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.

Changes in one gene can influence person's cholesterol levels from midlife through late life

It's known that cholesterol levels typically rise as people age and that high cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. What's less known is that cholesterol levels begin to decline the more a person ages. Recently, researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of Kentucky found that differences in one gene can influence a person's cholesterol levels from midlife to late life.

19 Nov 2014

Blocking key brain receptor cell could neutralize biological consequences of Alzheimer's

Blocking a key receptor in brain cells that is used by oxygen free radicals could play a major role in neutralizing the biological consequences of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at Temple University.

19 Nov 2014

RI-MUHC-led study identifies new player in brain function and memory

Is it possible to change the amount of information the brain can store? Maybe, according to a new international study led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC).

14 Nov 2014

Researchers identify molecular switch that controls inflammatory processes in aging-related disorders

A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has identified what appears to be a molecular switch controlling inflammatory processes involved in conditions ranging from muscle atrophy to Alzheimer's disease.

14 Nov 2014

Focusing on comorbidity and disabilities can reduce healthcare costs in aging population

As our society ages, a University of Montreal study suggests the health system should be focusing on comorbidity and specific types of disabilities that are associated with higher health care costs for seniors, especially cognitive disabilities.

14 Nov 2014

Alzheimer's drug may reduce addictive and impulsive behavior associated with binge eating

The Alzheimer's drug memantine may perform double-duty helping binge eaters control their compulsion.

14 Nov 2014

Multi-institutional study establishes new criteria for Alzheimer's-related memory disorder

A multi-institutional study has defined and established criteria for a new neurological disease closely resembling Alzheimer's disease called primary age-related tauopathy (PART).

14 Nov 2014

Study defines, establishes criteria for primary age-related tauopathy

A multi-institutional study has defined and established criteria for a new neurological disease closely resembling Alzheimer's disease called primary age-related tauopathy (PART). Patients with PART develop cognitive impairment that can be indistinguishable from Alzheimer's disease, but they lack amyloid plaques. Awareness of this neurological disease will help doctors diagnose and develop more effective treatments for patients with different types of memory impairment.

13 Nov 2014

Vitamin B12, folic acid supplements may not reduce risk of memory and thinking problems

Taking vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements may not reduce the risk of memory and thinking problems after all, according to a new study published in the November 12, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study is one of the largest to date to test long-term use of supplements and thinking and memory skills.

13 Nov 2014

Scientists receive NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants for mental health research

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation today announced the award of NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants valued at $1.5 million to 15 scientists, who are full professors or the equivalent, conducting innovative projects in diverse areas of neurobiological and behavioral research.

13 Nov 2014

Stopping the death of synapses: an interview with Dr Soledad Galli

Synapses are the sites that connect neurons – sites where information is passed from one neuron to another. They are highly specialized structures and synaptic function is crucial for normal brain function.

11 Nov 2014

Anxiety can accelerate conversion to Alzheimer's disease for people with mild cognitive impairment

People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at increased risk of converting to Alzheimer's disease within a few years, but a new study warns the risk increases significantly if they suffer from anxiety.

11 Nov 2014

Innovative program benefits incapacitated patients with no family or friends

A Regenstrief Institute and Eskenazi Health study reports on an innovative program that trains and supervises volunteers who act as advocates for adults and seniors who are unable to make their own decisions due to conditions like Alzheimer's disease or coma, but have no family or friends to help them.

11 Nov 2014

Neuronetrix selected to support upcoming ANAVEX 2-73 Phase 2a clinical trial

Neuronetrix has been selected by Anavex Life Sciences Corp. to support the upcoming Phase 2a clinical trial for ANAVEX 2-73, a symptomatic and potentially disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Neuronetrix will be utilizing their COGNISION System to measure and analyze cognitive biomarkers in study participants.

7 Nov 2014

Applying lessons learnt from failed Alzheimer's studies for future research

Disappointing results in clinical Alzheimer's studies discourage doctors and scientists from continuing their research into ɣ-secretases and a possible treatment against Alzheimer's disease. In the prestigious journal Cell, the Alzheimer's expert Bart De Strooper (VIB-KU Leuven) argues that these studies are not pointless, but merely indicate what the next steps should be for the Alzheimer's research.

7 Nov 2014

Scientists develop human stem cell disease model of Parkinson's disease in a dish

A team of scientists led by The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute successfully created a human stem cell disease model of Parkinson's disease in a dish. Studying a pair of identical (monozygotic) twins, one affected and one unaffected with Parkinson's disease, another unrelated Parkinson's patient, and four healthy control subjects, the scientists were able to observe key features of the disease in the laboratory, specifically differences in the patients' neurons' ability to produce dopamine, the molecule that is deficient in Parkinson's disease.

6 Nov 2014

NIH boosts funding for first large-scale clinical trial aimed at identifying drugs for Alzheimer's

The National Institutes of Health has boosted funding for the first large-scale clinical trial aimed at identifying drugs to stop or slow Alzheimer's disease in people destined to get the debilitating illness.

6 Nov 2014

Study looks at new diagnostic, treatment approaches to neurological conditions

Despite great advances in understanding how the human brain works, psychiatric conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, and brain injuries are on the rise. Progress in the development of new diagnostic and treatment approaches appears to have stalled. In a special issue of the Cell Press journal Neuron, experts look at the challenges associated with "translational neuroscience," or efforts to bring advances in the lab to the patients who need them.

6 Nov 2014

New research suggests that brain aging can be postponed if placed on a high-fat diet

New Danish-led research suggests that signs of brain aging can be postponed in mice if placed on a high-fat diet. In the long term, this opens the possibility of treatment of children suffering from premature aging and patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The research project is headed by the Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen and the National Institute of Health.

6 Nov 2014

Epilepsy: A true window on the brain

Rapidly emerging technologies, novel imaging techniques, the development of new therapies and new genes, have given researchers and clinicians an extraordinary ability to explore the brain at the cellular, genetic and neural levels. While current epilepsy research may seem like it's ripped from the pages of a science fiction novel, it's real—and even pretty cool.

6 Nov 2014

Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

Further Reading

Changes in one gene can influence person's cholesterol levels from midlife through late life

Blocking key brain receptor cell could neutralize biological consequences of Alzheimer's

RI-MUHC-led study identifies new player in brain function and memory

Researchers identify molecular switch that controls inflammatory processes in aging-related disorders

Focusing on comorbidity and disabilities can reduce healthcare costs in aging population

Alzheimer's drug may reduce addictive and impulsive behavior associated with binge eating

Multi-institutional study establishes new criteria for Alzheimer's-related memory disorder

Study defines, establishes criteria for primary age-related tauopathy

Vitamin B12, folic acid supplements may not reduce risk of memory and thinking problems

Scientists receive NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants for mental health research

Stopping the death of synapses: an interview with Dr Soledad Galli

Anxiety can accelerate conversion to Alzheimer's disease for people with mild cognitive impairment

Innovative program benefits incapacitated patients with no family or friends

Neuronetrix selected to support upcoming ANAVEX 2-73 Phase 2a clinical trial

Applying lessons learnt from failed Alzheimer's studies for future research

Scientists develop human stem cell disease model of Parkinson's disease in a dish

NIH boosts funding for first large-scale clinical trial aimed at identifying drugs for Alzheimer's

Study looks at new diagnostic, treatment approaches to neurological conditions

New research suggests that brain aging can be postponed if placed on a high-fat diet

Epilepsy: A true window on the brain

eBook: Advancing neurodegenerative research with iPSC-derived microglia models eBook

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

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