Alzheimer’s Disease – Page 8

Subset of brain immune cells identified, linked to cognition and memory

Posted on May 16, 2023 by Paul McClure

Researchers have identified a subset of microglia, the brain's immune cells, called ARG1+ microglia (shown here in yellow), surrounded by regular microglia (red)

A new study has discovered the important role that a subset of microglia, the brain’s immune cells, plays in early brain development, cognition and memory. The finding gives us a better understanding of how these cells work and could pave the way for new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Category: Biology, Science

Tags: Brain, The Immune System, Alzheimer’s Disease, Memory, University of Helsinki, Karolinska Institutet, University of Seville

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First map of “Commander complex” could help fight diseases, dementia

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Michael Franco

Multi-colored spirals on a black background

Using AI, researchers have created the first map of a group of proteins known as the Commander complex, which function as the body’s “postal workers.” The new understanding opens the door to new drugs and modalities for fighting everything from Alzheimer’s to infectious diseases to cancer.

Category: Medical, Science

Tags: Protein, Microscopes, Medical Imaging, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cancer, Coronavirus (COVID-19), University of Queensland, University of Bristol

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Protein size determines Alzheimer’s stage, may lead to earlier detection

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Paul McClure

In Alzheimer's disease, protein fibrils in the brain form plaques. The accumulation of such tangles leads to the death of nerve cells and a loss of cognitive performance

Testing for protein clumps in spinal fluid is the conventional way of detecting Alzheimer’s disease, but it doesn’t provide information about the disease’s stage. In a new study, researchers were able to stage the disease using atomic force microscopy to visualize the size and shape of these clumps, which may provide a way of detecting the debilitating disease earlier.

Category: Medical, Science

Tags: Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain, Protein, Empa, Dementia, Neural Network, Nanomedicine

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Trial drug shown to significantly slow early Alzheimer’s decline

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Paul McClure

The drug donanemab, which destroys the amyloid beta plaques that cause Alzheimer's disease, was the subject of a Phase 3 clinical trial

A Phase 3 clinical trial of the drug donanemab has shown it can significantly slow cognitive and functional decline in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, compared with existing treatments.

Category: Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle

Tags: Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Immunotherapy, Drug, Neural Network, antibodies

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High-tech earbud may detect Alzheimer’s far earlier than ever before

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Ben Coxworth

The ear-EEG could detect Alzheimer's- or Parkinson's-related sleep patterns up to 15 years before more obvious symptoms occur

It is believed that long before Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases present more obvious symptoms, the disorders may be noticeable in subtle changes to a person’s sleep patterns. A new project aims to see if such telltale changes could be detected by a small earbud-like device, allowing action to be taken much sooner.

Category: Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle

Tags: Aarhus University, Wearable, Earbuds, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, EEG

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Alzheimer’s proteins beaten back by sleeping pill in small study

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Michael Franco

While the sleeping pill known as suvorexant knocked back Alzheimer's markers, the researches are quick to caution that more studies are needed to assess its long-term health effects

Thirty-eight people took part in a study to investigate the effects of a sleep medication on Alzheimer’s-related proteins in their cerebrospinal fluid. The pills showed promise in combating the substances that lead to the harmful tangles and plaques in the brain that contribute to the disease, but larger more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm the results.

Category: Medical, Science

Tags: Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain, Dementia, Neuroscience, Sleeping, Sleep, Insomnia, Washington University School of Medicine, Medication

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Clear chemical connection between physical activity and brain health

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Bronwyn Thompson

Scientists unlock key chemical mechanisms that link brain health with muscle use

The link between physical activity and brain health is not new, with many studies showing how exercise can boost function, from easing depression to staving off cognitive decline. Now, scientists have shown in cell studies that the connection may be more direct, which opens the door to more targeted physical therapies for brain health and potential treatment of neurodegenerative conditions.

Category: Medical, Science

Tags: Exercise, Neuroscience, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain, Chemicals, Memory

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Protocol predicts Alzheimer’s 10 years in advance with 80% accuracy

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Michael Franco

The number of people with dementia is set to almost double every 20 years, according to Alzheimer's Disease International

In seeking a safe yet effective way to predict Alzheimer’s disease, researchers found a sugar molecule in the blood of affected patients. When combined with a simple memory test and genetic analysis, the research team was able to predict the onset of the condition up to a decade in advance with a significant degree of accuracy. The protocol could soon join others in helping scientists spot Alzheimer’s in advance of its symptoms and take steps to halt its progression.

Category: Medical, Science

Tags: Alzheimer’s Disease, Bloodstream, Karolinska Institutet, Memory, Dementia

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World first reveals brain links between high blood pressure and dementia

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Bronwyn Thompson

Scientists get the clearest picture yet of how high blood pressure can trigger cognitive decline

For some time, scientists have known that high blood pressure is somehow involved in cognitive decline leading to dementia. Backing the evidence are several studies that saw blood pressure and related diabetes medicines help slow the loss of brain function.

Category: Medical, Science

Tags: Dementia, Heart Disease, Blood Pressure, Alzheimer’s Disease

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More magnesium may mean better brain health, especially for women

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Paul McClure

Researchers have found that consuming more magnesium leads to better brain health, especially for women.

Dementia is an incurable, debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. While science continues to look for answers to treat the disease, there has been a shift towards prevention. A study has provided new evidence about the link between magnesium intake and brain health.

Category: Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle

Tags: Magnesium, Brain, Alzheimer’s Disease, Australian National University

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