Articles tagged with Dementia
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that regular opioid use is associated with a 20% increased risk of all-cause dementia and over 70% increased risk of dementia among those taking strong opioids. Regular opioid use was also linked to reduced brain volume, lower fluid intelligence, and higher risk of vascular dementia.
Researchers used an AI model to reassess a completed clinical trial for an Alzheimer's disease drug, finding it slowed cognitive decline by 46% in early-stage patients. The AI model predicts patient progression and allows for more precise selection of trial participants, potentially reducing the cost of developing new medicines.
A cohort study found that GLP-1RAs like semaglutide and tirzepatide lower risk of dementia, stroke, and all-cause mortality in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings suggest potential neuroprotective benefits beyond glycemic control.
A global study of 161,981 participants across 40 countries reveals that air pollution, social inequality, and weak democratic institutions accelerate aging. BBAGs, a novel measure of accelerated aging, show that exposure to toxic air, political instability, and economic inequality can age you several years faster.
A Johns Hopkins study identifies over 200 types of misfolded proteins associated with age-related cognitive decline in rats. The findings suggest that these proteins may contribute to Alzheimer's and dementia beyond just the previously known A-beta and tau amyloids.
A large medical record study found that receiving six or more gabapentin prescriptions for low back pain significantly increases the risk of developing dementia (29% higher) and mild cognitive impairment (85% higher). Risks are particularly high among 18-64 year olds, with no age group considered safe from increased risks.
Researchers investigate cannabis-based treatment to improve quality of care for hospice-eligible patients with dementia. A clinical trial will test T2:C100, a drug containing THC and CBD, to determine its effectiveness in reducing agitation.
The study identified a rare genetic alteration associated with high levels of the ADAM10 protein, which plays a role in breaking down beta-amyloid precursor protein. The researchers aim to develop a panel of prognostic biomarkers to differentiate Alzheimer's disease from other types of dementia.
A recent multinational study found that people diagnosed with dementia are living longer due to advancements in diagnosis and care. The study of over 1.2 million individuals across eight regions revealed a lower risk of death in five regions, primarily attributed to improved prevention and treatment methods.
Scientists at Duke University have developed a freely available tool that can estimate an individual's rate of aging and predict their risk for chronic diseases like dementia. The tool, called DunedinPACNI, analyzes brain scans to identify those who are aging faster, which may lead to cognitive decline and age-related health problems.
Researchers at UCLA Health have made a groundbreaking discovery about the mechanisms underlying vascular dementia. They found that targeting inflammation in brain blood vessels can promote brain repair and functional recovery in mice. This breakthrough highlights a potential new treatment approach for this understudied form of dementia.
The AI tool, StateViewer, helps clinicians identify brain activity patterns linked to nine types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, using a single scan. It enables clinicians to interpret brain scans nearly twice as fast and with up to three times greater accuracy than standard workflows.
A new brain imaging benchmark may improve how researchers classify biologically meaningful changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found a tau cut-point that distinguished individuals with cognitive impairment from those aging normally, but its effectiveness was limited in non-Hispanic Black participants.
Researchers found that people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods have higher levels of tau, a biomarker related to Alzheimer's disease, and YKL-40, a marker of brain inflammation. Neighborhood disadvantage was also linked to faster increases in inflammation measured by CRP.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that semaglutide lowers the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, suggests T2D patients taking semaglutide had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia compared to other antidiabetic medications.
Researchers suggest that brains reach a critical state to learn, remember, and think, which can be measured using fMRI technology. This framework offers a new perspective on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which disrupt the brain's ability to maintain criticality.
A new bedtime recall exercise significantly improved memory performance in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and healthy older adults. The study suggests that this cost-free intervention could be an easily adopted approach to enhancing memory function.
A USC study found that high levels of iron in the brain contribute to cell damage and oxidative stress, accelerating Alzheimer’s symptoms in individuals with Down syndrome. This connection could lead to targeted treatments and improved outcomes for those at risk.
