Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
Scientists have identified new proteins in human cerebrospinal fluid that may help diagnose Alzheimer's disease earlier and develop effective treatments, offering hope for patients and their families affected by the condition.
A new study by the University of Leicester found that GPs struggle to identify people in the early stages of dementia, resulting in both missed cases and misidentifications. The research analyzed 15,277 patients with cognitive disorders, identifying a significant number of false positives.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that the cancer drug SAHA increases cell-signalling protein progranulin levels in cultured mouse cells and restores near-normal production in human subjects with FTD. The study suggests SAHA may be a promising first-generation treatment for familial frontotemporal dementia.
A new intervention using cognitive activities is being tested to help patients with delirium superimposed on dementia. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, aims to improve physical function and resolution of delirium.
Survivors with pre-existing mental conditions, such as schizophrenia and dementia, are vulnerable to long-term harm after disasters. Disaster-response planners must prioritize their needs alongside those of physically injured individuals.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that more than half of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease before age 60 are initially misdiagnosed due to atypical symptoms. Researchers found that 53% of those with no memory problems were incorrectly diagnosed, highlighting the need for biomarkers to improve diagnosis and treatment.
According to a recent report, dementia and mild cognitive impairment are prevalent among 'oldest old' women, who are 85 years of age and older. The prevalence of these conditions increases with age, with the highest rates found in women over 90 years old.
A new survey finds that discussions surrounding feeding tube insertion are often inadequate, with 13.7% of family members stating medical providers inserted the tube without discussion first. Despite research questioning the value of feeding tubes, 32.9% of people in the survey reported improved quality of life for their loved ones.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that being overweight or obese during middle age may increase the risk of certain dementias. Researchers found that people who were overweight or obese at midlife had an 80% higher risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or vascular dementia in late life.
A new oral hygiene approach called Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction (MOUTh) has been developed to help nurses care for dementia patients who resist care due to perceived threats. The technique focuses on making the patient feel comfortable and reducing threat perception, resulting in improved oral health outcomes.
Retired NHL players will undergo comprehensive cognitive testing, brain scanning, and blood sampling to identify risk factors associated with cognitive decline and dementia. The study aims to better understand the aging brain in professional athletes and the general population.
Researchers found cotinine reduced Alzheimer's disease brain plaques and prevented memory loss in mice, showing promising results for a potential therapy. Cotinine also stimulated the survival of neurons and enhanced attention and memory.
The National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Association Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease outline new approaches for clinicians and researchers. The guidelines cover the full spectrum of the disease, including preclinical stages, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia due to Alzheimer's pathology.
A UCSF study reveals a possible early sign of dementia: the inability to detect sarcasm and lies. Researchers mapped brain activity in older adults with neurodegenerative diseases and found associations between deteriorating brain regions and this ability. This finding could help diagnose dementia earlier, enabling timely intervention.
A new study found that areas of the brain affected by Alzheimer's disease may start shrinking up to a decade before dementia is diagnosed. The researchers used MRI scans to measure brain size in people with no memory problems and followed them for years to see who developed the disease.
Researchers found that thinner brain areas associated with Alzheimer's can predict dementia and disease development. The study analyzed MR images from two groups, revealing a threefold increased risk of Alzheimer's among those with the thinnest cortical areas.
The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr., Foundation has awarded Mayo Clinic a $1 million gift to understand how Lewy body dementia develops, how to treat it more effectively, and how to diagnose it earlier. Researchers will use genetics, new drugs, and imaging techniques to advance knowledge about the disorder.
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researchers have identified a new biomarker for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), a degenerative brain disease with no cure. The biomarker, transferrin, shows promise in early diagnosis and potential therapy development.
Researchers have identified a new biomarker for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which can accurately diagnose the condition in patients while they are still alive. The biomarker, transferrin, is significantly decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with sCJD before the end stage of the disease.
Researchers found a delay in detecting CADASIL, a vascular brain disorder, and diagnosed it as multiple sclerosis in some patients. The study suggests that CADASIL often goes misdiagnosed due to similarities with MS in brain MRIs and symptoms.
