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.

Protein folding may aid in developing new therapies for brain diseases

Misfold an origami swan and the worst that happens is you wind up with an ugly paper duckling. Misfold one of the vital proteins in your body - each of which must be folded in a particular way to perform its function - and the result can be a debilitating neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's or Huntington's.

16 Mar 2011

Study investigates physiological changes within brain due to Prozac treatment

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as Prozac are regularly used to treat severe anxiety and depression. They work by immediately increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain and by causing long term changes in brain function. However it can take weeks of treatment before a patient feels any effect and both beneficial effects and side effects can persist after treatment is stopped.

16 Mar 2011

15 million people caring for 5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers: U.S. report card

According to a report released on Tuesday by the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 15 million Americans are now caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The Association warns that these figures may rise if new therapies for Alzheimer’s are not found.

15 Mar 2011

Anavex to commence phase I clinical trial in Alzheimer’s disease

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex”) (OTCBB: AVXL) has announced that its clinical trial application (CTA) for ANAVEX 2-73, the company’s lead compound for Alzheimer’s disease, has been approved by the German regulatory health authority, BfArM. The Phase I trial of ANAVEX 2-73, which includes testing in healthy human volunteers, will commence immediately. In this Phase I program Anavex will assess the safety, maximally tolerated dose, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ANAVEX 2-73.

15 Mar 2011

Depressed, older people who have a stroke are more likely to be dependent

People who have a stroke are more likely to be dependent if they are depressed, older or have other medical problems, according to a study published in the March 15, 2011, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

15 Mar 2011

Experts to discuss on Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment at ADI conference

From drug therapies to the right type of diet, the world's leading dementia experts will focus on the most effective methods for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at the 26th Annual Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International.

15 Mar 2011

New report finds nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the U.S.

According to 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, released today by the Alzheimer's Association, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the United States.

15 Mar 2011

ExonHit receives CE mark approval for AclarusDx to diagnose AD

ExonHit Therapeutics announces today CE marking of AclarusDx, its blood-based test intended to help in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This gives AclarusDx the status of In Vitro Diagnostic.

15 Mar 2011

New UCSD center investigates link between Alzheimer's and Down syndrome

A new center combining academic research with the treatment of adults with Down syndrome - one of the first in the country - has opened at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

15 Mar 2011

Pico-Tesla receives ISO certification for Resonator device

Pico-Tesla, The Magneceutical Company, has received the International Organization for Standardization 13485:2003 certificate for the "design, development, production, manufacture and distribution of resonator systems that generate a low-level electromagnetic field for the therapeutic treatment of disease."

15 Mar 2011

OICR welcomes Government of Canada's announcement of support for cancer control

Dr. Tom Hudson, President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research today welcomed the Government of Canada's announcement of support for cancer control with a renewal of the mandate of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer for five years and $250 million in funding.

14 Mar 2011

Study identifies potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders

Cell biologists pondering the death of neurons - brain cells - said today that by eliminating one ingredient from the cellular machinery, they prolonged the life of neurons stressed by a pesticide chemical. The finding identifies a potential therapeutic target to slow changes that lead to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

14 Mar 2011

Home genetic tests need medical supervision: Expert panel

According to an advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, genetic tests sold directly to consumers that might help to predict health risks may need to be supplied through doctors. An official, Alberto Gutierrez, director of the FDA office that regulates diagnostic screening tools reported that the Molecular and Clinical Genetics Advisory Panel concluded two days of hearings on the increasingly popular tests and had come to this resolution.

14 Mar 2011

Novel biomarkers may aid in diagnosis and management of asthma, COPD

Four novel biomarkers have been identified which may aid in the diagnosis and management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a study conducted by researchers in Australia, who determined the biomarkers may be used in different combinations to successfully identify patients with either of the airway diseases.

14 Mar 2011

Alzheimer's vaccine - First evidence for efficacy

AFFiRiS' Alzheimer's vaccine candidate AD02 showed indicative evidence for potential efficacy in a phase I clinical trial. This was demonstrated by the analysis of the data from secondary clinical study endpoints.

12 Mar 2011

Roundup: Poll finds satisfaction with Mass. health coverage; Kan. Gov. seeks Medicaid block grant

The first survey of consumers who receive subsidized health insurance through the state's Health Connector shows most give it high marks, according to results released yesterday by the Connector Authority. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said they were pleased with the range of services covered and the quality of care available, and 82 percent had similar feelings about their choice of doctors.

11 Mar 2011

Scientists develop new model for neurodegenerative disease

A team of scientists at the University of California, San Francisco has developed a new model for how inherited genes contribute to a common but untreatable and incurable neurodegenerative disease.

10 Mar 2011

Idera reports $6.0 million net loss for fourth quarter 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

10 Mar 2011

Professor utilizes $300,000 N.Y. grant to study adult neural stem cells

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Deanna Thompson is utilizing more than $300,000 in New York state funding as part of the state stem cell research program, NYSTEM, to study adult neural stem cells.

10 Mar 2011

Caspase inhibition can prevent brain inflammation in neurological diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are partly attributable to brain inflammation. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now demonstrate in a paper published in Nature that a well-known family of enzymes can prevent the inflammation and thus constitute a potential target for drugs.

10 Mar 2011