Articles tagged with Dementia
A recent study by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that binge drinking in older adults is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Participants who reported binge drinking at least once a month were 62% more likely to experience significant declines in cognitive function and memory.
A German study found that focusing on high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, irregular heartbeat, and depression reduced the need for long-term care by 10% in women and 9.6% in men. The study also showed a decrease in death rates, with 2,112 expected deaths vs. 1,939 actual deaths.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a potential cause of HIV-associated dementia: reduced production of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mature BDNF), a protein essential for brain neuron health. This finding may lead to a therapeutic solution and provide a biomarker for risk assessment.
Researchers discovered that older honey bees effectively reverse brain aging when they take on nest responsibilities typically handled by younger bees. The study found changes in molecular structure of their brains, including the presence of proteins that can help protect against dementia.
Experts say lack of privacy, safety fears and ageism deny elderly care home residents the right to consensual sex. Formal policies are needed to address this, despite research showing residents want their sexual expression acknowledged.
A recent study found that almost 90% of older adults aged 65-96 were willing to undergo dementia screening, with refusal rates higher among those between 70-79 years old. The study's results suggest that age is the primary factor affecting willingness, with no significant impact from sex, race, or income level.
A new, user-friendly tool called the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor has been found to be a reliable and valid way to measure dementia symptoms. The study, published by Indiana University School of Medicine, shows that the monitor can detect changes in symptoms and distinguish between patients with varying levels of impairment.
A new study found that people with mild cognitive impairment were nine times more likely to be slow walkers than moderate or fast walkers. The study used a new technique to detect changes in walking speed and found that fluctuations in walking speed were also associated with MCI.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that seniors who perceive themselves as older are five times more likely to meet dementia criteria on standard screening tests. The research highlights the significant impact of age attitude on mental functioning and clinical tools used in dementia diagnosis.
A large study suggests dementia incidence in middle-income countries is similar to higher-income countries, with education and literacy providing significant protection against the disease. Individuals with dementia face a nearly three-fold increased risk of dying compared to those without.
Longitudinal studies suggest that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption may lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia by approximately 35-45%. Moderate drinking patterns may also offer cardiovascular benefits. However, further research is needed to understand the optimal pattern of drinking for protection against cognitive decline.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine reports that gastric feeding tubes may not prevent but rather increase the risk of pressure ulcers in people with advanced dementia. The analysis of thousands of nursing home patients found that those with a feeding tube were 2.27 times more likely to develop a stage II ulcer, and ...
A new study from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University has found that individuals with dementia are more likely to die at home rather than in a nursing home. The majority of care for those with dementia is provided in the community by families, contradicting previous assumptions.
A study of 13,535 individuals found that depressive symptoms in midlife and late life are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Those with chronic depression during their lifetime had a two-fold increase in Alzheimer's disease risk, while those with depression in both midlife and late life had a three-fold increase in v...
Research suggests that lifelong depression increases the risk of developing vascular dementia, while late-life depression may be an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease. A study of over 13,000 participants found a significant association between depressive symptoms in midlife and late life with increased risk of dementia.
The Regenstrief Institute's Aging Brain Care Program is launching a global initiative to provide collaborative dementia care. The program's tools and resources aim to reduce emergency room and hospital visits by up to 45%, improving the quality of care for those with dementia.
Researchers found a significant relationship between decreased CSF αβ 1-42 and clinical decline in participants with elevated CSF p-tau 181p, suggesting p-tau as an important marker of AD-associated degeneration. The study suggests that targeting tau may be crucial for therapy development.
Researchers at UBC and VCH found that a senior's exercise program using resistance-training can improve executive cognitive functions, associative memory, and brain plasticity. The study suggests that resistance training can be an effective prevention strategy for dementia.
A Mayo Clinic study found that therapeutic hypothermia, also known as body cooling, has reduced in-hospital deaths among sudden cardiac arrest patients. The research analyzed over 1 million patients and found mortality rates dropped from 69.6% to 57.8% between 2001 and 2009.
A new MRI technique uses computer modeling to predict the rate and physical path of degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. The study supports the idea that these diseases spread through the brain along specific neuronal pathways, similar to prion diseases.
