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.

UCSB study demonstrates new tool to resolve structure of membrane proteins

Membrane proteins are responsible for transporting chemicals and messages between a cell and its environment. But determining their structure has proved challenging for scientists. A study by UC Santa Barbara's Han Research Group demonstrates a new tool to resolve the structure of membrane-embedded and membrane-associating proteins using the water dynamics gradient they found across and above the lipid bilayer as a unique ruler.

1 Oct 2013

Shortage of zinc may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made a discovery that, if replicated in humans, suggests a shortage of zinc may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which have been linked to defective proteins clumping together in the brain.

1 Oct 2013

Roadmap of protein interactions may lead to new therapeutic approaches for type 2 diabetes

A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has created the first comprehensive roadmap of the protein interactions that enable cells in the pancreas to produce, store and secrete the hormone insulin.

1 Oct 2013

Medical imaging website compiles list of hottest clinical procedures in imaging for AD

AuntMinnie.com, the respected medical imaging website, has compiled a list of the "hottest clinical procedures" in imaging, such as molecular breast imaging and PET scans for Alzheimer's disease.

27 Sep 2013

Research suggests omega-3 fatty acids may not benefit thinking skills

Contrary to earlier studies, new research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may not benefit thinking skills. The study is published in the September 25, 2013, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Omega-3s are found in fatty fish such as salmon and in nuts.

26 Sep 2013

Scientist receives £58,000 from Alzheimer's Research UK to study chemical signals in AD

A University of Southampton scientist has just been awarded more than £58,000 by Alzheimer's Research UK to study chemical signals in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. The research will study the chemical signals that control learning and memory in an attempt to understand more about Alzheimer's and search for new treatments.

26 Sep 2013

MGH researchers identify rare gene mutations that appear to cause late-onset AD

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have identified and validated two rare gene mutations that appear to cause the common form of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that strikes after the age of 60.

25 Sep 2013

Cerebral imaging in patients with early symptoms of AD may have better clinical outcomes

Patients suffering from early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease who were diagnosed sooner than usual using a brain imaging test received Alzheimer-specific medications earlier than those who did not have the brain imaging results available to their doctors or themselves.

25 Sep 2013

Changes due to single mild explosion in brain has similarity with Alzheimer's

A new study published in the September issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease reports that even a single mild explosion can cause changes in the brain that have similarities to those found in diseases like Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

25 Sep 2013

Changes in national diets linked to dramatic rise in AD prevalence in Japan and developing countries

In a paper just published electronically in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, dramatic increases in Alzheimer's disease in Japan and significant increases in developing countries are linked to changes in national diets.

24 Sep 2013

Scientists validate new system for identifying individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease

For years, scientists have attempted to understand how Alzheimer's disease harms the brain before memory loss and dementia are clinically detectable. Most researchers think this preclinical stage, which can last a decade or more before symptoms appear, is the critical phase when the disease might be controlled or stopped, possibly preventing the failure of memory and thinking abilities in the first place.

24 Sep 2013

New research chair established to develop innovative strategies for Alzheimer's disease

On September 19, INRS director general Daniel Coderre and INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier Centre director Charles M. Dozois announced the creation of the Louise and André Charron Research Chair in Alzheimer's Disease.

23 Sep 2013

Cases of elderly dementia projected to triple by mid-century

By the middle of the century, the number of older people suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia will nearly triple, severely straining caregiving resources, the charity Alzheimer's Disease International says in a new study released Thursday (Neuman, 9/19).

21 Sep 2013

Alzheimer Society of Canada requests for Canadian Alzheimer's disease and dementia partnership

On the eve of World Alzheimer's Day, the Alzheimer Society of Canada has called on the Federal Government to immediately establish a Canadian Alzheimer's disease and dementia partnership to lead and facilitate the development and implementation of a national dementia strategy.

21 Sep 2013

First Edition: September 20, 2013

Today's headlines include the latest on the Capitol Hill hijinx surrounding efforts to defund the health law and avert a government shutdown.

20 Sep 2013

Florida Hospital To Evaluate VTT’S Alzheimer’S Biomarker Assay

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is taking an important step toward advancing its Alzheimer's disease biomarker by collaborating with the Florida Hospital Neuroscience Institute to evaluate screening, diagnostic, and prognostic potential of the biomarker assay and utilize it to specifically target which types of precautions to take when approaching early stages of the disease.

19 Sep 2013

Blood lipid marker may help predict risk for Parkinson's disease

A genetic mutation, known as GBA, that leads to early onset of Parkinson's disease and severe cognitive impairment (in about 4 to 7 percent of all patients with the disease) also alters how specific lipids, ceramides and glucosylceramides are metabolized. Mayo Clinic researchers have found that Parkinson's patients who do not carry the genetic mutation also have higher levels of these lipids in the blood. Further, those who had Parkinson's and high blood levels were also more likely to have cognitive impairment and dementia.

19 Sep 2013

New tools can help manage negative behavioural symptoms in dementia patients

A rapidly aging population means an increased likelihood of the diseases of old age becoming more prevalent and more problematic for those afflicted with such illnesses, their family and carers, and overburdened healthcare services.

19 Sep 2013

NIH announces $45 million grant to find effective interventions for Alzheimer's

The National Institutes of Health announced on Wednesday the award of a new research grant to discover, characterize and validate complex molecular networks and candidate genes that influence susceptibility to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

19 Sep 2013

New information about how estrogens regulate memory formation

The loss of estrogens at menopause increases a woman's risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, yet hormone replacement therapy can cause harmful side effects.

19 Sep 2013

Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

Further Reading

UCSB study demonstrates new tool to resolve structure of membrane proteins

Shortage of zinc may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Roadmap of protein interactions may lead to new therapeutic approaches for type 2 diabetes

Medical imaging website compiles list of hottest clinical procedures in imaging for AD

Research suggests omega-3 fatty acids may not benefit thinking skills

Scientist receives £58,000 from Alzheimer's Research UK to study chemical signals in AD

MGH researchers identify rare gene mutations that appear to cause late-onset AD

Cerebral imaging in patients with early symptoms of AD may have better clinical outcomes

Changes due to single mild explosion in brain has similarity with Alzheimer's

Changes in national diets linked to dramatic rise in AD prevalence in Japan and developing countries

Scientists validate new system for identifying individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease

New research chair established to develop innovative strategies for Alzheimer's disease

Cases of elderly dementia projected to triple by mid-century

Alzheimer Society of Canada requests for Canadian Alzheimer's disease and dementia partnership

First Edition: September 20, 2013

Florida Hospital To Evaluate VTT’S Alzheimer’S Biomarker Assay

Blood lipid marker may help predict risk for Parkinson's disease

New tools can help manage negative behavioural symptoms in dementia patients

NIH announces $45 million grant to find effective interventions for Alzheimer's

New information about how estrogens regulate memory formation

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