a new treatment for dementia using deep brain stimulation, which can form new brain cells and improve memory retention. The research found that stimulating the front part of the brain led to increased brain cell growth, reducing anxiety and depression, and promoting improved learning.
A new study by University of York researchers has identified novel steps in dementia progression, potentially leading to targeted therapies. The research focuses on the protein CHMP2B and its impact on synapses, which can cause overgrowth and contribute to cognitive decline.
A new diet, MIND, shows reduced risk of Alzheimer's by 35-53% in participants who adhered moderately well, with benefits from brain-healthy food groups and limits on unhealthy foods. Long-term consistent adherence is crucial for optimal protection.
Researchers from the UPV/EHU have developed a novel speech-based system to detect early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The Automatic Spontaneous Speech Analysis (ASSA) technique measures various parameters, including pauses and speech patterns, to help diagnose the disease.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a new scoring system to identify individuals at high risk of developing dementia. The study found that variables such as age, diabetes, heart health risk factors, slow gate, depression, and anxiety disorders are key contributors to the risk score.
A new study finds that antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of death in dementia patients, particularly those taking higher doses. Researchers analyzed nearly 91,000 veterans and found a higher mortality risk among those taking these medications compared to those not taking them.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that a novel therapeutic approach using an existing drug reverses hyperactivity in the brain of patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), a condition that increases risk for Alzheimer's dementia. The therapy, calmed hyperactivity in the brain and improved memory performance.
A new report from Michigan Medicine and Johns Hopkins University concludes that non-drug approaches, such as caregiver training, work better and carry fewer risks than behavior-calming drugs for Alzheimer patients. The DICE framework provides a tailored approach to address behavioral issues in dementia patients.
A Vanderbilt University study associates poor heart function with an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Participants with decreased cardiac index were two to three times more likely to develop significant memory loss over a follow-up period.
A new review finds that people with mild cognitive impairment are 65% more likely to develop dementia if they have diabetes and over twice as likely if they have psychiatric symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise may help prevent dementia.
A new study published in CMAJ reports that the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) is effective in assessing cognitive impairment in multicultural populations where English may not be the primary language. The tool has been shown to identify cognitive impairment and rule it out with strong psychometric properties, makin...
A survey of 2500 Dutch doctors found that 86% would consider helping a patient to die under certain circumstances. Attitudes towards euthanasia and assisted suicide varied by condition, with most willing to help patients with cancer or other physical diseases, but fewer for those with mental illnesses.
A new biomarker in the blood has been identified that can predict the risk of developing dementia, allowing for more precise risk evaluation and earlier prevention efforts. The study involved 76,000 people and revealed a link between low levels of apolipoprotein E and increased dementia risk.
A Stanford study found that antibody-producing immune cells called B cells play a key role in the delayed onset of dementia after stroke. The presence of these cells, which are normally found only in the blood, can be linked to cognitive decline and memory loss in stroke patients.
The Mayo Clinic has established a new program dedicated to finding answers and treatments for Lewy body dementia, a deadly disease causing progressive decline in mental and physical abilities. The program builds on previous research discoveries, including a genetic risk factor and severe sleep disorder linked to the disease.
A large study links taking commonly used medications with anticholinergic effects to a significantly increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. People taking certain medications at high doses or for longer periods are estimated to be at greater risk for developing dementia.
A USC study reveals that the brain's protective blood barrier becomes leaky with age, starting at the hippocampus, a critical learning and memory center. The findings suggest that brain scans may be able to detect changes in blood vessels before they cause irreversible damage leading to dementia.
A recent study published in Neurology found that depression and behavioral changes often occur before memory decline in people with Alzheimer's. Researchers analyzed data from over 2,400 participants and found that those who developed dementia were more likely to exhibit mood swings, including depression and delusions.
A new study suggests that depression and behavior changes can occur in people with Alzheimer's disease even before they experience memory problems. Researchers analyzed data from 2,416 participants and found that those who developed dementia were more likely to develop depression sooner than those without dementia.
