standard-title
Alzheimer’s Disease
Latest News Regarding Alzheimer’s Disease and Your Health
Loading…
By E.J. MundellHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, July 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Even if you are unlucky enough to carry genes that predispose you to Alzheimer’s disease, a healthy lifestyle can minimize that risk, new research shows. The study tracked the genetics, lifestyles and Alzheimer’s disease incidence of nearly 200,000 British people over 60 for an average of eight years. Researchers found that people who had a high genetic risk for Alzheimer’s and who followed unhealthy lifestyles had nearly triple the odds of getting the disease, compared to people with low genetic risk and a healthy lifestyle. Conversely, living well — exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, and drinking moderately — appeared to cut the odds for Alzheimer’s, even among those at high genetic risk. Among people found to be at highest genetic risk, healthy living appeared to reduce the chances of developing the disease by 35%, said a team led by David Llewellyn at the University of Exeter Medical School in England. That implies that “1 case of dementia would be prevented for each 121 individuals per [every] 10 years with high genetic risk who improved their lifestyle from unfavorable to favorable,” the researchers reported […]
As scientists delve deeper into the nature of Parkinson’s, the more it appears that it is highly varied, suggesting numerous subtypes. A new review proposes that Parkinson’s falls into one of two main categories, depending on whether it originates in the central nervous system (CNS) or the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Share on PinterestNew research redefines Parkinson’s disease. In a recent Journal of Parkinson’s Disease paper, scientists from Denmark argue how results from imaging and tissue studies fit with a theory of Parkinson’s that divides the condition “into a PNS-first and a CNS-first subtype.” Parkinson’s disease principally destroys dopamine cells in the brain’s substantia nigra area. This is the part that controls movement. This damage gives rise to the most common symptoms, including tremors, rigidity, and balance difficulties. Parkinson’s disease may also cause emotional changes, depression, constipation, sleep disruption, and urinary problems. The pattern of symptoms and their rate of progression can vary widely among individuals. A distinguishing feature of Parkinson’s, however, is the accumulation and spread of toxic clumps of alpha-synuclein protein called Lewy bodies. These clumps are also hallmarks of dementia with Lewy bodies. Debating the origins of Parkinson’s Some scientists have proposed that the toxic alpha-synuclein forms […]
Mushrooms are a much-loved ingredient in cuisines around the world. They are nutritious and especially rich in antioxidants, which protect cell health. Researchers are now asking whether mushrooms can also protect against cognitive decline. Eating mushrooms may help keep cognitive decline at bay. Mushrooms are fascinating. Although some are edible and grocery stores sell them in their “vegetable” aisles, they aren’t actually vegetables. They are actually fungi, a kingdom all of its own, alongside those of plants and animals in biological classifications. Edible mushrooms — both cultivated and wild species — contain a high amount of dietary fiber, antioxidants, and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. New research has found that people who integrate mushrooms into their diets — even if they only consume them in small portions — appear to have a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which often precedes Alzheimer’s disease. In MCI, a person may experience some symptoms characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease — such as poor memory and issues with language and spatial orientation — but in a much subtler way that does not prevent them from continuing to lead a fully functional life. Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) near Clementi […]
The symptoms of frontotemporal, or early onset, dementia can appear as early as age 40. Have researchers found a new way to treat this condition using antibiotics? Frontotemporal dementia, or frontotemporal lobar dementia, is an umbrella term that refers to a range of early onset dementias characterized by the progressive atrophying of the brain’s frontal lobes, temporal lobes, or both. The main symptoms in this form of dementia are cognitive function impairments and personality and behavioral changes. These can appear as early as age 40. Researchers explain that frontotemporal dementia is usually heritable, and they tie most cases to specific DNA mutations. Now, scientists at the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine in Lexington — in collaboration with colleagues from other research institutions — have studied the mutated genes associated with frontotemporal dementia. They wanted to determine whether or not anything can prevent these genes from triggering the condition. In their new study, the findings of which appear in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, the researchers focused on one specific gene mutation. Fighting a key mutation with antibiotics? The study authors explain that, among others, a key player in this form of early onset dementia is a mutation in the […]
Dehydration can cause headaches and several physiological issues, and older adults are most at risk of experiencing it. Does it also affect cognitive function, however? And might overhydration also affect mental performance? Share on PinterestRecent research set out to reveal whether or not hydration levels can affect cognitive performance in older adults. Dehydration can cause headaches, lethargy, dizziness, and many other issues, depending on how severe it is. Studies have tended to focus on the effects of dehydration in younger populations — especially in the context of sports and fitness, where overexertion and abundant sweating can cause people to lose more fluids than they than ingest. However, one segment of the population is particularly susceptible to dehydration: older adults. “As we age, our water reserves decline due to reductions in muscle mass, our kidneys become less effective at retaining water, and hormonal signals that trigger thirst and motivate water intake become blunted,” explains Hilary Bethancourt, Ph.D., from the Pennsylvania State University College of Health and Human Development in State College. Older adults also have a higher risk of cognitive impairment. Are their hydration levels and their cognitive performance linked in any way? Bethancourt and colleagues set out to answer this […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most people with Down syndrome have dementia by age 55, a new study shows. People with Down syndrome are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, which often results in developmental disabilities. Surviving to middle age used to be rare, with many dying young due to heart problems associated with the syndrome, the researchers noted. While treatment advances now enable people with Down syndrome to live longer, healthier lives, they’re at increased risk for dementia. And they are likely to be diagnosed at younger ages than other people. The researchers said that by age 40, the brains of nearly all adults with Down syndrome have signs of dementia, according to autopsies. In this study, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers analyzed Medicaid claims data on 3,000 people with Down syndrome, aged 21 and older, in Wisconsin. The results showed that 3 in 5 people with Down syndrome will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia by age 55. In comparison, people without Down syndrome are rarely diagnosed with dementia before age 65. “We found [among claims data] that if you started without dementia, as time goes on, your […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cuddler the bear, Aibo the dog, Justocat the purring kitty: They may only be furry, lifelike robots, but they have a made a real impact in nursing homes. That’s the finding of new British research that suggests these high-tech “robopets” are the next best thing for nursing home residents unable to have a beloved pet or those suffering from loneliness. “Although not every … resident may choose to interact with robopets, for those who do, they appear to offer many benefits,” study author Rebecca Abbott, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a university news release. The robopets stimulate conversations and trigger fond memories of pets or past experiences, Abbott said. “And there is also the comfort of touching or interacting with the robopet itself. The joy of having something to care for was a strong finding across many of the studies.” One U.S. geriatrician who was not involved in the study said engagement with a robotpet does seem helpful. “Most importantly, it was found to decrease loneliness and increase pleasure and joy, and bring comfort,” said Dr. Maria Torroella Carney. She directs geriatrics and palliative medicine at […]
By Alan MozesHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Could illiteracy up your odds for dementia? That’s the suggestion of a study that found seniors who couldn’t read or write were two to three times more likely to develop dementia than those who could. The finding “provides strong evidence for a link between illiteracy and dementia risk,” said study author Jennifer Manly, a professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. The finding also offers sobering insight into how dementia risk could be disproportionately affecting the roughly 32 million illiterate adults in the United States. For the study, Manly and her colleagues focused on men and women who were at least 65, with an average age of 77. Most had been born and raised in rural areas of the Dominican Republic before moving to northern Manhattan. None — including those who could read or write — had gone to school for more than four years. Three separate groups of participants were tracked for an average of about four years, with the first group formed in 1992, followed by a second in 1999 and a third in 2009, for […]
In a new study, researchers have found that a bacterium largely responsible for gum disease also contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. A bacterium involved in gum disease boosts Alzheimer’s toxicity. According to data from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 8.52 percent of adults between 20 and 64 years of age in the United States have periodontitis (gum disease). Gum disease is a widespread problem that can lead to more negative outcomes, from tooth loss to an increased risk of cancer. Now, emerging evidence suggests that one of the bacteria involved in periodontitis could also contribute to the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain, which scientists have associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings have emerged from a new study in mice that researchers from Cortexyme, Inc., a pharmaceutical company that aims to develop new therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease, have conducted. The results of the research — whose lead author is Dr. Stephen Dominy, Cortexyme co-founder — appear in the journal Science Advances. “Infectious agents have been implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease before, but the evidence of causation hasn’t been convincing,” notes Dr. Dominy. The bacterium that boosts brain […]
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, June 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with blood pressure medication can improve blood flow to a key brain region in people with Alzheimer’s disease, a small clinical trial has found. Researchers stressed that they do not know whether the brain finding can translate into any benefits for patients. But future studies should look into that possibility, they said. The findings, published June 17 in the journal Hypertension, come from a trial of 44 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. They were randomly assigned to take either the blood pressure drug nilvadipine or inactive placebo pills for six months. In the end, patients on the drug showed a 20% increase in blood flow to the hippocampus — a brain structure involved in memory and learning that is one of the first areas damaged by Alzheimer’s. Experts said the study was too small and short-term to know whether the improved blood flow could have any effect on symptoms. But future research should try to answer that question and should focus on people with early Alzheimer’s, said Dr. Jurgen Claassen, the study’s lead author. The research is part of a larger trial that looked […]
You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s insulin production and blood sugar levels. New research, however, suggests that the scope of this condition may be broader than previously thought, as scientists find a link between type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline over 5 years. New research suggests that type 2 diabetes may affect brain size in midlife. Michele Callisaya, from the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia, led the new research. Callisaya and her colleagues set out to investigate if there was an association between type 2 diabetes, on the one hand, and brain atrophy and cognitive decline, on the other. Moreover, in case the researchers found such a connection, they wanted to discover whether there was a causal relationship underlying it. The researchers recruited 705 people aged between 55 and 90 years from the so-called Cognition and Diabetes in Older Tasmanians study and took measures of the participants’ brains and cognition. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to compare both cognition and brain size among people with and without type 2 diabetes. The results appear in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes tied […]
