Research on dementia and cognitive decline. Covers Alzheimer's screening, brain injury recovery, attention training, and gaps in diagnosis and care.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University discovered a potential connection between dietary patterns, depressive symptoms, and Alzheimer's disease. The Mediterranean diet, rich in antioxidants and healthy fatty acids, may attenuate the negative impact of depressive symptoms on AD-related biomarkers.
The number of family caregivers supporting older adults living in home and residential-care settings increased to 24.1 million, a 32% rise from 18.2 million in 2011. Caregiving responsibilities continued to fall primarily to women, with those caring for individuals with dementia facing unique challenges.
A new pilot study assesses how caregivers use advanced wearable technology to support people with dementia, finding that it reduces emotional strain and increases caregiver satisfaction. The technology, called Theora Care, provides a wearable device and smartphone application that alerts caregivers when the person has wandered.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found that frequent social activity may help prevent or delay dementia in old age, with socially active individuals showing reduced rates of cognitive decline over a five-year period. Social activity strengthens neural circuits and activates areas o...
A preliminary study found that shorter protective caps at the end of chromosomes (telomeres) may be more likely to develop age-related brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. Adopting healthier lifestyles could lower the negative effects of shorter telomeres.
A study found that changing cholesterol levels over time is associated with a higher risk of dementia in older adults. The study suggests that fluctuating cholesterol may be a new biomarker for identifying people at risk of dementia.
The D-CARE study found no differences in patient behavioral symptoms or caregiver strain between health system and community-based care approaches. However, comprehensive care improved caregiver self-efficacy, which remained consistent throughout the 18-month period.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is exploring alternate strategies for identifying and targeting Alzheimer's and related diseases using a $2.2 million federal grant. The study aims to understand the mechanisms linking aging to cognitive decline, potentially leading to new treatments for dementia.
The IN-PEACE randomized clinical trial integrated palliative care with state-of-the-art dementia care, cutting in half emergency department visits and hospitalizations among participants. This innovative approach benefited African American individuals and those with lower incomes the most, offering cost savings to the healthcare system.
Tobias Ackels' research reveals that mammals can differentiate between odor sources at lightning speed, using a temporal dimension to orient themselves in space. This ability is encoded in the output of the olfactory bulb and could be used for early detection of dementia.
A new study found that oxytocin treatment can improve apathy symptoms in patients with frontotemporal dementia. The trial, conducted across 11 sites in Canada and the US, showed a significant improvement in apathy levels when patients received oxytocin compared to placebo.
A study found a link between oral microbiome and dementia risk, with certain bacteria associated with better executive function. A nitrate-rich diet may favor beneficial oral bacteria, potentially delaying cognitive decline.
Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) is a common memory disorder that can progress slower and cause less impairment of cognitive functions than other types of dementia. The new guidelines provide a first step in advancing clinical trials and treatments for this lesser-known, but common type of memory loss disorder.
Researchers analyzed data from the SPRINT MIND trial and found that intensive blood pressure control significantly reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The study also showed sustained benefits over seven years, contradicting earlier results.
Researchers found associations between antibiotics, antivirals, vaccines, and anti-inflammatory drugs with reduced dementia risk. The study pooled data from over 130 million individuals, identifying potential repurposed treatments for dementia.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine analyzed over 2 million veterans taking GLP-1RA medications, finding benefits to cognitive and behavioral health while revealing increased risks for pancreatitis and kidney conditions. The study also showed decreased risks of seizures, addiction, suicidal ideation, and neurocognitive disorders.
A new study published in Neurology found that eating greater quantities of red meat, especially in processed forms, increases the risk of dementia. Replacing processed red meat with protein sources like nuts and legumes or fish may decrease dementia risk by approximately 20 percent.
A study published in Neurology found that eating more processed red meat is associated with a higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Replacing it with healthier alternatives like nuts, fish, and poultry may reduce the risk.
A University of Michigan study finds that 85% of Mexican Americans with dementia are unaware of their diagnosis, surpassing the overall rate for US Hispanics and Latinos. The lack of awareness is attributed to physicians' reluctance to diagnose dementia due to cultural and communication barriers.
