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.

Concussion involving momentary loss of consciousness may be related to buildup of Alzheimer's

A new study suggests that a history of concussion involving at least a momentary loss of consciousness may be related to the buildup of Alzheimer's-associated plaques in the brain.

27 Dec 2013

Cell transplantation, gene therapy combination to open new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer's disease

In a recent study published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 33, 2013), Prof. Feng Li and team from Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University in China, synthesized a 19-nt oligonucleotide targeting BACE1, the key enzyme in amyloid beta protein (Aβ) production, and introduced it into the pSilenCircle vector to construct a short hairpin (shRNA) expression plasmid against the BACE1 gene.

24 Dec 2013

Researchers report new gene delivery method that targets tumor blood vessels

Working in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report developing a gene delivery method long sought in the field of gene therapy: a deactivated virus carrying a gene of interest that can be injected into the bloodstream and make its way to the right cells.

24 Dec 2013

CUMC researchers clarify three fundamental issues about Alzheimer's disease

Using high-resolution functional MRI imaging in patients with Alzheimer's disease and in mouse models of the disease, Columbia University Medical Center researchers have clarified three fundamental issues about Alzheimer's: where it starts, why it starts there, and how it spreads. In addition to advancing understanding of Alzheimer's, the findings could improve early detection of the disease, when drugs may be most effective.

22 Dec 2013

Most dementia people living at home have multiple unmet health and welfare needs

Most people with dementia who live at home have multiple unmet health and welfare needs, any number of which could jeopardize their ability to remain home for as long as they desire, new Johns Hopkins research suggests.

20 Dec 2013

Deep brain stimulation may have beneficial effect on driving ability for Parkinson's disease patients

Deep brain stimulation may have a beneficial effect on driving ability for people with Parkinson's disease, according to a new study published in the December 18, 2013, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Deep brain stimulation uses a surgical implant similar to a pacemaker to send electrical impulses to the brain.

19 Dec 2013

Primary cilia play key role in stem cell differentiation

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have shown for the first time that the specialised role stem cells go on to perform is controlled by primary cilia -tiny hair-like structures protruding from a cell.

18 Dec 2013

Nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease does not improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease does not improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

18 Dec 2013

Moderate drinking may bolster our immune system and help fight off infection: Study

Medical science has known for years that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol actually have a reduced risk of death. In general, they are healthier and have better cardiovascular function that those who don't drink alcohol at all.

17 Dec 2013

Researchers use ATX-Red AR-2 as new imaging agent to illuminate tumors

Researchers from Echelon Biosciences, Inc. and collaborators from the University of Utah report the use of ATX-Red AR-2 as a new imaging agent that effectively illuminates tumors.

17 Dec 2013

Researchers discover direct evidence of genetic overlap between cognitive ability and schizophrenia

Investigators at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have discovered for the first time, direct evidence of a genetic overlap between schizophrenia and general cognitive ability. The findings are published online in Molecular Psychiatry.

17 Dec 2013

Research findings point to possible new strategy for treating ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a devastating illness that gradually robs sufferers of muscle strength and eventually causes a lethal, full-body paralysis. The only drug available to treat the disease extends life spans by a meager three months on average.

17 Dec 2013

New study aims to better understand brain aging and AD in adults with Down syndrome

To many, Down syndrome is a childhood condition. But improved health care means that individuals with DS now routinely reach age 50 or 60 years of age, sometimes beyond. However, if they live long enough, people with Down syndrome are almost certain to develop Alzheimer's disease.

17 Dec 2013

Targacept reports top-line results from TC-5619 Phase 2b trial for negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Targacept, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel NNR Therapeutics, today announced top-line results from a Phase 2b clinical trial of TC-5619 as an augmentation therapy for the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

17 Dec 2013

New Memorandum of Understanding signed to create partnership in neuroscience research

Today, Congressmen Steve Israel (D-NY) and Chaka Fattah (D-PA) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding dedicated to creating a partnership in neuroscience research, and in particular, research on Alzheimer's disease.

16 Dec 2013

Two UTHealth professors elected fellows of American Association for the Advancement of Science

Two professors at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - Barry Davis, M.D., Ph.D., and Kevin Morano, Ph.D. - have been elected fellows into the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science.

16 Dec 2013

NIH publishes new informational booklet on Lewy body dementias

A new informational booklet on Lewy body dementias has been published by the National Institutes of Health for people living with LBD, their families and healthcare providers. The booklet was a collaboration among the Lewy Body Dementia Association, the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of California, San Diego, the National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

14 Dec 2013

Study: Brain blood vessel cells may be therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease

A study in mice shows how a breakdown of the brain's blood vessels may amplify or cause problems associated with Alzheimer's disease. The results published in Nature Communications suggest that blood vessel cells called pericytes may provide novel targets for treatments and diagnoses.

14 Dec 2013

Standardized research approaches needed for developing new treatments for neurofibromatosis

As potentially effective new treatments for neurofibromatosis (NF) are developed, standardized research approaches—including outcome measures specific to NF—are needed. The first report from the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis (REiNS) International Collaboration has been published as a supplement to Neurology, the Official Journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).

13 Dec 2013

Researchers uncover second rare genetic mutation linked to higher risk of Alzheimer's disease

A research team from The University of Nottingham has helped uncover a second rare genetic mutation which strongly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease in later life.

13 Dec 2013

Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

Further Reading

Concussion involving momentary loss of consciousness may be related to buildup of Alzheimer's

Cell transplantation, gene therapy combination to open new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers report new gene delivery method that targets tumor blood vessels

CUMC researchers clarify three fundamental issues about Alzheimer's disease

Most dementia people living at home have multiple unmet health and welfare needs

Deep brain stimulation may have beneficial effect on driving ability for Parkinson's disease patients

Primary cilia play key role in stem cell differentiation

Nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease does not improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes

Moderate drinking may bolster our immune system and help fight off infection: Study

Researchers use ATX-Red AR-2 as new imaging agent to illuminate tumors

Researchers discover direct evidence of genetic overlap between cognitive ability and schizophrenia

Research findings point to possible new strategy for treating ALS

New study aims to better understand brain aging and AD in adults with Down syndrome

Targacept reports top-line results from TC-5619 Phase 2b trial for negative symptoms in schizophrenia

New Memorandum of Understanding signed to create partnership in neuroscience research

Two UTHealth professors elected fellows of American Association for the Advancement of Science

NIH publishes new informational booklet on Lewy body dementias

Study: Brain blood vessel cells may be therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease

Standardized research approaches needed for developing new treatments for neurofibromatosis

Researchers uncover second rare genetic mutation linked to higher risk of Alzheimer's disease

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