New research suggests that stools from so-called “super donors” have such rich microbial diversity that using them for fecal transplants could cure conditions ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. Scientists have found that stool samples from ‘super donors’ hold the potential for curing a wide range of conditions. Recently, a growing number of studies have discovered diseases that are connected with changes in the gut’s microbiota. Cancer, obesity, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are only some of the conditions that researchers have linked with an imbalance in the bacterial composition of our gut. This imbalance bears the name “dysbiosis,” and observational studies have noted a link between microbial dysbiosis and allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. More recently, Medical News Today reported on research that found connections between gut bacteria and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or age-induced paralysis. Many of the studies that have illuminated these connections have been conducted in germ-free mice. In these tests, researchers replaced the rodents’ gut microbiotas with healthier bacteria by performing fecal transplants from a healthy donor. Physicians use the same procedure of stool transplantation in human clinical trials. But new research suggests that some stools are better […]
Recent research into older adults confirms that loneliness is tied to a raised risk of developing dementia. The study also reveals that the effect ranges across a diversity of people and is independent of how much social contact they have. A large new study confirms that loneliness is a risk factor for dementia. Scientists from Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee used data on 12,030 individuals from the Health and Retirement Study, a United States government-sponsored longitudinal survey of a nationally representative sample of people aged 50 and older. They report their findings in a paper that now features in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. “We are not the first people,” says first study author Dr. Angelina Sutin, who is an associate professor in FSU’s College of Medicine, “to show that loneliness is associated with increased risk of dementia.” “But this is by far the largest sample yet, with a long follow-up,” she adds. “And the population was more diverse.” The study data contained measures of loneliness and social isolation and a range of risk factors, including behavioral, clinical, and genetic. Through telephone interviews, individuals had also completed assessments of cognitive ability, a low score on which indicates dementia. […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, June 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Doctors often prescribe anticholinergic drugs for a variety of ills. But a new study suggests they may increase the risk of dementia in older patients. These medicines include everything from Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to certain antipsychotics and Parkinson’s meds. They’re used to treat a wide range of other conditions, including depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, overactive bladder, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders. Anticholinergic drugs help contract and relax muscles, and work by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical that transmits messages in the nervous system. But the new British study found that people aged 55 and older who took strong anticholinergic medications daily for three years or more had a 50% increased risk of dementia. “Our study adds further evidence of the potential risks associated with strong anticholinergic drugs, particularly antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinic drugs, anti-Parkinson drugs and epilepsy drugs,” said study author Carol Coupland. She works in the division of primary care at the University of Nottingham. Anticholinergics are known to cause short-term side effects — including confusion and memory loss — but it’s unclear if long-term use increases the risk of dementia. To find out, Coupland’s team examined the medical records of nearly […]
(HealthDay News) — It’s taking you longer than it once did to learn a new task. Or you’ve forgotten about today’s doctor’s appointment. Should you be worried? Latest Alzheimer’s News In other words, do you have mild forgetfulness or symptoms of a more serious memory problem? The National Institute on Aging says you should speak to your doctor, who can help determine if your memory and thinking problems are normal or not, and what might be causing them. Signs of a more serious memory issue include: Asking the same questions repeatedly. Getting lost in familiar places. Not being able to follow instructions. Becoming confused about time, people or places. Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly 13 million Americans will have dementia by 2040 — nearly twice as many as today, a new report says. The number of women with dementia is expected to rise from 4.7 million next year to 8.5 million in 2040. The number of men with dementia is projected to increase from 2.6 million to 4.5 million. Over the next 20 years, the economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will be more than $2 trillion. Women will shoulder more than 80% of those costs, according to a report released Tuesday at the 2019 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit, in Washington, D.C. “Longer life spans are perhaps one of the greatest success stories of our modern public health system,” said lead author Nora Super, senior director of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging. “But along with this success comes one of our greatest challenges,” she added in an institute news release. “Our risk of developing dementia doubles every five years after we turn 65; by age 85, nearly one in three of us will have the disease.” With no cure on the horizon, reducing […]
Leg shaking can be a subtle annoyance or an intense experience that causes muscle tension and difficulty walking. Many issues, ranging from restless legs syndrome (RLS) to serious conditions such as dementia, can cause someone’s leg to shake. It is not possible to diagnose the cause of shaky legs based on symptoms alone. For this reason, people who experience leg shaking should speak to a doctor or healthcare provider. Keep reading this article to learn about 10 possible causes of leg shaking. Share on PinterestA tremor is a possible cause of leg shaking. A tremor is an involuntary muscle contraction. The contraction is rhythmic, so a person might feel the muscle shaking or moving at predictable intervals. A person with a leg tremor may notice their leg shaking while a muscle or group of muscles pulses or spasms out of control. The tremor may last for a few minutes, or it may be an ongoing problem. Numerous medical conditions can cause a tremor. They are often those that damage the neurological system, including: Liver and kidney failure may also cause tremors. A rare type of tremor, called primary orthostatic tremor, specifically affects the legs. People with this condition notice a […]
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Seniors, here’s a recipe for preventing dementia: eat well, exercise and don’t smoke. The only catch, according to a new study? If you carry genes that leave you vulnerable to the memory-robbing disease, lifestyle might not be enough. In the study, researchers found that of over 6,300 adults aged 55 and older, those with healthy habits had a lower risk of being diagnosed with dementia over the next 15 years. That was true, at least, for people at low or intermediate risk of dementia because of their genes. Among people who carried high-risk genes, there was no evidence that lifestyle swayed the odds of developing dementia. The findings, published Aug. 26 in the journal Nature Medicine, support a number of past studies suggesting that heart-healthy habits may also protect the brain. But they are at odds with some past research, too: Other studies have suggested that lifestyle choices do, in fact, make a difference for people at high genetic risk for dementia. The reasons for the differing findings are unclear. But the age of the study participants could be a factor, according to lead researcher Dr. […]
Researchers found that using a computer, playing games, and participating in social activities may reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment. New research suggests that playing games, using a computer, and having a rich social life can keep mild cognitive impairment at bay. Our brains go through changes as we get older, and some people may experience issues with memory, thinking, or judgment. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between age-related cognitive decline and dementia — however, MCI does not significantly affect daily life and activities. People with MCI tend to forget things, lose their train of thought or the thread of conversations, and feel overwhelmed by making decisions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 16 million people in the United States are living with cognitive impairment. MCI may increase the risk of dementia, but not everyone with MCI goes on to develop the condition. To date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved any treatments specifically for MCI. Lifestyle choices such as physical exercise and intellectual stimulation have positive effects on the brain. In recent years, researchers have been conducting more studies to find treatments that may prevent cognitive decline. […]
New research in the Journal of Biological Chemistry breaks down the process through which tau tangles grow as long as they do. The findings may lead to new therapies that target the formation of tau aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers knew that Alzheimer’s-related tau aggregates consisted of a small number of long tau fibrils. One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is the so-called tau tangles. Tau is a protein contained within the axons of the nerve cells. More specifically, tau helps form microtubules — essential structures that transport nutrients within nerve cells. In a healthy brain, the tau protein helps these microtubules remain straight and strong. But in Alzheimer’s, tau collapses into aggregates called tangles. When this happens, the microtubules can no longer sustain the transport of nutrients and other essential substances in the nerve cells, which eventually leads to cell death. How toxic and damaging these tau tangles can be, and how far they can spread, depends on their length. However, until now, scientists did not know why some tau tangles are longer than others in Alzheimer’s, or how these aggregates grow so long in the first place. But now, scientists at the Ohio State University in Columbus […]
There is no doubt that smoking damages health and increases the risk of many diseases and premature death. However, a study that followed hundreds of older adults for more than 10 years found no link between tobacco smoking and raised dementia risk. A new study suggests there is no causal link between smoking and the risk of developing dementia. Dementia is the general name for conditions that diminish the capacity to think, remember, reason, and interact with others. These symptoms can progress to the point that people are no longer able to carry out their daily activities and take care of themselves. The recent finding contradicts many earlier studies that have tied smoking to higher risk of dementia. This could be because, for the new investigation, researchers from the University of Kentucky in Lexington analyzed the data in a different way. They used a statistical method called “competing risk analysis” to allow for the strong effect that smoking has on risk of death. In a paper that now features in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, first study author Erin L. Abner Ph.D., an associate professor in the university’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, and her colleagues describe their approach and findings. […]
An article, published in JAMA Network this month, attacks what it refers to as pseudomedicine. In particular, the authors are concerned that individuals with dementia and their families are being targeted. Is fear of dementia being used to sell pseudomedicine? Dementia is becoming increasingly prevalent as the population of the United States ages. Currently, 5.7 million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. Worldwide, an estimated 47 million individuals are living with dementia. However, to date, there is no cure, and treatments can only relieve certain symptoms for some people. Added to the millions who already have a dementia diagnosis, there are many millions more who are concerned that they, too, might develop dementia one day. A rise in quackery? All of these millions could, potentially, be vulnerable to anyone who claims to have answers, whether they offer improved treatments, preventative methods, or, indeed, cures. This perfect storm of growing prevalence and concern has, according to a recent article, sparked a steep rise in non-evidence-based treatments for dementia and general brain health. With today’s unparalleled access to information of all types, some individuals are being duped into investing in medical interventions that are […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Older adults who regularly consume a group of antioxidants called flavonols may have a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. The compounds exist in many fruits and vegetables, with the richest sources including green vegetables like kale, spinach and broccoli, apples and tea. The researchers found that of over 900 older adults they followed for six years, the one-fifth with the highest flavonol intake were 48% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than the one-fifth with the lowest intake. The findings do not prove the antioxidants are a magic bullet against dementia, the researchers stressed. But they add to evidence that a healthy diet — including plenty of fruits and vegetables — may help protect the aging brain. While studies have linked healthy eating habits to a lower risk of mental decline, the new findings get closer to one potential reason, according to lead researcher Dr. Thomas Holland. “We’ve understood that fruits and vegetables are great for our health. We wanted to focus more on the ‘why,’” said Holland, of Rush University in Chicago. Flavonols are known to act as antioxidants and fight […]
