Dementia News and Research

Latest Dementia News and Research

Humour as effective as medication in treating agitation in dementia, research shows

...

18 Sep 2011

ALS damages neurons in parts of the brain responsible for cognition and behaviour

Recently published studies by a researcher in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry demonstrate that ALS - known as Lou Gehrig's disease - damages neurons in parts of the brain responsible for cognition and behaviour.

17 Sep 2011

Policies needed to prepare individuals, society for earlier diagnosis and high risk of Alzheimer's

The changing tide of Alzheimer's diagnosis presents new challenges to the public, physicians and lawmakers: if you could find out your Alzheimer's risk, would you want to know? How should doctors tell you your risk? And what does it mean for the many newly diagnosed Americans still in the workplace?

16 Sep 2011

New report finds improvements in hospital performance

Meanwhile, Reuters reports on the quality of weekend care at stroke centers and nursing homes are trying to reduce their use of powerful antipsychotic drugs for patients with dementia.

16 Sep 2011

GSA's two forthcoming publications focus on pain relief and medication for seniors

To highlight Pain Awareness Month in September, The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging - is announcing two forthcoming publications focused on pain relief and medication for seniors.

16 Sep 2011

Scientists to develop 'Facebook Light' for dementia patients

Research scientists will develop "Facebook Light" - with a user interface suitable for the elderly and people with dementia - to promote important social contact.

16 Sep 2011

Anavex Life Sciences to present data on lead compound for Alzheimer’s at Japan Neuroscience Society

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. will present the most recent data showing the therapeutic potential of ANAVEX compounds in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease at a special symposium of the 34th annual meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society. The symposium is being held in Yokohama, Japan from September 15-17, 2011.

15 Sep 2011

Alzheimer’s & You: prevention & treatment of dementia

Despite many promising leads, no drug has yet been found to slow or modify the debilitating, and ultimately fatal, progress of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Within 20 years almost half a million Australians will suffer from dementia, by 2050 the number will double to one million.

15 Sep 2011

First Edition: September 15, 2011

In today's news, reports about what might be included in President Obama's detailed plan to tame the federal federal budget. Here's a hint: Social Security changes are unlikely, but what about Medicare?

15 Sep 2011

Small nursing homes for people with dementia provide good quality care, domestic environment

Small group homes for people with dementia provide good quality care and a domestic environment where people can live as individuals and families can get involved. But tension can arise when it comes to deciding who takes responsibilities for certain practical and caring tasks.

15 Sep 2011

Australians depressed, obese, alcoholic and in denial: Survey

Reports reveal that Australians are in denial about their increasing rates of obesity and claim to be the unhappiest in the world. The findings came from an international health survey which also revealed that Australians were among the world's biggest drinkers, coming in just behind the British. The survey by health insurer BUPA showed that while 64 per cent of Australians said they were in relatively good shape, there were some worrying trends.

14 Sep 2011

Dementia needs early diagnosis: Report

According to a new report sponsored by Alzheimer’s Disease International, nearly three-quarters of the 36 million people living with dementia have not been diagnosed with it. Experts say the lack of diagnosis has enormous repercussions on early treatment and care, and has a direct impact on the disease’s cost to society.

14 Sep 2011

Electron microscope reveals minute morphology of dendritic trees

Neurons in the brain play a role as an electric wire conveying an electrical signal. Because this electric wire is connected with various joints, various brain functions can occur. A neuron which has dendritic trees on it, receives the signals with many synapses located on those dendritic trees, and carries out functions by combining the received signals.

14 Sep 2011

High cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease

New research suggests that high cholesterol levels could boost the risk of Alzheimer's disease by creating more brain-clogging bits known as plaque. Researchers however didn't find any link between high cholesterol and tangles, which also clog the brain in those with Alzheimer's.

13 Sep 2011

A squirt of insulin up the nose for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers have noted in a small pilot study that squirting insulin deep into the nose where it travels to the brain might hold early Alzheimer’s disease at bay. At present there are no effective ways to prevent or delay the progress of Alzheimer’s. More than 5.4 million Americans and 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia.

13 Sep 2011

ADI releases World Alzheimer Report 2011

The World Alzheimer Report 2011, released today by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), shows that there are interventions that are effective in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, some of which may be more effective when started earlier, and that there is a strong economic argument in favor of earlier diagnosis and timely intervention.

13 Sep 2011

People with high cholesterol more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease

People with high cholesterol may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the September 13, 2011, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 Sep 2011

Neurosurgery creates new online collection of recent papers on sports concussions

The last few years have seen increasing concern over the effects of concussions and head trauma in sports—including the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) occurring in athletes.

9 Sep 2011

Simple universal test to detect Alzheimer’s early

A ten-minute memory test that gives early warning of Alzheimer’s in people as young as 50 is being piloted in GP surgeries. Using a touch-screen computer or an iPad, it can distinguish between normal forgetfulness and the more dangerous memory lapses that signal dementia in its earliest stages. If trials are successful, it could be in widespread use in under a year. The developer, Cambridge Cognition, said the mobile electronic test will allow GPs to access patients presenting memory problems more quickly, simply and accurately than with tradition paper-based tests.

8 Sep 2011

MSTAR Program fosters interest in geriatric medicine and research

"This year marks the first year that the oldest members of the Baby Boomer generation turns 65. This milestone is an indication of the upcoming increase of older adults in the American population, and accompanying it will be an increase in their complex medical needs. We currently have a shortage of physicians specializing in geriatric medicine, leaving a gap that needs to be filled." states Stephanie Lederman, Executive Director of The American Federation for Aging Research.

8 Sep 2011