ScienceDaily: Dementia News

New Alzheimer's research suggests possible cause: Interaction of proteins in brain

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:28:28 EDT

For years, Alzheimer's researchers have focused on two proteins that accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's and may contribute to the disease: Plaques made up of the protein amyloid-beta, and tangles of another protein, called tau.

Diet may affect Alzheimer's disease risk

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:28:28 EDT

The lipidation states (or modifications) in certain proteins in the brain that are related to the development of Alzheimer disease appear to differ depending on genotype and cognitive diseases, and levels of these protein and peptides appear to be influenced by diet, according to a new report.

New drug reverses loss of brain connections in Alzheimer's

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:08:08 EDT

The first experimental drug to boost brain synapses lost in Alzheimer's disease has been developed by researchers. The drug, called NitroMemantine, combines two FDA-approved medicines to stop the destructive cascade of changes in the brain that destroys the connections between neurons, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline.

Blocking overactive receptor in Alzheimer's recovers memory loss and more, mouse study suggests

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:23:23 EDT

A new study shows that memory pathology in older mice with Alzheimer's disease can be reversed with treatment.

Alzheimer's brain change measured in humans

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:47:47 EDT

Scientists have measured a significant and potentially pivotal difference between the brains of patients with an inherited form of Alzheimer's disease and healthy family members who do not carry a mutation for the disease.

Commonly prescribed drugs may influence the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:25:25 EDT

Multiple drug classes commonly prescribed for common medical conditions are capable of influencing the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers.

Alzheimer's and low blood sugar in diabetes may trigger a vicious cycle

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:28:28 EDT

Diabetes-associated episodes of low blood sugar may increase the risk of developing dementia, while having dementia or even milder forms of cognitive impairment may increase the risk of experiencing low blood sugar, according to a new study.

Association between hypoglycemia, dementia in older adults with diabetes

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:25:25 EDT

A study of older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) suggests a bidirectional association between hypoglycemic (low blood glucose) events and dementia.

Rapid, irregular heartbeat may be linked to problems with memory and thinking

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:59:59 EDT

People who develop a type of irregular heartbeat common in old age called atrial fibrillation may also be more likely to develop problems with memory and thinking, according to new research.

Alzheimer's disease drugs linked to reduced risk of heart attacks

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:02:02 EDT

Drugs that are used for treating Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages are linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks and death, according to a large study of over 7,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease in Sweden.

Exposure to general anaesthesia could increase the risk of dementia in elderly by 35 percent

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:39:39 EDT

Exposure to general anaesthesia increases the risk of dementia in the elderly by 35 percent, says new research.

Blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's in earliest stage?

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:12:12 EDT

Blood offers promise as a way to detect Alzheimer’s disease at its earliest onset, researchers say. They envision a test that would detect distinct metabolic signatures in blood plasma that are synonymous with the disease -- years before patients begin showing cognitive decline.

Molecular chain reaction in Alzheimer’s disease

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:15:15 EDT

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism behind the transformation of one of the components in Alzheimer's disease. They identified the crucial step leading to formations that kill brain cells.

New chemical approach to treat Alzheimer's

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:28:28 EDT

Scientists have developed a new chemical approach to help harness the natural ability of complex sugars to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Preventing 'traffic jams' in brain cells

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:36:36 EDT

An Alzheimer’s disease protein controls the speed at which materials move through brain cells, and defects could lead to deadly pileups of the kind seen in neurodegenerative disease, a new publication finds.

A new strategy required in the search for Alzheimer's drugs?

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:40:40 EDT

In the search for medication against Alzheimer's disease, scientists have focused on -- among other factors -- drugs that can break down Amyloid beta (A-beta). After all, it is the accumulation of A-beta that causes the known plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. The starting point for the formation of A-beta is APP.

Drug reverses Alzheimer's disease deficits in mice

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:35:35 EDT

An anti-cancer drug reverses memory deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model, new research shows. The article reviewed previously published findings on the drug bexarotene, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Multiple research teams unable to confirm high-profile Alzheimer's study

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:30:30 EDT

Teams of highly respected Alzheimer’s researchers failed to replicate what appeared to be breakthrough results for the treatment of this brain disease when they were published last year in the journal Science.

Reducing caloric intake delays nerve cell loss

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:39:39 EDT

Activating an enzyme known to play a role in the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction delays the loss of brain cells and preserves cognitive function in mice, according to a new study. The findings could one day guide researchers to discover drug alternatives that slow the progress of age-associated impairments in the brain.

Mediterranean diet seems to boost aging brain power

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, according to new research.

Molecular trigger for Alzheimer's disease identified

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:42:42 EDT

Researchers have pinpointed a catalytic trigger for the onset of Alzheimer's disease -- when the fundamental structure of a protein molecule changes to cause a chain reaction that leads to the death of neurons in the brain.

Sleep Apnea linked to Alzheimer's

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:56:56 EDT

A new study looking at sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and markers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging adds to the growing body of research linking the two.

Alzheimer's markers predict start of mental decline

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:26:26 EDT

Using long-term patient data, scientists have found that many of the biomarkers for Alzheimer’s identified in recent years can help accurately predict the start of full-blown disease years in advance.