An existing blood thinner — used to prevent the formation of blood clots in people at risk of stroke — could help delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study in a mouse model. Could a common blood thinner help people with Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a neurodegenerative condition in which people experience progressive memory loss. Some treatments can help people with Alzheimer’s disease manage this symptom and others to a certain extent. However, there is currently neither a cure nor a tried and true method of preventing the condition. This is why researchers worldwide continue to search for strategies and therapies that could at least delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. This is also what a team of investigators — many from the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), in Madrid, Spain, and The Rockefeller University, in New York — has recently investigated. In a new study, coordinated by Marta Cortés Canteli, Ph.D., the team has used a known anticoagulant, a drug that prevents blood clots, to slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in a mouse model. The researchers took this approach because previous studies have shown that […]
Alzheimer’s is a relentless disease in which toxic clusters of beta-amyloid protein collect in brain cells. Now, scientists have designed a synthetic peptide, or small protein, that can block beta-amyloid in its early and most harmful stages. New research may have found a way to stop Alzheimer’s-related brain damage in its early stages. The synthetic peptide, which has only 23 amino acids, folds into structures called alpha sheets. The sheets bind to early-stage, small clumps of beta-amyloid and stop them forming larger masses. A team from the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle and other research centers in the United States designed and produced the synthetic peptide and also tested it in cells and animals. The tests showed that alpha sheets of the peptide reduced the toxic impact of beta-amyloid in cultured human brain cells. The sheets also blocked early forms of beta-amyloid in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences is shortly to feature a paper about the study. The researchers say that the findings could lead to treatments that clear away toxic beta-amyloid in its early forms. They also see potential for using the peptide as the basis of a test for […]
Recent research adds to a growing body of knowledge that links hearing loss with cognitive decline, which is a hallmark of dementia and often precedes the disease. Research suggests a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. After analyzing 8 years of data from a health study of more than 10,000 men, scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, MA, found that hearing loss is tied to an appreciably higher risk of subjective cognitive decline. In addition, the analysis revealed that the size of the risk went up in line with the severity of hearing loss. The risk of subjective cognitive decline was 30 percent higher among men with mild hearing loss, compared with those with no hearing loss. For men with moderate or severe hearing loss, the risk of subjective cognitive decline was between 42 and 54 percent higher. Subjective cognitive decline refers to changes in memory and thinking that people notice in themselves. Such changes can be an early indication of cognitive decline that objective performance tests do not pick up on. “Our findings,” says lead study author Dr. Sharon Curhan, who works as a physician and epidemiologist, “show that hearing loss […]
What is dementia? There are seven stages of dementia. Dementia is a term that describes a chronic or persistent disorder of mental processing. What are the early warning signs and symptoms of dementia? Dementia may produce a group of signs and symptoms that become more severe over time. Some doctors believe that the early warning signs and stages include a decline in memory, counting, and reasoning and language abilities. However, early signs of Alzheimer’s (and other types of dementia) may be first noticed by a family member or other person. Potential early warning signs and symptoms of dementia include: Memory loss. Misplacing items (keys, glasses). Confusion about time and place (location). Difficulty planning or problem solving. Poor work performance. Problems understanding visual information. Forgetting familiar names. Difficulty doing familiar tasks. Getting lost easily. Poor judgment or decision-making. Withdrawal from socializing. Changes in personality or mood (for example, unusually angry). Can’t control emotions. Problems with speaking or writing. Acting impulsively. Problems resisting emotions to use or touch objects while walking past them, for example, walking past the phone ringing but do not answer it. A lack of interested in things they normally enjoy. Have problems starting activities. Some early warnings symptoms […]
What is donepezil, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Donepezil is an oral medication used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that also includes tacrine (Cognex). Scientists believe that Alzheimer’s disease may result from a deficiency in chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by nerves in the brain to communicate with one another. Donepezil inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for the destruction of one neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. This leads to increased concentrations of acetylcholine in the brain, and the increased concentrations are believed to be responsible for the improvement seen during treatment with donepezil. Donepezil improves the symptoms but does not slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Donepezil was approved by the FDA in 1996. What brand names are available for donepezil? Aricept, Aricept ODT Is donepezil available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for donepezil? Yes What are the uses for donepezil? Donepezil is used for the treatment of mild, moderate, or severe dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. What are the side effects of donepezil? The most common side effects associated with donepezil are: headache, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle cramping, […]
By Peter Schelden on 11/08/2019 2:29 PM Latest Alzheimer’s News Source: MedicineNet Health News People with Down syndrome seem to face a much greater risk of dementia — particularly Alzheimer’s disease — than previously known, according to new research. And they often exhibit symptoms much earlier in life. For the first time, researchers inspected Medicaid claims to show how common these memory conditions are in the lives of people with Down syndrome above age 40. Claims records for nearly 3,000 Wisconsin Medicaid enrollees with Down syndrome were analyzed. Investigators found that 40% of 40 to 54 year olds with Down syndrome have made claims for dementia, and 27% specifically made claims for Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia. In comparison, people over the age of 60 have a 5% to 8% dementia rate in the general population, according to the World Health Organization. This research goes beyond prior studies by examining real cases from a large, diverse group, said Chief of NICHD’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch Melissa Parisi, M.D., Ph.D. Other approaches might leave out patients who seek care from more expensive health providers. The study could encourage investigators to search for similar patterns in other states. Dr. Parisi said […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Two experimental drugs do not appear to slow memory loss or mental decline in patients in the early stages of a rare, inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease, according to initial results from a clinical trial. The international phase 2 and 3 clinical trial separately evaluated the two drugs — solanezumab (Eli Lilly and Co.), and gantenerumab (Roche and its U.S. affiliate, Genentech) — in nearly 200 people with dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease, also called autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease. People with this form of Alzheimer’s suffer declines in memory and thinking skills starting in their 50s, 40s or even 30s. The patients were followed for up to seven years, with an average of five years. Initial analysis suggests that neither drug achieved the primary outcome of the study, which was a slowing of mental decline as measured by thinking and memory tests. “Although the drugs we evaluated were not successful, the trial will move us forward in understanding Alzheimer’s,” study director Dr. Randall Bateman, a professor of neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, said in a university news release. The study can help guide future research into the disease, including […]
A blood test can identify the protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s nearly 20 years before symptoms appear, a new study shows. A simple blood test could soon predict symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease decades before they appear. The study found that the blood test was even more sensitive at detecting the buildup of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain than the current gold standard, which is a PET brain scan. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine (WUSTL) in St. Louis, MO, conducted the study, which appears in the journal Neurology. First author Dr. Suzanne Schindler, an assistant professor of neurology, led the researchers, who first developed a version of this test a couple of years ago. The test uses mass spectrometry on blood samples to detect the presence of two forms of the beta-amyloid protein: beta-amyloid 42 and beta-amyloid 40. When beta-amyloid deposits in the brain start to build up, the ratio between the two forms of the protein goes down. The blood test can detect this change. The study involved 158 adults who were at least 50 years old, and all but 10 had normal cognitive function. For the study, each person had a […]
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A grandparent’s mental decline or a great uncle’s waning memory may indicate you, too, have greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease — especially if closer relatives have the condition, a new study says. Alzheimer’s in both a first-degree relative (parents, siblings) and a second-degree relative (grandparent, aunt, uncle, nieces or nephews) doubles your risk of the brain-destroying disorder, researchers found. But if you have one first-degree relative and two second-degree relatives with the disease, your risk increases by 21 times. “Family history is a very powerful piece of information that can accurately predict someone’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and this study shows there are more people at risk than we know,” said the study’s lead author, Lisa Cannon-Albright. She’s a professor of epidemiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Family history is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive disease that causes difficulty in thinking and memory. Previous research has focused on close family relations, the researchers noted. The current study used a database that includes family records of Utah pioneers dating back to the 1800s. That information is also linked to health-related […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — New study results about an experimental drug its maker claims can slow mental decline in Alzheimer’s disease patients were released Thursday. Studies on aducanumab were halted earlier this year because the drug didn’t appear to be effective. But the new results suggest it’s effective at a high dose, the Associated Press reported. The findings were presented at an Alzheimer’s conference in San Diego. However, some experts say that changes during the study and unusual analyses make the results difficult to interpret and the risks and benefits of the drug unclear, the AP reported. “I don’t see how you can conclude anything other than that another trial needs to be done,” said Dr. David Knopman of the Mayo Clinic, who is a member of an FDA panel likely to review the drug. He’s not likely to participate in such a review because he was involved in one of the studies, the AP reported. Aducanumab — being developed by U.S. company Biogen and Japanese company Eisai — is designed to clear harmful plaques, or protein clumps, from the brain. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Aging […]
A global study on attitudes toward dementia has shown that two-thirds of people believe it to be a natural risk of getting older, which could be limiting the help that people seek. The vast majority of people believe that they will develop dementia and that they can do little about it, new research finds. Every 3 seconds, someone develops dementia somewhere in the world. In the United States alone, 5.8 million people are living with Alzheimer’s, and every 65 seconds, another person develops the disease. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., beating breast and prostate cancer together, and it is one of the world’s fastest growing causes of death. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the number of people living with dementia is likely to triple from the current 50 million to 152 million by 2050. Despite the prevalence of this neurodegenerative disorder, the world’s largest survey of attitudes toward it has shown that there is very little true understanding across the globe, even among healthcare professionals. The study, which surveyed 70,000 people in 155 countries, found that 62% of healthcare professionals also believe that dementia is a normal part of aging. The findings also […]
