Studies have shown that physical and mental activity help preserve thinking skills and delay dementia. A new study suggests that these benefits may vary for men and women. The study is published in the July 20, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Tag: Dementia
Tracking Daily Movement Patterns May One Day Help Predict Dementia
Researchers found significant differences in movement patterns between participants with normal cognition and those with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease.
Did Gonorrhea Give Us Grandparents?
UC San Diego researchers tracked the evolution of a gene variant that supports cognitive health in older humans, but may have first emerged to protect against bacteria.
Seizures may increase dementia risk for young stroke survivors
Young stroke patients who have a seizure following their diagnosis are at greater risk of developing dementia than patients who don’t experience seizures, according to a College of Medicine study.
Study: Liver Disease Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia
People who have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a buildup of fat cells in the liver, may have a higher risk of dementia, according to a new study published in the July 13, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers also found that people with this form of liver disease who also have heart disease or who have had a stroke may have an even higher risk of dementia.
Thyroid Problems Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia
Older people with hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid, may be at increased risk of developing dementia, according to a study published in the July 6, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The risk of developing dementia was even higher for people whose thyroid condition required thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Predicting the future: A quick, easy scan can reveal late-life dementia risk
A long-term study has shown a common bone density scan can also show calcified plaque build-up in the abdominal aorta – revealing if someone is at increased risk of developing dementia
Chula’s Innovations for the Aging Society
As one of the countries with a rapidly increasing aging population, especially this 2022, Thailand is now becoming an ‘aging’ society and will likely become a ‘super-aging society’ by 2031. To better meet the needs and provide services to the nation’s aging society, experts from various fields at Chulalongkorn University have conducted research to produce and develop innovations for the elderly.
Helping the Helpers: Leveraging Information Technology to Support Caregiver Medication Management for the Millions of Individuals Who Live with Dementia
More than 21 million people provide unpaid care for millions of people living with dementia in the U.S.
Recent Study Indicates High Prevalence of Recently Defined Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia
Researchers from the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging say a paper recently published in Acta Neuropathologica is the most definitive assessment yet of the prevalence of a form of dementia classified in 2019 and now known as LATE. The results show that the prevalence of brain changes from LATE may be roughly 40% in older adults and as high as 50% in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Posture Assessed in Health Exam Detects Cognitive Decline
A mass survey of citizens aged 50 to 89 years examined whether cognitive decline could be detected by sagittal spinal balance measurement based on a radiological approach.
University of California-led Study Finds Three Factors That Raise the Odds for Alzheimer’s
A new analysis led by researchers with the University of California has found the top threats to Americans today regarding dementia in old age are obesity, physical inactivity, and lack of a high school diploma.
Does Shingles Increase a Person’s Risk of Dementia?
Shingles, a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, results in a painful blistering rash along one side of the body or face from nerve inflammation. There has been scientific speculation that such inflammation may increase a person’s risk of dementia. However, a new study has found that shingles is not associated with an increased risk of dementia. The study is published in the June 8, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Social Isolation May Impact Brain Volume in Regions Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia
Social isolation is linked to lower brain volume in areas related to cognition and a higher risk of dementia, according to research published in the June 8, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study found that social isolation was linked to a 26% increased risk of dementia, separately from risk factors like depression and loneliness.
Chula Dementia Day Center Can Help You Prepare for Old Age with a Clear Mind and Away from Alzheimer’s
Dementia Day Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society prepares for Thailand’s anticipated aging society by offering various rehabilitation services to help slow down the decline of people with dementia, while planning to launch a professional course for caregivers, and establishing the “Bright Brain Club” to persuade people of all ages to learn and care for early brain health to avoid the possibility Alzheimer’s disease.
UCI wins 5-year, $14M NIH grant to study brain circuits susceptible to aging, Alzheimer’s disease
Irvine, Calif., June 7, 2022 — The University of California, Irvine has been awarded a five-year, $14 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study brain circuits that are susceptible to aging and Alzheimer’s disease. The research findings will advance the development of early diagnostic tools and the discovery of new treatment strategies.
