Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
Researchers found that higher muscle mass combined with a lower visceral fat to muscle ratio tracks with a younger brain age. Building muscle and reducing visceral fat are actionable goals for improving brain health. The study used whole-body MRI and AI algorithms to quantify muscle volume, fat tissue, and brain age.
A cross-sectional study found that US population faces significant challenges with nervous system disorders, impacting 180.3 million people, mainly due to stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetic neuropathy, and migraine conditions.
A new study by UC San Francisco combines genetic risk with cardiovascular disease risk factors to predict who is more likely to develop dementia. The expanded view may help those worried about dementia, as lifestyle changes and improved control of illnesses can reduce brain damage and potentially delay or prevent symptoms.
A recent study found that TDP-43 protein levels in blood may indicate presence of LATE dementia, a cause often linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope this discovery could lead to development of simple blood test to diagnose LATE during life.
Adults with higher levels of physical activity during midlife and late life have a lower risk of all-cause and Alzheimer's disease dementia. This cohort study, part of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort, found similar reductions in risk across different age groups.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have discovered a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease by targeting muscle protein Cathepsin B. The study found that increasing Ctsb in muscle tissue may offer protection against the effects of AD and promote brain cell growth, restoring protein balance and rebalancing brain activity.
A new study has identified three existing medications that could potentially prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease. The shingles vaccine is the most promising candidate, showing a strong safety record and reducing dementia risk by 16%. Repurposing medicines from other conditions offers a quicker and safer route to potential new treatments.
A new study by Duke-NUS reveals that almost all community-dwelling older adults with advanced dementia experience at least one potentially burdensome intervention in their last year of life. The study highlights the need for new strategies to support families and reduce unnecessary interventions at the end of life.
A new study has found that people with lower incomes and from historically underrepresented groups are more likely to have modifiable risk factors for dementia. Improving access to vision care and reducing social isolation could potentially mitigate some of these risks, particularly in those living below the poverty line
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health is a $100 million facility that brings together clinical care, diagnostics and research under one roof. The center will redefine treatment of conditions including Alzheimer's, dementia, stroke and Parkinson's with multidisciplinary care teams.
A Baycrest study found that subtle features of speech timing, such as pauses and fillers, are linked to executive function and predict cognitive decline. The research uses artificial intelligence to analyze natural speech patterns for early detection of dementia.
Researchers found a link between platelet aggregation and Alzheimer's biomarkers in midlife, suggesting a potential early warning sign. The study analyzed 382 participants and found that stronger platelet clumping was associated with higher levels of amyloid and tau proteins.
Research found a strong link between living in deprived areas and poorer cognitive performance, with damage to brain small blood vessels and modifiable lifestyle factors contributing to the effect. Lifestyle habits such as exercise and sleep management also play a crucial role in dementia prevention.
A new study found that faster biological aging measured by DNA-based epigenetic clocks is associated with greater cognitive decline and higher risk of mild cognitive impairment in Hispanic/Latino adults. The study highlights the potential of epigenetic clocks to track changes in brain health over time.
A new study found that middle-aged people with higher levels of cardiac troponin I in their blood were more likely to develop dementia in later life. The study also found that damage to the brain seen in people with dementia accumulates slowly over decades before symptoms develop.
Researchers pinpointed the source of free radicals in non-neuronal brain cells that may fuel dementia. Blocking this site lowers brain inflammation and protects neurons, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders.
A study of 12,490 dementia cases found significant variations in survival times among early onset dementia patients by clinical subtype. The study revealed that those with frontotemporal dementia or Lewy body dementia had the shortest survival time, while Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment had longer average survival...
A study found that following steps to improve cardiovascular health can reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia among people with Type 2 diabetes. Maintaining optimal cardiovascular health may protect brain health even for individuals with a high genetic risk for dementia.
A new Northwestern University study reveals how a key disease protein, TDP-43, drives overactive nerve cells in ALS and FTD. The findings highlight a promising new drug that can fix this error and restore balance to neurons.
Researchers at UTA are exploring how guided cognitive training can improve brain performance, particularly in navigation and memory. The study found that functional brain changes support behavioral differences, rather than increased brain volume.