New insights into a specific gene variant may help to explain why some Alzheimer’s drugs work in certain people but may fail in others. The findings call for a more personalized approach to drug testing. An individual’s genotype may explain why some Alzheimer’s drugs work and others fail, new research shows. Earlier this year, a study led by Dr. Kinga Szigeti, Ph.D., who is the director of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center at the University of Buffalo, NY, found a key gene that helped explain why some Alzheimer’s drugs showed promise in animal models but failed in humans. The gene is called CHRFAM7A, and it is specific to humans, although only 75% of people have it. It is a so-called fusion gene — that is, a fusion between a gene that encodes a receptor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and a type of enzyme called a kinase. Acetylcholine plays a key role in memory and learning, and researchers have long linked it with the development of Alzheimer’s. The CHRFAM7A fusion gene encodes the “[alpha]7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor,” but because it only does so in humans, drugs targeting the alpha-7 receptor have proven successful in preclinical, animal models but not […]
What is galantamine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Galantamine is in a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that also includes tacrine (Cognex), donezepil (Aricept), and rivastigmine (Exelon). Cholinesterase inhibitors inhibit (block) the action of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for the destruction of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of several neurotransmitters in the brain, chemicals that nerve cells use to communicate with one another. Reduced levels of acetylcholine in the brain are believed to be responsible for some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. By blocking the enzyme that destroys acetylcholine, galantamine increases the concentration of acetylcholine in the brain, and this increase is believed to be responsible for the improvement in thinking. Galantamine was approved by the FDA in 2001. (The brand name of galantamine was changed in 2005 from Reminyl to Razadyne.) What brand names are available for galantamine? Razadyne, Razadyne ER Is galantamine available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE: No Do I need a prescription for galantamine? Yes What are the uses for galantamine? Galantamine is an oral medication used to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia. What are the side effects of galantamine? The most frequent side effects seen with […]
A large new study has found a link between taking various kinds of blood pressure-lowering drugs and a lower risk of dementia among older adults, adding to the discussion around the link between cognitive decline and high blood pressure. People who take blood pressure-lowering medication may have a lower risk of dementia. Dementia is an umbrella-term for various neurodegenerative conditions, the most widespread of which is Alzheimer’s disease. The main characteristic of dementia is progressive cognitive decline, wherein a person experiences memory loss and a decline in their thinking and decision-making abilities. Researchers are still uncertain as to what causes dementia, but in an effort to improve prevention strategies, they have been studying the potential risk factors that may contribute to the development of this condition. Many recent studies have linked hypertension with a higher risk of dementia. For instance, a paper that appeared in the journal Neurology last year found that hypertension is tied to a higher risk of experiencing brain lesions, which are, in turn, tied to dementia. Now, a large study that used data from the Disease Analyzer database — which is a large German database that collects and stores the health information of millions of people […]
New research identifies changes in the neurochemistry and anatomy of the brain that occur decades before people experience any symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Brain changes may occur decades before people experience Alzheimer’s symptoms, accumulating evidence suggests. The fact that more than 35 million people are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease has led some experts to refer to this condition as a “global epidemic.” According to estimates, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease will double almost every 2 decades. Detecting Alzheimer’s early on makes it easier to plan adequate care and begin therapeutic interventions as early as possible, which may alleviate the symptoms. Researchers believe that Alzheimer’s begins many years before the onset of symptoms. In fact, emerging research has suggested that some Alzheimer’s-related brain mechanisms start at least 10 years before diagnosis. However, it is not yet clear exactly when these changes occur. In a new study, researchers have set out to detect more precise “changepoints” in the evolution of Alzheimer’s biomarkers. Laurent Younes, Ph.D., who is a professor and chair of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, is the lead author of the new paper, which appears in the journal Frontiers in […]
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Could a pacemaker for the brain improve the memories of people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? New research suggests it might be possible one day: Electrical stimulation directed at key memory regions of the brain created intense flashbacks in some Alzheimer’s patients, including sensations of emotions, smells, taste and temperature. In one case, a patient suddenly recalled “an entire experience of being inebriated while drinking a margarita at a resort in Aruba,” researchers said. In another, a man had a vivid flashback of feeling very full after eating sardines on his front porch two decades previously. In fact, about half of the 42 Alzheimer’s patients in the clinical trial experienced electrically induced flashbacks from decades prior, stretching back as far as the Vietnam War era, said lead researcher Dr. Wissam Deeb, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Florida. “These memory recollections were very vivid for some people,” Deeb said. “They were associated with a lot of emotional content when patients remembered them, because they were memories they hadn’t even thought of for such a long time.” Researchers cautioned that the deep brain stimulation […]
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you were good with words and puzzles at age 8, you’re likely to fare well on tests of mental acuity at age 70, too. That’s among the findings of a new study that followed the thinking abilities of a group of Britons born in the 1940s. Researchers found that their performance on standard cognitive tests at age 8 predicted their performance around age 70. People who scored in the top quarter as kids were likely to remain in that bracket later in life. “Cognition” refers to our ability to pay attention, process information, commit things to memory, to reason and to solve problems. And it’s no surprise, experts said, that there is a correlation between childhood and adulthood skills. However, no one is saying that your brain-health destiny is set in childhood, according to senior researcher Dr. Jonathan Schott, a professor of neurology at University College London. In this study, for example, education also mattered. Older adults who’d gone further in their formal education tended to score higher, regardless of their test performance as children. A number of past studies have linked higher education levels […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — The brains of middle-age adults may be aging prematurely if they have obesity or other factors linked to cardiovascular disease, new research has found. Almost one-quarter of adults have metabolic syndrome, a set of factors that in combination amplify a person’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other illnesses. In the new research, participants were considered metabolically unhealthy if they had two or more such factors: high blood pressure; high blood sugar; high blood triglyceride levels; or low levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol – or if they took medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging and tests of thinking skills to evaluate more than 2,100 women and men ages 37 to 55. Compared with the healthiest participants, those who were metabolically unhealthy, obese or both showed evidence of brain decline. “This has public health implications, since poor metabolic health is also associated with poor brain health,” said lead researcher Dr. Rebecca Angoff, clinical fellow in medicine at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “This is further ammunition for health care workers to convince patients to change […]
New evidence suggests that atrial fibrillation, in which the heart has an irregular beat, is linked to an increased risk of dementia. This knowledge, however, also indicates a potential preventive strategy, researchers show. An irregular heartbeat speeds up the rate at which cognitive function deteriorates, but there may be an easy way to address this. In a new study paper published yesterday in the journal Neurology, researchers at the Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University, which are in Sweden, explain that atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is linked with an increased risk of developing dementia. In A-fib, the heart’s atria — or the chambers that receive blood and then send it to the ventricles, which pump it out to the rest of the body — beat irregularly. Because of this, blood can pool inside the heart and form clots, which may later circulate to the brain, leading to a stroke. The new study has found that A-fib also increases the risk of another health problem as people age — namely, dementia. However, this warning also comes with an encouraging solution, the authors explain. “Compromised blood flow caused by atrial fibrillation may affect the brain in a number of ways,” as study co-author Chengxuan […]
Doctors may find it hard to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease before the obvious symptoms set in, and many of the current tests for it are expensive and complicated. However, researchers recently devised a blood test that could accurately detect this condition. Recent research aimed to develop an accurate blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the condition will affect an estimated 5.7 million people in the United States by 2050. Despite this, there are few ways of accurately diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease early on. These include MRI and CT scans, which help doctors rule out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms. Another way of diagnosing Alzheimer’s is by collecting cerebrospinal fluid and looking for biomarkers of the disease. This is the most accurate test for this neurodegenerative condition, but it is costly and invasive. For all these reasons, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA, have been developing a blood test for Alzheimer’s that aims to be accurate, more cost-effective, and less unpleasant. In the study paper, which appears in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the researchers explain that the test may be able to detect biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease before the appearance of obvious symptoms. […]
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News THURSDAY, Oct. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you have a hard time remembering names or what to get at the supermarket, there are ways to boost your memory. According to a study in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, one of the best things you can do is say the information you want to remember out loud, and it’s even stronger if you repeat the information to another person — that means not just mouthing the words. This could explain why you can recite your child’s favorite book unaided — read it out loud enough times and you can have near total recall. An everyday example is to repeat the name of a new acquaintance out loud as soon as you’re introduced. Instead of just saying, “It’s nice to meet you,” add their name and say, “It’s nice to meet you, Mary.” Making word and number associations is effective, too. Break down a phone number you want to memorize into digits you can associate with special dates or the ages of your kids, for example. You might try dividing almost any type of information into chunks that you learn one by one. Other […]
Scientists have identified gene variants that appear able to alter the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by changing levels of a protein that is present in cerebrospinal fluid. A new study focuses on the variants of a single gene and their role in promoting Alzheimer’s. In a recent Science Translational Medicine paper, the international team describes how variants in the MS4A4A gene influence the risk of both early and late onset Alzheimer’s disease. The gene variants alter levels of a protein called TREM2, which helps the brain to clear away excess amyloid and tau. Toxic buildup of excess amyloid and tau proteins in the brain are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a disease that impairs communications in the brain as it damages nerve cells, or neurons, and the connections between them. As the disease progresses, more and more neurons stop working and die. “The findings point to a new therapeutic strategy,” says co-senior study author of the latest study Carlos Cruchaga, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry and director of the NeuroGenomics and Informatics Group at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. Changes in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease begins in parts of the brain that […]
You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.