Hospice Improves Quality of Care in Patients with Dementia
While the hospice program was originally designed for patients with cancer, who are expected to die within six months, currently close to half of older adult hospice enrollees have a diagnosis of dementia.
Dementia diagnosis often comes as part of costly crisis
Medicare costs around the time of a dementia diagnosis are much lower for older adults screened proactively rather than those diagnosed while experiencing a health issue.
Seven Healthy Habits Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia in Those with Genetic Risk
Seven healthy habits and lifestyle factors may play a role in lowering the risk of dementia in people with the highest genetic risk, according to research published in the May 25, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Neuroscientists identify how the brain links related memories
UCLA scientists have discovered how the brain links memories and a way to restore this function in aging mice–as well as an FDA-approved drug that achieves the same thing. The Nature findings suggest a new method for combatting middle-aged memory loss.
Breakthrough COVID infections more likely in cancer and Alzheimer’s patients, studies find
Breakthrough COVID-19 cases resulting in infections, hospitalizations and deaths are significantly more likely in cancer and Alzheimer’s patients, according to two new studies from researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Risk Factors for Dementia May Vary with Age
Which vascular risk factors are associated with the risk of developing dementia may vary with age. A new study shows that among people around age 55, the risk of developing dementia over the next 10 years was increased in those with diabetes and high blood pressure. For people around 65 years old, the risk was higher in those with heart disease, and for those in their 70s, diabetes and stroke. For 80-year-olds, the risk of developing dementia was increased in those with diabetes and a history of stroke, while taking blood pressure medications decreased the risk. The study is published in the May 18, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Dementia: Combination of “feelings” and measurements suggest Alzheimer’s in the early stage
Subjective memory disorders in conjunction with conspicuous levels of beta-amyloid proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid are a strong indication of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Study Finds Increased Risk of Dementia After Hospitalization for Major TBI
People who have been hospitalized for a major traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have a higher risk of developing dementia when compared to people who do not have a TBI, according to a new study published in the May 11, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
‘Stressed’ cells offer clues to eliminating build-up of toxic proteins in dementia
It’s often said that a little stress can be good for you. Now scientists have shown that the same may be true for cells, uncovering a newly-discovered mechanism that might help prevent the build-up of tangles of proteins commonly seen in dementia.
Higher Antioxidant Levels Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
People with higher levels of antioxidants in their blood may be less likely to develop dementia, according to a study published in the May 4, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Hearing and vision impairment linked to serious cognitive impairment in older adults
A new nationally representative study published online in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports found hearing impairment and vision impairment to be independently associated with cognitive impairment.
New research identifies blood biomarker for predicting dementia before symptoms develop
New research from NUI Galway and Boston University has identified a blood biomarker that could help identify people with the earliest signs of dementia, even before the onset of symptoms.
New data shows burden of dementia symptoms just as high in community population as nursing home residents
New data shows that the symptoms suffered by people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who live in the community occur at a strikingly similar rate to those of dementia patients in a nursing home.
Talk therapy may alleviate depression and improve quality of life for people with dementia
Feelings of anxiety and depression are common in people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment, but the best way to treat these symptoms is currently unknown, as medicines often used to treat these symptoms may not be effective for people with dementia and may cause side effects.
When it Comes to Preventing Alzheimer’s, Women and Men are Not Created Equal
A study is the first to examine if sex significantly affects cognitive outcomes in people who follow individually-tailored, multi-domain clinical interventions. The study also determined whether change in risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), along with blood markers of AD risk, also were affected by sex. Results showed that while care in an Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic setting is equally effective at improving cognitive function in both women and men, the personally-tailored interventions used by the researchers led to greater improvements in women compared to men across AD and CVD disease risk scales, as well blood biomarkers of risk such as blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and the diabetes test HbA1C. Findings are important because women are disproportionately affected by AD and population-attributable risk models suggest that managing risk factors can prevent up to one-third of dementia cases.