New drug reverses memory deficits and slows Alzheimer's in mice

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:24:24 EDT

A drug known as J147 reverses memory deficits and slows Alzheimer's disease in aged mice following short-term treatment. The findings may pave the way to a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease in humans.

Cancer drug prevents build-up of toxic brain protein

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:56:56 EDT

Researchers have used tiny doses of a leukemia drug to halt accumulation of toxic proteins in the brains of mice. They say their study offers a unique and exciting strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases that feature abnormal buildup of proteins in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease and Lewy body dementia, among others.

Using anticholinergics for as few as 60 days causes memory problems in older adults

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:48:48 EDT

Research on medications commonly taken by older adults has found that drugs with strong anticholinergic effects cause cognitive impairment when taken continuously for as few as 60 days. A similar impact can be seen with 90 days of continuous use when taking multiple drugs with weak anticholinergic effect.

New perspective needed for role of major Alzheimer's gene

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:58:58 EDT

Scientists' picture of how a gene strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease harms the brain may have to be revised, researchers have found.

One step closer to a blood test for Alzheimer's

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:13:13 EDT

Scientists are much closer to developing a screening test for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

No link between anesthesia, dementia in elderly

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:07:07 EDT

Elderly patients who receive anesthesia are no more likely to develop long-term dementia or Alzheimer’s disease than other seniors, according to new research. The study analyzed thousands of patients using the Rochester Epidemiology Project -- which allows researchers access to medical records of nearly all residents of Olmsted County, Minn. -- and found that receiving general anesthesia for procedures after age 45 is not a risk factor for developing dementia.

Suppressing protein may stem Alzheimer's disease process

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:26:26 EDT

Scientists have discovered a potential strategy for developing treatments to stem the disease process in Alzheimer's disease. It's based on unclogging removal of toxic debris that accumulates in patients' brains, by blocking activity of a little-known regulator protein called CD33. Too much CD33 activity may promote late-onset Alzheimer's by preventing support cells from clearing out toxic plaques. Future medications that impede CD33 activity might help prevent or treat the disorder.

Alzheimer's researchers creating 'designer tracker' to quantify elusive brain protein, provide earlier diagnosis

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:21:21 EDT

Alzheimer's researchers know the disease is caused by toxic beta amyloid and tau lesions, yet, the recent failure of emerging therapies targeting these lesions suggest that successful treatments will require diagnosis of disease at its earliest stages. Now, by using computer-aided drug discovery, researchers are in the process of developing an imaging chemical that attaches predominantly to tau-bearing lesions in living brain, opening the door for earlier diagnosis – and better treatments for tau-involved conditions like Alzheimer’s, frontal temporal dementia and traumatic brain injuries.

New light shed on early stage Alzheimer's disease

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:48:48 EDT

The disrupted metabolism of sugar, fat and calcium is part of the process that causes the death of neurons in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have now shown, for the first time, how important parts of the nerve cell that are involved in the cell’s energy metabolism operate in the early stages of the disease. These somewhat surprising results shed new light on how neuronal metabolism relates to the development of the disease.

Risk of dementia declined over past 20 years

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:59:59 EDT

The risk of developing dementia may have declined over the past 20 years, in direct contrast to what many previously assumed. The decrease in dementia risk coincides with the general reduction in cardiovascular disease over recent decades, researchers said.

Bursts of brain activity may protect against Alzheimer's disease

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:57:57 EDT

Scientists have found that bursts of electrical pulses applied to the brain can manipulate the balance of two proteins crucial to the development of Alzheimer's disease. It represents a major advance in understanding how not only genetic mutations but also physiological mechanisms affect the development of the disease.

Family history of Alzheimer's associated with abnormal brain pathology

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:59:59 EDT

Close family members of people with Alzheimer's disease are more than twice as likely as those without a family history to develop silent buildup of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers.

Cholesterol increases risk of Alzheimer's and heart disease

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:25:25 EDT

Using insights gained from studying two much rarer disorders, Down Syndrome and Niemann Pick-C disease, researchers found that cholesterol wreaks havoc on the orderly process of cell division, leading to defective daughter cells throughout the body.

No evidence drugs, vitamins, supplements help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:14:14 EDT

A review has found no evidence that drugs, herbal products or vitamin supplements help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults.

New findings on the brain's immune cells during Alzheimer's disease progression

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:40:40 EDT

The plaque deposits in the brain of Alzheimer's patients are surrounded by the brain's own immune cells, the microglia. But it still remains unclear what role microglia play in Alzheimer's disease. Do they help break down the plaque deposit?

Dementia and driving

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:28:28 EDT

A new clinical pathway provides health workers with clear guidelines to help and advise dementia patients who still drive.

Team unravels central mystery of Alzheimer's

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:11:11 EDT

Scientists have shed light on one of the major toxic mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. The discoveries could lead to a much better understanding of the Alzheimer’s process and how to prevent it.