A new study of older adults in a Japanese town has found that those whose blood contained higher levels of trans fats were more likely to develop dementia than those with lower levels. Sweet pastry can be a rich source of trans fats, which may raise the risk of dementia in some people, according to new research. The researchers also found that sweet pastries were likely the biggest source of dietary trans fats in that population. There are two primary sources of trans fats in the human diet: natural and artificial. Natural trans fats are present in small amounts in dairy products and the meat of some animals. Artificial trans fats, or trans fatty acids, are the primary source of trans fats in the diet and are the product of an industrial process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil to make it solid. According to the American Heart Association, consumption of trans fats can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and has links to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. In a recent Neurology paper, the new study authors describe how they linked trans fats to a higher risk of dementia using data from an ongoing health study […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Playing cards and board games like chess, bingo and Scrabble might be the mental workout you need to keep your wits as you age, Scottish researchers suggest. People in their 70s who regularly play board games score higher on tests of memory and thinking skills than those who don’t. And 70-somethings who step up their game-playing are more likely to maintain thinking skills as they age, researchers say. “Playing board, card and word games may protect people from cognitive decline, but this study wasn’t an intervention, so we can’t say that for sure,” said lead researcher Drew Altschul, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. “But it, at very least, is fun, inexpensive, and it certainly won’t hurt you.” He doesn’t think it’s the social aspect of these activities that provides this brain-protective effect, but rather the challenge of the games themselves. Unlike reading, writing, taking classes, visiting museums, libraries or friends and relatives, games appear to more actively engage abilities like memory, thinking speed and reasoning, Altschul said. “So, this fits with what we call the ‘use it or lose it’ theory, that […]
Research showed that an antibiotic mix impacted the gut bacteria in mice to the point that it slowed the growth and development of Alzheimer’s, but only in males. New research in mice suggests that antibiotics may reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms by impacting the gut bacteria. The study, conducted at The University of Chicago, IL, demonstrated how long-term antibiotic use could reduce inflammation and slow the growth of amyloid plaques in male mice. Amyloid plaques are a feature specific to Alzheimer’s disease. They form when a particular protein within the neurons of the brain buildup and clump together. These amyloid plaques disrupt brain cell function and lead to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The team was led by Professor Sangram S. Sisodia, who is also the director of the Center for Molecular Neurobiology at The University of Chicago. The team was already aware that people with Alzheimer’s showed changes in their gut bacteria, and they had previously carried out studies showing how gut bacteria could potentially affect Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in rodents. This research found that changes to the microbiome limited the development of amyloid plaques in male mice, but not females. Sisodia says of the research that “[w]hile compelling, our published studies on […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — With findings that might alter the path of Alzheimer’s research, scientists say misfolded forms of two proteins appear to spread through patients’ brains similar to an infection. The findings suggest that Alzheimer’s is a “double-prion” disorder. This discovery could help lead to new treatments that focus directly on prions, according to researchers from the University of California, San Francisco. A prion is a misshapen protein that can force other copies of that protein into the same misfolded shape and spread in the brain. It’s best known for its role in bovine spongiform encephalopathy — “mad cow” disease — and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a degenerative brain disorder. In the new research, the university team analyzed the brains of 75 Alzheimer’s patients after death and found self-propagating prion forms of the proteins amyloid beta and tau. Higher amounts of these prions were associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s and younger age at death. Alzheimer’s patients have amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, but efforts to treat the disease by clearing out these inactive proteins have failed. These new findings suggest that active amyloid beta and tau prions could drive Alzheimer’s and offer […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News SUNDAY, Nov. 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — People caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia should focus on four main safety issues, an expert says. Nearly 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. About 16.1 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. “When approaching dementia families, I follow the safe and sane rule,” said Dr. Andrew Duxbury, a geriatrician in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care at University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Everything we do needs to make the patient safe and the family sane. In terms of safety, it boils down into the big four: meals, wheels, bills and pills,” he explained in a university news release. In terms of meals, caregivers need to consider whether the person is capable of preparing food, eating healthy and appropriate amounts of food, and has the awareness that they need to eat, Duxbury said. “If any link in that chain breaks, the person may not eat,” he said. When it comes to kitchen safety, the “biggest issue is leaving things on the stove and forgetting to turn the oven off; but if cooking […]
What brand names are available for rivastigmine? Exelon, Exelon Patch Is rivastigmine available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes Do I need a prescription for rivastigmine? Yes What are the uses for rivastigmine? What are the side effects of rivastigmine? The most common side effects Exelon and Exelon Patch are: Dizziness Diarrhea Headache Stomach pain Vomiting Nausea Weight loss About one-half of patients who take Exelon and Exelon Patch develop symptoms of nausea, and about one-third vomit at least once, most commonly during the first few weeks of treatment as the dose is slowly increased. Between one in five and one in four patients lose weight during rivastigmine therapy (about 7 to 10 pounds, on average). One in six patients experiences a loss of appetite. About one in fifty patients develops dizziness. Overall, 15% of patients (between one in seven and one in six) discontinue therapy due to side effects. Serious side effects include: What is the dosage for rivastigmine? Exelon and Exelon Patch usually is taken twice daily with meals. Due to gastrointestinal side effects that can be seen early in therapy, rivastigmine therapy is generally started at a low dose. Exelon and Exelon Patch for treating dementia […]
It is natural for a person’s memory and thinking abilities, or cognitive function, to wane as they age — even if they are in good health. However, the rate of cognitive decline can speed up if they experience heart attack or angina, according to new research. Cognitive decline may speed up after a heart attack or angina. Studies that have explored the links between circulation problems and cognitive decline have tended to focus on conditions that affect the blood supply to the brain, such as stroke. Few of these earlier studies, however, have looked at the long-term links between incident coronary heart disease (CHD), such as heart attack and angina, and cognitive decline. The recent Journal of the American College of Cardiology study is unique; it tracked cognitive decline both before and after incident CHD. “Incident CHD,” its authors conclude, “is associated with accelerated cognitive decline after, but not before, the event.” They suggest that the findings highlight the long-term relationship between cognitive decline and CHD. Lead and corresponding study author Wuxiang Xie, Ph.D., says that because there is not yet a cure for dementia, it is important to detect and treat the brain condition as early as possible in […]
By Rich HolmesHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Nov. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Just 10 minutes of exercise a day appears to sharpen mental prowess, new research suggests. “Getting off the couch and walking a block can help keep you on the right track,” said study author Nicole Spartano, a research assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine. Her team looked 2,770 participants in the Framingham Heart Study who were divided into two groups: middle-aged and older. The Framingham study has followed the health and habits of its original participants from Massachusetts and their descendants since 1948. The researchers found that roughly 10 to 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day was associated with better brain function for both groups. For the middle-age group, just 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity was linked to better verbal memory. For the older group, the total amount of activity — not the intensity — corresponded to stronger mental skills. While the study only found associations, Spartano said the findings were especially significant for older people, who may find it difficult or impossible to meet the exercise guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Those […]
A protein that plays a key role in early neural development is also essential for learning and memory in the adult brain. A protein called netrin may boost learning and memory by strengthening neural connections in the adult brain. The protein, called netrin, strengthens connections between brain cells. This is according to recent research led by the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro), a teaching and research institute of McGill University in Canada. Scientists already knew that netrin is essential for the development of the embryonic and infant brain, where it helps make connections between brain cells, or neurons. The recent research reveals that the protein also strengthens those neural connections, or synapses, in the adult brain’s hippocampus, an area that is involved in memory and learning. The journal Cell Reports recently published a paper on the study, which the team conducted on cells from developing and adult rat brains. “It was a mystery,” comments senior study author Dr. Timothy E. Kennedy, who runs a research laboratory at The Neuro, “why neurons would continue making netrin in the adult brain after all the connections had already been made in infancy.” Molecule key for synapse strengthening According to Dr. Kennedy, […]
The first large-scale cohort study of its kind looked at the link between waist circumference in later life and the risk of dementia in a population of older Asian adults. Share on PinterestCould waist size predict dementia risk in older adults? Physicians, healthcare professionals, and medical researchers tend to use body mass index (BMI) to determine if a person’s weight is too high, too low, or “normal.” Despite its widespread use, BMI has its flaws — and one flaw is the fact that it does not discern between fat (adipose tissue) and muscle content (lean tissue). For this reason, some scientists have suggested that waist-to-height ratio or waist circumference measurements may be more accurate indicators of a person’s healthy weight. When it comes to older age, however, is there any link between waist circumference and cognitive health? One 2019 study that Medical News Today reported on, for example, found a link between carrying excess weight around the stomach and experiencing brain atrophy, or brain shrinkage. Another large study, this time from 2018, found correlations between belly fat and poorer cognitive function. However, some of these studies looked at BMI or waist-to-hip ratio. Others have found that a higher BMI raises […]
Experts have already concluded that exercise can help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their motor symptoms, but what is its effect on the cognitive symptoms of this condition? Besides boosting motor function, exercise could improve memory in people with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that usually stands out for the motor symptoms that it causes, which include tremors, rigidity in the limbs, impaired balance, and a lack of control over movements. However, this condition also has numerous other symptoms that can leave their mark on a person’s quality of life. Cognitive symptoms, in particular, have been worrying researchers interested in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease. People with this condition experience cognitive impairment, which can worsen in time and eventually evolve into Alzheimer’s disease. When it comes to managing Parkinson’s, doctors often advise their patients to take up an exercise regime, since physical activity demonstrably helps improve motor symptoms. The Parkinson’s Foundation call exercise routines “a vital component” of efforts to maintain the quality of life following diagnosis. But how does physical activity affect other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, particularly cognitive ones? This is the question that a team of researchers from the German Sport University, in Cologne, […]
Despite decades of research, Alzheimer’s disease still holds many mysteries. A recent study asks whether spontaneous changes to the chemistry of proteins might help explain the neurological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. A new study looks at the chemistry of Alzheimer’s-related proteins. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia; it currently affects an estimated 5.5 million people in the United States. As it stands, there is no cure, and researchers are still trying to come to grips with what makes Alzheimer’s tick. The main focus of medical research has been plaques and tangles, the protein-based markers of the Alzheimer’s brain. A recent paper, published in ACS Central Science, asks whether these features might occur due to what they refer to as “spontaneous chemistry.” Plaques and tangles Plaques consist of a protein called beta-amyloid. Usually, this protein is cleared away by cells, but in the Alzheimer’s brain, it sticks together in clumps between nerve cells. A protein called tau forms neurofibrillary tangles, which develop inside brain cells. Tau is associated with microtubules, which are long, thin, tubular structures that provide support to the cell. In Alzheimer’s, tau is altered, and microtubules cannot form correctly; instead, they form twisted filaments. Despite a […]
Could taking good care of gums and teeth also help to protect the brain? A recent study has added to growing evidence of a link between severe gum disease, or periodontitis, and a raised risk of dementia. New research suggests that keeping your gums healthy may prevent dementia. Using data from an extensive national health insurance screening program, investigators from Seoul National University in South Korea examined the relationship between chronic periodontitis and dementia. In a paper that now features in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the researchers describe how they found a modest link between severe gum disease and dementia, which is consistent with some previous studies. The researchers also point out that their “retrospective cohort study” is likely the first to establish that lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and exercise, did not appear to have any effect on the connection. The term dementia describes a decline in mental capacity – such as increasing difficulty with memory and reasoning – that becomes so severe that it disrupts daily living. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Need to reduce dementia risk factors A joint 2012 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and […]
