Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
Research highlights dangers of elderly gun ownership due to dementia, depression, and suicide risks. Proposed '5 L's' questions aim to identify guns in homes with vulnerable individuals.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecular 'scaffold' that allows key parts of cells to interact, which comes apart in dementia and motor neuron disease, revealing a potential new target for drug discovery.
People with high levels of cynicism are three times more likely to develop dementia than those with low levels, according to the study. High cynicism was also initially linked to earlier death, but this association disappeared after adjusting for other factors.
A holistic exercise program combining cognitive activities with physical movements has been shown to improve the quality of life for dementia patients. Participants demonstrated enhanced memory recall and experienced pain relief, while care-givers also benefited from the program.
Researchers discovered that people with a variant of the longevity gene KLOTHO have improved brain skills, such as thinking and learning, which decreases with age. Increasing KLOTHO levels in mice may boost cognitive abilities by strengthening connections between nerve cells.
A study by Intermountain Medical Center found that AFib patients on blood thinning medications are at higher risk of developing dementia if their doses are not within the optimal recommended range. Patients with dosages outside this range were 4.5 times more likely to develop dementia.
People with Alzheimer's experience a clear improvement in dementia-related behavior after visiting horses under supervision, with reduced fidgeting and resistance to care. The therapy boosts physical activity and lifts their mood, providing a unique way to ease symptoms without drugs.
Patients with a documented diagnosis of dementia are nearly 20% more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those without dementia. This is due to difficulties comprehending discharge instructions and multiple medical conditions.
A new approach called DICE aims to reduce behavioral problems in dementia by empowering caregivers, patients, and health providers. The DICE method involves Describe, Investigate, Evaluate, and Create steps to change dementia patients' behavior through environmental modifications and other interventions.
A study published in Neurology found that older adults with rapid memory and thinking skills decline may be less likely to die from cancer. The research followed over 2,600 participants aged 65 and above for nearly 13 years and found a significant difference in cancer mortality rates between those with fast versus slow cognitive decline.
As the US population ages, Alzheimer's disease is projected to increase from 3 million in 2011 to over 10 million by 2050, affecting broad-based national policies. The annual cost of care for people over 70 is estimated at $157-$215 billion, with costs expected to reach $1.2-$1.6 trillion by 2040.
Aerobic exercise has been found to increase hippocampal volume and improve verbal memory capacity in older women with mild cognitive impairment. The study suggests that regular aerobic exercise can help slow the advance of dementia.
The innovative Healthy Aging Brain Center care model improves health outcomes and quality of care for older adults with cognitive impairment by reducing patients' behavioral and psychological symptoms. The model generates an annual net cost savings of up to $2,856 per patient, with potential nationwide cost savings of billions of dollars.
Two new dementia care models seek to decrease stress for caregivers, reduce health care costs and improve quality of care for older adults. Caregivers' close involvement with the medical team is a key feature of both models.
Researchers found that green tea extract increases brain connectivity and improves working memory performance. The study suggests potential clinical applications for treating cognitive impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders like dementia.
A study published in Neurobiology of Aging has found a connection between the integrity of white matter connections in the brain and cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome. The research team identified biomarkers connected to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, which could potentially lead to earlier intervention and retard...
A new concept of Alzheimer's disease, as a spectrum of diseases, raises ethical and policy-related questions. Dr. Karlawish suggests preparing legal providers to assess decision-making ability and offering caregiver training to support those affected by the disease.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that cognitive impairment affects seniors in both nursing homes and the community, with patients lacking advance directives receiving aggressive care. Advance care planning is essential to ensure desired treatments are followed.
A study found that β-amyloid plaque buildup in the brain is associated with increased artery stiffness in elderly patients. Arterial stiffness was measured using pulse wave velocity and was higher among patients with β-amyloid deposition.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for cognitive decline in older adults. The FDA is reforming its approval process for high-risk medical devices to prioritize patient safety, requiring clinical data and clear labeling.
