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Alzheimer’s Disease
Latest News Regarding Alzheimer’s Disease and Your Health
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According to recent research in vitro and in mice, viruses that come into contact with biological fluids acquire a protein coating that renders them more infectious. Moreover, it seems that some viruses that ‘change identity’ in this way may promote neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. Research shows that viruses can acquire a protein ‘coating’ that makes them more infectious. Viruses are strange, fascinating agents, not least because scientists still find it difficult to say whether they qualify as living organisms or not. To replicate, viruses have to infect a host — so in a live biological environment, viruses are also “alive,” interacting with the cells of the host they infect and multiplying. At the same time, on their own, outside an infected host, viruses are more “dead” than “alive,” since they are a protein “package,” containing specific genetic material. Though not clearly “dead” or “alive,” viruses can exploit certain biological mechanisms to preserve their integrity and be more likely to replicate. In a new study that used both human biological samples and mice, researchers from Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet in Solna, Sweden, have been looking at one such phenomenon that allows viruses to become more infectious, namely, the formation […]
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. […]
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 […]
Recent research has found that short daily practice of mind-body therapy may help alleviate some of the signs and symptoms that often precede dementia. Practicing an easy type of meditation daily may relieve some dementia symptoms. The researchers behind the new study assessed a group of older adults experiencing memory difficulties who practiced 12 minutes per day of music listening or simple yoga meditation for 12 weeks. Samples of their blood from before and after the 3 months of therapy revealed changes in levels of certain markers with associations to cell aging and Alzheimer’s disease. These changes also linked directly to improvements in subjective assessments of cognitive function, mood, sleep, and quality of life. Dr. Kim Innes, a professor at West Virginia University School of Public Health in Morgantown, led the study and is first author of the study paper, which features in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Blood markers as predictors of Alzheimer’s The team chose to measure a number of blood markers that “have emerged as possible predictors of cognitive decline and dementia.” These included telomere length, telomerase activity, and levels of certain beta-amyloid peptides with links to Alzheimer’s disease. Telomeres are “protective caps” that work to prevent […]
(HealthDay News) — Dementia is a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or thinking skills. Latest Alzheimer’s News Because the progression of dementia varies, deciding when a person is no longer able to drive safely can be difficult, says the National Center on Caregiving. For caregivers and those who have a loved one with dementia, the center suggests: If the person has mild dementia, have driving skills evaluated immediately. If the person with dementia passes, continue to have driving skills evaluated every 6 months. Watch for behavioral signs, such as disorientation and difficulty processing. Watch for poor driving behavior, such as drifting or incorrect signaling. Encourage the person to drive on familiar roads, and avoid nighttime driving. The NCC also suggests reducing the need to drive by arranging alternative transportation. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Aging Brains See Slideshow
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 […]
More evidence points to the idea that air pollution may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A new study suggests that tiny polluting particles carried by dirty air can enter the brain, possibly contributing to cognitive decline. Share on PinterestWomen living in highly polluted areas are likelier to experience cognitive decline. It is no secret that ambient air pollution is an important risk factor for various health concerns. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 9 in every 10 people worldwide breathe highly polluted air. Importantly, poor air quality contributes to millions of deaths globally per year. Although it is easy to understand how the air we breathe might affect our respiratory system — with research showing that ambient pollution contributes to lung cancer — it can be harder to understand how, or even if it impacts the health of other major organs. In fact, an increasing amount of evidence suggests that air pollution is associated with cognitive decline, and that it may contribute to the ever growing number of Alzheimer’s disease cases. For example, one study that Medical News Today covered in 2018 suggests that people with the most exposure to top air pollutants have a higher risk of […]
The buildup of defective tau proteins is a prominent feature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The faulty proteins form tangles that disrupt brain function and kill nerve cells, or neurons. Experiments in human cell cultures reveal a mechanism through which scientists can regulate defective tau protein levels. Now, scientists have identified a molecule that plays a vital role in helping to prevent the buildup of toxic tau protein in the brain. The molecule, which has the name vacuolar protein sorting 35 (VPS35), identifies and removes faulty tau proteins from neurons. Using human cells, researchers from Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, showed that they could control tau buildup by altering levels of VPS35. They describe the findings in a Molecular Psychiatry study paper. “A major part of what VPS35 does,” says senior study author Prof. Domenico Praticò, director of LKSOM’s Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, “is to sort out and transport dysfunctional proteins to degradation sites.” The researcher and his colleagues also found that VPS35’s effect on tau depends on the activity of cathepsin D, an enzyme that breaks down proteins in cells. Neurons vulnerable to defective proteins The correct folding of proteins is […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The polar vortex that has enveloped much of the United States this week poses a special danger to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. “This type of weather can be hazardous for everyone, but even more so for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, who may have difficulty noticing temperature and weather changes or knowing who to call for help,” said Charles Fuschillo Jr., CEO and president of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “A few easy steps can go a long way to help family caregivers keep their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease safe,” he added in a foundation news release. It’s important for family members and caregivers to know the signs of hypothermia. Be alert for shivering, exhaustion, sleepiness, slurred speech, memory loss and clumsy motor skills, the foundation advised. Caution is needed when using electric space heaters. They can pose a fire risk, especially when used with extension cords or if they get knocked over. For Alzheimer’s or dementia patients, use space heaters that automatically turn off when they reach a set temperature or tip over, the foundation said. Don’t use electric blankets to keep people […]
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Concerns that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs can impair brain health appear to be unfounded, according to new research. “Statins won’t make you stupid or cause memory loss,” said lead researcher Dr. Katherine Samaras, a professor of medicine at St. Vincent’s Clinical School of Medicine in Darlinghurst, Australia. And for some people at risk of dementia, statins like Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) may improve memory and mental functioning, her team found. Many millions of people take statins because of heart disease or high cholesterol. But reports that the drugs could cause memory loss led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2012 to require a black box warning on all statin medications, she said. However, “we could find no overall impact on memory or any other aspect of cognitive function over six years in a large population of older people, who had extensive testing every two years,” Samaras said. The observational nature of this study means the research can’t be considered conclusive, only that a strong link exists, the researchers noted. “Any person who takes statins and is concerned about their memory and cognition should discuss this […]
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 […]