A large study concludes that atrial fibrillation does, indeed, raise the risk of dementia even in people who did not have a stroke and that anticoagulants may reduce this risk. An irregular heartbeat may be a sign of A-fib, which may, in turn, raise dementia risk. Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a condition in which the heart beats irregularly. More specifically, the atria of the heart — the chambers that receive blood and pump it out to the heart’s ventricles and the rest of the body — beat at an irregular rhythm. A-fib is the most common form of arrhythmia, affecting between 2.7 and 6.1 million adults in the United States. Previous research has shown that people with A-fib have a higher risk of dementia, and also that people can take blood thinners to reduce this risk. New research confirms that the above is true, even in people who never experienced a stroke. The new study is the largest of its kind ever conducted. Boyoung Joung, who is a professor of cardiology and internal medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, Republic of Korea, is the leading author of the paper, which appears in the European Heart Journal. A-fib […]
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A brain protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease might potentially be transmitted to people during neurological procedures, a new preliminary study suggests. Genetically engineered lab mice developed amyloid-beta deposits in their brains after they were injected with amyloid-laced samples of human growth hormone taken from decades-old human cadavers, researchers found. “We have now provided experimental evidence to support our hypothesis that amyloid-beta pathology can be transmitted to people from contaminated materials,” said senior researcher Dr. John Collinge. He is head of University College London’s department of neurodegenerative disease. Clumps of amyloid-beta in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, although researchers still don’t understand the relationship between these clumps and the degenerative brain disease. Collinge pointedly noted that this study does not mean that you can catch Alzheimer’s from another person. And animal findings often don’t replicate in humans. “Although we’re generating evidence that Alzheimer’s pathology may be transmissible, there’s absolutely no suggestion that Alzheimer’s disease itself is a contagious disease,” he said. Rebecca Edelmayer, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, went even further, noting that the new study did not look at Alzheimer’s […]
PET scans that can detect changes in the brain relating to Alzheimer’s disease could improve the diagnosis and medical care of people with dementia and similar symptoms. An innovative type of brain scan may improve care for people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other forms of cognitive impairment. Investigators came to this conclusion after analyzing the early results of a study that is examining the clinical impact of a new type of scan called amyloid PET imaging. The study is a nationwide trial involving more than 11,000 people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia symptoms who enrolled at 595 sites across the United States. It is the first investigation of its kind, and all the participants are beneficiaries of Medicare, the U.S. federal health insurance plan. The results of the first phase of the trial, which now feature in a JAMA paper, reveal that providing doctors with amyloid PET scan results can affect the medical management of people with dementia symptoms. In almost two-thirds of cases, doctors changed their minds about medications, counseling, and other medical decisions after seeing the amyloid PET imaging results. Also, in more than a third of cases, doctors altered their diagnosis of the cause […]
Brain atrophy refers to a loss of brain cells or a loss in the number of connections between brain cells. People who experience brain atrophy typically develop poorer cognitive functioning as a result of this type of brain damage. There are two main types of brain atrophy: focal atrophy, which occurs in specific brain regions, and generalized atrophy, which occurs across the brain. Brain atrophy can occur as a result of the natural aging process. Other causes include injury, infections, and certain underlying medical conditions. This article describes the symptoms and causes of brain atrophy. It also outlines the treatment options available in each case, as well as the outlook. Brain atrophy can affect one or multiple regions of the brain. The symptoms will vary depending on the location of the atrophy and its severity. According to the National Institute of Neurological Conditions and Stroke, brain atrophy can cause the following symptoms and conditions: Seizures A seizure is a sudden, abnormal spike of electrical activity in the brain. There are two main types of seizure. One is the partial seizure, which affects just one part of the brain. The other is the generalized seizure, which affects both sides of the […]
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Tight control of your blood pressure won’t necessarily spare you from full-blown dementia, a new trial concludes. But it might lower the risk of slight declines in thinking and memory, a condition known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the researchers added. The clinical trial is the “first study in history to show that any intervention can reduce your risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, an early form of dementia,” said lead researcher Dr. Jeff Williamson. He is a professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, N.C. “What is good for your heart in terms of blood pressure-lowering is also good for your brain,” Williamson added. He noted that the trial ended early, which likely affected the dementia result. “We just didn’t have enough dementia cases develop over time” in the group with less-restricted blood pressure, he explained. High blood pressure affects more than three-fourths of people over the age of 65, and it has been identified as a potential risk factor for MCI and dementia in observational studies, the study authors said in background notes. The new clinical trial […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Lots of Americans will unwrap a scarf or sweater this holiday season. But a growing number will receive a gift that’s potentially life-changing: an at-home genetic testing kit. Home DNA testing yields clues to ancestry and, potentially, genetic risk for medical conditions. But there are a number of things you need to know before you use one of these kits, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America says. “Genetic testing kits are a popular gift, but the test results can have implications that last long after the holidays,” Lori Frank said in a foundation news release. She’s on the foundation’s medical, scientific and memory screening advisory board. “As with any health decision, consumers should have the right information before deciding to take a genetic test,” Frank said. Because genetic testing has potentially positive and negative impacts, the foundation offers some tips: Be informed. “Some people find the results upsetting and are concerned about the emotional impact to relatives with similar genetic risk, while others feel empowered to proactively take better care of their own health. It’s important to consider all impacts beforehand,” said Dr. J. Wesson Ashford, chair of the medical, scientific […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many older people show evidence of mental decline, called mild cognitive impairment, but doctors often miss this sometimes early sign of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. To help doctors get a better handle on their patients’ mental state, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is urging physicians to assess patients aged 65 and older at least once a year. The academy recommends that doctors use a mathematical tool that helps quantify their patients’ memory and thinking skills. “Since thinking skills are the most sensitive indicator of brain function and they can be tested cost-effectively, this creates an enormous opportunity to improve neurologic care,” study author Dr. Norman Foster, of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, said in an AAN news release. Around the world, nearly 7% of people in their early 60s suffer from mild cognitive impairment, as do 38% of those aged 85 and older, according to the AAN. Using the new metric can alert doctors so that optimal care can be provided. Although there is no cure for mild cognitive impairment, its presence can help doctors keep watch should the patient progress to dementia. “We cannot expect […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Brain scans can improve diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study claims. Researchers assessed the use of PET scans to identify Alzheimer’s-related amyloid plaques in the brain. The study included more than 11,000 Medicare beneficiaries with mild thinking impairment or dementia of uncertain cause. This scanning technique changed the diagnosis of the cause of mental impairment in more than one-third of the participants in the study. The brain scan results also changed management — including the use of medications and counseling — in nearly two-thirds of cases, according to the study published April 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “These results present highly credible, large-scale evidence that amyloid PET imaging can be a powerful tool to improve the accuracy of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and lead to better medical management, especially in difficult-to-diagnose cases,” said study co-author Maria Carrillo, chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Association. “It is important that amyloid PET imaging be more broadly accessible to those who need it,” she added in an association news release. Funding for the study came from Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc., General Electric Healthcare, and Life Molecular Imaging. “We are […]
A recent study has concluded that people with both higher-than-normal and lower-than-normal levels of hemoglobin have a higher risk of developing dementia as they age. A new paper looks at the link between hemoglobin and dementia risk. Hemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells. It is responsible for carrying life giving oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Low levels of hemoglobin normally signify anemia. Anemia is one of the most common blood disorders; worldwide, it affects an estimated 1.62 billion people. Low hemoglobin levels are linked to a number of adverse health outcomes, including stroke and coronary heart disease. However, there is little information regarding how hemoglobin levels might relate to the risk of dementia. Anemia and dementia Recently, researchers from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, decided to look for links between hemoglobin levels, anemia, and dementia. They published their findings this week in the journal Neurology. Earlier experiments had found an association between anemia and dementia, but most studies only followed participants for an average of 3 years. Because of the relatively short duration of these investigations, subtle changes in behavior, diet, or metabolism during the early phases of dementia […]
New research in mice reveals the mechanisms through which two experimental drugs that may treat Alzheimer’s disease have broader, anti-aging properties and can reverse age-related cognitive decline. Share on PinterestNew research explains how two experimental dementia drugs may reverse normal aging. Family history, genes, and some lifestyle choices all influence a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but age is the greatest risk factor that researchers are aware of. Most people who receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s are at least 65 years old. In fact, after that age, the risk of developing the condition doubles every 5 years. However, scientists do not yet fully understand, on a molecular level, how aging is involved in driving Alzheimer’s. Previous research has shown that faulty glucose metabolism in the brain occurs before the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Cerebral glucose metabolism declines with age anyway, but in Alzheimer’s, the decline is much more severe. Furthermore, other studies have shown that dysfunctional mitochondria in the brain’s cells are a hallmark of both normal aging and Alzheimer’s. Armed with this knowledge, researchers from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Scripps Research Institute — both in La Jolla, CA — set out to test several drugs […]
By Alan MozesHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Could your personality as a teen forecast your risk for dementia a half-century later? Very possibly, say researchers, who found that dementia risk is lower among seniors who were calm, mature and energetic high schoolers. “Being calm and mature as teen were each associated with roughly a 10% reduction in adult dementia risk,” said study co-author Kelly Peters, principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. “And vigor was associated with a 7% reduction.” The finding has its origins in the 1960s, when more than 82,000 students in roughly 1,200 U.S. high schools took a personality test. More than 50 years later, their personality traits were compared to dementia diagnoses. While Peters said there’s plenty of evidence that personality changes near the time of a dementia diagnosis, the lingering question has been whether personality or some aspects of it actually causes dementia. “That’s the big question,” she said. “Is it only that personality can be affected by dementia? Is it just an expression of the disease?” By focusing on teens who didn’t later develop dementia, Peters said, “this study really starts to tease […]
Researchers have found that nilvadipine, a drug that doctors regularly use to treat hypertension, may help people with Alzheimer’s disease by increasing blood flow to the brain. New research suggests that a high blood pressure drug may slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. This progressive disorder causes the degeneration and, ultimately, the death of brain cells. People with dementia experience cognitive decline, and have issues making judgments and performing everyday tasks. Dementia affects millions of people worldwide. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, the number of people with dementia was close to 50 million n 2017, and the organization say this number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 75 million people by 2030. In the United States, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death. Researchers have been looking for treatments to slow the progression of the disorder and recently found that the hypertension drug nilvadipine may have positive effects on the cerebral blood flow of those with Alzheimer’s disease. The results appear in the journal Hypertension. How nilvadipine affects cerebral blood flow Nilvadipine is a calcium channel blocker that leads to vascular relaxation and lowers blood pressure, and […]