Researchers found that adult day care services increase DHEA-S levels in caregivers, a protective response to chronic stress and disease. This study suggests that using adult day care services may help reduce the negative effects of caregiving on physical health.
A new study reveals that REST, a gene regulator active during fetal brain development, switches back on later in life to protect aging neurons from various stresses. The researchers also showed that REST is lost in critical brain regions of people with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment.
A recent study found that Mexican-Americans experience moderate functional disability and nearly one-third develop post-stroke dementia. They also score worse on measures of daily living activities and cognition. The study highlights the need for intervention strategies to improve recovery among this population.
A new study found that estradiol hormone therapy prevented degeneration in key brain regions of postmenopausal women at heightened dementia risk. In contrast, Premarin was far less protective. The study suggests that early intervention with estradiol may help stave off dementia.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have identified potential markers for dementia in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairments. These markers include thinning in certain cortical areas and subcortical atrophy in grey matter, which may serve as a warning sign for developing dementia.
A midlife healthy diet was found to reduce dementia risk by almost 90% compared to the least healthy diet. Higher intake of saturated fats linked to poorer cognitive functions and increased risk of dementia.
A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found that men with poorer cardiovascular fitness and/or lower IQ at age 18 are more likely to develop early-onset dementia before age 60. This increased risk remains even when controlled for other factors, highlighting the importance of physical exercise in maintaining cognitive health.
Researchers found that a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene creates G-quadruplexes, hairpins, and bulges that disrupt RNA function, leading to toxic RNA buildup and protein misfolding.
Researchers found that the C9orf72 mutation alters DNA shape, leading to cell death and abnormal protein processing. The mutation also affects nucleolin, a key protein involved in stress response, causing cells to become stressed and die.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that biomarkers of neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease decrease as symptoms of dementia appear, contrary to previous findings. This reversal suggests a slowing of cell death and may be an important criterion for assessing the success of treatment trials.
A new study suggests that Alzheimer's disease contributes to nearly as many deaths in the United States as heart disease or cancer. Researchers analyzed data from 2,566 participants aged 65 and older, finding a significant association between dementia diagnosis and increased mortality.
A recent Finnish study found that individuals with poor self-rated physical fitness in midlife (around age 50) are four times more likely to develop dementia over three decades compared to those with good fitness. Maintaining physical activity and addressing lifestyle factors may help reduce this risk.
A diet rich in carbohydrates can lead to detrimental effects on brain health, increasing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. Dr. David Perlmutter explains that carbohydrate calories have a more significant impact on human physiology than calorie sources from fat.
A 18-month pilot program increased the time people with dementia lived successfully at home, with participants receiving in-home care coordination and education. The trial found significant improvements in quality of life, safety, and reduced need for nursing homes.
Researchers at Hebrew University created a molecule that reduces brain cell death in diabetic rats by lowering inflammatory processes. This finding represents the first evidence of high blood sugar's link to an inflammatory pathway in the brain.
A recent study found that men are more likely to experience memory problems than women, with 8 out of 9 questions showing higher rates of forgetting among men. This phenomenon holds true across all ages, from 30 to 60 years old, and is associated with higher education levels and a lower risk of dementia.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that most people with dementia living at home have multiple unmet health and welfare needs. Routine assessments and interventions in safety, medical care, and supportive services can help keep patients at home longer.
Researchers at Lund University are studying the connection between type 2 diabetes and dementia, specifically focusing on insulin resistance and pericyte cells in the brain. They hope to discover new biomarkers that can signal early stages of dementia in diabetes patients, allowing for potential treatment targets.
A recent study published in Diabetes Care found that Native Americans and African-Americans with type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. The study analyzed data from over 22,000 patients aged 60 or older with type 2 diabetes and found that dementia rates were highest among these groups.
A 35-year study by Cardiff University found that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. The study identified five healthy behaviors as key to a disease-free lifestyle, with exercise being the strongest mitigating factor.
