By analyzing data from nearly 13,000 subjects who participated in a long-term aging study, Florida State University researchers found that an interviewer’s rating of a cognitively healthy person’s memory successfully predicted the likelihood of developing dementia over a 15-year period.
Tag: Alzheimer’s Disease
Minds & eyes: Study shows dementia more common in older adults with vision issues
A new study lends further weight to the idea that vision problems and dementia are linked. In a sample of nearly 3,000 older adults who took vision tests and cognitive tests during home visits, the risk of dementia was much higher among those with eyesight problems – including those who weren’t able to see well even when they were wearing their usual eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Enhanced light sensitivity may contribute to Alzheimer’s ‘sundowning,’ disease progression
New Alzheimer’s research from UVA Health suggests that enhanced light sensitivity may contribute to “sundowning” – the worsening of symptoms late in the day – and spur sleep disruptions thought to contribute to the disease’s progression.
AAN Issues Guidance on New Treatments for Early Alzheimer’s Disease
New therapies for early Alzheimer’s disease, monoclonal antibodies that remove amyloid-β plaques in the brain, are bringing hope to people whose lives have been affected by the disease. To help neurologists discuss these therapies with patients and caregivers, the American Academy of Neurology has developed an Emerging Issues in Neurology article, published online on July 26, 2023, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Older women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease may benefit from yoga
Kundalini yoga, a form of yoga that focuses on breathing, meditation, and mental visualization, appeared beneficial for older women who had risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and concerns about episodes of memory decline, according to a UCLA Health study.
AI Study Uncovers Olive Oil’s Potential in Combating Alzheimer’s Disease
A recent study has used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reveal the remarkable potential of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Researchers combined AI technology, chemistry, and omics research to identify specific bioactive compounds in EVOO that show promising effects in treating and preventing AD.
New study reveals why defense against brain corrosion declines in people with Alzheimer’s disease
A new study by researchers at Case Western Reserve University revealed that the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be slowed by suppressing a specific protein in the brain that causes corrosion.
Opting for Olive Oil Could Boost Brain Health
A new study suggests that incorporating olive oil into your diet could help reduce the risk of dying from dementia.
Majority of older adults with cognitive impairment still drive
The majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, despite concerns raised by caregivers and others, a study finds. Researchers say it’s best for caregivers to start conversations surrounding driving earlier while the care recipient is able to understand and actively participate in the discussion.
$200,000 award for proof dogs can sniff Alzheimer’s disease, says Dr. Leslie Norins of Alzheimer’s Germ Quest
Parkinson’s disease, another neurodegenerative process, produces in patients a unique smell, which trained dogs can detect. Alzheimer’s disease, the leading dementia, needs to be similarly studied. This $200,000 challenge award is posted to help stimulate this necessary research.
Dr. Liana Apostolova is available to comment on new results of a phase III clinical trial of Donanemab, an Alzheimer’s disease medication for patients with early symptoms of the disease.
Liana Apostolova, MD is the associate dean of Alzheimer’s disease research at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Apostolova and others presented results of the phase 3 clinical trial of Donanemab at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. The study, also published…
NUTRITION 2023 Press Materials Available Now
Press materials are now available for NUTRITION 2023, the annual flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN).
This eight-armed octopus-like pore detects taste
The neurons in our bodies are dotted with tiny pores that let essential molecules pass in and out of our cells. Neurons need these channels to send the signals that allow us to move, think, and perceive the world around us. Now, structural biologists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have captured never-before-seen images of one of the largest pores in human neurons.
Mount Sinai Participates in $40 Million Multisite Study of Alzheimer’s Disease in Asian Americans and Asian Canadians
Study represents a major milestone toward health equity for underrepresented populations in Alzheimer’s disease research
Tau-based biomarker tracks Alzheimer’s progression
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Lund University in Sweden have discovered an Alzheimer’s biomarker in the cerebrospinal fluid known as MTBR-tau243 can be used to track the progression of disease and could speed drug development.
FAU Receives $11.5 Million Gift to Combat Life-threating Illness, Amyloidosis
Because amyloidosis doesn’t affect a specific organ and can be present throughout the body including the heart, kidneys, liver and brain, unraveling the underlying cause of amyloid fibril creation – a hallmark of this disease – is complex and challenging. A monumental $11.5 million gift from philanthropists Ann and John Wood will enable FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine to create a game-changing infrastructure using a whole-body approach and multi-disciplinary team.
Addressing disparities in Alzheimer’s disease research
Age-related cognitive decline and the escalating prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease are pressing social challenges as the population of those 65 and older continues to expand. Age is the primary risk factor, but research has shown that social and structural determinants of health play significant roles in the higher incidence of Alzheimer’s among marginalized communities.