A new study from the University of Sydney found that non-concussive heading of a soccer ball alters the brain, causing subtle changes in brain structure and function. The researchers identified altered chemistry in a region involved in motor control and decreased electrical conductivity across several areas.
A 16-year study of over 10,000 individuals aged 50+ found that those with higher wellbeing were more likely to have better scores on memory tests. The association was independent of depressive symptoms and suggested that psychological factors affect brain health.
Research from Mass General Brigham found that individuals with shorter telomeres and less optimal lifestyle choices are at greater risk for stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. However, those with healthier lifestyles showed no increased risk, suggesting a potential mitigation effect.
A study found that individuals with short leukocyte telomere lengths are more likely to develop age-related brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. However, those with healthy lifestyle habits may modify the effects of shorter telomeres.
Experts argue that sensory perception changes are equally important to memory tests in understanding dementia. Research supports the existence of sensory and perceptual changes for some people living with dementia, including altered visual and hearing perception, smell, taste, and tactile sensitivity issues.
Research found that approximately 50% of participants with late-life depression and bipolar disorder showed tau accumulation in their brains, compared to only about 15% of healthy controls. The study suggests that neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, can initially manifest as psychiatric symptoms.
A blood test detecting amyloid plaques in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease has received FDA clearance. The test is more than 90% accurate and offers a less invasive, more accessible diagnosis for patients over 55 years old.
A comprehensive study found dementia rates were 25% higher in the Southeast compared to the Mid-Atlantic. The Northwest and Rocky Mountains had 23% and 18% higher rates respectively. These differences remained even after accounting for factors like age, race, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from the Mount Sinai Health System are presenting new studies on the impact of sleep on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The studies explore the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and Alzheimer's pathogenesis, as well as the effects of sleep disruption on spatial learning and neuroinflammation.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that targets the root cause of Alzheimer's disease, influencing brain cell behavior to preserve cognitive function. Delivering the treatment at the symptomatic stage preserved hippocampal-dependent memory and altered gene expression in mice, suggesting potential to restore brain health.
A new study suggests that women who spend more time in their reproductive phase may experience slower brain aging. Estradiol, the most potent form of estrogen during this period, may help protect the brain from age-related decline. However, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between estradiol and brain health.
Researchers have discovered a new method to enhance brain waste clearance by precisely stimulating the lymphatics under skin on the neck and face. This non-invasive approach may offer a safer alternative to current treatments for age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that adopting the MIND diet is linked with reduced dementia risk, even among older adults. Those who improved their adherence to the diet over time showed a greater pattern of risk reduction.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that epilepsy is considerably more common among patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) than previously estimated. In fact, the prevalence of epilepsy increased over time, and approximately 11% of patients had epilepsy five years after diagnosis.
Old neurons exhibit unique defects resulting from molecular stress, making them more vulnerable to neurodegeneration. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms behind brain cell deterioration, which could lead to new therapies for preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
A 48-month study found that intensive blood pressure reduction lowered the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment by 15% and 16%, respectively. This suggests that reducing high blood pressure may be a key strategy for preventing dementia in patients with hypertension.
A common genetic variant has been found to double the risk of dementia in men, but not women, according to new research. The study, published in Neurology, used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial to investigate the link between the HFE gene variant and dementia risk.
A new study has found that depression is linked to an increased risk of dementia in both midlife and late life. The research highlights the importance of recognizing and treating depression across the life course to protect brain health.
The University of Texas at Dallas has released a decade-long lifespan brain study dataset, allowing researchers to track brain and cognitive health across adulthood. The dataset provides insights into neurologically healthy paths and potential causes of decline, offering opportunities for global hypothesis testing.
A recent study published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease found that evening people experience a greater rate of cognitive decline over time. This decline is attributed to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and poor sleep habits, which can be mitigated by working with one's natural chronotype.
Researchers show that stress granules, previously implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, can actually suppress fibril formation and even reverse the effects of disease-causing mutations. This discovery offers new insights into the development of potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A US study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that 37% of dementia cases could be linked to cardiometabolic diseases, with the strongest connection in the South. Hypertension was the leading cause, accounting for 9.6% of cases.