Bilingualism has been shown to improve cognitive reserve and sustain better cognitive performance throughout the lifespan, potentially delaying dementia onset. Lifelong experience managing multiple languages reorganizes specific brain networks, creating a more effective basis for executive control.
Researchers found that many dementia patients' delusions have logical explanations and can be treated through behavioral therapy. The study suggests a better understanding of delusions can lead to more humane and compassionate treatment, considering the patient's context and circumstances.
A study found that antipsychotic medication is associated with a modest and time-limited increased risk of heart attack among older patients treated for dementia. The risk was highest at the beginning of treatment, decreasing after the first month.
A meta-analysis of 13 studies found a significant association between lower Aβ42: Aβ40 ratios and development of Alzheimer disease and dementia. The analysis suggests that measuring this ratio may have value in predicting the risk for later development of dementia or AD.
Two studies published in Neuron have developed groundbreaking models that predict the landscape of degeneration in various forms of dementia. The models, which focus on structural and functional connectivity networks, suggest that dementias target specific networks of neurons linked by connectivity rather than spatial proximity.
Researchers developed a computer program to track dementia spread in the human brain, predicting future cognitive declines. The model identifies neural sub-networks where misfolded proteins collect, altering normal brain function across affected areas.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease and other dementias spread within nerve networks by moving directly between connected neurons. The study used magnetic resonance imaging research to predict the course of dementias based on a nerve region's connectivity to a disease hot spot.
A new study suggests that extending treatment to moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease patients with the commonly used dementia drug donepezil can help treat more patients worldwide. The trial found that continued treatment resulted in improved cognitive and functional abilities, with benefits noticeable to patients for at least a year.
A new study led by Michigan State University sociologist Zhenmei Zhang investigates the racial gap in dementia, revealing that blacks are four times more likely to experience mild cognitive impairment than whites. The research aims to identify windows of opportunity for intervention and reduce disparities.
Researchers at University College London have discovered specific antibodies that block the toxic effect of Amyloid-ß on synapses, raising hopes for a treatment to combat early cognitive decline. The findings suggest targeting the secreted protein Dkk1 could offer an effective treatment to protect synapses.
Research found that middle-aged individuals with slower walking speed are one-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia, while those with weaker hand grip strength are at a higher risk of stroke. Conversely, faster walkers and stronger grippers have lower risks, according to the study.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that brief cognitive screenings combined with further evaluation increased diagnoses of cognitive impairment by two to three fold. Researchers found that veterans aged 70 and older who failed the screen were more likely to have dementia.
A UCLA-developed brain-imaging tool detects abnormal protein deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease and tracks progression over time. The technique, using FDDNP-PET scans, predicts cognitive decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and normal aging, offering potential early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's.
A large study found that mild cognitive impairment is consistently associated with higher disability and neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly anxiety, apathy, and irritability. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment ranged from 0.8% to 4.3% in eight low- and middle-income countries.
According to a study published in Archives of Neurology, revised criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may reclassify patients with very mild or mild Alzheimer's disease dementia. The new guidelines allow for more flexibility in defining functional independence, potentially affecting diagnostic approaches and treatment options.
The study found rare variants in key Alzheimer's-related genes in 13% of analyzed samples, with 5% likely contributing to the disease. The findings suggest a common disease mechanism for both early- and late-onset Alzheimer's, leading to potential changes in classification.
More than 6 percent of Americans age 70 to 89 develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) each year, with men and those with lower education levels more affected. MCI affects the stage between normal forgetfulness and dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study published in Neurology found that men are at higher risk of experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than women. The study, which analyzed data from 1,450 participants aged 70-89, revealed that the number of new cases of MCI per year was higher in men, affecting 72 per 1,000 people.
A study found that nursing home residents with dementia who use average doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are three times more likely to have an injurious fall than those who don't. The risk increases as people take higher doses of SSRIs, and combining them with hypnotic or sedative drugs further elevates the risk.
A study found that individuals with dementia have a significantly higher rate of hospital admissions compared to those without dementia. The majority of these admissions were for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, which can be prevented with proactive outpatient care.