Researchers create next-generation Alzheimer's disease model

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:34:34 EDT

A new genetically engineered lab rat that has the full array of brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease supports the idea that increases in a molecule called beta-amyloid in the brain causes the disease.

Producing new neurons under all circumstances: A challenge that is just a mouse away

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:20:20 EDT

Improving neuron production in elderly persons presenting with a decline in cognition is a major challenge facing an aging society and the emergence of neuro-degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Researchers in France recently showed that the pharmacological blocking of the TGF-beta molecule improves the production of new neurons in the mouse model.

Experts call for research on prevalence of delayed neurological dysfunction after head injury

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:14:14 EDT

One of the most controversial topics in neurology today is the prevalence of serious permanent brain damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Long-term studies and a search for genetic risk factors are required in order to predict an individual's risk for serious permanent brain damage, according to a new review article.

Genetic markers ID second Alzheimer's pathway

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:21:21 EDT

Researchers have identified a new set of genetic markers for Alzheimer's disease that point to a second pathway through which the disease develops.

Dementia costs top those for heart disease or cancer, study finds

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:02:02 EDT

The most-detailed examination of the costs of dementia in the United States finds the disease is more costly to the nation than either heart disease or cancer. The analysis suggests that the costs of dementia could more than double by 2040 if the rate of the disease remains constant as the nation's population continues to grow older.

Accused of complicity in Alzheimer's, amyloid proteins may be getting a bad rap

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:14:14 EDT

Amyloids -- clumps of misfolded proteins found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders -- are the quintessential bad boys of neurobiology. But now a pair of recent research studies sets a solid course toward rehabilitating the reputation of the proteins that form these amyloid tangles, or plaques. In the process, they appear poised to turn the field of neurobiology on its head.

Brain-imaging tool and stroke risk test help identify cognitive decline early

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:13:13 EDT

Medical researchers have used a brain-imaging tool and stroke risk assessment to identify signs of cognitive decline early on in individuals who don't yet show symptoms of dementia.

Feeling hungry may protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:24:24 EDT

A study in mice with genetic mutations seen in human Alzheimer's disease found that the feeling of hunger itself may protect against the disease.

Tests to predict heart problems and stroke may be more useful predictor of memory loss than dementia tests

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:13:13 EDT

Risk prediction tools that estimate future risk of heart disease and stroke may be more useful predictors of future decline in cognitive abilities, or memory and thinking, than a dementia risk scores, according to a new study.

Carmustine decreases amyloid beta plaques

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:25:25 EDT

Long term treatment by carmustine, a chemical relative of mustard gas and already used to treat some types of brain cancer, can decrease the amount of amyloid beta and number of amyloid plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mild cognitive impairment at Parkinson disease diagnosis linked with higher risk for early dementia

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:38:38 EDT

Mild cognitive impairment at the time of Parkinson disease (PD) diagnosis appears to be associated with an increased risk for early dementia in a Norwegian study, according to a new report.

Acting out dreams linked to development of dementia

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:48:48 EDT

The strongest predictor of whether a man is developing dementia with Lewy bodies — the second most common form of dementia in the elderly — is whether he acts out his dreams while sleeping, researchers have discovered.

Explaining how extra virgin olive oil protects against Alzheimer's disease

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:54:54 EDT

The mystery of exactly how consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may lie in one component of olive oil that helps shuttle the abnormal AD proteins out of the brain, scientists are reporting in a new study.

Alzheimer's discovery: Amyloid beta triggers increased levels of protein that appears to cause neuronal dysfunction

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:23:23 EDT

A new study potentially identifies a cause of Alzheimer's disease -- based on a newly-discovered signaling pathway in cellular models of Alzheimer's disease -- and opens the door for new treatments by successfully blocking this pathway.

Uncontrolled hypertension could bring increased risk for Alzheimer's disease

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:04:04 EDT

A new study suggests that controlling or preventing risk factors such as hypertension earlier in life may limit or delay the brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease and other age-related neurological deterioration.

Improved detection of frontotemporal degeneration may aid clinical trial efforts

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:08:08 EDT

A series of studies demonstrate improved detection of the second most common form of dementia, providing diagnostic specificity that clears the way for refined clinical trials testing targeted treatments.

Rapid hearing loss may be a symptom of rare Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:55:55 EDT

Rapid hearing loss in both ears may be a symptom of the rare but always-fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and should be considered a reason for clinicians to test for the disorder.

How chronic stress accelerates Alzheimer’s disease

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:50:50 EDT

Why does chronic stress lead to increased risk for dementia? The answer may lie in the elevation of stress steroids that is seen in the brain during stress, a researcher suggests.

Drug shows potential to delay onset or progression of Alzheimer's disease

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:36:36 EDT

An anti-atherosclerosis drug greatly reduced blood-brain barrier (BBB) leaks in animal models with diabetes and hypercholesterolemia and linked BBB permeability with amyloid peptide deposits at the site of early Alzheimer's pathology.

Sleep loss precedes Alzheimer's symptoms

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:33:33 EDT

Sleep is disrupted in people who likely have early Alzheimer’s disease but do not yet have the memory loss or other problems characteristic of full-blown disease, researchers report.