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.

Forest Laboratories' fourth-quarter net sales up 11.0% to $995.6M

Forest Laboratories, Inc., an international pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketer, announced that diluted earnings per share equaled $0.07 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

21 Apr 2010

Obesity related FTO gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

If you are an American of European origin and carry the FTO gene which causes obesity, you have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles claimed that 'A commonly carried allele of the obesity-related FTO gene is associated with reduced brain volume in healthy elderly'.

21 Apr 2010

Researchers identify potential drug target for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a potential drug target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a receptor that is embedded in the membrane of neurons and other cells.

21 Apr 2010

On-going phase II trial of octagam in AD to be discussed at ICAD 2010

The on-going phase II trial on Octapharma's 10% intravenous immunoglobulin octagam®10% will be a topic at the up-coming International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease to take place in Honolulu, Hawaii from July 10 to 15.

20 Apr 2010

FTO gene associated with loss of brain tissue: UCLA researchers

Three years ago, geneticists reported the startling discovery that nearly half of all people in the U.S. with European ancestry carry a variant of the fat mass and obesity associated gene, which causes them to gain weight - from three to seven pounds, on average - but worse, puts them at risk for obesity.

20 Apr 2010

Potential drug to annul ADAM-17 protein activity needed

Over the past four years, in the installations of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, a group of researchers, headed by Doctor Carmen Estrada, has been studying neurogenesis - the process of forming new neurons from mother cells - in the adult mammal brain. The purpose of this research project is to contribute to the knowledge of this process with the object of finding some additional mechanism that would facilitate the treatment of pathologies of the central nervous system (CNS) that are suffered in consequence of neuronal death.

19 Apr 2010

Structure of Amyloid fibers surprises researchers

The Atomic Force Microscope depicts on its screen the few nanometer thick and few micrometer long fibers as white flexible sticks, crisscrossing the surface on which they are deposited. The very peculiar property of these proteins lies in fact that they can self assemble into complex ribbon-like twisted fibers.

19 Apr 2010

Exposure to dust after WTC collapse impairs ability to detect odors and sense irritants

Individuals involved in rescue, recovery, demolition, and clean-up after the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on September 11, 2001, were exposed to a complex mixture of airborne smoke, dust, combustion gases, acid mists, and metal fumes. The impact of this exposure on responders' upper and lower respiratory function has been well documented, but little is known about its impact on their sensitivity to odor and irritants.

19 Apr 2010

700 scientists to present new information on smell and taste at AChemS 32nd annual meeting

The Association for Chemoreception Sciences (AChemS), a US-based scientific organization, is holding its 32nd annual meeting. About 700 scientists are gathering to present new information on the role of smell and taste in disease, nutrition and social interactions in humans as well as animals. Smell and taste play essential roles in our daily lives. These chemical senses serve as important warning systems, alerting us to the presence of potentially harmful situations or substances, including gas leaks, smoke, and spoiled food.

17 Apr 2010

Australian study uncovers mechanisms involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease

A major Australian study has provided new insights into the loss of structure in regions of the brain and its potential association with Alzheimer's Disease. The findings recently reported in Neurology suggest a build-up of deposits of the protein amyloid-beta in a region of the brain known as the temporal inferior cortex.

17 Apr 2010

High sensitivity of Zetasizer Nano proves essential for protein aggregation studies

Dr Martin Muschol, Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida’s (USF) Department of Physics and his team are carrying out important research to gain a better understanding of protein aggregation phenomena, including protein crystallization and amyloid fibril growth. Using the Zetasizer Nano ZS, from Malvern Panalytical (Malvern Panalytical, UK), the USF researchers have been able to perform temperature controlled static and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements of protein hydration, protein interactions and aggregation kinetics in vitro.