Research suggests that age-adjusted rates of dementia have declined for people born later, particularly those at higher risk. Lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet are being studied as potential contributors to this trend.
Researchers developed a statistical model that can identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment who are at risk of developing dementia, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. The model takes into account various factors such as age, sex, race, and education to provide a more accurate prognosis.
A study of almost 650 dementia patients found that bilingual individuals experience a later onset of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Bilingualism appears to be a natural brain training that delays dementia onset.
Research shows that speaking two languages can delay the onset of three types of dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. The study found that people who spoke two languages developed dementia four and a half years later than those who only spoke one language.
HS-AGING affects older adults, causing cognitive decline and memory impairment. Recent studies reveal around 20% of dementia cases are misdiagnosed as HS-Aging, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and exploration of new therapeutic targets to alter disease progression.
Scientists at UCL Institute of Neurology identified a genetic mutation that leads to the production of toxic RNA molecules, potentially responsible for frontotemporal dementia and motor neuron disease. The build-up of these molecules may be key to causing the diseases.
The American College of Physicians recommends against routine screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in asymptomatic adults without risk factors. In contrast, patients with hypertension and stage 1-3 CKD should be treated with ACE inhibitors or ARBs to manage elevated low-density lipoprotein levels. The evidence review suggests tha...
The UCI's 90+ Study, a five-year research project focused on the health and lifestyle issues of Americans in their 90s or older, has received renewed funding. Researchers plan to use PET and MRI scans to investigate factors associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, as well as monitor blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
A Johns Hopkins-led analysis suggests that taking certain blood pressure medications may reduce the risk of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease by at least 50 percent. The study found that diuretics and ACE inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk in people over 75 with normal cognition.
Researchers have discovered how an ALS mutation kills neurons and developed a therapeutic strategy to block this neurodegeneration. They used human skin cells from patients and converted them into neurons, finding that the abnormal genetic expansion causes cell death, dysregulated gene expression, and RNA toxicity.
Researchers have developed a new therapy that targets the C9ORF72 gene mutation causing dementia and ALS. The stem cell-based approach manipulates brain cells in test tube studies, discovering compounds that counteract the genetic glitch.
Researchers found that older participants experienced more tip-of-the-tongue moments, but these experiences were not associated with actual memory problems. The study suggests that these frustrating occurrences are largely independent of each other.
Researchers found significant cortical thinning and subcortical atrophy in Parkinson's patients with mild cognitive impairment, indicating faster neurodegeneration. This pattern may serve as a predictor of dementia in PD patients in the future.
A 40-year study of Swedish women found that experiencing multiple stressful life events in mid-life increases the risk of developing dementia in late life. The research, published in BMJ Open, suggests that stress management and behavioral therapy may help mitigate this risk.
A University of Michigan study explores how divorce and remarriage impact caregivers, finding that adult stepchildren can be a source of stress. The research highlights the need for tailored interventions to address the unique needs of re-partnered older adults in complex family situations.
A review of 8 trials found no long-term benefits from cognitive enhancers like donepezil and rivastigmine for patients with mild cognitive impairment. These medications were associated with increased nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches, but no cognitive improvement.
A study of residents in Olmsted County, Minn., over 15 years found the incidence of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) to be higher among older adults. The study also identified age-related increases in both DLB and PDD rates.
Researchers found that patients with pre-existing dementia who developed delirium while hospitalized had a 25% chance of dying within 30 days. Early detection and treatment of delirium can improve patient functioning and reduce mortality rates.
Researchers link brain atrophy to cognitive decline in Type 2 diabetes, challenging previous assumptions. Brain atrophy is found to be the primary cause of cognitive impairment associated with T2DM, exceeding cerebrovascular lesions.
Experts warn that UK and US policies to screen for pre-dementia may lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment. Up to 65% of people aged over 80 may be incorrectly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.