Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Latest Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale shows dose-response relationship with adverse outcomes

Anticholinergic burden assessed with the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale consistently shows dose-response relationships with a variety of adverse outcomes.

20 Nov 2017

Benzodiazepines linked to increased risk of death among Alzheimer’s disease patients

Benzodiazepine and related drug use is associated with a 40 per cent increase in mortality among persons with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. The findings were published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

20 Nov 2017

Researchers uncover mechanism that contributes to patterns of degeneration in AD

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known to cause memory loss and cognitive decline, but other functions of the brain can remain intact.

17 Nov 2017

Experts identify mental exercise program that can reduce risk of dementia

Aging research specialists have identified, for the first time, a form of mental exercise that can reduce the risk of dementia.

17 Nov 2017

Brain astrocytes could play key role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Astrocytes, the supporting cells of the brain, could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. This is the first time researchers discovered a direct association between astrocytes and AD. Published in Stem Cell Reports, the study investigated the brain cell function of familial AD patients by using stem cell technologies.

17 Nov 2017

Discovery of natural molecule could lead to effective treatments for gum disease and atherosclerosis

Resolvin E1, a molecule produced naturally in the body from an omega -3 fish oil, topically applied on gum tissues not only prevents and treats gum disease as previously shown (Hasturk et al 2006 and 2007), but also decreases the likelihood for advanced arterial atherosclerotic plaques to rupture and form a dangerous thrombus or blood clot.

16 Nov 2017

Computerized speed of processing training results in decreased risk of dementia

Computerized brain-training is now the first intervention of any kind to reduce the risk of dementia among older adults.

16 Nov 2017

Virtual reality training may be effective alternative to standard therapy after stroke

Using virtual reality therapy to improve arm and hand movement after a stroke is equally as effective as regular therapy, according to a study published in the November 15, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

16 Nov 2017

FDA approves first digital pill with sensor - Abilify MyCite

The United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), for the first time has approved a digital pill system. The novel pill comes with an in-built sensor that transmits information to a remote location after a person has taken it. Experts believe this is a huge step towards digital medicine and opens new avenues for therapy and diagnostics.

14 Nov 2017

New drug shows promise in mouse model of autism disorder

Scientists have performed a successful test of a possible new drug in a mouse model of an autism disorder. The candidate drug, called NitroSynapsin, largely corrected electrical, behavioral and brain abnormalities in the mice.

14 Nov 2017

Taking a page from pharma’s playbook to fight the opioid crisis

Dr. Mary Meengs remembers the days, a couple of decades ago, when pharmaceutical salespeople would drop into her family practice in Chicago, eager to catch a moment between patients so they could pitch her a new drug.

14 Nov 2017

Scientists identify critical player in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have shown that a protein called membralin is critical for keeping Alzheimer's disease pathology in check.

14 Nov 2017

FDA approves first drug with digital ingestion tracking system

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first drug in the U.S. with a digital ingestion tracking system. Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole tablets with sensor) has an ingestible sensor embedded in the pill that records that the medication was taken.

14 Nov 2017

Heart attack linked to increased risk of developing vascular dementia

Heart attack increased the risk of vascular dementia by 35 percent, and the risk remains elevated for up to 35 years after the heart attack.

13 Nov 2017

Diet, smoking and alcohol main causes of death in OECD countries

The “Health at a Glance” report 2017 shows that over 10 million deaths have been recorded in the OECD countries in 2015. Thus the number of deaths on an average in these countries is 793 per 100,000 population.

13 Nov 2017

Exercise significantly increases size of hippocampus in humans, study finds

Aerobic exercise can improve memory function and maintain brain health as we age, a new Australian-led study has found.

13 Nov 2017

Scientists develop novel mouse model to capture pathology of sporadic ALS and FTD

Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration and death of nerve cells, which leads to problems with movement or mental functioning. Examples include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

13 Nov 2017