Research by University of East Anglia shows stroke survivors with irregular heartbeat are 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia than those without the heart condition. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke and dementia in patients with stroke.
Research analyzed 15 studies and found that stroke survivors with atrial fibrillation were 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia than those without the heart condition. Approximately 25% of patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation developed dementia during follow-up.
A study of 23 longitudinal studies found that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption was associated with lower incidence rates of overall dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the impact on vascular dementia and cognitive decline is unclear.
Researchers found that TimeSlips improves communication skills and positive affect in persons with dementia, promoting rich social interactions and meaningful activities. The program is an easy and affordable activity for long-term care facilities to implement, offering a stimulating alternative to typical activities.
A study of Japanese-American men who died at an average age of 87 found that half of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's did not have sufficient brain lesions to support the diagnosis. Other dementia types, such as Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia, were more accurately diagnosed.
Swedish scientist Laura Fratiglioni's research shows that active mental, physical, and social activities can preserve cognitive functions and lower the risk of developing dementia. Factors such as blood pressure, weight, and genetics also play a role in determining an individual's risk.
Seniors with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia over time than those with normal hearing. The study found a significant link between the two conditions, with the risk of developing dementia increasing by twofold, threefold, and fivefold for individuals with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss.
Researchers emphasize the importance of financial planning for Alzheimer's patients, noting that doctors often fail to address this critical issue. Early guidance on managing finances is essential, allowing caregivers to take over responsibilities and maintaining patient autonomy.
A study of 639 individuals aged 36-90 found a significant association between hearing loss and dementia. The risk of dementia increased among those with moderate or severe hearing loss, particularly in older adults, who experienced nearly one-third more risk due to hearing loss.
Researchers developed a new mode of dementia care that significantly reduces emergency department visits and hospitalizations, while encouraging the use of non-harmful medications. The model results in improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and less emotional burden on family caregivers.
Hippocampal sclerosis (HS-AGING) is a serious condition causing cognitive decline and impaired memory in aged persons. Researchers analyzed autopsy data from 1,100 individuals to define HS-AGING as a distinct disease entity.
A study found that for-profit hospices tend to have more patients with dementia and other diagnoses requiring less intense care, as well as longer hospital stays. This may be due to financial incentives tied to Medicare reimbursement rates.
A new study found that traditional dietary surveys, relying on self-reported data, are inconsistent and can be influenced by memory impairment and digestive issues. Using nutrient biomarkers through blood tests, researchers aim to improve the accuracy of nutritional assessments and develop more effective therapies for cognitive health.
Research confirms adult ADHD significantly increases risk of developing degenerative dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), a common cause of dementia in older adults. The study, published in the European Journal of Neurology, found 48% of patients with DLB had previously suffered from adult ADHD.
A study found that lower levels of beta-amyloid protein fragments, combined with less education, are associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline over nine years. Cognitive reserve measures modified the association, with those having higher reserves showing less decline.
A large proportion of Medicare expenditures for nursing home residents with advanced dementia is spent on aggressive treatments that may be avoidable and of limited clinical benefit. Strategies that promote palliative care may reduce costs at the end of life by shifting from aggressive to comfort care approaches.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a gene variant that appears to protect against frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) in high-risk individuals with progranulin mutations. The study found that carrying two copies of the protective TMEM106B allele delays or prevents FTLD onset, suggesting it may increase progranulin levels.
A new study finds that the proportion of nursing home residents with dementia benefiting from Medicare hospice care nearly tripled between 1999 and 2006, with duration of care more than doubling. This trend has implications for policymakers seeking to control Medicare costs while preserving access to essential end-of-life care.
A study of 1,130 older adults found that high levels of 'good' cholesterol (HDL) were associated with a decreased risk of both probable and possible Alzheimer's disease. Higher plasma HDL cholesterol was also linked to lower risks despite other factors.
A study of 614 vineyard workers in South West France found a link between long-term pesticide exposure and declining cognitive abilities, including lower scores on memory and recall tests. The researchers suggest that higher risks of dementia may be associated with pesticide exposure.