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dementia appears to strike people of different races in different ways, brain autopsies have revealed. Hispanic and black people are more likely to suffer from dementia that’s caused in part by micro-strokes or hardening of the arteries that serve the brain, researchers report. On the other hand, whites are more likely to have dementia caused by “pure” Alzheimer’s disease, in which abnormalities like protein plaques and tangles damage the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other, said study co-author Brittany Dugger. She’s an assistant professor with the University of California, Davis, Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “We found that Hispanics and African-Americans are more likely to have mixed pathologies, a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular disease,” Dugger noted. Minority groups in the United States are overall more likely to develop dementia, said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association. Best estimates hold that blacks are about twice as likely as whites to suffer from dementia, and Hispanics are one and a half times more likely, Fargo said. This study provides fresh hope for preventing dementia in those groups, potentially narrowing […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News (HealthDay News) — Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as normal, says MedlinePlus. From intoxication to head trauma, confusion can have a variety of causes. To help a confused person, MedlinePlus suggests: Always introduce yourself, no matter how well the person once knew you. Remind the person of his or her location. Place a calendar and clock near the person. Talk about current events and plans for the day. Keep surroundings calm, quiet and peaceful. MedlinePlus urges you to call 911 if confusion has come on suddenly or is accompanied by other symptoms. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Brain Food Pictures: What to Eat to Boost Focus See Slideshow
Latest Alzheimer’s News FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A proposed project to map the genes of 1 million people in New York living with or at-risk for Alzheimer’s disease was announced Friday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He said the five years of data collected by the Curing Alzheimer’s Health Consortium initiative at the State University of New York would help researchers working to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, the Associated Press reported. The state will seek proposals for private providers to work with SUNY, other hospitals and non-profit higher education research institutions on the project, Cuomo said. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more than 5 million people in the United States. Current drugs only temporarily reduce symptoms, the AP reported. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. QUESTION One of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is __________________. See Answer
Researchers are growing increasingly interested in the relationship between blood pressure and dementia. The most recent study investigates how patterns of change in blood pressure over the decades might influence risk. What can blood pressure fluctuations tell us about dementia risk? As the United States population ages, dementia incidence rises in tandem. Today, around 5 million people in the U.S. have a dementia diagnosis. Studies published over the last few years have produced evidence that hypertension (high blood pressure) during midlife appears to increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Hypertension affects an estimated 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., so it is vital to understandi the exact relationship between blood pressure and the aging brain. Researchers have done less work to investigate the links between blood pressure during later life and cognitive outcomes. However, as the authors of a recent study explain, the findings hint that “optimal blood pressure ranges for older adults may depend on earlier blood pressure characteristics.” In other words, the impact of hypertension on the aging brain may depend on the pattern of blood pressure from midlife onward. Blood pressure changes through life The authors of the current study, published in JAMA Network, […]
It is still unclear exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease, which is a neurodegenerative condition chiefly characterized by memory loss and other forms of cognitive impairment. However, new research is uncovering more of the factors that contribute to its pathology. According to a new study, a blood protein leaked into the brain contributes to cognitive decline. According to existing guidelines, the main mechanism associated with cognitive problems in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease is the formation of beta-amyloid plaques. These are buildups of toxic proteins that disrupt the normal functioning of synapses. Synapses are the connections formed between brain cells that allow information to circulate within and to and from the brain. However, in a new study from the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, CA, a team of researchers has identified another mechanism that affects how synapses work, contributing to Alzheimer’s pathology. The researchers began by investigating problems that appear in the blood vessel network in the brain, which is another biological characteristic of this form of dementia. Senior investigator Prof. Katerina Akassoglou and her team have for the first time identified a blood-derived protein that leaks into the brain disrupting cell-to-cell communication. The findings, which appear in the […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Imagine a blood test that could spot whether you are aging too quickly. New research suggests it’s not the stuff of science fiction anymore. The scientists analyzed plasma — the cell-free, fluid part of blood — from more than 4,200 people between the ages of 18 and 95, and found a link between 373 proteins and aging. “We’ve known for a long time that measuring certain proteins in the blood can give you information about a person’s health status — lipoproteins for cardiovascular health, for example,” said study senior author Tony Wyss-Coray. He’s co-director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Stanford University in California. “But it hasn’t been appreciated that so many different proteins’ levels — roughly a third of all the ones we looked at — change markedly with advancing age,” he added in a university news release. The study was published Dec. 5 in the journal Nature Medicine. “Proteins are the workhorses of the body’s constituent cells, and when their relative levels undergo substantial changes, it means you’ve changed, too,” Wyss-Coray explained. “Looking at thousands of them in plasma gives you a snapshot of what’s going on […]
Recent research suggests that a maternal diet that is high in an essential nutrient can reduce the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on future generations. Meat, fish, eggs, and dairy are the main dietary sources of choline. In the study, scientists bred mice that were genetically predisposed to develop hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease from females whose diet contained added choline. The descendants of these females developed fewer disease-associated brain changes and had improved memory skills compared with those of non-supplemented mice. The researchers, who are from Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe and the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Phoenix, AZ, bred two generations of mice from the choline-supplemented females. They found that the protective effect of “maternal choline supplementation” persisted across multiple generations, even though the descendants’ diets were not enriched with choline. The journal Molecular Psychiatry has now published a paper on the study. Choline: An essential nutrient Choline is an essential nutrient that the body needs for many functions, including early brain development and the preservation of cell structure. While the human body can make some of the choline that it needs, it has to obtain the rest from dietary sources. In the United States, animal products such […]
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are similar but not the same. Dementia is a general term and has many different types, of which Alzheimer’s is one. There is sometimes confusion between the two because people often use the terms interchangeably. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms that broadly affect cognitive functioning, including: memory thinking and focus problem solving language visual perception Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia that causes a gradual decline in memory and thinking. What is dementia? Some dementia symptoms can be mild and difficult to detect. Dementia is a syndrome, which means that it describes a collection of symptoms with no specific cause. A syndrome is different from a disease, which has specific symptoms and a common cause. Dementia can affect a wide range of mental functions. As a result, many different diseases and conditions are types of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are several other types, including: vascular dementia, which results from strokes or other conditions that block blood flow to the brain Lewy body dementia, which is a result of abnormal protein deposits in the brain frontotemporal disorders, which are types […]
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Even if you are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease, a little more exercise may buy you time, new research suggests. Folks with elevated levels of a brain protein called beta amyloid tend to be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and experience rapid brain decline later in life, previous research has found. But apparently they can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s through regular exercise, scientists report. “People who had elevated levels of amyloid, which is one of the earliest changes you see with Alzheimer’s disease, had slower rates of cognitive decline and brain volume loss over time if they had greater levels of physical activity,” said lead researcher Jennifer Rabin. She is a scientist with the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program at the Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto. It didn’t take much exercise to enjoy this protection, either. The data suggests that people who walked 8,300 to 8,900 steps per day significantly delayed the onset of Alzheimer’s, Rabin said. Previous studies have shown that older people who exercise generally tend to stay sharp longer into old age, but this new research shows physical activity is specifically […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A dementia study has led researchers to a brain region that processes spoken, not written, words. Northwestern University researchers worked with four patients who had a rare type of dementia called primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which destroys language. Although able to hear and speak, they could not understand what was said out loud. However, they could still process written words. For example, if they read the word “hippopotamus,” they could identify a picture of a hippo. But if someone said the word “hippopotamus,” they couldn’t point to its picture. Through their tests with these patients, the researchers were able to identify an area in the left brain that appears specialized to process spoken words. “We always think of these degenerative diseases as causing widespread impairment, but in early stages, we’re learning that neurodegenerative disease can be selective with which areas of the brain it attacks,” said senior author Sandra Weintraub. She’s a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and neurology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “The fact that only the auditory words were impaired in these patients and their visual words were untouched leads us to believe […]
For the first time, researchers have identified two clusters of genes that appear to generate the neurological hallmarks of dementia. The discovery provides a new path toward drug discovery. Understanding the genetic mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s moves us ever closer to an effective treatment. Dementia is a growing concern throughout the Western world and beyond. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, around 5.7 million adults in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. By 2050, that figure is expected to rise to about 14 million. As the average lifespan extends, so does the reach of dementia. Currently, there is no cure for dementia and no way to slow its progress. Although many questions about dementia remain unanswered, our understanding is steadily growing. For instance, we know that a protein called tau plays an important role in a number of dementia types. Tau and dementia In healthy nerve cells, tau helps stabilize microtubules — the scaffolding that helps maintain the structure and rigidity of cells. In dementia, however, tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and clumps together in so-called neurofibrillary tangles. Scientists think that when tau is tangled, it damages nerve cells in at least two ways. Firstly, it can […]
There are two major stumbling blocks to developing effective drugs for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other diseases that destroy the brain. The first is overcoming the blood-brain barrier, and the second is delivering the drug to a precise location and ensuring that it does not spread to the rest of the brain. New research finds a way to target more precise locations in brains with Parkinson’s. Now, a new approach that uses ultrasound beams and microbubbles could be a noninvasive way to deliver drugs safely to precise locations in the brain. The technique is called focused ultrasound (FUS) and promises to open the door to thousands of drugs that could treat a range of brain conditions if they could cross the blood-brain barrier. The scientists at Columbia University in the city of New York who developed the FUS device have now shown that it helped to curb early Parkinson’s disease progression and improve brain function in mice. They describe the results in a recent Journal of Controlled Release study paper. The FUS technique temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier in a specific part of the brain to allow drugs to reach just that part. Opening the blood-brain barrier The blood-brain barrier is […]
