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 slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue

The nanoelectronics research centre imec and Peira, a Belgium-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical and chemical research instruments, jointly developed an innovative slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue. The new tool enables long-term studying of brain cultures through electronic stimulation and read-out, essential in getting insight into the functioning of the brain.

17 Nov 2010

Survey on palliative care for patients with dementia

A new national survey conducted by researchers from Indiana University and the Regenstrief Institute has found that while palliative care may be available for those with dementia, there are significant barriers to providing or receiving services to relieve the pain, eating difficulties and other symptoms associated with dementia.

17 Nov 2010

Adult children of mothers with Alzheimer's at increased risk

A family history of Alzheimer's disease significantly increases the risk for developing this disorder, but a new study in Biological Psychiatry suggests that which of your parents has the disease is very important.

17 Nov 2010

New educational campaign provides information to Alzheimer's caregivers

More than five million people in the United States (U.S.) have Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive and devastating condition that also impacts millions of more people who love and care for these patients. Last year in the U.S., the 11 million unpaid caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's or another dementia provided 12.5 billion hours of care.

17 Nov 2010

Structural imaging techniques can help identify risk for developing Alzheimer's disease

New results from a study by neuroscientists at Rush University Medical Center suggest that people at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease exhibit a specific structural change in the brain that can be visualized by brain imaging. The findings may help identify those who would most benefit from early intervention.

17 Nov 2010

Specific brain changes suggest new therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease

New studies identify brain changes in people with Alzheimer's disease. The results give researchers a greater understanding of the disease and may help at-risk individuals by improving early detection. New animal research also shows a novel approach to Alzheimer's vaccine design that may avoid dangerous side effects. These new results were reported at Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health.

17 Nov 2010

PrecisionMed enrolls first subject in Multiple Sclerosis Registry

PrecisionMed Inc. today announced at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego, enrollment of the first subject into the PrecisionMed Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Registry. The PrecisionMed MS Registry is a biological sample bank of DNA and serial RNA, CSF, serum and plasma associated with serial clinical testing utilizing PrecisionMed's clinical data procurement and storage capabilities.

17 Nov 2010

Synexus to develop effective clinical trials for Mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is under the pharma' spotlight as the number of clinical trials currently underway has increased significantly during the past 12 months and the search for treatments that will prevent the progression of MCI to dementia continues. Synexus has teamed up with dementia expert, Dr Roger Bullock, to develop more effective clinical trials for this field.

From AES - Accelerated Enrollment Solutions 16 Nov 2010

Size of hippocampus may be linked to early dementia

The size of the part of the brain known as the hippocampus may be linked to future dementia, reveals a thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

16 Nov 2010

Review: Mercury likely plays role in development of AD

Mercury likely plays a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to a review of relevant scientific literature published this month in The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Joachim Mutter of Germany, Dr. Richard Deth of the United States, and other esteemed researchers collaborated on the groundbreaking article Does Inorganic Mercury Play a Role in Alzheimer's Disease? A Systematic Review and an Integrated Molecular Mechanism, which clarifies the need for continuing research to understand the cause of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's.

16 Nov 2010

Adeona third quarter total net revenues increase to $289,898

Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developer of innovative medicines for serious central nervous system diseases, announced its third quarter 2010 financial results as well as recent clinical and operational achievements.

15 Nov 2010

Diffusion Tensor Imaging MRI technique helps produce satisfactory images of nerve bundles

Standard MRI scans have so far been unable to produce satisfactory images of nerve bundles. However, this is now possible by an MRI technique called Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Matthan Caan succeeded in improving the DTI method during his PhD research at TU Delft, enabling him to produce more accurate images of the damage that radiotherapy and chemotherapy cause in young leukaemia patients.

15 Nov 2010

ICON, Proteome enter alliance to provide expanded biomarker solutions

ICON plc, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, and Proteome Sciences a leading provider of protein biomarker discovery, validation, and assay development services, today announced the formation of a strategic alliance to provide pharmaceutical companies with an expanded biomarker solution to allow earlier assessments in the development of new medicines.

15 Nov 2010

Researchers improvise fruit fly as a model system to study brain development, disorders

VIB researchers attached to the K.U.Leuven have improved the fruit fly as a model for studying the connections between brain cells. The researchers developed a specific marker for a part of the fly's nerve cell which had previously been difficult to distinguish. Their discovery will not only contribute to gaining a better insight into brain development but also makes the fruit fly into a better model system for studying brain development and brain disorders.

15 Nov 2010

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease highlights latest scientific studies of AD

A supplement to the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease on "Anesthetics and Alzheimer's Disease" provides the platform to bring the latest scientific studies to the AD research and clinical communities.

15 Nov 2010

30 seconds to predict possibility of Alzheimer’s disease

It could take a mere 30 seconds to spot signs of Alzheimer’s disease in 40 year-olds in the near future say scientists who are developing a new diagnostic test. Usually Alzheimer’s disease is detected much later in life after the symptoms begin to appear.

14 Nov 2010

Cortex third quarter net loss decreases to $528,000

Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported a net loss applicable to common stock of approximately $528,000, or $0.01 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, compared with a net loss applicable to common stock of approximately $3,243,000 or $0.06 per share, for the prior year quarter.

12 Nov 2010

IBEC researchers discover new group of interacting partners for myelin-associated receptors

It's known that the development of neuronal diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease is connected with the levels of myelin - an insulating substance around nerve fibres - in the body, although the actual causes of these conditions remain unknown. Now researchers at IBEC have discovered a new group of interacting partners for myelin-associated receptors, which could shed light on the significance of imbalanced production or modifications of the substance.

12 Nov 2010

Amorfix second quarter net loss decreases to $25,728

Amorfix Life Sciences, a product development company focused on the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for misfolded protein diseases, today announced its operational and financial results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2010.

12 Nov 2010

Dreaded cod liver oil in a variety of flavours

The stomachs of the generation of 50 year olds and above, will be churning at the thought of their parents and grandparents serving up spoonfuls of the much dreaded cod liver oil. As a practice, parents giving their children cod liver oil has all but died, and yet, as a population, we have seen more and more inflammatory conditions effect people's lives, which are due in no small part to the 'modern day diet', which many of us live.

12 Nov 2010