According to a team of Swedish-based researchers, breathing through the nose may help memory storage and consolidation. These findings are published in The Journal of Neuroscience. The way we breathe affects our memory in mysterious ways. Recently, neuroscientists have been scrutinizing the link between smell and memory. Some have suggested that a damaged sense of smell can predict dementia, and others have zoomed in on why that may be. Along the way to unraveling the Proustian mysteries of smells and memory, scientists have picked up several clues. The amygdala, which is a small brain region that processes sensory information, is close to the memory-storing hippocampus. Also, newer research shows that people with a good spatial memory may be better at identifying smells. Information related to time and space is present in the anterior olfactory nucleus, studies have shown. This is a brain area that is involved in the development of Alzheimer’s. New research now adds breathing into the mix. A study carried out by scientists at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, finds that breathing through the nose, rather than the mouth, improves olfactory memory. Artin Arshamian, a researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience with the Karolinska Institutet, is […]
Research has linked a particular sleep disorder called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. What characterizes this sleep problem, and can its presence be a good way to predict Parkinson’s risk? People who experience a sleep disorder that causes them to act out their dreams have a high risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicate that every year, approximately 50,000 people in the United States learn that they have Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition that affects a person’s motor function and exposes them to other neurodegenerative problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers still do not fully understand exactly what causes Parkinson’s disease, but they have identified a few risk factors that can predispose a person to develop this condition. These include a person’s age and sex as well as some genetic factors. Still, it remains a challenge to establish early on who is likely to develop Parkinson’s disease at some point in their life. However, a team of researchers from McGill University in Montreal, Canada decided to see if one particular factor — a sleep disorder called REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) — could be a […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Dementia patients may develop distinct speech and reading problems depending on their native language, a new study finds. The study included 20 English-speaking and 18 Italian-speaking patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative disorder that affects language areas in the brain. It is often associated with dementia. The patients had a type of PPA characterized by difficulty producing or pronouncing words (nonfluent PPA). While both groups of patients had similar levels of degeneration and brain function, English-speakers had more trouble pronouncing words — a traditional sign of nonfluent PPA — and tended to speak less than usual. The Italian-speakers had fewer pronunciation difficulties but tended to produce much shorter and grammatically simpler sentences, according to the study published recently in the journal Neurology. “We think this is specifically because the consonant clusters that are so common in English pose a challenge for a degenerating speech-planning system,” said senior author Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno-Tempini. She’s a professor at the University of California, San Francisco’s Memory and Aging Center. “In contrast, Italian is easier to pronounce, but has much more complex grammar, and this is how Italian-speakers with PPA tend to […]
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 THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Obesity in middle age is associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life, according to a study of more than 1 million women in the United Kingdom. Those who were obese in their mid-50s had 21% greater risk of being diagnosed with dementia 15 or more years later, compared with women who had a healthy weight, a team of British and international researchers found. The study adds to the “ever-expanding body of data that says what you do with yourself in midlife — and really even earlier — affects your risk for dementia as you age,” said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago. He was not part of the research. For the study, the researchers followed about 1 out of every 4 women born in the United Kingdom between 1935 and 1950, more than 1.1 million overall. Their average age at the start of the study was 56. None had dementia. At the outset, researchers calculated each woman’s body mass index (BMI), an estimate of body fat based on height and weight. They also asked about […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Air pollution may trigger Alzheimer’s-like brain changes and speed memory decline in older adults, a new study suggests. Previous research has implied that exposure to fine particle air pollution increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, but it wasn’t clear how this type of pollution affects the brain and memory. “This is the first study to really show, in a statistical model, that air pollution was associated with changes in people’s brains and that those changes were then connected with declines in memory performance,” said researcher Andrew Petkus. He’s an assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. “Our hope is that by better understanding the underlying brain changes caused by air pollution, researchers will be able to develop interventions to help people with or at risk for cognitive decline,” Petkus explained in a university news release. The study included nearly 1,000 women, aged 73 to 87, who had brain scans five years apart. The researchers also assessed information about where the women lived and environmental data from those locations to estimate the women’s exposure to fine particle pollution. […]
(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.
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 […]
For many years, specialists believed that people who studied more and kept their brains more active had lower dementia risk. Some recent studies have contradicted this idea. So how is education linked to the evolution of Alzheimer’s disease, if at all? Another study suggests that there is no link between a person’s level of education and Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline. In the recent past, researchers have argued that people who continue their education throughout their lives have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia and primarily characterized by progressive memory loss. However, studies published this year have found no evidence in support of this conclusion. A high level of education is supposed to boost a person’s cognitive reserve, which refers to the brain’s ability to preserve and maintain cognitive function despite any damage. A high cognitive reserve should act as a safeguard against cognitive impairment, which can occur naturally, as a person ages. But is it really effective in preventing or slowing down the development of Alzheimer’s disease? New research — conducted by Dr. Rebecca Gottesman, from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, MD, and colleagues — has found no […]
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 […]
The causes of dementia can damage the brain in different ways. Is it possible that these differences may reveal themselves in the way that people walk? A new study that compared walking patterns in people with two types of dementia explored the question. New research suggests a person’s gait may offer clues into the type of dementia they are living with. “Alzheimer’s and Lewy body disease have unique signatures of gait impairment,” state the authors in a recent Alzheimer’s & Dementia paper about their findings. The researchers suggest that the unique impairments to gait — or alterations to walking pattern — may reflect the specific damage that each disease inflicts on mental function and the brain. Should further studies corroborate the findings, the researchers suggest that walking pattern could become a useful and inexpensive addition to the medical toolbox for diagnosing different types of dementia. “It is a key development,” says first study author Ríona McArdle, Ph.D., of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, “as a more accurate diagnosis means that we know that people are getting the right treatment, care, and management for the dementia they have.” Types and causes of dementia Dementia […]
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new drug to treat early Alzheimer’s disease will be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval, maker Biogen Inc. said Tuesday. Latest Alzheimer’s News Earlier this year, the company stopped two studies of the drug, called aducanumab, when initial results suggested it would not be effective, so the announcement about seeking approval for the drug is a surprise, according to the Associated Press. A new analysis of more results suggest that the highest dose of aducanumab — which is meant to help the body clear harmful plaques from the brain — helped slow declines in thinking skills, said Massachusetts-based Biogen, which is developing the drug with Japan-based Eisai Co. Ltd. The two studies included more than 3,000 patients with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, patients who received a high dose of the drug — given as monthly infusions — had 23% less decline on one measure of thinking skills and smaller declines on other measures, the AP reported. However, Biogen didn’t provide details on what that might mean for patients. “It’s a tricky question” whether the study results are truly meaningful […]
