Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Latest Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Patent issued for jellyfish protein for therapeutic application

Quincy Bioscience, a research-based biotechnology company, announced the issuance of United States patent No.7,671,015. The patent covers the use of aequorin-containing compounds for the purpose of preventing and alleviating symptoms and disorders related to calcium imbalance.

7 Jul 2010

TGen develops G-SQZ technique for genomic data processing

A new computer data compression technique called Genomic SQueeZ, developed by the Translational Genomics Research Institute, will allow genetic researchers and others to store, analyze and share massive volumes of data in less space and at lower cost.

7 Jul 2010

ASPREE study aims to assess health benefits of aspirin

In an effort to extend the length of a disability-free life for older adults, researchers from Rush University Medical Center are partnering with colleagues from across the U.S. and Australia in the largest international trial ever sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.

7 Jul 2010

Medicare patients battle tight rules while doctors express frustrations about payment issues

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on how high costs and rigorous rules affect Medicare patients and examines the case of Fran Bogom, 86, a widow with mild dementia who broke her arm after falling from a bed.

7 Jul 2010

Amorfix partners with reMYND to offer A4 amyloid testing services

Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. and reMYND NV today announced the signing of a partnership agreement to offer the Amorfix A4 amyloid testing service to reMYND's contract research clients. reMYND's contract research business offers an extensive portfolio of preclinical in-vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetic and safety testing of experimental Alzheimer therapies using proprietary mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

6 Jul 2010

Adeona completes $1 million equity financing and provides update on Zinthionein ZC clinical study

Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that on July 6, 2010, it completed an equity financing of $1 million with a single institutional investor, Seaside 88, L.P. The financing involved the sale of 1,212,121 registered shares of common stock and no warrants. Enclave Capital served as placement agent and will receive a 7% cash commission and 5-year warrants to acquire 60,606 shares of Adeona at $1.32 per share. The use of proceeds is intended for general corporate purposes.

6 Jul 2010

Study finds depression as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease

Depression is commonly reported in people with Alzheimer's disease and its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, with several studies suggesting having a history of major depression may nearly double your risk of developing dementia later in life. However, it has been unclear if depression is a symptom of the disease or a potential cause of the disease.

6 Jul 2010

Depression increases risk of developing dementia later in life

A new study shows that having depression may nearly double your risk of developing dementia later in life. The research will be published in the July 6, 2010, issue of Neurology-, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

6 Jul 2010

Clusterin associated with development, severity and progression of Alzheimer's disease: Report

Higher concentrations of clusterin, a protein in the blood plasma, appears to be associated with the development, severity and progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

6 Jul 2010

Depression and dementia may go hand in hand: Study

A new study has found that depressive disorders raise the risk of dementia. The findings of this study were published in the journal Neurology. The study involved nearly 1,000 people who were studied for up to 17 years. Those who were depressed when first examined almost doubled their risk for dementia and also increased their risk for Alzheimer's disease the study authors wrote.

5 Jul 2010

QR Pharma to present clinical data from mechanism of action study in MCI patients at ICAD 2010

QR Pharma, Inc., a developer of novel drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), announced today that it has been accepted to present a poster on clinical data from its recent mechanism of action study in mild cognitive impaired (MCI) patients at the International Congress on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD 2010).

2 Jul 2010

Parkinson's Disease Foundation awards $1.2M for research programs

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is pleased to announce awards totaling $1.2 million for research projects designed to understand the cause(s) of and find a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD).

2 Jul 2010

Malnutrition during childhood diminishes brain function in late life

Malnutrition early in life appears to diminish brain function in older adulthood, according to a study led by a Michigan State University researcher that has implications for many poor, developing nations.

2 Jul 2010

Sun Pharma introduces generic rivastigmine capsules in U.S. market

Sun Pharma announced launch of generic Exelon, rivastigmine tartrate capsules for the US market. Earlier, USFDA had granted final approval for the Company's ANDA to market these products.

2 Jul 2010

Genes can predict longevity with 77% accuracy: Study

In an analysis of genes of more than 1,000 centenarians, American researchers have come to the conclusion that genes play a large role in completing a century in life. The research team studied 1,055 Caucasians born between 1890 and 1910 and compared them with 1,267 people born later. They claim that there are signatures in the genetic makeup of these people that have a possible link with their longevity.

2 Jul 2010

Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories commences marketing of rivastigmine tartrate capsules

Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. has started shipping rivastigmine tartrate capsules. These products, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Sun Pharma's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), are therapeutically equivalent to Exelon® capsules from Novartis.

2 Jul 2010

Imbalance in neuroendocrine system linked to depression in MS patients: Study

Now, in the first such study in living humans, researchers at UCLA suggest a cause, and it's not psychological, but physical: atrophy of a specific region of the hippocampus, a critical part of the brain involved in mood and memory, among other functions.

2 Jul 2010

Watson commences shipment of generic Exelon

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that, under a settlement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis AG, Novartis International Pharmaceutical Ltd., and Proterra AG (collectively "Novartis"), Watson has commenced shipment of a generic version of Exelon® (rivastigmine tartrate) 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg and 6mg capsules. Exelon® is used to treat dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease.

1 Jul 2010

First analyses on impact of Medicare Part D presented at UMB's 2010 Academy/Health Annual Meeting

Some of the first analyses on the impact of Medicare Part D, as well as new insights on drug adherence patterns by chronic disease patients, will be presented today and tomorrow at the 2010 Academy/Health Annual Meeting by several University of Maryland, Baltimore teams of pharmaceutical health services researchers.

1 Jul 2010

Best Friends Bill of Rights outlines 12 rules to help caregivers enhance lives of patients with Alzheimer's disease

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia can be a daunting task, even for the most experienced of professionals working with seniors daily in assisted living and memory care. Now there is help and guidance from the experts at Best Friends Approach Virginia Bell and David Troxel. The Best Friends Bill of Rights outlines 12 rules that when adapted, can make a world of difference in the quality of daily life to the one suffering as well as those acting in the role of caregiver.

1 Jul 2010