Researchers found that insulin nasal spray improved short-term verbal and visual information retention in adults with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's. The study also showed significant benefits for those carrying the APOE-e4 gene, a risk factor for Alzheimer's.
Belgian researchers used patient-derived stem cells to model frontotemporal dementia, a condition that affects about half of dementia cases before age 60. The study found a targetable defect in the Wnt signaling pathway, which can be corrected with genetic therapy or compounds inhibiting this pathway.
Researchers found that less than half of UK prescriptions for antipsychotics were issued for main licensed conditions, with many prescribed to older adults for anxiety and dementia. This misuse increases the risk of side effects in this age group.
A study of 414 people with severe dementia and their carers found that depression was more prevalent in community-dwelling individuals (37%) compared to those in care homes (23%). The research suggests that better support for carers could help identify and cope with depressive symptoms in dementia patients.
A new study published in Neurology found that people with sleep apnea or reduced deep sleep are more likely to have brain abnormalities associated with dementia. The study also discovered that those who spent less time in slow wave sleep had loss of brain cells, a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
A study at Plymouth University is exploring how proteins interact to build up in nerve cells, potentially leading to dementia diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The research aims to understand the mechanism behind protein deposits and may one day lead to new therapies for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.
People diagnosed with diabetes in midlife experience significant memory and cognitive problems over the next 20 years, aging their minds five years faster. Controlling blood sugar levels at age 50 can help prevent this decline and delay dementia.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that approximately 1.8 million Americans over the age of 70 with dementia have never had an evaluation of their cognitive abilities. Early evaluation and identification can help families make plans for care, improve quality of life.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that more than half of seniors with signs of dementia haven't received a medical evaluation. The study suggests that as many as 1.8 million Americans over 70 with dementia are not being evaluated for cognitive symptoms, which can lead to modifiable causes of thinking or memory impairment.
A new study reveals that computer-based cognitive training can improve memory, speed, and visuospatial skills in older adults. However, self-directed brain training at home has no therapeutic effect on cognition. Training frequency is also crucial, with one to three sessions per week being most effective.
A brief coping strategies therapy significantly improves dementia carers' mental health and quality of life, reducing depression and anxiety by 7 times. The START programme is a cost-neutral intervention that can be widely available to support family carers.
A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adding one gram of turmeric to breakfast improved working memory in older adults with pre-diabetes. The spice's active compound, curcumin, has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia and improve cognitive function.
Research suggests that long-term use of anti-clotting drugs like warfarin and aspirin or clopidigrel can increase the risk of dementia in people with atrial fibrillation. Patients with abnormally slow blood clotting times were found to be more likely to develop dementia.
A study published in Molecular Neurodegeneration finds that tau, not amyloid-beta plaque, causes neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest that remaining Abeta inside the neuron destroys cells, while malfunctioning tau prevents cells from clearing toxic proteins.
Eight new research projects will explore various techniques for detecting dementia, including microstructure-sensitive MRI and graphene-based biosensors. The projects aim to develop diagnostic tools that can identify biomarkers of dementia at the point of care.
A recent traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia in middle-aged and older adults. The study found that moderate to severe TBI was linked to higher dementia rates at age 55, while mild TBI at age 65 increased the risk.
Researchers at Plymouth University are developing a new graphene-based diagnostic technique to detect biomarkers of dementia in bodily fluids. The technology aims to provide real-time data and conclusive test results within minutes, increasing the accuracy of dementia detection and tracking disease progression.
Research found that physical exercise improves brain perfusion and visual memory in younger adults, but this effect decreases with age. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to examine the brains of 40 healthy volunteers aged 60-77, with half receiving treadmill exercise for 3 months.
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition recommends withholding or withdrawing gastrostomy tubes in patients with advanced dementia. Current scientific evidence suggests that tube feeding does not improve outcomes in this population, instead leading to high mortality rates.