Exercise is a vital element of a healthful lifestyle; it helps maintain heart health, improve mood, and fight weight gain. New research also suggests that it can protect a person’s cognitive skills, and a new study uncovers fresh information as to how this can happen. How does exercise help protect memory? According to a study covered on Medical News Today last year, engaging in regular, leisurely exercise can help keep the body young and healthy. The same appears to be true for the relationship between exercise and the mind; only 10 minutes of physical activity may boost cognitive function in the short-term. Meanwhile, exercising regularly for 6 months could actually reverse the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. Starting from such evidence, which suggests that exercise has a protective and even healing effect on brain functioning, a team of researchers from numerous international academic institutions has recently investigated some of the biological mechanisms that underlie this relationship. The researchers came from institutions including the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University in New York City, NY. They conducted the new research — the findings […]
An artificial intelligence tool taught to analyze brain scans can accurately predict Alzheimer’s disease several years before a final diagnosis. Researchers used PET scans to train a deep learning algorithm to predict signs of Alzheimer’s. The team responsible suggests that, after further validation, the tool could greatly assist the early detection of Alzheimer’s, giving treatments time to slow the disease more effectively. The researchers, from the University of California in San Francisco, used positron-emission tomography (PET) images of 1,002 people’s brains to train the deep learning algorithm. They used 90 percent of the images to teach the algorithm how to spot features of Alzheimer’s disease and the remaining 10 percent to verify its performance. They then tested the algorithm on PET images of the brains of another 40 people. From these, the algorithm accurately predicted which individuals would receive a final diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. On average, the diagnosis came more than 6 years after the scans. In a paper on the findings, which the Radiology journal has recently published, the team describes how the algorithm “achieved 82 percent specificity at 100 percent sensitivity, an average of 75.8 months prior to the final diagnosis.” “We were very pleased,” says co-author Dr. […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A genetic variant associated with Alzheimer’s disease increases the risk of dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease, researchers say. The finding could lead to new treatments for dementia in Parkinson’s patients, according to the team at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes tremors, stiffness, slow movement and impaired balance. Eighty percent of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s develop dementia within 20 years. Those who carry a particular variant of the gene APOE have an especially high risk, the study authors said. The researchers found that Parkinson’s-related proteins spread more rapidly through the brains of mice with the high-risk APOE4 variant, and that memory and thinking skills decline faster in Parkinson’s patients who have the variant. APOE4 is known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by three to five times. The study was published Feb. 5 in the journal Science Translational Medicine. “Dementia takes a huge toll on people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers,” said lead author Dr. Albert Davis, an assistant professor of neurology. “The development of dementia is often what determines whether someone with Parkinson’s is able to […]
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
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 […]
A drug that scientists are currently developing to treat stroke survivors might also help stave off Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are trialing a new treatment that may help people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.7 million people in the United States are living with the condition. Current medications can only relieve some symptoms of the disease, and there is not yet any way to halt its progression. The neurodegeneration that occurs in people with Alzheimer’s results from the buildup of a protein called beta-amyloid in the brain. Beta-amyloid is present in the healthy brain, but incorrectly folded proteins can accumulate to form amyloid plaques. These plaques reduce blood flow to the brain, leading to the breakdown of brain cells. Over the years, researchers have investigated many pharmacological routes to tackle these plaques, but, to date, none have led to the development of effective drugs. Recently, researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles explored an innovative new compound that the scientific community is already scrutinizing. Introducing 3K3A-APC 3K3A-APC is a modified version of activated C protein, which is a blood-based protein that protects brain cells […]
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — People with dementia show a different makeup in the bacteria dwelling in their guts, a preliminary study finds — raising questions about whether the “bugs” play some role in the brain disease. Researchers in Japan found that compared with dementia-free older adults, those with the disease typically had a very different gut “microbiome.” The term refers to the trillions of bacteria and other microbes dwelling in the digestive system. As recent studies have been revealing, those gut bugs do more than aid digestion. They appear to affect a range of bodily functions, from immune defenses to the production of vitamins, anti-inflammatory compounds and even chemicals that relay messages among brain cells. Researchers have also found that the makeup of the gut microbiome is linked to risks for various conditions, such as obesity, asthma and type 1 diabetes. Those studies do not prove that gut bacteria directly contribute to, or protect against, those diseases, however. And neither does the new study, experts stressed. The study found only that a group of dementia patients had different gut microbes from dementia-free adults, said Mary Sano, director of the Alzheimer’s […]
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 […]
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Elderly adults commonly have memory and thinking problems that look a lot like Alzheimer’s disease, but they might really be suffering from a different form of dementia. That’s according to an international panel of experts who are giving the disease a name for the first time, and detailing what’s known about it so far. Writing in the April 30 issue of the journal Brain, they dub the condition limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy — with the more memorable acronym, LATE. LATE mainly affects people older than 80, the experts explained. And it may account for about 17% of all cases of dementia. That fairly high prevalence helps explain a puzzling phenomenon, according to Dr. Peter Nelson, a professor at the University of Kentucky, who co-authored the report. Some people who die with what appears to be Alzheimer’s do not show telltale signs of the disease when their brains are autopsied — namely, abnormal protein clumps known as plaques and tangles. That means their dementia symptoms did not arise from Alzheimer’s. “This is part of a growing understanding that not all dementias are the same,” Nelson said. As […]
A proof-of-concept brain imaging study suggests that exercising four or five times a week may delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people who already have toxic buildups of beta-amyloid protein. Aerobic exercise could slow the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s, a small new study suggests. The new research is a 1-year randomized controlled trial led by Prof. Rong Zhang. The team published their findings in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Prof. Zhang is affiliated with the departments of neurology, neurotherapeutics, and internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas. He and his team previously dedicated their efforts to studying the relationship between exercise and dementia. One such study that Medical News Today reported on found that aerobic exercise preserves the brain health of people with mild cognitive impairment. Specifically, that study found that regular exercise maintains the integrity of the brain’s white matter, which encompasses billions of nerve fibers and is linked with better executive function. Executive function refers to the brain’s ability to plan, organize, and complete tasks. Now, the new research has examined the effects of exercise in 70 adults aged 55 or over. The participants had amnestic mild cognitive impairment — the most […]