Research found that individuals with dementia had a significantly higher rate of hospital admissions for all causes and ambulatory care-sensitive conditions. These findings suggest opportunities to improve outpatient care for seniors with dementia by identifying preventive strategies for common conditions like pneumonia, heart failure,...
A new study published in The Lancet shows that memantine is ineffective for patients with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome aged 40 years and older. The drug was tested on 88 patients with or without dementia, but showed no significant improvement in cognition and function compared to a placebo group.
A new review of imaging studies confirms that positron emission tomography (PET) safely and accurately detects dementia, including the most common form among the elderly, Alzheimer's disease. The study found that combining PET with a biomarker called 18F-FDG can pinpoint key areas of metabolic decline in the brain indicating dementia.
Researchers found that high-contrast bingo cards enhance thinking and playing skills for individuals with cognitive difficulties and visual perception problems caused by dementia. Boosting contrast also enables people with dementia to move safely around their homes and improve eating habits.
A nationwide study found demographic and clinical factors associated with Parkinson's disease survival. Dementia was diagnosed in 69.6% of the study population, particularly among black patients, and significantly increased mortality risk. Environmental exposures also seemed to influence survival rates.
Research suggests that cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers can identify individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's disease up to 5-10 years before symptoms appear. Studies found reduced Aβ42 and elevated T-tau and P-tau levels in patients with mild cognitive impairment who later developed Alzheimer's.
Researchers found a potential new risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's disease in women, linking the hormone adiponectin to an increased risk. Elevated levels of adiponectin were associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia and AD in women, contrary to its expected anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers detect hippocampal atrophy in Parkinson's patients with cognitive impairment, leading to early cognitive decline. A newly developed structural pattern identifies diffuse gray and white matter atrophy associated with dementia in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers developed a method to detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients using MRI brain scans, revealing higher Alzheimer's patterns of atrophy predict worsening cognition. The study found an overlap between the two neurodegenerative diseases, raising hopes for early diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente researchers found that depression in patients with type 2 diabetes doubles the risk of developing dementia. The study analyzed data from over 20,000 adults with diabetes and found that patients with both conditions had a higher risk of cognitive decline.
Researchers found that a year-long Maks therapy, combining motor stimulation, cognitive exercises, and daily living activities, halted the progression of dementia in patients. This therapy showed similar results to cholinesterase inhibitors, but with twice as much effect on daily living tasks.
Researchers have discovered a new marker that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease versus frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), two types of dementia sharing similar symptoms. The PIB PET scan outperformed the FDG scan in differentiating between the two conditions, with higher sensitivity and accuracy.
A new study published in Journal of Molecular Neuroscience emphasizes the significance of identifying 'overlap syndrome' between ALS and FTD, which can impact patient survival. The research also explores clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and screening strategies for this syndrome.
A new study finds that government scoring systems for nursing homes do not accurately evaluate the quality of care for residents with behavioral and psychological symptoms related to dementia. The study suggests that facilities with high numbers of cognitively impaired residents receive lower scores despite providing better care.
A new national plan aims to improve care for patients with delirium, a poorly understood condition that affects millions of Americans. The plan outlines four goals: improving clinical care, educating healthcare providers, investing in research, and developing a network of delirium professionals.
Dr. David Llewellyn has been awarded a two-year grant to investigate the link between low vitamin D levels and increased risk of dementia. His research aims to identify vitamin D as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for preventing and treating the disease.
Scientists studying drugs for dementia treatment also find promise in treating heart failure, driven by a common enzyme. Preliminary studies suggest that blocking this enzyme may help slow the progression of both conditions.
Research found that people with dementia who have a stroke are three times more likely to have greater disability at discharge and only 24% return to their previous home, compared to 57% of those without dementia. The study highlights the need for established guidelines on managing stroke patients with pre-existing dementia.
Researchers used a combination of MRI, cerebrospinal fluid, and neuropsychological testing to improve predictive accuracy for near-term dementia conversion. The test results were found to be almost perfect in predicting those who would not develop Alzheimer's disease in three years.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people who rate their health as poor or fair have a 70% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who rate their health as good. The association is particularly strong for those without cognitive problems, where the risk is nearly twice as high.