Researchers found that insulin signaling changes affect both Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy in animal tests. This discovery confirms clinical evidence of increased risk of Alzheimer's in people with epilepsy and highlights the need for a broader therapeutic approach to address the complex nature of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found a decline in new dementia cases in the US from 2015 to 2021, but an increase in those living with the condition. The incidence of dementia decreased among older adults, while prevalence increased, highlighting disparities by race and socioeconomic status.
Research highlights potential link between microplastics in ultra-processed foods and brain health, with possible connections to depression and dementia. The studies propose a novel hypothesis connecting ultra-processed food consumption, microplastic exposure, and mental health outcomes.
Researchers at UCLA Health identified a candidate small molecule, DDL-357, that increases concentrations of secreted clusterin, reducing toxic protein phospho-tau and improving mitochondrial function. The drug also improved memory in treated mice in maze-based cognitive tests.
A new study found stark differences in dementia care received by people in richer and poorer neighborhoods in Quebec. People in more deprived areas were more likely to be hospitalized, receive inappropriate medications, and die within a year of diagnosis, while those in wealthier neighborhoods had more visits to cognition specialists.
Researchers found that post-menopausal women with high midlife cortisol levels have increased amyloid deposition and are at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study also highlights the importance of identifying early risk factors in women, particularly those who experience menopause.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified potential protein markers for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a form of dementia affecting middle age. The study found changes in RNA regulation and brain connections that could lead to early diagnosis and targeted treatments.
A recent study found that home health care is increasingly used among people with dementia, while rates have decreased since 2020. This trend suggests a need for ongoing monitoring of service use and outcomes for this high-need population.
Researchers from USC Keck School of Medicine have developed a low-cost blood test that detects five biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease, including amyloid and tau proteins. The test uses xMAP technology and has the potential to catch the disease in its earliest stages, when treatment might be able to prevent or delay cognitive decline.
A new USC-led study found a significant link between type 2 diabetes and cortical thickness in older adults from various populations. The researchers discovered that individuals with T2DM exhibited thinner cortex, particularly in temporal and parietal regions critical for memory and cognitive function.
A team of researchers has discovered a small molecule that can selectively block cell death, which could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions. By targeting the killer protein BAX, the molecule can prevent excessive cell death in neurons, potentially slowing or halting disease progression.
Researchers found that patients taking HIV drugs called NRTIs are substantially less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by Jayakrishna Ambati, analyzed data from two large health insurance databases and determined a significant reduction in Alzheimer's risk among patients on NRTIs.
A study on Brazilians in their 50s found that those with hearing loss experienced faster cognitive decline than expected for their age. This highlights the importance of addressing hearing health to prevent dementia, which is a growing concern worldwide.
A team of researchers has developed a predictive model that uses genetic mutations to forecast the age of onset for familial Alzheimer's disease. The model suggests specific correlations between gene mutations and disease progression, enabling clinicians to tailor treatment strategies and improve early diagnosis.
Researchers found that even small doses of high-intensity exercise can reduce the risk of dementia and promote healthy brain aging. The study suggests exercising regularly is crucial for preserving brain health, making it a key prevention measure against cognitive decline.
Researchers have found that promoting glucose metabolism in glial cells can relieve inflammation and photoreceptor degeneration in Alzheimer's patients. This discovery presents an exciting new therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's.
A study published in Neurology found that people with higher biological age than their chronological age are more likely to develop dementia. The researchers discovered an association between advanced biological age and changes in brain structures, including loss of gray matter volume.
Dr. Lei Wang joins Baycrest to champion scientific excellence in dementia research and promote healthy aging. With expertise in neuroimaging and data-driven approaches, he will drive BARE's strategic research plan.
A digital cognitive screening tool and flexible workflow helped seven primary care clinics integrate dementia screening, increasing screening rates to at least 20%. Clinics adapted the process to fit their settings while maintaining alignment with a shared core model.
Researchers identified key tasks in a speech assessment battery to detect primary progressive aphasia, a rare neurodegenerative disease. Early detection can lead to slower disease progression and improved communication skills.