Following their study in rats, scientists have broken new ground in memory research. The finding concerns how the brain retrieves long-term memory and should open new avenues for investigating and treating Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia. New research in rats has unveiled a brain mechanism that could explain how we retrieve old memories. Researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas have discovered that two brain areas that work together to consolidate memories interact differently during the retrieval of remote memories. The two brain areas are the hippocampus and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). During consolidation, memory dependence transfers from the hippocampus to the ACC. However, the recent study reveals that during remote memory recall, the ACC takes the lead and drives the hippocampus. Graduate student Ryan A. Wirt and psychology professor James M. Hyman describe the 4 years of laboratory and analysis work that led to the findings in a Cell Reports paper. “Our research,” says Prof. Hyman, “opens up potential new avenues to explore why certain dementias and disorders lead to problems recalling long-term memories, which could help pave the way for future treatments that might be able to restore this ability to afflicted individuals.” Memory […]
New research over a 28-year follow-up period finds significant evidence that frequent social contact at the age of 60 can lower the risk of developing dementia later on. Spending time with friends could stave off dementia for those 60 and older. The link between having a rich social life and brain health has received much attention in the scientific community. Some studies have suggested that levels of social interaction can predict cognitive decline and even dementia, while others have shown that group socializing can prevent the harmful effects of aging on memory. New research examines the link between social contact and dementia in more depth. Andrew Sommerlad, Ph.D., from the Division of Psychiatry at University College London (UCL), in the United Kingdom, is the first and corresponding author of the new study. Sommerlad and colleagues started from a critical observation of existing studies. They say that numerous findings have suggested that frequent social contact can protect the brain, either by helping to build a “cognitive reserve,” or by reducing stress and promoting more healthful behaviors. Many longitudinal studies have found an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline in people with a smaller social network or less frequent social contact. […]
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Staying active in old age may help preserve your memory and thinking skills, a new study suggests. In fact, older people who were physically active kept their minds sharp, even if their brains showed signs of lesions or other markers linked to Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, researchers found. “Physical activity may provide cognitive reserve” that helps preserve the brain even in the face of dementia, said lead researcher Dr. Aron Buchman. He’s professor of neurology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Lifestyle appears to play a major role in keeping the mind sharp as we age, he said. Other studies have found that keeping socially and mentally active also improves mental skills. “Together, these suggest that a more active lifestyle, including physical, cognitive and social activities, may help maintain cognition in older adults,” Buchman said. Buchman said he doesn’t know how these factors protect the brain, what kind of exercise is best, or how much is protective. Only an association was seen in the study, and more research is needed. “Even if we don’t have treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, there’s a benefit to having […]
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 […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cross-country skiing may be good for your brain, a new study suggests. Previous research found that participants of the Vasaloppet, a popular long-distance, cross-country skiing race in Sweden, have a lower risk of heart attack, but potential brain benefits have been unclear. This new research compared the brain health of about 200,000 who took part in the Vasaloppet between 1989 and 2010 and a control group from the general population. Compared with the control group, 50% fewer skiers developed vascular dementia over two decades, the study found. (Vascular dementia is caused by a series of small strokes.) However, the skiers’ risk of Alzheimer’s disease was not lower — a finding that contradicts other studies showing that physical activity may modify Alzheimer’s risk. Researchers said 233 skiers developed dementia, including 40 with vascular dementia and 86 with Alzheimer’s. In the general population, 319 developed dementia, including 72 with vascular dementia and 95 with Alzheimer’s. “As brain researchers, we have had the unique opportunity to analyze an exceptionally large group of very physically active people over two decades, and we have unraveled some interesting results,” said research team leader Tomas Deierborg, an […]
An international working group of experts has agreed on guidelines to help increase scientific and public awareness about a brain condition that mimics Alzheimer’s disease. The condition is not new but has come to light in recent research and clinical trials. Researchers have identified a misfolded protein in the brain that may be ‘a possible Alzheimer’s mimic.’ Scientists have recently recognized Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) as a “newly named pathway to dementia.” The working group consists of scientists from a number of centers that receive support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), together with colleagues from other countries. The experts suggest that the public health impact of LATE on people in their mid-80s and older is probably about the same, if not bigger, than that of Alzheimer’s disease. In a report that now features in the journal Brain, the group proposes the first definition of LATE and recommends guidelines for those who are concerned with diagnosis and furthering research. Richard J. Hodes, M.D., who is director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), which forms part of the NIH, says that even though researchers working on Alzheimer’s disease are making progress, they still ask themselves: “When is Alzheimer’s […]
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, share a mechanism of brain cell damage that could offer a new target for treatment, according to new research in human cells and mice. A newly discovered mechanism of brain cell damage could hold the key to treating several neurodegenerative conditions. A recent Nature Neuroscience study describes how researchers uncovered the mechanism and how it leads to death of neurons, or nerve cells. “We’ve identified a potential new way to reduce nerve cell death in a number of diseases characterized by such losses,” says senior study author Daria Mochly-Rosen, Ph.D., a professor of chemical and systems biology at Stanford University School of Medicine, in California. The mechanism involves microglia and astrocytes, two types of cell that normally help to protect neurons, or nerve cells. Microglia and astrocytes are glial cells, a type of cell that scientists once regarded as the “glue of the nervous system.” That is no longer the case, however, as researchers are increasingly discovering that glial cells play vital roles in brain development and function. Among the many jobs that astrocytes fulfill is to determine the number and locations of the connections that neurons make with each other. These glial […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
People with a diagnosis of dementia can also face depression. For this reason, they may end up taking antidepressant drugs. Now, a study has found that these drugs may be able to treat not just depression, but dementia itself. A new study tests out the potential of antidepressants to tackle dementia mechanisms in the brain. According to data cited by the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 in 10 people aged 65 and over has Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia, characterized chiefly by memory loss, disorientation, and having trouble with normal daily activities. Moreover, people with Alzheimer’s can often also develop mental health issues, especially depression. For this reason, healthcare professionals may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — a class of antidepressants — to individuals with dementia. Recently, researchers from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, have found a surprising mechanism at play, namely that SSRIs appear to inhibit the growth of dementia-specific aggregates in the brain. “These are promising findings for people with Alzheimer’s who are on SSRIs,” notes Prof. Praveen Nekkar Rao, one of the current study’s authors. “These finding may not only highlight benefits for people with depression and Alzheimer’s but can also provide insights to serve […]
The herpes virus could account for at least half of Alzheimer’s cases, according to a new review of the findings of three recent studies examining links between Alzheimer’s and herpes. Infection with the herpes simplex virus may boost the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s, researchers suggest. The new paper, published in the Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience journal, also suggests that antiviral drugs may reduce the risk of senile dementia — which is mostly caused by Alzheimer’s disease — among people who have severe cases of herpes. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) is the type of herpes that results in cold sores. HSV1 is a common virus, and the majority of people will have contracted it by the time they reach old age. However, the virus remains permanently in the body and cannot be decisively removed either by the body’s natural defense mechanisms or by drugs. The virus is inactive most of the time, but when a person has HSV1, they may find that flare-ups occur when they are stressed or sick, resulting in characteristic blisters. Medical News Today have reported on several studies this year alone that have provided evidence of a connection between Alzheimer’s and herpes. In June, we looked […]
