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.

Pioneering stem cell research could revolutionize treatments for diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

A heart patient's own skin cells soon could be used to repair damaged cardiac tissue thanks to pioneering stem cell research of the University of Houston's newest biomedical scientist, Robert Schwartz.

3 Mar 2010

Sea squirts help in fight against Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease affects an estimated 27 million people worldwide. It is the most common form of age-related dementia, possibly the most feared disease of old age. There is no cure, and the available drugs only help to relieve symptoms without slowing progression of the disease. One of the characteristic changes in the brains of Alzheimer's patients is the accumulation of plaques and tangles; currently, the best hope for curing or at least slowing the disease lies in developing drugs that target this buildup.

2 Mar 2010

Clot-busting drug therapy after stroke beneficial for women

New research shows women who don't receive a clot-busting drug after a stroke fare worse than men who are not treated. The study is published in the March 2, 2010, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

2 Mar 2010

Causal relation between multiple factors and occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders: ANNs help understand better

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD). An analysis of genetic risk factors predisposing to MCI is critical for accessing individual predisposition and reliably evaluating the effectiveness of early treatment. In a groundbreaking study published in the February 2010 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease investigators successfully used artificial neural networks (ANNs) to help understand the causal relation between multiple factors and the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders.

2 Mar 2010

Individuals having greater purpose in lives less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease: Study

Individuals who report having greater purpose in their lives appear less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

2 Mar 2010

$28M grant to examine neural and behavioral profiles of healthy cognitive aging

The Research Partnership in Cognitive Aging, a public-private effort to promote the study of brain function with age, will award up to $28 million over five years to 17 research grants to examine the neural and behavioral profiles of healthy cognitive aging and explore interventions that may prevent, reduce or reverse cognitive decline in older people.

2 Mar 2010

Oxidative stress could lead to health problems and premature death

If you aren't getting a good, consistent and regular night's sleep, a new study suggests it could reduce your ability to handle oxidative stress, cause impacts to your health, increase motor and neurological deterioration, speed aging and ultimately cut short your life.

2 Mar 2010

Researchers uncover new explanation for the spread of tau protein within human brain

A team of researchers at UMass Lowell has found a new mechanism by which a key protein associated with Alzheimer's disease can spread within the human brain.

2 Mar 2010

Researchers proceed to develop vaccination to reverse neurological damage seen with Parkinson's disease

Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have taken a significant step forward in developing a vaccination approach to reverse the neurological damage seen with Parkinson's disease.

2 Mar 2010

Habits of modern life may shorten life-span of the Millennium Generation

All parents dream of a better life for their children, but because of the habits of modern life, the Millennium Generation may be the first to suffer a shorter life-span.

1 Mar 2010

[11C]PiB PET neuroimaging exhibits potential for monitoring therapeutics on amyloid beta load during Alzheimer’s disease treatment

Elan Corporation, plc today announced that findings from a Phase II study which suggested bapineuzumab reduced amyloid-beta deposits in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients as measured using a neuroimaging technique known as [11C]PiB PET, were published in the February 28, 2010 online edition of Lancet Neurology. Bapineuzumab is a compound under development by Pfizer and Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary in which Elan holds a minority equity interest.

1 Mar 2010

MetLife Foundation Awards for Medical Research in Alzheimer's Disease: Four scientists honored

Complementary approaches to Alzheimer's research were recognized as four scientists received the prestigious MetLife Foundation Awards for Medical Research in Alzheimer's Disease in Washington, D.C.

26 Feb 2010

Resverlogix commences enrollment in RVX-208 Phase 2 clinical trial for atherosclerosis in ACS patients

Resverlogix Corp. announced today that it has officially activated the first site for the ASSURE 1 trial and commenced enrollment of patients for dosing of RVX-208. ASSURE 1 is the second Resverlogix Phase 2 clinical trial, led by Cleveland Clinic. This trial will examine RVX-208, Resverlogix's oral small molecule therapy for the treatment of atherosclerosis, in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This preparatory acute coronary syndrome study will ensure that 50 percent of the enrolled patients receive the IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) assessment.