(HealthDay News) — Mild memory issues are common from time to time, especially as you age, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Latest Alzheimer’s News The agency says anything that affects the processes of thinking and learning can affect memory. It mentions these common causes of memory loss: Certain drugs can interfere with memory, including over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills, antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, schizophrenia medications and pain medicines. Heavy alcohol use can cause a deficiency in vitamin B1, which can affect memory. Stress, particularly because of emotional trauma, can trigger memory loss. Depression may trigger a lack of attention and focus that can affect memory. A blow to the head can trigger memory loss. People with HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis, herpes and other infections affecting the brain may have memory problems. An underactive or overactive thyroid can impact memory. Lack of quality sleep can affect memory. Deficiencies of vitamins B1 or B12 can affect memory. Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Aug. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The evidence continues to mount that staying socially engaged as you age helps keep dementia at bay. In a new study, British researchers found that being socially active in your 50s and 60s may reduce the risk of developing dementia. The findings showed that people in their 60s who interacted with friends nearly every day had a 12% lower risk of developing dementia than people who saw a couple of friends every few months. “This has important implications for people in middle-age as it suggests that keeping socially active is important for brain health. We know that it has other health benefits in terms of benefiting physical and mental health,” said lead researcher Andrew Sommerlad, a research fellow in the division of psychiatry at University College London. Social activity during midlife was linked with better memory and reasoning skills, he said. “We think this may be because social contact gives us a chance to exercise different aspects of thinking, like memory and language, which may make people more resilient against the damage which accumulates in the brain in people who develop dementia,” Sommerlad explained. For the […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Poor sleep has been linked to the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and now a new study suggests a possible reason why. A small group of young, healthy men deprived of just one night of sleep had higher blood levels of tau protein than when they had a full and uninterrupted night of rest, researchers reported in a study published online Jan. 8 in Neurology. “This is interesting as accumulation of the protein tau is seen in the brains of individuals afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease, or most common forms of dementia,” said senior study author Dr. Jonathan Cedernaes, a senior researcher at Uppsala University in Sweden. The researchers did not find any similar increase in amyloid beta, another brain protein long linked to Alzheimer’s, the Swedish researchers said. The new findings come as Alzheimer’s research has started to shift its focus towards tau as a more important cause of brain damage associated with the disease. Another group of researchers recently reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine that they can predict with reasonable accuracy which brain regions will wither and atrophy in Alzheimer’s by identifying […]
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A long-running study questions the conventional wisdom that a healthy diet may help ward off dementia. European researchers followed more than 8,200 middle-aged adults for 25 years — looking at whether diet habits swayed the odds of being diagnosed with dementia. In the end, people who ate their fruits and vegetables were at no lower risk than those who favored sweets and steaks. The findings, published March 12 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, stand in stark contrast to many past studies. Those studies have linked heart-healthy diets to lower odds of mental decline and abnormalities in the brain that can foretell dementia. Currently, groups like the Alzheimer’s Association suggest that people adopt those diets as one potential way to stave off dementia. Most studies, though, have followed people for only a fairly short time — less than 10 years, said lead researcher Tasnime Akbaraly, from the French national research institute INSERM. This study is the first to look at diet quality starting in middle age and the long-term risk of dementia, explained Akbaraly. Her team found that 344 people were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s […]
Regular exposure to stress can impact our physical and mental health, but how does it actually affect our brains? One new Harvard Medical School study answers that question. According to new research, high levels of stress hormones can impact how well the brain functions. Stress — especially when we experience it on a regular basis — takes a significant toll on our minds and bodies. It can make us feel more irritable and constantly tired, and it impacts our ability to focus. Chronic stress can also interfere with our sleep patterns, appetite, and libido, and it can also exacerbate a range of health conditions. These include diabetes, heart disease, and gastrointestinal problems. One study that Medical News Today covered earlier this year, in fact, saw that even minor levels of distress can increase a person’s risk of chronic disease. What impact does stress have on the brain in physiological and cognitive terms? Researchers from Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, have explored this question and reported their answer in the journal Neurology. The stress hormone affects memory In their study, the researchers worked with participants with an average age of 49 and no diagnosis of dementia. At baseline, the investigators […]
(HealthDay News) — Many doctors encourage seniors to use brain fitness games as a means to help deal with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive diseases, says SeniorLiving.org. Latest Alzheimer’s News While research remains inconclusive, there appears to be a correlation between brain games and brain health. The website says brain games that may help seniors include: Memory games, such as Match and Simon. Word games, such as word searches and Scrabble. Electronic games, such as Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud. Board games, such as Chess and Checkers. Interactive Wii and X-Box games. Trivia games, such as Trivial Pursuit. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. QUESTION One of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is __________________. See Answer
(HealthDay News) — If a loved one has symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, he or she should visit a doctor for a formal evaluation. Latest Alzheimer’s News It may be easier to control the disease if it’s diagnosed early, the Alzheimer’s Association says. Here is the association’s list of other potential benefits of early diagnosis: Better access to treatment options. Possible participation in a clinical trial. More time to improve health concerns, such as obesity and high blood pressure. More time to spend with family and planning for the future. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
New research finds that eye tracking tests can accurately detect people who have a form of mild cognitive impairment that predisposes them to Alzheimer’s disease. The direction of a person’s gaze can be a telltale sign of cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease often evolves from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a small decline in memory and reasoning that is not serious enough to interfere with daily activities, but that is noticeable to the person who develops the condition. In fact, according to some studies, 46% of people with an MCI diagnosis go on to develop dementia within 3 years. By comparison, only 3% of adults of the same age experience Alzheimer’s in the same time span. However, MCI does not always develop into full blown dementia. It often remains stable and sometimes the symptoms disappear completely with the person reverting to a normal, healthy cognition. Experts have divided MCI into two forms: amnesic (aMCI) and nonamnesic (naMCI). The former describes impairment that predominantly affects memory, whereas the latter affects other cognitive skills. Having aMCI raises the risk of Alzheimer’s significantly more than naMCI. Detecting Alzheimer’s as early as possible improves a person’s brain health and may reduce their symptoms, especially if […]
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, but what part those plaques play in the development of the disease isn’t clear. Now researchers have taken the first steps to trace the progression of plaque buildup in living patients. This way of “staging” the disease has implications for research and one day may help doctors treat this debilitating, fatal disease. “It is possible to stage individuals in terms of how advanced their beta-amyloid deposition is, using PET scans,” said lead researcher Dr. Niklas Mattsson, an associate professor of clinical neuroscience at Lund University in Sweden. When beta-amyloid appears, it follows certain stages, he explained. Some brain regions are involved early, others at the intermediate stage, and some in the late stage of Alzheimer’s. “These stages are also associated with other hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, such as levels of tau [another type of protein] in cerebral spinal fluid, cognitive decline and the wasting away of brain cells,” Mattsson added. “This staging system can be used both to improve research and perhaps also in clinical trials, to see if certain drugs […]
New research suggests that “Life’s Simple 7” steps for maintaining heart health may also be a useful tool for predicting dementia risk and preventing the neurological condition. Managing your blood pressure is one of the seven actionable steps people in their 50s can take to maintain their cardiovascular health. The lead author of the new study is Séverine Sabia, of the department of Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases at Inserm, a public research institution affiliated with the Université de Paris in France. Sabia and her colleagues set out to examine the link between the American Heart Association’s (AHA) guidelines for optimal cardiovascular health — which they dub “Life’s Simple 7” — and the risk of developing dementia later in life. “Life’s Simple 7” are modifiable risk factors which, according to the AHA, can help keep heart disease at bay. Making lifestyle changes along these seven parameters can improve a person’s cardiovascular health, the AHA advises. Life’s Simple 7 are: manage blood pressure manage cholesterol lower blood sugar stay physically active follow a healthful diet lose weight stop smoking (or don’t start) In the new research, Sabia and her team looked at how well people adhered to these steps at […]
(HealthDay News) — Memory loss is common, but should not be taken lightly, says Mayo Clinic. If you have difficulty remembering things, Mayo Clinic offers a few simple ways to sharpen your memory: Stay physically and mentally active. Socialize often. Stay organized. Sleep well. Eat healthy. Manage chronic conditions. Latest Alzheimer’s News If memory loss affects your ability to complete your daily activities, or if you notice it getting worse, talk with your doctor. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — New research is untangling the complex relationship between symptoms of depression and losses in memory and thinking that often emerge together with Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, the new data suggests that “depression symptoms themselves may be among the early changes in the preclinical stages of dementia syndromes,” explained study lead author Dr. Jennifer Gatchel. She works in the division of geriatric psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In the study, researchers examined brain scans and other data gathered over seven years from 276 older adults enrolled in the Harvard Aging Brain Study. All of the participants were still living independently in the community at the beginning of the study and were considered healthy. However, the analysis revealed a significant link between worsening depression symptoms and mental decline over two to seven years, and both of these trends seemed to be linked to a buildup of amyloid protein in brain tissue. The slow accumulation of amyloid has long been known as a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. “Our research found that even modest levels of brain amyloid deposition can impact the relationship between depression symptoms and cognitive [thinking] abilities,” Gatchel said […]
Dementia refers to a series of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, where a person’s memory and other cognitive abilities decline. A recent study may have found a new risk factor that might predispose people to dementia: lung disease. To limit the risk of dementia, people may also want to look after the health of their lungs, a new study suggests. According to the study by researchers from the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health in Minneapolis in collaboration with colleagues from other academic institutions in the United States, people who experience lung disease in midlife may have an increased risk of dementia later on. The study’s findings appear in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a journal of the American Thoracic Society. The research indicates associations between both restrictive and obstructive lung diseases and dementia or cognitive impairment risk. Doctors use the term restrictive lung diseases when the lungs are unable to expand. Such diseases include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, in which the lungs present scarring, and sarcoidosis, where some lung tissue becomes abnormally swollen. In obstructive lung diseases, something obstructs the air flow in or out of the lungs. The most common type of obstructive lung […]
New research finds that a 6-month regimen of aerobic exercise can reverse symptoms of mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Just 6 months of exercise that raises the heart rate can reverse signs of age-related cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by a mild loss of cognitive abilities, such as memory and reasoning skills. A person with MCI may find it hard to remember things, make decisions, or focus on tasks. While the loss of cognitive abilities is not serious enough to interfere with daily activities, MCI raises the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 15–20 percent of adults aged 65 and over in the United States have MCI. New research suggests that there might be a way to reverse these age-related cognitive problems. James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D. — of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC — and colleagues examined the effects of regimented exercise in 160 people aged 65 on average. They published their findings in the journal Neurology. Studying exercise, diet, and MCI The participants included in the research were sedentary at the beginning of the study. They had cardiovascular risk factors and reported symptoms of MCI. […]
Scientists have found an inflammation mechanism that appears to play a key role in the formation of the toxic tau proteins that characterize Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases. Share on PinterestNew research finds that inflammation is responsible for the tau protein damage in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Other forms include vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Estimates from the National Institute of Aging, which is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), suggest that more than 5.5 million people in the United States have dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. The newly discovered mechanism involves a protein complex called the NLRP3 inflammasome. Previous research had already identified the large molecule’s vital role in triggering inflammatory substances from its location within immune cells in the brain. In the new study, researchers from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the University of Bonn, both in Germany, led an international team’s investigation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in Alzheimer’s disease and FTD. They tested postmortem brain samples from people with and without FTD. They also used cultured brain cells and mice with characteristic brain features of Alzheimer’s and FTD. The lead […]
close
The information contained within this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Members contribute personal experiences by sharing what did or didn’t work to address their concern and help educate others which may expedite recovery. As such, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Recent Comments