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 funding for innovative dementia vaccine research

Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia are devastating disorders that emerge following the buildup of misfolded proteins in the brain.

13 Dec 2024

Portable MRI and AI improve Alzheimer’s diagnosis with cost-effective precision

Researchers optimized portable low-field MRI with machine learning to improve brain morphometry and white matter hyperintensity detection, making Alzheimer's diagnosis more accessible and cost-effective.

12 Dec 2024

Common brain network connected to heterogeneous patterns of brain atrophy in schizophrenia

A new study led by investigators from Mass General Brigham has identified a unique brain network that links varied patterns of brain atrophy, or shrinkage, associated with schizophrenia.

12 Dec 2024

Penn-led consortium to advance imaging of brain diseases

A Penn Medicine-led consortium of radiology and chemistry researchers across the United States will advance imaging of diseases like Parkinson's by testing radiotracers they identified that illuminate α-synuclein (αSyn) or 4R tau proteins on positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

11 Dec 2024

Blood pressure fluctuations linked to problems with thinking and memory skills

Older adults whose blood pressure fluctuates over time may be more likely to have problems with thinking and memory skills, according to a study published in the December 11, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

11 Dec 2024

Mouse study links glyphosate to Alzheimer's-like brain changes and anxiety

Glyphosate exposure in mice exacerbates Alzheimer's-like neuropathologies, increases neuroinflammation, and leaves lasting effects, even after prolonged recovery.

9 Dec 2024

X-chromosome study reveals hidden genetic links to Alzheimer’s disease

A groundbreaking study explores the overlooked X-chromosome’s role in Alzheimer’s disease, revealing seven genetic loci linked to neurodegenerative decline and cognitive reserve.

9 Dec 2024

Early bilateral oophorectomy linked to increased Alzheimer's disease risk

Women with early bilateral oophorectomy face higher Alzheimer's risk, especially with APOE4 allele; education and hormone therapy may offer resilience.

9 Dec 2024

Neighborhood disadvantage found to affect blood pressure and cognition

New research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that living in a disadvantaged neighborhood is associated with higher blood pressure and lower cognitive scores, even among people who do not have an existing diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment.

6 Dec 2024

Reimagining axons with the pearls-on-a-string model

In a provocative new study, scientists challenge a fundamental tenet in neuroscience about the shape of axons -- the long, thin filaments radiating from nerve cells that transmit electrical signals from cell to cell – and propose a new model for understanding how information is transmitted in the brain.

6 Dec 2024

New computational pipeline identifies key biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health have developed a novel computational pipeline designed to identify protein biomarkers associated with complex diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

6 Dec 2024

Early ovarian removal and APOE4 increase Alzheimer's risk in women

New research published by a team of researchers from the University of Toronto in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Alberta has found that women who have had both ovaries surgically removed before the age of 50 and carry a variant of the apolipoprotein gene, the APOE4 allele, are at high risk of late-life Alzheimer disease (AD). Use of hormone therapy mitigates this risk.

5 Dec 2024

Scientists link proteins to Alzheimer’s through cutting-edge genetic method

Researchers have developed MR-SPI, a novel method integrated with AlphaFold3, to identify causal protein biomarkers and predict their 3D structural changes in Alzheimer’s disease. This breakthrough offers insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

5 Dec 2024

Ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate restores protein balance and targets Alzheimer’s-linked aggregates

Scientists identify β-hydroxybutyrate as a key regulator of protein solubility, offering a novel pathway to combat neurodegeneration in aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

4 Dec 2024

Alzheimer's genetic risk studies undermined by systemic biases

Recent research in Nature Genetics reveals pervasive biases in GWAX studies using parental history of Alzheimer’s, highlighting potential misdirection in genetic associations and disease risk predictions. A novel GSUB method identifies false signals stemming from confounding factors like survival bias and socioeconomic status.

4 Dec 2024