Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 60. AD is the most common cause of dementia among older people, but it is not a normal part of aging. Dementia refers to a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life and activities. AD starts in a region of the brain that affects recent memory, then gradually spreads to other parts of the brain. Although treatment can slow the progression of AD and help manage its symptoms in some people, currently there is no cure for this devastating disease.

New information about effects of aging on the brain

Research by biologists at the University of York and Hull York Medical School has revealed important new information about the way the brain is affected by age.

11 Oct 2011

Targacept commences AZD3480 Phase 2b study in Alzheimer’s disease

Targacept, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel NNR Therapeutics™, today announced the initiation of a potential registration study of AZD3480 in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The study is the subject of a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

10 Oct 2011

Art, drama and dance may benefit dementia sufferers

While medical researchers continue the search for advanced diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dementia, a researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London is focusing on improving the experiences of those already suffering with the devastating disease for whom any cure would be too late.

7 Oct 2011

Alzheimer Society urges Liberal Government to make good on their healthcare commitments

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario congratulates Ontario's re-elected Liberal Government and urges them to make good on their healthcare commitments.

7 Oct 2011

Hysterectomy increases brain iron levels in both men and women

The human body has a love-hate relationship with iron. Just the right amount is needed for proper cell function, yet too much is associated with brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

7 Oct 2011

New insight into mechanisms of hippocampal rhythms

A research team from Berlin, Munich and Haifa has presented new findings concerning the function of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is important for memory formation.

7 Oct 2011

Alzheimer's may originate in a form similar to that of infectious prion diseases

The brain damage that characterizes Alzheimer's disease may originate in a form similar to that of infectious prion diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob, according to newly published research by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

4 Oct 2011

UCLA neuro-physicists discover optimal brain rhythm for changing synaptic strength

The brain learns through changes in the strength of its synapses -- the connections between neurons -- in response to stimuli. Now, in a discovery that challenges conventional wisdom on the brain mechanisms of learning, UCLA neuro-physicists have found there is an optimal brain "rhythm," or frequency, for changing synaptic strength. And further, like stations on a radio dial, each synapse is tuned to a different optimal frequency for learning.

4 Oct 2011

Complete Genomics, Scripps collaborate to unlock genetic secrets of lifelong health

Complete Genomics Inc., the whole human genome sequencing company, and the not-for-profit Scripps Health system today announced a major collaboration that will help further the Wellderly Study, a landmark scientific research initiative aimed at unlocking the genetic secrets of lifelong health.

4 Oct 2011

Researchers apply new approach to take a close look at amyloid plaque formation

Researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) and Osaka University applied a new approach to take a close look at amyloid plaque formation, a process that plays important roles in Alzheimer's disease.

4 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: Mixing Obama and Ryan's plans, cancer rationing and stalling federal aid

What has been revealed is that the systems set up during an industrial era to provide health care, retirement income and support during economic downturns are inadequate for and ill-suited to our post-industrial, globalized economy. ...one can imagine a system in which all workers and nonworkers are required to buy insurance from the government-regulated exchanges being set up in each region or state under the Obama health-care reform plan.

4 Oct 2011

Strong connection between preterm birth and risk of epilepsy

Being born prematurely may increase your risk of developing epilepsy as an adult, according to a new study published in the October 4, 2011, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

4 Oct 2011

Planned clinical trial of Adeona's zinc-based therapy for ALS patients to be featured at ALS Summit

Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developer of innovative medicines for serious central nervous system diseases, announced today that its planned clinical trial of the Company's proprietary zinc-based therapy for patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, will be featured during the Hot Topics session at the 2011 California ALS Research Summit on Saturday, October 1, 2011.

1 Oct 2011

OCC applauds political parties for introducing policies to support caregivers

With just a week to go, the Ontario election is making history. All three major parties (Liberals, New Democratic Party and Progressive Conservatives) have named policies in their election platforms to support caregivers.

1 Oct 2011

Amorfix achieves 85% specificity and sensitivity with EP-AD CSF Diagnostic Test for AD

Amorfix Life Sciences, a product development company focused on diagnostics and therapeutics for misfolded protein diseases, today announced it has achieved 85 percent specificity and sensitivity with its EP-AD CSF Diagnostic Test.

1 Oct 2011

Experts to discuss issues related to stroke at Canadian Stroke Congress

More than 900 of the top stroke researchers, clinicians and policy experts from across Canada and around the world are gathering at the Canadian Stroke Congress in Ottawa Oct. 3 and 4 to tackle issues related to stroke, a leading cause of death and disability in this country.

1 Oct 2011

Hospital readmission rates reflect problem in addressing hospital failures

If you're a Medicare patient admitted to the hospital, the odds are about one in six that you'll end up back in the hospital within a month. And there was very little progress made in reducing that rate between 2004-09.

30 Sep 2011

GSA, NAM select 16 reporters for MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and New America Media (NAM) have selected 16 reporters for the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program, now in its second year.

30 Sep 2011

Researchers discover kibra protein controls sculpting of brain circuitry

Researchers working with adult mice have discovered that learning and memory were profoundly affected when they altered the amounts of a certain protein in specific parts of the mammals' brains.

29 Sep 2011

Prehypertension may increase risk of stroke

Even people with blood pressure that is slightly above normal may be at an increased risk of stroke, according to a review of studies published in the September 28, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

29 Sep 2011

Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

Further Reading

New information about effects of aging on the brain

Targacept commences AZD3480 Phase 2b study in Alzheimer’s disease

Art, drama and dance may benefit dementia sufferers

Alzheimer Society urges Liberal Government to make good on their healthcare commitments

Hysterectomy increases brain iron levels in both men and women

New insight into mechanisms of hippocampal rhythms

Alzheimer's may originate in a form similar to that of infectious prion diseases

UCLA neuro-physicists discover optimal brain rhythm for changing synaptic strength

Complete Genomics, Scripps collaborate to unlock genetic secrets of lifelong health

Researchers apply new approach to take a close look at amyloid plaque formation

Viewpoints: Mixing Obama and Ryan's plans, cancer rationing and stalling federal aid

Strong connection between preterm birth and risk of epilepsy

Planned clinical trial of Adeona's zinc-based therapy for ALS patients to be featured at ALS Summit

OCC applauds political parties for introducing policies to support caregivers

Amorfix achieves 85% specificity and sensitivity with EP-AD CSF Diagnostic Test for AD

Experts to discuss issues related to stroke at Canadian Stroke Congress

Hospital readmission rates reflect problem in addressing hospital failures

GSA, NAM select 16 reporters for MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program

Researchers discover kibra protein controls sculpting of brain circuitry

Prehypertension may increase risk of stroke

Aneuro: A Year of Neuroscience in Review eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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