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. […]
Recent research suggests that doing even low-intensity physical activity allows older people to reduce their risk of dementia. Carrying out even basic activities in older age might help maintain brain health. Several factors can affect a person’s chance of developing dementia. Some of the factors, such as age and genetics, are unavoidable. Others, such as smoking and other unhealthful behaviors, are lifestyle choices that a person can change. Regularly exercising and eating a healthful diet may prevent the onset of symptoms, say the Alzheimer’s Association. However, a new study that appears in the journal Neurology has revealed that any kind of physical activity — including basic tasks such as doing housework — may protect a person’s brain when they have already reached old age. The researchers — from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL — studied 454 older adults. Of these, 191 had a diagnosis of dementia. Every participant agreed to donate their brain for medical research purposes when they died. Every year for 2 decades, each person underwent a full physical examination, along with a test, to determine their thinking and memory skills. The scientists gave all the volunteers an activity-monitoring device called an accelerometer around 2 years […]
Gum disease is common and unpleasant, but, according to a growing body of evidence, it could also play a role in a surprising range of seemingly unrelated health problems. Cleaning your teeth may be even more important than you thought. Plaque — a sticky substance that contains bacteria — builds up on teeth. If it is not brushed away, the bacteria can irritate the gums. The gums may then become swollen, sore, or infected; this is referred to as gingivitis. In general, gum disease can be treated or prevented by maintaining a good oral health regime. However, if it is left to develop, it can result in periodontitis, which weakens the supporting structures of the teeth. Gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease, is widespread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of adults in the United States have some degree of gum disease. The mechanisms behind periodontal disease are relatively well-understood, and newer research shows that this health problem may play a role in the development of a number of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. In this Spotlight, we will cover some of the surprising links between gum disease […]
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of neurocognitive decline that affects millions across the world. The exact cause is unclear, but new research is uncovering the mechanisms that allow Alzheimer’s to become established in the brain. Which brain cells are the most vulnerable to Alzheimer’s? In Alzheimer’s disease, as in other forms of dementia, a defining feature is the accumulation of certain toxic proteins in the brain. These proteins aggregate into plaques that disrupt the communication between brain cells, thus enhancing cognitive problems and other issues. More often than not, researchers identify the protein beta-amyloid as the main culprit in this disruptive process. However, another protein, called tau, is just as important. In a new study, researchers from a series of academic institutions, including the Ohio State University in Columbus, Columbia University Medical Center in New York, NY, and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, have found that tau accumulates preferentially around a specific type of brain cell. The investigators also revealed that certain genetic profiles may predispose a person to tau aggregations around those cells. Co-lead author of the study Hongjun (Harry) Fu — now an assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Ohio State University — and colleagues […]
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 […]
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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
By Adam Townsend on 09/24/2019 2:47 PM Latest Alzheimer’s News Source: MedicineNet Health News About 90% of all humans are right-handed, so what’s the deal with the other 10%? Genetics play a big role, according to a new handedness study of hundreds of thousands of Brits published this month. The findings offer more than just gee-whiz trivia; the same genes governing which hand you prefer are also implicated in schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in the neurology journal Brain, could be a crucial step in determining causes, risk factors and treatments for these neurological disorders. The study looked at more than 400,000 people ages 40-69 selected from the UK Biobank. The Biobank is a British nonprofit that tracks the health of more than half a million people specifically to aid medical research. Study authors looked at genotypes for participants, as well as brain image scans of about 9,000 participants and other data to determine the results. The researchers said several genes seem to generate a hand preference. Furthermore, those genes generate that preference by coding for a stronger connection between functional centers in the left and right halves of the brain. The authors concluded the genes […]
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 […]
A number of warning/advisory letters have been issued to 17 companies for selling illegal products that claim to prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer’s disease and other serious conditions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Latest Alzheimer’s News The agency said it posted 12 warning letters and five online advisory letters to U.S. and foreign companies illegally selling more than 58 products, many of which are marketed as dietary supplements. The products — which include tablets, capsules and oils and are often sold on websites and social media — have not been reviewed by the FDA and may be ineffective, unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking an appropriate diagnosis and treatment, according to the FDA The companies have 15 days to respond to the FDA and outline how they intend to correct the violations. Product seizures and/or injunctions are among the actions the FDA could take if the violations are not corrected. “Science and evidence are the cornerstone of the FDA’s review process and are imperative to demonstrating medical benefit, especially when a product is marketed to treat serious and complex diseases like Alzheimer’s,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in an agency news release. “Alzheimer’s is a […]
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 […]
A new, long-term study finds that midlife obesity raises the risk of dementia in women. However, calorie intake and physical inactivity do not. Share on PinterestObesity in midlife may raise a woman’s risk of dementia later on, new research suggests. Sarah Floud, Ph.D., of the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, is the lead author of the study. As Floud and her colleagues explain in their paper, some previous studies have found an association between a low body mass index (BMI) and the likelihood of receiving a diagnosis of dementia within the next 5–10 years. Other studies that lasted a decade or less have also linked poor diet and lack of exercise with the incidence of dementia. However, all of the above may be the result of reverse causality, meaning that they may be consequences, rather than causes, of dementia. This situation could well be possible, explain the authors, because dementia typically affects cognition a decade before the person formally receives a diagnosis. During this preclinical stage, the condition can slowly but gradually affect behavior, impair mental and physical activity, reduce the intake of food and calories, and cause weight loss. Furthermore, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, June 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Being yelled at or insulted is never easy. But it’s a situation faced by about one-quarter of U.S. home health care workers, a new study finds. Certain environments, such as caring for someone with dementia or working in a very cramped space, were linked to a higher risk of verbal abuse from patients or their kin. “Our study found that aides frequently experience verbal abuse from the clients and their families,” said the study’s senior author, Margaret Quinn. She’s director of the Safe Home Care Project at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. “There is increasing scientific evidence that verbal abuse, as well as physical abuse, can have harmful, long-term impacts on employees’ health, such as depression and burnout, and on the stability of the workforce, such as high turnover, which is costly for employers and hard on those receiving care when an aide they’ve developed a relationship with does not return,” she said. Despite this study’s findings, Quinn said most home care aides report a high level of job satisfaction and get great reward from helping people age in place in their homes with dignity. Addressing […]