Lecanemab FDA Approval: U-Mich Alzheimer’s disease expert available and quote #lecanemab
On July 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the new Alzheimer’s disease drug lecanemab (brand name Leqembi). The medication was granted accelerated approval in January. With the landmark decision, University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine,…
UTHealth Houston expert available to discuss anti-Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi ahead of FDA decision
The FDA has granted Priority Review to the anti-Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi for the traditional approval application, with required action from the agency by July 6, 2023. Paul E. Schulz, MD, professor of neurology and director of the Neurocognitive Disorders Center with McGovern…
Ahead of Lecanemab FDA Decision: University of Michigan #Alzheimers expert available for interview
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering full approval of the new Alzheimer’s disease drug Lecanemab (brand name Leqembi), with a decision expected by July 6. University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine, has an expert available to talk about…
UC Irvine to lead multi-institutional study of single-cell vulnerabilities to Alzheimer’s disease
The University of California, Irvine has received a five-year, $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to lead a multi-institutional study of specific brain cell vulnerabilities to abnormal tau protein deposits in regions affected in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Leqembi Coverage– Alzheimer’s Expert Dr. James Galvin Available for Interviews
Dr. James Galvin, who is director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health and the Lewy Body Dementia Research Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is available for interviews following the FDA advisory panel’s…
Nursing home dementia residents’ care linked to majority presence, UC Irvine-led study finds
The quality of care for nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is best when they are in the majority, but most facilities also accommodate a heterogeneous population, where specialized staff training is limited, according to a study led by the University of California, Irvine.
Alzheimer’s Drug Development Pipeline: Promising Therapies, Pharma Investment Drive Momentum in Clinical Trials
According to the newly released “Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Development Pipeline: 2023,” there are currently 187 clinical trials in the Alzheimer’s drug development pipeline – the most ever on record. This momentum is driven in part by greater investment from the pharma industry and a bump in biologic therapies – particularly monoclonal antibodies – that were central to the success of both recent FDA-approved drugs.
The annual report spots trends in clinical trial design and outcome measures, and also investigate the types of agents and biological targets that are being pursued.
Brain-Belly Connection: Gut Health May Influence Likelihood of Developing Alzheimer’s
UNLV study pinpoints 10 bacterial groups associated with Alzheimer’s disease, provides new insights into the relationship between gut makeup and dementia.
UC Irvine study shows traffic-related air pollution in Irvine weakens brain function
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution in Irvine led to memory loss and cognitive decline and triggered neurological pathways associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Air Pollution May Increase Risk of Dementia, Complicated by Genetics
UC San Diego researchers describe how exposure to ambient air pollution, such as car exhaust and power plant emissions — is associated with a measurably greater risk of developing dementia over time.
FAU and Insightec Partner to Use Focused Ultrasound to Treat Neurological Disorders
This agreement will enable FAU and Insightec to collaborate to advance scientific knowledge about the use of focused ultrasound to treat brain diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. By harnessing acoustic energy, Insightec’s innovative technology uses focused ultrasound to treat diseases in different ways.
Sleeping pill reduces levels of Alzheimer’s proteins
Two doses of an FDA-approved sleeping pill reduced levels of Alzheimer’s proteins in a small study of healthy volunteers led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study hints at the potential of sleep medications to slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, although much more work needs to be done to confirm the viability of such an approach.
Common Infections Linked to Poorer Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
A new study from a team led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that signs of common infections in a sample of middle-aged and older adults were associated with poorer performance on a test of global cognitive function.
Researchers discover how some brain cells transfer material to neurons in mice
A UC Davis study is the first to report on a material transfer mechanism from cells, known as oligodendrocytes, to neurons in the brain of a mouse model. This discovery opens new possibilities for understanding brain maturation and finding treatments for many neurological conditions.
AI can spot early signs of Alzheimer’s in speech patterns, study shows
New technologies that can capture subtle changes in a patient’s voice may help physicians diagnose cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms begin to show, according to a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher who led a study published in the Alzheimer’s Association publication Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.
Scientists Enhance New Neurons to Restore Memory, Elevate Mood in Alzheimer’s Disease Research Model
UNC School of Medicine scientists demonstrated that stimulating a brain region called Supramammilary nucleus (SuM) located in the hypothalamus effectively enhanced adult-born neurons in the otherwise impaired Alzheimer’s brains of mice.
IU neuroscientists lead new study laying groundwork for Alzheimer’s disease precision medicine
A 5-year, $41 million study will help researchers better understand the biological pathways underlying Alzheimer’s disease and ultimately create more personalized patient care through the development of a blood test for multiple pathways implicated in the disease – enabling earlier and less-invasive diagnosis.