26 Feb 2010

WSU Boonshoft School of Medicine and Miami Valley Hospital form new neuroscience institute

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and Miami Valley Hospital announced today the formation of the Wright State University & Premier Health Partners Neuroscience Institute to speed the transfer of research discoveries from bench to bedside, improving the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders such as stroke. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents Eric Fingerhut joined Wright State University and Miami Valley Hospital officials in making the announcement.

25 Feb 2010

Rapamycin may hold promise for Alzheimer's disease

Rapamycin, a drug that keeps the immune system from attacking transplanted organs, may have another exciting use: fighting Alzheimer's disease.

25 Feb 2010

Nearly 40% of TIA and minor ischemic stroke patients may experience mental impairment

Nearly four in 10 transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor ischemic stroke patients may experience mental impairment, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2010.

25 Feb 2010

Meditation improves cognition in people with memory loss

The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation today announced data demonstrating that a specific meditation performed daily for eight weeks increased brain activity in areas central to memory and actually improved cognition in patients suffering from memory problems. The results of the study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, were published in an early online version of an article scheduled to appear in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (Volume 20:2, April 2010).

24 Feb 2010

Incidence rate for all causes of dementia in older people to increase with age: Study

University of California researchers found that the incidence rate for all causes of dementia in people age 90 and older is 18.2% annually and significantly increases with age in both men and women. This research, called "The 90+ Study," is one of only a few to examine dementia in this age group, and the first to have sufficient participation of centenarians.

24 Feb 2010

QR Pharma awarded patent covering use of Posiphen and analogs in treatment of DS

QR Pharma, Inc., a developer of novel drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD), announced today that it was issued U.S. Patent No. 7,625,942, a "Method of Treating Down Syndrome" by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The '942 patent covers use of Posiphen and analogs to treat cognitive impairments associated with Down Syndrome (DS). This patent valuably expands upon the original Posiphen and analog patent that claims composition of matter and use of compounds to lower amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) and thereby treat dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

24 Feb 2010

Ten steps to help caregivers take care of themselves

Faced with the need to provide daily care, often to family members with special needs or disabilities, caregivers tend to overlook their own short- and long-term personal and financial needs, putting at risk their own health and security.

24 Feb 2010

Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

Further Reading

Pioneering stem cell research could revolutionize treatments for diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

Sea squirts help in fight against Alzheimer's disease

Clot-busting drug therapy after stroke beneficial for women

Causal relation between multiple factors and occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders: ANNs help understand better

Individuals having greater purpose in lives less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease: Study

$28M grant to examine neural and behavioral profiles of healthy cognitive aging

Oxidative stress could lead to health problems and premature death

Researchers uncover new explanation for the spread of tau protein within human brain

Researchers proceed to develop vaccination to reverse neurological damage seen with Parkinson's disease

Habits of modern life may shorten life-span of the Millennium Generation

[11C]PiB PET neuroimaging exhibits potential for monitoring therapeutics on amyloid beta load during Alzheimer’s disease treatment

MetLife Foundation Awards for Medical Research in Alzheimer's Disease: Four scientists honored

Resverlogix commences enrollment in RVX-208 Phase 2 clinical trial for atherosclerosis in ACS patients

WSU Boonshoft School of Medicine and Miami Valley Hospital form new neuroscience institute

Rapamycin may hold promise for Alzheimer's disease

Nearly 40% of TIA and minor ischemic stroke patients may experience mental impairment

Meditation improves cognition in people with memory loss

Incidence rate for all causes of dementia in older people to increase with age: Study

QR Pharma awarded patent covering use of Posiphen and analogs in treatment of DS

Ten steps to help caregivers take care of themselves

Aneuro: A Year of Neuroscience in Review eBook

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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