Researchers found a 26% decreased risk of dementia for women taking hormone therapy only at midlife, while late-life use increased risk by 48%. Midlife and late-life use had similar dementia risks for women not on hormone therapy.
A new study has uncovered the role of Sortilin in regulating Progranulin levels in neurons, which may hold promise for treating frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The research found that Sortilin-mediated PGRN endocytosis is a key pathway underlying FTLD-TDP pathophysiology.
Mayo Clinic researchers discovered a connection between two proteins, progranulin and sortilin, which may lead to new treatment options for frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The study found strong associations between genetic variants in the same region of chromosome 1 and plasma progranulin levels.
A national survey found that palliative care for patients with dementia has increased, but gaps in coverage and inadequate insurance coverage remain. Interdisciplinary teams, community partnerships, and education are critical strategies for successful palliative care and reducing caregiver burden.
A study of 90 patients with bullous pemphigoid found that nearly half had at least one neurologic disease, including cerebrovascular disease and dementia. The condition was often diagnosed after the neurologic disease, suggesting a potential predisposition.
A new study published in Neurology found that middle age women whose cholesterol levels decline are at a 2.5 times greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia than those whose cholesterol stayed the same or increased over time.
A new study suggests that mid-life cholesterol levels may not be linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, but large decreases in cholesterol in old age could be a better predictor. After 32 years, women with the greatest decline in cholesterol were more than twice as likely to develop dementia.
A new screening test, Sweet 16, can detect dementia in elderly patients more rapidly, providing an alternative to the Mini-Mental State Examination. The tool has been shown to accurately characterize mental status without influencing patient education or sociodemographic factors.
Researchers at King's College London found a correlation between VGLUT1 protein levels and cognition scores in individuals with and without dementia. Preserving VGLUT1 artificially after a stroke may reduce the risk of developing vascular dementia.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association recommends prioritizing palliative care over life expectancy when determining hospice eligibility for advanced dementia patients. The study found that a clinical tool assessing mortality risk can improve accuracy and expand access to hospice services.
Dr. Charles DeCarli, an international leader in neuroimaging, has received the 2010 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking research on imaging of the aging brain and its connection to vascular diseases.
A large cohort study found that heavy smoking in middle age was associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that smoking may affect the development of dementia through both vascular and neurodegenerative pathways.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that heavy smoking in midlife is associated with a 157% increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 172% increased risk of vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is caused by conditions affecting the blood supply to the brain.
A new study reveals that 70-year-olds born in 1930 performed better in cognitive tests than their predecessors born in 1901-02. The study attributed the improvement to better pre- and neonatal care, nutrition, education, and access to advanced technology. Despite this, memory problems remained a predictor of dementia risk.
A study published in Neurology found that walking at least 72 blocks per week can increase gray matter volume and reduce cognitive impairment. Regular exercise in midlife may improve brain health and thinking abilities in later life.
Researchers found that people with Parkinson's disease who developed symptoms earlier in life had a shorter survival time, averaging 16 years from symptom onset. Those with psychotic symptoms or dementia were also at higher risk of early death.
Researchers developed a questionnaire that relies on friends and family to evaluate cognitive changes, which corresponded with biomarker results more consistently than traditional cognitive tests. The Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) tool provides a brief and low-cost alternative for identifying individuals who need follow-up evaluations.
Researchers found that patients with occupations requiring high verbal skills had greater tissue loss on the right side of the brain, while those with low verbal skills had greater loss on the left. This effect was most pronounced in the temporal lobes of the brain.
The World Alzheimer Report 2010 estimates that dementia costs $604 billion globally, with the problem set to accelerate in coming years. The report urges governments worldwide to take immediate action to address the social and health consequences of dementia.
A study published in Neurology found that mild memory changes are caused by brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's and other dementias, contradicting the long-held notion that age is a primary factor. The study involved over 350 participants and showed a rapid decline in cognitive function in the last four to five years of life.