Modified Mediterranean Ketogenic Diet May Benefit Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Following a Mediterranean-based ketogenic diet may decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Machine learning models rank predictive risks for Alzheimer’s disease
Once adults reach age 65, the threshold age for the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, the extent of their genetic risk may outweigh age as a predictor of whether they will develop the fatal brain disorder, a new study suggests.
New form of omega-3 could prevent visual decline with Alzheimer’s disease
For the first time, researchers have developed a form of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is capable of crossing into the eye’s retina to ward off visual declines related to Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and other disorders.
Taking vitamin D could help prevent dementia, study finds
Researchers at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute in Canada and the University of Exeter in the UK explored the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and dementia in more than 12,388 participants of the US National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, who had a mean age of 71 and were dementia-free when they signed up.
NIH Grant Will Fund Next Steps of Research on Dance and Brain Health
Wake Forest University and Wake Forest University School of Medicine will receive $3 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help researchers take the next steps in nearly a decade of research that indicates dance can promote cognitive health. The grant funds a new study called IGROOVE that will help researchers determine what kinds of dance, the frequency of the dance classes and what aspects of the dance class – music, social interaction, cognitive challenge – affect fitness, memory and brain health.
10 ways to reduce your risk of dementia
Dementia affects millions of Americans — including nearly one in 10 adults over age 65. While the causes of different dementias vary, a 2020 report from a Lancet commission identified several modifiable risk factors that together account for around 40% of dementia worldwide. Neurologists share how you can reduce your risk for dementia and maintain a healthy brain throughout your life.
Study Suggests Alcohol Consumption Linked to Acceleration of Alzheimer’s Disease
In a new preclinical study, scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine showed that even modest amounts of alcohol can accelerate brain atrophy, which is the loss of brain cells, and increase the number of amyloid plaques, which are the accumulation of toxic proteins in Alzheimer’s disease.
Eartest by Eartone Application Detects Dementia Risk by Checking the Hearing of Words in Thai language
The Faculties of Medicine and Science, Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with University College London (UCL), the United Kingdom, together with industrial partner have developed Eartest by Eartone Application that examines hearing with Thai words processing that the public can use to screen dementia by themselves before consulting physicians to help prevent and reduce future risk of dementia.
UC Irvine School of Medicine associate professor awarded 19th Japan Academy Medal
Kei Igarashi, associate professor of anatomy & neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, has been named one of six scholars to win the 19th Japan Academy Medal. Widely considered the academy’s most prestigious award for Japanese researchers under the age of 45 in all fields of science and humanities, it was bestowed on Igarashi in recognition of his discoveries on the neural circuit mechanisms of associative memory and how they are affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
What is clinically meaningful to slow Alzheimer’s progression?
An expert work group has reframed what is clinically meaningful to slow Alzheimer’s disease progression during clinical trials, including treatment impact over time and the need for combination therapies.
Rutgers to Open Alzheimer’s and Dementia Clinical Research and Treatment Center
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) is launching the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s and Dementia Clinical Research and Treatment Center. Based at the Rutgers Brain Health Institute and scheduled to open in fall 2023, the center will offer research expertise from the institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research as well as facilitate clinical research in Alzheimer’s disease that could result in new medical treatments.
Study finds how our brains turn into smarter disease fighters
Irvine, Calif., Jan. 30, 2023 — Combating Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases by inserting healthy new immune cells into the brain has taken a leap toward reality. Neuroscientists at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to safely thwart the brain’s resistance to them, vaulting a key hurdle in the quest.
Drug Targeting Tauopathies in Mice Reveals Sex Differences in Response
UCSF researchers systematically tested CSF1R inhibition using multiple drug analogs at several time points in transgenic mice developing spontaneous tauopathy. The researchers demonstrated a reduction of tau pathology in multiple dosing schemes without complete microglial ablation.
Chula Medicine Reveals Innovative Detection of Latent Dementia A 10-Year Awareness May delay Alzheimer’s Onset in Elderly
Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University has researched a blood test for markers of Alzheimer’s that can give a 10-year warning, so people can be prepared to slow down the development of dementia in old age.
Exposure to World Trade Center Dust Exacerbates Cognitive Impairment in an Animal Model of Alzheimer’s
Also evokes central and peripheral pro-inflammatory responses
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and Harrington Discovery Institute to Support Promising Research to Protect the Alzheimer’s Brain
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals in Cleveland have granted an ADDF-Harrington Scholar Award to Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM, Associate Professor in Medicine at the Cardiovascular Research Center and the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School in Boston. Dr. Wrann will receive funding and drug development guidance to help advance her research towards potential new therapies for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.