Faster Accumulation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Linked to Increased Dementia Risk
Cardiovascular disease risk factors, like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and smoking, are believed to play key roles in the likelihood of developing cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. A new study suggests that people who accumulate these risk factors over time, at a faster pace, have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease dementia or vascular dementia, compared to people whose risk factors remain stable throughout life. The research is published in the April 20, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Einstein Aging Study Receives $32 Million Grant to Study Alzheimer’s Disease
To help address the rising tide of Alzheimer’s disease nationwide, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in collaboration with faculty at Pennsylvania State University and other institutions, have received a five-year, $32 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the ongoing Einstein Aging Study (EAS), which focuses on both normal aging and the special challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias. EAS was established at Einstein in 1980 and has been continuously funded by the NIH.
Interferon drives cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease model
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, progressively impairs memory, concentration and the ability to learn new things and accomplish everyday activities.
Combination of biomarkers can identify common cognitive disease
In recent years, subcortical small-vessel disease has become an increasingly common cognitive diagnosis.
University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Receives Continued Funding to Research Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Biomarkers
Researchers at the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging recently received a five-year grant renewal of their MarkVCID program from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award total is more than $6 million.
An Anti-Inflammatory Diet May Be Your Best Bet for Cognitive Health
As people age, inflammation within their immune system increases, damaging cells. A new study shows that people who consumed an anti-inflammatory diet that includes more fruits, vegetables, beans, and tea or coffee, had a lower risk of developing dementia later in life. The research is published in the November 10, 2021, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Reduces Social Activity
Despite the belief that early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is crucial, a new Rutgers study found that the diagnosis may unintentionally impact social relationships and activity.
Cat’s Meow: Robotic Pet Boosts Mood, Behavior and Cognition in Adults with Dementia
Researchers tested the effectiveness of affordable, interactive robotic pet cats to improve mood, behavior and cognition in older adults with mild to moderate dementia.
New study suggests that breastfeeding may help prevent cognitive decline
A new study led by researchers at UCLA Health has found that women over the age of 50 who had breastfed their babies performed better on cognitive tests compared to women who had never breastfed. The findings, published in Evolution, Medicine and Public Health, suggest that breastfeeding may have a positive impact on postmenopausal women’s cognitive performance and could have long-term benefits for the mother’s brain.
Could a Novel Light Therapy Help People With Alzheimers?
Recently, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai a five-year grant to out whether exposing patients to a combination of light therapies will slow Alzheimer’s debilitating effects.
Help ward off dementia, step by step
To mark Dementia Action Week and World Alzheimer’s Day, researchers at the University of South Australia are sharing their latest insights about dementia in a new podcast series, Re-imagining Ageing.
Important signs of blood clots in the lungs missed in patients with dementia
Patients with dementia who had signs and risk factors of a pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot in the lungs, were much less likely to be tested for pulmonary embolism than patients without dementia who had the same signs and risk factors.
Using internet in retirement boosts cognitive function — new research
Using the internet during your retirement years can boost your cognitive function, a new study has found.
Time until dementia symptoms appear can be estimated via brain scan
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed an approach to estimating when a person with no cognitive symptoms will start showing signs of Alzheimer’s dementia based on data from brain scans and the person’s age.
Eye conditions linked to heightened risk of dementia
Age-related macular degeneration, cataract and diabetes-related eye disease are linked to an increased risk of dementia, suggests research published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
As dementia’s toll on the U.S. rises, new study shows major gaps in who gets care that could help them remain at home
A new study provides stark statistics about a reality that 6 million Americans with dementia and their families live every day: one where people with dementia receive unpaid care from spouses and adult children, and where some rely on paid help. The study finds major disparities in potential family caregiver availability, and the chance that a person with dementia will move to a nursing home.
Mayo Clinic Conference on Brain Health and Dementia to welcome people living with dementia, caregivers and health care providers
The inaugural Mayo Clinic Conference on Brain Health and Dementia will be held virtually on Oct. 29 from 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. CDT with an optional workshop to follow. The event is a collaboration among Mayo Clinic, AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rutgers Neurologist Explores Link between COVID and ‘Brain Fog,’ Dementia
A new Rutgers study will examine how COVID-19 is affecting individuals in a number of cognitive-related areas, including memory loss, “brain fog,” and dementia.
Inflammatory Proteins Help Better Diagnose Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Testing for some inflammatory proteins associated with the nervous and immune systems will help diagnose the earlier onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a Rutgers study.