A new study by USC researchers reveals that short-term 'dynamic instability' in blood pressure is linked to loss of brain tissue and nerve cell injury in older adults. This phenomenon, where blood pressure fluctuates wildly from one heartbeat to the next, may be a key risk factor for brain shrinkage and neurodegeneration.
A novel digital health program, WECARE 2.0, has been shown to enhance the physical and mental well-being of Chinese American dementia caregivers. Participants reported improved caregiving skills, reduced stress, and increased social support through user-friendly culturally-tailored interventions.
A new $2.9 million grant refines the LifeBio Memory app to enhance reminiscence therapy for dementia care, expanding to multiple languages and cultural contexts. The research aims to improve quality of life and relationships for both older adults and caregivers, using storytelling technology to reduce loneliness and depression.
A small study found that five volunteers with late-onset Alzheimer's disease showed significant improvements in cognitive tests and decreased biomarker tau proteins after two years of receiving 40Hz light and sound stimulation. This suggests that the therapy may slow cognitive decline and have direct biological impacts on Alzheimer's p...
A new study analyzed images of dementia in Finnish newspapers, finding a narrow and negative picture. The majority depicted people with dementia as elderly and frail, perpetuating stereotypes. Images also frequently used emotionally charged visual metaphors, such as puzzle pieces and trees shedding leaves.
A study found that problems with the brain's glymphatic system, which clears out toxins and waste materials, may contribute to dementia. The research suggests improving glymphatic function through sleep optimization, repurposed medicines, or treating cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure.
Researchers developed a computational tool to identify genetic vulnerabilities in memory-making brain cells linked to Alzheimer's. The 'seismic' algorithm integrates genetic data with single-cell RNA sequencing, revealing a detailed picture of affected cell types and their genetic programs.
A Monash University study of over 10,800 older people found that listening to music or playing music can reduce dementia risk. Always listening to music was associated with a 39% reduced risk, while playing an instrument led to a 35% decrease in dementia risk
Researchers from USC Neurorestoration Center and Caltech created a simple, noninvasive device using laser technology to measure brain blood flow. The tool has already been tested with humans in small proof of concept studies demonstrating its utility for assessing stroke risk and detecting brain injury.
A new trial finds that empagliflozin and intranasal insulin safely improve brain health in people with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease. The medications target metabolic and vascular problems, improving memory, brain health, and blood flow.
The $3 million National Institute on Aging grant will support the WECARE intervention, a culturally tailored digital health program designed to enhance caregiving skills and improve wellbeing in dementia caregivers. The 7-week program provides informational content, quiz games, social networking, personalized feedback, and individualiz...
Groundbreaking research by Dr. Bruce M. Cohen has uncovered critical abnormalities in energy metabolism and cellular connectivity that contribute to psychiatric disorders. The study's findings suggest therapeutic avenues that may be better targeted and more effective than current treatments.
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health will unveil a 7-Tesla Terra.X MRI system, providing ultra-high-resolution brain images for diagnosing and studying conditions like dementia and Parkinson's. The technology expands what is possible in research and discovery.
A recent study from Edith Cowan University found no evidence that calcium monotherapy increases the long-term risk of dementia in older women. The five-year double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial on calcium supplements to prevent fracture provided accurate data on dosage and duration, strengthening the results.
New traumatic brain injuries in older adults are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that TBI is linked to an increased rate of incident dementia, even when sustained in late life, and how this risk changes over time.
Researchers at the University of Bath develop a peptide fragment that locks alpha-synuclein into its healthy shape, blocking toxic clumps that cause nerve cell death. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential of rational peptide design to transform large proteins into compact drug-like molecules.
A National Science Foundation grant will support older adults in developing digital technology skills and embracing AI, with a focus on intergenerational storytelling. The project aims to strengthen AI literacy, social connectedness, and resilience among older adults, while cultivating responsible AI awareness in youth.
Researchers at USC have developed a groundbreaking brain imaging technique that reveals how tiny blood vessels in the brain pulse with each heartbeat, which may hold clues to aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. The method shows that microvascular pulsatility increases with age, especially in deep white matter, a region critical for co...
A new research network aims to detect early signs of dementia through open-source digital tools. Penn State will lead a $39 million grant to advance Alzheimer's detection and reduce the financial, interpersonal, and health impacts of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study aims to uncover the link between high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia using a vast repository of blood samples. The project will analyze these samples for biomarkers that diagnose Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
A new Finnish study reveals that low labor market participation can indicate early stages of dementia, up to ten years before diagnosis. The research found social markers such as long-term unemployment or living alone may signal onsetting dementia.