By Deborah DiSesa HirschHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, Oct. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Unpaid bills, overdrawn accounts, dwindling investments: When seniors begin experiencing fiscal troubles, early dementia or Alzheimer’s disease could be an underlying cause, researchers say. In the early stages of the disease, people with undiagnosed Alzheimer’s are at high risk of making foolish and dangerous decisions about their finances, mostly because families may not know they need help, researchers say. “Individuals often aren’t diagnosed early enough, and it’s a perfect storm,” said study author Carole Gresenz, a professor of health systems administration at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “They’re vulnerable to large reductions in liquid assets because they’re not making wise decisions about their finances, savings and checking accounts. This can also reduce net wealth,” added Gresenz. Ruth Drew, director of information and support services for the Alzheimer’s Association, pointed out that Alzheimer’s destroys the brain. “As the disease progresses, everyone with Alzheimer’s will reach a point where they need help with their finances and ultimately assistance with daily tasks and around-the-clock care. We have certainly spoken to people whose finances were significantly affected,” she said. In some cases, people responsible for making major financial decisions, […]
Researchers have previously shown that a type of light therapy could potentially reduce toxic proteins that build up in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. Now, the same team has identified what happens at cell level to achieve this result. A recent study asked why flickering light might help fight Alzheimer’s. In 2016, scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge found that shining a flickering light into the eyes of mice could reduce the toxic buildup of amyloid and tau proteins that occur in the brain with Alzheimer’s disease. Light therapy boosts a form of brain wave called gamma oscillation, which research suggests is impaired in people with Alzheimer’s disease. More recently, the MIT team revealed that combining light therapy with sound therapy extended the beneficial effects even further. Those studies also saw that light therapy can improve memory in mice genetically predisposed to develop Alzheimer’s disease and spatial memory in older mice without the condition. The most recent investigation, which now features in the journal Neuron, has shown that boosting gamma oscillations can improve the connection between nerve cells, reduce inflammation, and preserve against cell death in mouse models of Alzheimer’s. It also shows that the treatment’s far-reaching […]
Researchers are finding new evidence that exercise — even low-intensity, casual physical activity — can boost brain health in the short- and long-term. Frequent but leisurely exercise can boost brain health. Evidence that exercise can benefit the brain and help maintain cognitive function — including memory — is accumulating. One study, for instance, suggests that engaging even in low-level phyisical activities, such as doing household chores, can help reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. Now, a team led by Michelle Voss — from the University of Iowa in Iowa City — has found evidence in support of the notion that the benefits of just one workout can predict the benefits of frequent physical activity in the long run. The team presented these findings at this year’s Cognitive Neuroscience Society’s symposia in San Francisco, CA. As symposium chair Wendy Suzuki, of New York University in New York City, explains, “There is a strong and direct link between physical activity and how your brain works.” “People still do not link physical health to brain and cognitive health; they think about fitting into a bikini or losing that last pound, not about all the brain systems they are improving and […]
A recent study in older people suggests that reducing blood pressure to levels below the usual standard can lessen the risk of mild cognitive impairment, which is a condition that often precedes dementia. Lowering blood pressure in seniors could prevent mild cognitive impairment, new research concludes. Scientists at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, led a randomized clinical trial involving just under 9,400 adults in their 50s or older with high blood pressure. The objective of the trial, as the investigative team notes in the JAMA study paper, was to “evaluate the effect of intensive blood pressure control on risk of dementia.” The older adults received either intensive blood pressure control or standard treatment. The purpose of intensive control was to bring systolic blood pressure below 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), while that of standard treatment was to lower it to under 140 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts. It is usually the first number in a blood pressure measurement, as in “140 mm Hg over 80 mm Hg,” for instance. The results revealed that significantly fewer of those who received intensive blood pressure control went on […]
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. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An experimental Alzheimer’s disease vaccine shows promise in animal tests, and researchers say it could have the potential to reduce dementia cases by half. In mice created to develop Alzheimer’s, the vaccine triggered an immune response that reduced accumulation of two toxic proteins associated with the fatal brain disease. There was a 40 percent reduction in beta-amyloid proteins and up to a 50 percent reduction in tau proteins, with no harmful side effects, according to researchers at the University of Texas. But there’s a catch: While such tests showed positive results in mice, research on animals doesn’t always produce the same effects in humans. More study is needed. Still, the researchers remained optimistic. Reductions in these proteins could someday have significant benefits in people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, said study senior author Doris Lambracht-Washington, of the UT Southwestern Medical Center Brain Institute in Dallas. “If the onset of the disease could be delayed by even five years, that would be enormous for the patients and their families,” she said in a center news release. “The number of dementia cases could drop by half.” Lead researcher Dr. Roger Rosenberg is […]
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, Oct. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dealing with the agitation, anxiety and aggression that often come with dementia is one of the most challenging aspects of caring for someone with this brain disorder. But new research suggests that massage and other non-drug treatments may be more effective than medications. Even just taking people with dementia outdoors can help, said study author Dr. Jennifer Watt, a geriatrician and clinical scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital-Unity Health in Toronto. “The bottom line from our study is that non-medication based therapy and multidimensional care seem to be better than medications for treating the symptoms of aggression and agitation in persons with dementia,” she said. Dementia, a progressive loss of thinking and memory skills, affects 50 million people worldwide. Up to three-quarters have behavioral and psychological symptoms. People with such symptoms often need institutionalized care sooner. Health care professionals rely on several medications to lessen symptoms of agitation and aggression, but these medications carry significant risks. One, ironically, is worsening memory and thinking, the researchers said. Some medications — such as anti-psychotics — may do little to control symptoms, according […]
A novel genetic approach that repairs broken connections between brain cells could lead to treatments that restore memory capacity in Alzheimer’s disease. By using epigenetics, it may soon be possible to reverse memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. The new approach reverses changes to gene expression that tend to occur in the later stages of the disease. Scientists at State University of New York at Buffalo demonstrated how the method was able to reverse Alzheimer’s memory decline in mice. Much genetic research on the causes of Alzheimer’s disease focuses on changes in the DNA of genes. The new study, however, focuses on epigenetics, which concerns mechanisms that can switch genes on and off without disturbing their DNA code. A paper about the work now features in the journal Brain. “In this paper,” says senior study author Zhen Yan, Ph.D., who is a professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, “we have not only identified the epigenetic factors that contribute to the memory loss, we also found ways to temporarily reverse them in an animal model of [Alzheimer’s disease].” Alzheimer’s disease and loss of synapses Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — Omega-3 fatty acids have drawn attention for their potential to keep people’s thinking sharp as they age, and new research appears to support that notion for some heart patients. The study found taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements was associated with better brain function in people with coronary artery disease, which increases risk for dementia. The study included 250 people with coronary artery disease. For 30 months, half took omega-3 supplements; the other half served as a control group. The group taking the supplements had better coordination, reaction speed, memory and recall at one year and at 30 months, compared to the control group. “Other researchers have looked at omega-3 fatty acids in people who already have cognitive impairment or dementia,” said Dr. Francine Welty, a cardiologist at Harvard Medical School in Boston and one of the study’s investigators. “But the people we looked at were cognitively healthy, and we found there may be a benefit from omega-3 fatty acids before cognitive decline begins.” Welty’s colleague, Dr. Bhavya Vemuri, will present the preliminary findings Saturday at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia. Omega-3 fatty acids help build […]