A nearly 40-year-long study found that middle-aged women experiencing anxiety, jealousy, and moodiness are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Women who scored highest on neuroticism tests had double the risk of dementia, with those who were both easily distressed and withdrawn having the highest risk.
The report shows an almost doubling of dementia in people with Down syndrome and significantly reduced rates of heart attack and hypertension. People with ID experience unique health challenges, including poor bone health and low physical activity levels.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes found that progranulin deficiency can increase amyloid-beta plaque formation, neuroinflammation, and cognitive dysfunction in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Increasing progranulin levels via gene therapy effectively prevented these abnormalities and protected against cell death.
Researchers at Northwestern University have created the first mouse model for ALS dementia, allowing scientists to directly view the brains of living mice under anesthesia. This breakthrough enables rapid testing and real-time monitoring of test drugs, paving the way for accelerated development of effective therapies.
A study published in Neurology found that people who notice their memory slipping may be on to something, with 56% of participants reporting changes in their memory. The study suggests a significant window of opportunity for intervention before diagnosable problems show up, approximately 12 years after initial complaints began.
Research suggests that people with memory issues without dementia are at higher risk of developing the disease. A 12-year study found nearly three times more likelihood of memory problems in those reporting changes, emphasizing the importance of taking such complaints seriously.
A large case-control study found that long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that the strongest association was seen with long-acting benzodiazepines, emphasizing the need for careful balance between benefits and risks in elderly patients.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that patients with advanced dementia are still being prescribed medications with little to no proven benefit. The study analyzed data from over 5,400 nursing home residents and found that nearly 54% received at least one questionable medication.
A recent study found that more than 60% of people with dementia have three or more other conditions, but these are often not adequately described in clinical trials. The combined effects of co-morbidities like diabetes and chronic heart failure can lead to worsening symptoms and increased risk of preventable dementia admissions.
A new study finds that volunteering is associated with reductions in depression symptoms, better overall health, and greater longevity. Volunteering appears to peak at a moderate level, with benefits diminishing beyond 100 hours annually.
Researchers at the University of Warwick found that a lack of the MK2/3 protein is linked to structural and physiological changes in the nervous system, leading to early signs of dementia. These changes restrict learning and memory formation capabilities, but not memory formation itself.
Researchers found retinal thinning as an early marker for frontotemporal dementia, prior to cognitive symptoms. The retina acts as a 'window to the brain,' and studying it can track changes in neurons.
A new study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias found that mindfulness training can brighten outlooks on life for both individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. The training eased depression, improved sleep quality, and enhanced overall quality of life.
Research reveals that being obese in one's 30s triples the risk of developing dementia later in life. The study found an incremental decrease in dementia risk with age, suggesting that weight loss or delayed onset of obesity may lower the risk of dementia.
Scientists at Mayo Clinic and Scripps Research Institute developed a new therapeutic strategy to combat the most common genetic risk factor for ALS and FTD. They discovered a potential biomarker that can track disease progression and measure the efficacy of therapies.
Researchers have identified a small molecule capable of interrupting the disease process in cells carrying the C9ORF72 gene, a variant associated with ALS and FTD. The compound selectively targets abnormal RNA molecules, reducing their accumulation and potentially serving as a biomarker for clinical trials.
Researchers developed small-molecule drug candidates that interfere with the synthesis of an abnormal protein, playing a key role in both diseases. The study also discovered biomarkers to test the efficacy of these therapies and found toxic proteins in spinal fluid that could become an enrollment tool in human clinical trials.
A study found that altered brain activity, measured by PET scans, is associated with impaired daily living activities in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The researchers identified changes in frontal and temporal areas of the brain linked to memory and decision-making.
Researchers found that autophagy is activated in the hippocampus of vascular dementia model rats, leading to neuronal injury. Inhibiting autophagy has shown neuroprotective effects, suggesting it as a novel pathway and target for drug treatment of vascular dementia.
A study published in Neurology found that low vitamin D levels double the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people. Researchers analyzed blood levels of vitamin D and found a significant association between low vitamin D levels and increased dementia risk.