From Malvern Panalytical 15 Apr 2010

Study links cancer growth to sugar-based modification found naturally in the body

Researchers at Drexel University College of Medicine have discovered that a certain type of sugar found naturally in the body is elevated in breast cancer cells and is critical for cancer growth and movement. When researchers reduced and normalized the levels of this sugar, they were able to slow the growth of the cancer cells and block invasion. The findings, published in the March 1 issue of Oncogene, represent a potential new therapeutic target for treating aggressive forms of breast cancer.

15 Apr 2010

EU Joint Programming initiative to tackle neurodegenerative diseases

Leading researchers from across Europe will gather today in Stockholm to develop a European-wide research strategy to tackle neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.

15 Apr 2010

Working memory maintenance linked with synchronisation of neurons

A research project of the Neuroscience Center of the University of Helsinki sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms sustaining memory traces of visual stimuli in the human brain. The results show that the maintenance of working memory is associated with synchronisation of neurons, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain. On the basis of interaction between the brain areas, it was even possible to predict the subject's individual working memory capacity.

15 Apr 2010

New investigational treatment may help prevent involuntary outbursts in MS and ALS patients

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurologic condition of involuntary, sudden and frequent episodes of laughing or crying and is quite common in patients with underlying neurologic diseases or injuries, especially those with multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

15 Apr 2010

GBS cases reduce following 2009 H1N1 vaccination: Research study

A new study finds that reports of a neurologic disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome have been low after 2009 H1N1 vaccination, according to a research study that will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 - 17, 2010.

15 Apr 2010

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals' Phase IIa clinical results of Serdaxin for MDD: Additional insights

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing potential best in class oncology and central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics, today offered additional commentary, clarifications and insights on yesterday's announcement of its Phase IIa clinical results of Serdaxin® in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

15 Apr 2010

Study provides support for relationship between APOE4 gene and risk of Alzheimer's disease in Latinos

A brain-imaging study published today in the Archives of Neurology suggests that a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the Anglo population is also a risk factor for the disease in Latinos.

15 Apr 2010

Investigational treatment with IGIV reduces brain atrophy in Alzheimer's patients

An investigational intervention using naturally ocurring antibodies in human blood has preserved the thinking abilities of a group of mild- to moderate-stage Alzheimer's patients over 18 months and significantly reduced the rate of atrophy (shrinkage) of their brains, according to a study performed at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

15 Apr 2010

Synosia Therapeutics presents data from phase 2a clinical study of SYN-115 in PD

Synosia Therapeutics today announced the presentation of data from a phase 2a clinical study of the company's adenosine 2a receptor antagonist (SYN-115) in Parkinson's disease. The data demonstrate that SYN-115 significantly improves measures of motor and non-motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease either alone or in combination with levodopa.

15 Apr 2010

Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

Further Reading

Forest Laboratories' fourth-quarter net sales up 11.0% to $995.6M

Obesity related FTO gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers identify potential drug target for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

On-going phase II trial of octagam in AD to be discussed at ICAD 2010

FTO gene associated with loss of brain tissue: UCLA researchers

Potential drug to annul ADAM-17 protein activity needed

Structure of Amyloid fibers surprises researchers

Exposure to dust after WTC collapse impairs ability to detect odors and sense irritants

700 scientists to present new information on smell and taste at AChemS 32nd annual meeting

Australian study uncovers mechanisms involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease

High sensitivity of Zetasizer Nano proves essential for protein aggregation studies

Study links cancer growth to sugar-based modification found naturally in the body

EU Joint Programming initiative to tackle neurodegenerative diseases

Working memory maintenance linked with synchronisation of neurons

New investigational treatment may help prevent involuntary outbursts in MS and ALS patients

GBS cases reduce following 2009 H1N1 vaccination: Research study

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals' Phase IIa clinical results of Serdaxin for MDD: Additional insights

Study provides support for relationship between APOE4 gene and risk of Alzheimer's disease in Latinos

Investigational treatment with IGIV reduces brain atrophy in Alzheimer's patients

Synosia Therapeutics presents data from phase 2a clinical study of SYN-115 in PD

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