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 […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Heat waves can pose a serious risk to people with Alzheimer’s disease, so their families should know how to keep them safe, advocates say. Extreme heat is “dangerous for everyone, but especially for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, who may be unable to spot the warning signs of trouble or know how to get help,” said Charles Fuschillo Jr., president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). “Caregivers need to be proactive and prepared to protect their loved ones. Taking a few simple steps will go a long way,” he said in a foundation news release. Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia can diminish a person’s ability to know when they are thirsty, so it’s crucial for caregivers to watch them and encourage them to drink often. Don’t let them have alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may contribute to dehydration. Seniors and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk for hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature caused by an inability to regulate heat from the environment. A life-threatening form of hyperthermia is heat stroke, a dangerous elevation in body temperature. Watch Alzheimer’s patients for warning signs such […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Rates of Alzheimer’s disease are higher in women than in men, and researchers now think they know why. A team from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, Tenn., has identified gender differences in how the Alzheimer’s-related protein tau spreads in the brain. Research suggests that tau spreads through the brain like an infection, moving from neuron to neuron and turning other proteins into abnormal tangles that result in the death of brain cells. In this study, investigators used data from positron emission tomography (PET) scans of healthy people and patients with mild mental (cognitive) impairment to create a graph analysis of how tau spreads. “It’s kind of like reconstructing a crime scene after a crime. You weren’t there when it happened, but you can determine where an intruder entered a house and what room they entered next,” said lead investigator Sepi Shokouhi, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “The graph analysis does something similar to show how tau spreads from one region to another,” Shokouhi explained in a center news release. The researchers found that the structure of tau networks is different in men and women, with women […]
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 […]
The blood-brain barrier is a protective layer that surrounds the brain. Its main function is to prevent potentially harmful agents from leaking into this organ. However, it can also stop certain therapeutic drugs from reaching their target. Using ultrasound in new ways could open the door to better treatments for conditions that affect the brain. The blood-brain barrier prevents antitumor drugs and those that fight the symptoms of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease from reaching the brain and doing their work. Scientists can address this issue by temporarily bypassing the blood-brain barrier by using low-frequency ultrasound pulses. So far, they have only experimented with long-wave ultrasound pulses. However, these can bring on side effects, such as brain tissue damage and prolonged exposure to harmful molecules penetrating the blood-brain barrier alongside the drugs. Now, research conducted at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom suggests that a new approach to ultrasound disruption of the blood-brain barrier may work better and cause fewer problems. The team — led by James Choi, Ph.D. — is focusing on the use of shorter-wave ultrasound pulses, which the scientists have recently tested in mouse models. Following the new research, the results of which appear in […]
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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
Blocking an enzyme could put a stop to the buildup of toxic protein clumps that occurs in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. New research reveals that blocking a certain protein clears Lewy bodies — toxic structures that are a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. This was the conclusion that scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) in Washington, D.C. reached after studying the enzyme, called USP13, in the brains of mice and humans. The study, which features in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, may be the first to explain USP13’s role in the toxic accumulation of protein clumps in the brain. The protein accumulations are called Lewy bodies, and they also occur in other neurodegenerative diseases, including Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. “This study,” says lead author Xiaoguang Liu, an assistant professor of neurology at GUMC, “provides novel evidence that USP13 affects development and clearance of Lewy body protein clumps, suggesting that targeting USP13 may be a therapeutic target in Parkinson’s disease and other similar forms of neurodegeneration.” Parkinson’s disease and Lewy bodies Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder that chiefly affects movement control. Typical symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia, which is a slowness of movement. […]
For reasons as yet unknown, Alzheimer’s disease is more likely to affect women. However, new research sheds light on the potential impact of stress on their cognitive functioning. Stress during midlife can put older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Affecting millions of people in the United States, this progressive condition has no proven cause, treatment, or cure. What researchers do know, however, is that women bear the brunt of the condition. Almost two-thirds of U.S. individuals with Alzheimer’s are women, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. However, only theories exist to explain this difference; there is no concrete evidence. One understudied area — say researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD — is the role of stress on cognitive function. Previous research has shown that age can have a significant impact on women’s stress response, and that a stressful life experience can cause memory and cognitive issues. However, these problems tend to be short term. Researchers have now decided to look at the relationship between stress and the long term cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s. “A normal stress response causes a temporary increase in stress hormones […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Leaky blood vessels in the brain may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers say. They followed 161 older adults for five years and found that those with the most severe memory declines had the greatest leakage in their brain’s blood vessels, regardless of whether the Alzheimer’s-related proteins amyloid and tau were present. The findings could help with earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and suggest a new drug target for slowing down or preventing the disease, according to the researchers from the University of Southern California. “The fact that we’re seeing the blood vessels leaking, independent of tau and independent of amyloid, when people have cognitive [mental] impairment on a mild level, suggests it could be a totally separate process or a very early process,” said study senior author Dr. Berislav Zlokovic. He is director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the university’s Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. “That was surprising, that this blood-brain barrier breakdown is occurring independently,” Zlokovic added in a university news release. The blood-brain barrier prevents harmful substances from reaching brain tissue. In some people, this barrier weakens with age. “If the blood-brain barrier […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The results of a new study suggest that virtual reality could make life easier for people with dementia. The authors conclude that virtual reality helped the participants recall memories and contributed to an improvement in patients’ relationships with caregivers. Could virtual reality enhance the lives of people with dementia? Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions, including Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. It can cause memory loss so severe that it negatively impacts a person’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. A person’s risk of dementia increases as they get older, and a person can be more prone to developing Alzheimer’s based on their ethnicity. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans are the group most at risk for Alzheimer’s among seniors, followed by Hispanic people, then non-Hispanic white people. The CDC state that the greatest increase in Alzheimer’s disease over the coming decades will occur among Hispanic and African American people and that these increases are largely due to people living longer, as the rates of people dying from chronic diseases are decreasing. Virtual environments triggered memories In the current study, the researchers — many from the University of Kent in […]
