Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that 95% of people aged 65 have brain small vessel disease, while a quarter of healthy seniors have silent strokes. Regular exercise can delay onset of late life dementia, says Dr. Sandra Black.
A two-year study funded by ESRC explores how married couples make decisions, from daily routines to complex choices. The findings highlight the importance of supporting people with dementia in decision-making processes, considering their relationship dynamics and individual preferences.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 5 dementia patients experience burdensome transitions in the last 90 days of life, including repeated hospitalizations and relocations, which can be unnecessary and stressful for families.
A new study found that humor therapy reduces agitation in dementia patients by 20%, comparable to widely used antipsychotic drugs. This approach also improves happiness and positive behaviors, but effects are short-lived once the program ends.
A new genetic mutation has been discovered in the C9ORF72 gene, responsible for over a third of familial ALS cases. The repeated DNA sequence causes toxic RNA buildup, leading to motor neuron demise and disease progression.
Researchers found that a key signaling pathway, Wnt, plays an important role in the disease and may offer a potential treatment target. The study suggests increasing a specific receptor, FZD2, could promote brain-cell survival and alleviate symptoms.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers has found a genetic abnormality that is the most common cause of two neurodegenerative diseases: frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The mutation, located in the C9ORF72 gene, was found in nearly 12% of familial FTD patients and over 22% of familial ALS patients.
A gene for Lou Gehrig's disease and frontotemporal dementia has been identified by researchers at the University of California - San Francisco. The mutated gene, C9ORF72, is associated with nearly 12% of familial cases and over 22% of sporadic cases of the diseases., Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation that triggers both Lou ...
A new human genetic mutation, C9ORF72 repeat expansion, is identified as the most common cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia. This mutation explains at least a third of all familial cases in Europeans and nearly half of all cases in Finland.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop dementia as those with normal blood sugar levels. The study, which monitored over 1,000 participants for an average of 11 years, also found that controlling diabetes is crucial to prevent cognitive decline.
Researchers have found that taking common medications for dementia does not cause further cognitive decline in those already suffering from the condition. The study involved 224 participants with established Alzheimer's dementia and suggests that low doses of certain medications may be safe for people with dementia.
A study of two small group living care homes in the Netherlands found that residents felt at home, maintained their identity, and benefited from family involvement. The domestic environment and normal daily activities provided stability and clarity.
Researchers found aerobic exercise can preserve cognitive abilities and slow dementia progression. The study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, suggests exercise should not be overlooked as a therapy against dementia.
Researchers found moderate drinkers were 23% less likely to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Moderate drinking was more beneficial than beer or spirits, but the finding was based on a relatively small number of studies.
Elderly women with sleep apnea are twice as likely to develop dementia in five years, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Oxygen deprivation may be the key factor leading to diminished cognition.
A study found that older women with sleep-disordered breathing were more likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia than those without. Measures of hypoxia, not sleep fragmentation or duration, were associated with an increased risk.
A new diagnostic test is being developed to pick up the presence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias much sooner than possible currently, allowing for more effective treatment. The research could mean patients will receive timely treatment that slows down devastating symptoms.
Atrial fibrillation increases dementia risk by 40-50% through weakening heart function and inflammation, study suggests. Researchers found a link between the condition and cognitive decline in older adults.
The studies focus on positron emission tomography (PET) to differentiate between types of dementia and identify pharmaceuticals to slow dementia progression. PET scores provide a valid biomarker for monitoring Alzheimer's disease progression.
A study found that caregivers and their relatives with mild to moderate dementia have differing perceptions of care quality. The team's results suggest that adult children underestimate the importance of core values held by their relatives, leading to potential miscommunication as dementia worsens.
A study found that high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and obesity in middle age can lead to brain shrinkage and decreased cognitive function over time. The study involved 1,352 participants without dementia and found associations between these risk factors and white matter hyperintensities and executive function decline.
A survey of 538 family members found that hospice care significantly improved the provision of care and support for nursing home patients with dementia and their families. Family members of hospice recipients reported lower levels of unmet needs, pain management concerns, and emotional support needs.
Researchers have identified detectable changes in biological markers in the spinal fluid up to 20 years before dementia onset. Participants with inherited Alzheimer's mutations exhibit lower amyloid beta and higher tau protein levels in their cerebrospinal fluid, indicating potential for prevention trials.
A recent trial found that sertraline and mirtazapine, commonly prescribed antidepressants for dementia patients with depression, provide no benefit but increase side effects. The study suggests that clinicians should reframe their approach to treating depression in Alzheimer's disease, considering alternative treatments.
Researchers found that adult day care centers alleviate caregiver stress and improve dementia patient behavior, sleep quality. The study showed significant reductions in caregiver stress and behavioral problems when dementia patients attended daycare, compared to staying home.
A recent study suggests that keeping up with general health factors, such as denture fit, vision, and hearing, may reduce the risk of developing dementia. The study found that each health problem increased a person's odds of developing dementia by 3.2 percent compared to those without such problems.