A study published in Journal of Internal Medicine found that people with moderate to high levels of albumin in their urine have a higher risk of developing dementia. The researchers discovered an association between albuminuria and increased risk of dementia, independent of kidney function.
A large observational study found a U-shaped association between alcohol consumption and dementia risk, with non-drinkers and heavy drinkers at higher risk. Genetic analyses also showed that increased genetic risk for all three exposure levels was associated with an increased risk of dementia.
The USC team is developing a new drug aimed at a previously unexplored biological target in Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on a trigger of brain inflammation. They have identified an enzyme that predisposes the brain to inflammation and are now working to find a drug that can block it without harmful side effects.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston will lead a national initiative to unlock discoveries about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias using real-world data. The project, ReCARDO, aims to develop advanced AI tools and common data elements to make sharing and comparing data easier.
The Mount Sinai Health System has received an $8 million grant from DataPhilanthropy to fuel urgently needed research into CADASIL, a genetic disease associated with migraines, strokes, cognitive decline, and dementia. The center will focus on extending brain healthspan and preventing dementia in individuals with genetic risk for cereb...
A new study found that people with three or more symptoms of physical frailty were nearly three times more likely to develop dementia than those without frailty. The researchers also discovered changes in brain structure and biomarkers in people with frailty, which may be a mechanism underlying the pathway from frailty to dementia.
A study found that older adults with Parkinson's disease have a higher rate of brain amyloid positivity compared to younger patients, even without dementia. The researchers suggest this may indicate an accelerated transition from healthy cognition to dementia in PD patients.
The VasCog-2-WSO criteria update provide operationalization and guidance on neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers for VCID diagnosis. This new standard aims to facilitate diagnostic consistency among clinicians and researchers worldwide.
The Kissick Family Foundation has awarded four two-year grants to researchers to advance scientific understanding of frontotemporal dementia. The program will continue to build a fundamental understanding of sporadic FTD, with the goal of identifying potential treatments and improving patient outcomes.
A cohort study found that childhood loneliness was associated with cognitive decline and increased dementia risk in later life. Early interventions may help promote lifelong cognitive health and reduce dementia risk.
Researchers have demonstrated a portable, noninvasive technology that can detect metabolic changes linked to Alzheimer's disease by measuring cytochrome c oxidase activity. The study found that including oxCCO measures improved the ability of the brain-monitoring tool to capture clinically relevant brain changes.
Researchers used quantitative susceptibility mapping MRI to detect changes in brain tissue linked to iron levels, predicting mild cognitive impairment and later Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that higher iron levels in specific brain areas could spot early changes years before symptoms appeared.
Researchers at Penn State found that weight fluctuations and changes can lead to faster cognitive decline in older adults. The study analyzed data from 4,304 participants and showed that those with greater variability in weight experienced more rapid cognitive declines.
A UCLA Health study found that only a handful of top Alzheimer's disease organizations in Los Angeles County had features or tools to improve access for Latino and Hispanic families. The study highlights the need for accessible digital solutions to close the existing digital divide among these communities.
Research published in BMJ Mental Health found a strong association between the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders and an increased risk of dementia. The study analyzed data from 3688 patients with one or more psychiatric disorders, finding that those with four or more disorders were 11 times as likely to develop dementia.
A study published in the journal Sleep analysed data from over 26,000 days and nights to find that bedroom temperature and daytime light are associated with objectively measured sleep. People living with dementia have disrupted sleep patterns when bedrooms are hotter or lighting is dimmer.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that exergame training improved cognitive performance, memory, and structural brain changes in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The study suggests a potential causal effect of the training on disease-modifying effects and plans for longer-term studies are underway.
A study found that fine particulate matter air pollution exposure is associated with increased dementia severity and Alzheimer disease neuropathologic changes. Population-based studies are needed to better understand this relationship.
Researchers found that individuals from African American, Hispanic and Asian groups were less likely to have elevated amyloid in the brain based on blood levels of p-tau217. This finding suggests that these groups may have a lower prevalence of amyloid and are not at sufficient risk to qualify for amyloid-lowering trials.