The study estimates that half a million new cases of dementia will be reported annually by 2060, with the risk of developing dementia after age 55 being 42% among Americans. The increasing number of cases is linked to aging, genetic factors, and lifestyle choices such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and poor mental health.
A new study led by UCL researchers reveals that people at risk of hereditary dementia significantly impact their choices about having children and parenting. Genetic risk is viewed in the context of other factors, with concerns including practical and emotional challenges of caring for someone with familial frontotemporal dementia.
Researchers discovered a brain functional connectome phenotype related to multiple cerebrovascular disease markers that contributes additively to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration alongside Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights the role of cerebrovascular disease in reshaping our understanding of dementia.
The project aims to improve the design of clinical trials for neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinson's disease, and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Community partners will facilitate academic and community partnerships for clinical trial development.
Researchers have identified a cognitive profile that can differentiate Dementia with Lewy bodies from Alzheimer's disease at the pre-dementia stage. This allows for more targeted care and symptom management, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are studying the link between walking patterns and cognitive decline to improve early detection of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The team hopes to unveil neural mechanisms underlying the relation between mobility and cognitive decline.
A systematic review of 261 studies involving over 5 million people with dementia found that average survival from diagnosis varies widely by age, with women living up to 9 years longer than men. The study also suggests that nearly one-third of people with dementia are admitted to a nursing home within three years of diagnosis.
Researchers developed a predictive tool using the Florey Dementia Index to forecast onset ages of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's. The validated tool may help prioritize patients for disease-modifying treatments.
A new USC study validates a biomarker linked to vascular dementia and suggests that glymphatic damage drives cognitive decline. The findings provide a potential pathway to explain how cognitive impairment arises, offering a target for clinical researchers seeking treatments for vascular dementia.
A recent study by Mizzou researchers found that nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias are more likely to experience avoidable hospital transfers due to a mismatch between care provided and personal preferences. Increasing staff support, training, and resources can help improve outcomes for these residents.
A $16 million NIH program aims to identify barriers to equitable healthcare for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The research initiative will examine the relationships between healthcare providers and patients, focusing on provider-patient racial concordance and its impact on health outcomes.
A new Tulane University study suggests that the Mediterranean diet's brain-boosting benefits may work by changing the balance of bacteria in the gut. Researchers found that subjects following a Mediterranean diet developed distinctly different gut bacteria patterns compared to those eating a typical Western diet.
A new study reveals a direct link between structural inequality and changes in brain structure and connectivity associated with aging and dementia. Higher levels of inequality are linked to reduced brain volume and disrupted connectivity, especially in temporo-posterior and cerebellar regions essential for memory and cognitive function.
The new guideline recommends a patient-centered approach to diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, involving goal-setting, risk profiling, symptom description, cognitive testing, and diagnostic imaging. A care partner's involvement is crucial, especially for patients with compromised cognition.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet used AI to analyze brain images from 70-year-olds and found that factors like inflammation and high glucose levels are associated with an older-looking brain. A healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, was linked to brains with a younger appearance.
A new study reveals music therapy can deliver an immediate reduction in agitation and anxiety, as well as improvements in attention, engagement, and mood. Music helps individuals feel safer and more orientated, lowering levels of distress and improving wellbeing.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys used two sequencing methods to reveal new mRNAs associated with Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson's disease. The study found vast mRNA isoform diversity in genes related to neurodegenerative diseases.
A study of 13,571 healthy seniors found no association between antibiotic use and cognitive impairment or dementia. Researchers followed participants for an average of five years and found no link between antibiotics and changes in thinking and memory skills.
A Rice University study found that caregiver mental health improves when carers feel supported, understood and appreciated by their loved ones. Carriers who reported lower satisfaction with their marriages experienced significantly worse mental and physical health.
A new blood-based biomarker, placental growth factor (PlGF), has been identified as a potential tool for detecting early brain changes associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Elevated PlGF levels were found to be linked to increased vascular permeability, leading to white matter injury and subsequent cognitive decline.
The study aims to identify early warning signs and potential treatment for cerebral small vessel disease, a condition linked to vascular dementia. Researchers will analyze cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues using cutting-edge technologies to map mRNA within cells affected by the disease.