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 […]
New research shows that a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease accurately detected levels of beta-amyloid protein in all stages of the condition, approaching “a level of accuracy that is usable in routine clinical care around the world.” Doctors could soon use a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. The brain changes that lead to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can occur decades before any other signs of the condition are noticeable. In fact, some recent studies have claimed that certain biochemical changes in the brain may occur up to 34 years before symptom onset. Detecting Alzheimer’s disease far enough in advance could make it easier for those affected to plan accordingly and begin treatment as early as possible. Beginning treatment for Alzheimer’s disease as soon as possible can maximize the effectiveness of the therapy. So, to be able to diagnose the condition as early as possible, researchers have been trying to come up with blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, last year, a team of scientists developed a test that detected the protein beta-amyloid from blood samples using immuno-infrared sensor technology. Having a lot of this protein in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. At the time, the […]
One hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the massing of tangles of tau protein in the brain. Now, a new study in mice proposes that a type of brain immune cell called microglia drives the tissue damage that is linked to tau clumping. Could deactivating microglia be the key to treating Alzheimer’s disease? Brain scans of people with Alzheimer’s disease have revealed that the brain damage that accompanies forgetfulness and confusion becomes visible soon after tau tangles start fusing into a mass. A recent Journal of Experimental Medicine paper explains how the microglia become active as the tau clumps begin to form. The study authors also showed that eliminating microglia greatly reduced tau-related damage in the brains of mice genetically modified to develop protein tangles. They suggest that the findings point to a new way to delay the dementia that tau-related brain damage causes in humans. “If you could target microglia in some specific way and prevent them from causing damage,” says senior study author David M. Holtzman, a professor of neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, “I think that would be a really important, strategic, novel way to develop a treatment.” Toxic protein and […]
As interest in gut bacteria peaks, they are implicated in yet another condition. Researchers recently identified stark differences in levels of specific gut bacteria in people with dementia. A new study links changes in gut bacteria to dementia. Our bodies swarm with microscopic visitors. On our skin, in our mouths, deep in our lungs, and, of course, nestled in our digestive systems. The bacteria in the gut have long been known to assist the digestive process, but in recent years, it has become clear that they are involved in much, much more. With bacteria now implicated in conditions as diverse as diabetes and schizophrenia, we truly are in the age of the microbiome. Recently, researchers in Japan investigated whether gut bacteria might, one day, help in the diagnosis and even treatment of dementia. Dr. Naoki Saji, from the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Obu, Japan, led the team of scientists. The researchers will present their findings at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2019 in Honolulu, HI. Examining feces The researchers recruited 128 participants from their memory clinic. The average age was 74.2, and 59 percent […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A gene mutation implicated in the risk for Alzheimer’s disease might also impair memory in soccer players who head the ball a lot, a new study suggests. The finding could have implications for young athletes in contact sports where the head can take hits during play. Among soccer players who headed the ball the most, those with the gene mutation called the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOE e4) allele did four times worse on memory tests than those who head the ball the least, the researchers found. “This is important because heading is generally seen as inconsequential,” said lead researcher Dr. Michael Lipton, a professor of radiology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. “Most people have relatively modest exposure and don’t seem to be adversely affected. It’s really whether you have other risk factors like this gene,” he said. Lipton noted that about 25% of the population carries the APOE e4 allele. Lipton said the injuries to the brain from heading aren’t concussions, but rather tiny subclinical damage that doesn’t produce obvious symptoms. Excessive heading is hitting the ball with the head […]
Previous research suggested that hearing loss and abnormalities in the eye are tied to memory loss and a higher Alzheimer’s risk. New evidence now indicates that addressing hearing and sight problems can slow down cognitive decline. Opting for hearing aids and cataract surgery can make a big difference when it comes to slowing down cognitive decline. Existing studies have pointed out that there is a link between the quality of a person’s hearing and their eye health and their exposure to cognitive decline. For instance, one such study covered on Medical News Today suggested that poor hearing may correlate with a poor memory. Another one proposed that we could detect Alzheimer’s disease by looking for tell-tale abnormalities in a person’s eyes. Now, two new papers — each based on studies conducted by the same scientists from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom — look at the evidence indicating that treating hearing loss and eyesight problems can slow down the development of cognitive decline. One of the papers, published in the journal PLOS One, shows that people who have had surgery for cataract — which is condition that can lead to vision loss in the absence of a surgical […]
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 […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Poor sleep is common among Alzheimer’s patients, and researchers say they’re beginning to understand why. Scientists studied 119 people aged 60 and older. Eighty percent had no thinking or memory problems, while the rest had only mild problems. The researchers found that participants with less slow-wave sleep — deep sleep that’s needed to preserve memories and to wake up feeling refreshed — had higher levels of the brain protein tau. Elevated tau levels are a possible sign of Alzheimer’s disease and have been linked to brain damage and mental decline, the scientists said. The findings suggest that poor sleep among older adults could be a warning sign of declining brain health, according to the researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “We saw this inverse relationship between decreased slow-wave sleep and more tau protein in people who were either cognitively normal or very mildly impaired, meaning that reduced slow-wave activity may be a marker for the transition between normal and impaired,” said first author Dr. Brendan Lucey. He’s an assistant professor of neurology and director of the Washington University Sleep Medicine Center. “Measuring how people sleep may […]
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 […]
Gum disease bacteria may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers say. Latest Alzheimer’s News They studied dead and living patients with diagnosed and suspected Alzheimer’s and found bacteria associated with chronic gum disease in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s, BBC News reported. Tests on mice confirmed the bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis could migrate from the mouth to the brain and that a toxic protein they secrete (gingipain) destroyed brain neurons. The bacteria also boosted production of amyloid beta, a component of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s, BBC News reported. Further tests on mice showed that drugs that block the toxic proteins produced by the bacteria stopped brain degeneration. The study was published in the journal Science Advances. The researchers said their findings could point to new ways to help people with Alzheimer’s. Currently there is no cure or effective treatment, BBC News reported. The team developed a new drug and plan to test it later this year in a clinical trial with patients who have mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. The study adds to evidence of a link between gum disease and dementia, but it’s still not clear if gum disease bacteria actually trigger Alzheimer’s, said scientists not involved in […]
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 […]
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 […]
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