Worsening heat waves exacerbate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and dementia due to impaired sweating and blood flow. Doctors can take proactive steps by regularly screening for social isolation, providing resources, and utilizing telemedicine to monitor high-risk patients.
Researchers at UniSA found that certain sedentary behaviors, like reading, are beneficial for cognitive function, while others, such as watching TV, have a negative effect. The study suggests a nuanced approach to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function.
A social work graduate has published her research on cognitive decline among refugees, finding that those who have experienced trauma are more likely to suffer from mild cognitive impairment. The study highlights the need for interventions that address these gaps in care and promote healthier aging.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing vaccines to target misfolded proteins in the brain, with a focus on preventing inflammation and using peptide nanofibers. The goal is to prevent dementia by training the immune system against amyloid beta and tau proteins.
A cohort study found no association between high dementia risk among former professional soccer players and modifiable general health and lifestyle factors. The study supports continued measures to reduce exposure to repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury in sports.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found a strong association between living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and higher blood pressure and lower cognitive scores. The study analyzed data from over 500 adults aged 55+ and used the Area Deprivation Index to measure neighborhood disadvantage.
Researchers uncover the significance of neuroinflammation in Niemann-Pick type C disease, a rare form of childhood dementia. They identify translocator protein (TSPO) as a potential biomarker for disease monitoring and response to therapy.
A new study by the University of Waterloo found that nearly 68% of Canadian patients who used antipsychotics had more behavioral issues than before medication. Non-drug therapies like music and social interaction have been shown to help manage behavior without antipsychotics.
Researchers found a 'waste canal system' in the human brain that internalizes waste from healthy neurons, leading to catastrophic swelling and degeneration. The discovery offers a promising new explanation for Alzheimer's disease pathologies and potential avenues for drug development.
A study found that skeletal muscle loss, particularly in the temporalis muscle, is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease dementia. Participants with smaller temporalis muscle size were more than twice as likely to develop dementia over a median follow-up period of 5.8 years.
Early detection of cognitive impairment helps people prepare for future loss of financial and physical independence. Lifestyle factors like exercise, obesity, and hobbies can increase dementia risk, while regional associations with dementia also play a role.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that patients with frontotemporal dementia show reduced brain activity when witnessing pain in others, leading to a lack of empathy. This study aims to increase understanding of this specific dementia disease and its impact on caregivers.
A new review reveals how sleep disturbances exacerbate dementia symptoms, impacting overall health and caregiver well-being. The study emphasizes the need for holistic approaches to address coexisting conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Primary progressive aphasia is a rare form of dementia that affects language skills, with significant implications for patients' quality of life. Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine have developed new methods to measure its impact on daily living and demonstrate the feasibility of international telemedicine interventions.
Researchers at UCL found that excess brain volume loss with amyloid-targeting immunotherapies is associated with therapy effectiveness, not harm. The 'amyloid-removal-related pseudo-atrophy' or ARPA phenomenon suggests that removal of amyloid plaques may be the cause of observed brain changes.
The partnership will equip primary care teams with the Cognitive Health Assessment (CHA) tool to detect dementia and provide comprehensive care. With the goal of reducing wait times for specialist care in California by 2050, the collaboration aims to improve brain health and support patients and families through early detection and edu...
A recent study led by the University of Washington found that higher long-term exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with a significant increase in the odds of developing dementia. The researchers analyzed health records of 1.2 million Southern California residents and found that exposure to wildfire PM2.5 increased the risk of deme...
A cohort study found that long-term exposure to wildfire and fine particulate matter was associated with dementia diagnoses. The study suggests that reducing wildfire PM2.5 exposure could decrease dementia diagnoses and address health disparities.
The study found decreased NMDA receptors in synapses and increased extrasynaptic membranes in Alzheimer's patients, suggesting neuronal toxicity-related activity. The novel protocol allows for precise analysis of these receptors in human postmortem brains, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.
A new study from Regenstrief Institute presents a low-cost, scalable methodology for early dementia risk identification. The technique uses machine learning to extract relevant phrases from medical notes, providing healthcare providers with an individualized dementia risk prediction or evidence of mild cognitive impairment.