RxPG News : Dementia

Depression increases risk of Alzheimer's disease

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:38:07 PST

Washington, April 8 - Depressed people are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with a more positive outlook to life, says a new study.

One third of risk for dementia attributable to small vessel disease, autopsy study shows

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

Alzheimer's disease may be what most people fear as they grow older, but autopsy data from a long-range study of 3,400 men and women in the Seattle region found that the brains of a third of those who had become demented before death showed evidence of small vessel damage: the type of small, cumulative injury that can come from hypertension or diabetes.

Time and Money Constraints; other barriers hinder care for dementia

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:49:02 PST

Built-in limitations of the health-care system in the United States, such as time and reimbursement constraints, inhibit the ability of primary care doctors to best meet the needs of dementia patients and their families, according to a new study by researchers at UC Davis Health System.
In a study now available in the online edition of the Journal of the Society of General Internal Medicine, the researchers found that physicians often feel challenged in caring for dementia patients, especially those who are more behaviorally complex. Constraints that are intrinsic to the contemporary practice of medicine may lead to the delayed detection of behavioral problems, a reactive as opposed to proactive management of dementia, and an increased reliance on treatment with drugs instead of psychosocial approaches.

Omega-3 supplements affect Alzheimer's symptoms

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

Omega-3 supplements can, in certain cases, help combat the depression and agitation symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to a clinical study conducted at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.

Beta-secretase (BACE) can Disrupt Brain's Neural Activity in the Alzheimer's

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

An enzyme involved in the formation of the amyloid-beta protein associated with Alzheimer's disease can also alter the mechanism by which signals are transmitted between brain cells, the disruption of which can cause seizures. These findings from researchers at the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders (MGH-MIND) may explain the increased incidence of seizures in Alzheimer's patients and suggest that potential treatments that block this enzyme called beta-secretase or BACE may alleviate their occurrence.

Nursing home placement associated with accelerated cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

People with Alzheimer's disease experience an acceleration in the rate of cognitive decline after being placed in a nursing home according to a new study by Rush University Medical Center. The study, published in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, finds that prior experience in adult day care may lessen this association.

A drink a day may delay dementia

Thu, 24 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. PAUL, Minn -- In people with mild cognitive impairment, up to one drink of alcohol a day may slow their progression to dementia, according to a study published in the May 22, 2007, issue of Neurologyï¿½, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Mild cognitive impairment is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia that is used to classify people with mild memory or cognitive problems and no significant disability.

Alzheimer's weight gain initiative also improved patients' intellectual abilities

Tue, 15 May 2007 19:10:55 PST

Swedish researchers have found a way to increase the weight of people with Alzheimer's, by improving communication and patient involvement, altering meal routines and providing a more homely eating environment

New therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases

Thu, 10 May 2007 08:22:23 PST

The focus of work in the Neurosciences Departmentâs Neurobiology Laboratory at the University of the Basque Countryâs Faculty of Medicine and Odontology is the investigation of the molecular and cellular bases of neurodegenerative illnesses â those that affect the brain and the spinal cord. Some of these neurodegenerative illnesses are well known and affect a significant part of the population, such as Alzheimerâs disease and multiple sclerosis.

Mayo Clinic Research Suggests Patterns of Brain Tissue Loss in Early Alzheimer's Disease May Predict Course of Disease

Tue, 01 May 2007 09:35:06 PST

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that shows patterns of brain tissue loss may help physicians predict which patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (early Alzheimer's disease) will develop full-blown Alzheimer's, according to findings of a Mayo Clinic study presented in Boston today at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Inhaled anesthetics may accelerate the onset of Alzheimer's Disease

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 11:48:51 PST

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine have discovered that common inhaled anesthetics increase the number of amyloid plaques in the brains of animals, which might accelerate the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Roderic Eckenhoff, MD, Vice Chair of Research in the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, and his co-authors, report their findings in the March 7th online edition of Neurobiology of Aging.

Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are mere markers, not cause of Alzheimers disease

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 03:20:03 PST

A completely new approach to the study of Alzheimers disease, initiated by a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, may solve a critical piece in the puzzle of the disease. This tragic neurological illness progressively erases memory in its millions of victims. The key to the new approach is understanding the way certain proteins in the brain fold, or rather misfold.

Vasectomy may put men at risk for dementia

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:56:31 PST

Northwestern University researchers have discovered men with an unusual form of dementia have a higher rate of vasectomy than men the same age who are cognitively normal.

Isoflurane may produce Alzheimer's-like changes in the brain

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:56:30 PST

A new study has found how one of the most commonly used anesthetics may produce Alzheimer's-like changes in the brain. Previous studies have shown that applying the anesthetic isoflurane to cultured neural cells can lead to generation of amyloid-beta protein -- the key component of senile plaques seen in the brains of Alzheimer's patients -- and to the cell-death process known as apoptosis.

Researchers find missing link between amyloid and tau in Alzheimers disease

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:13:37 PST

Scientists at the University of Virginia have identified what appears to be a major missing link in the process that destroys nerve cells in Alzheimers disease, an incurable disease that slowly destroys memory and cognitive abilities. The findings are reported in the Nov. 20, 2006, issue of the Journal of Cell Biology and could eventually lead to new drugs that target and disrupt specific proteins that conspire in the brain to cause Alzheimers.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene raises newborns' cerebral palsy risk

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:25:34 PST

Apolipoprotein E (APOE), a gene associated with heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease in adults, can also increase the likelihood that brain-injured newborns will develop cerebral palsy, researchers at Children's Memorial Research Center have discovered.

Role of inhaled anesthetics in Alzheimer's disease

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:16:44 PST

Inhaled anesthetics commonly used in surgery are more likely to cause the aggregation of Alzheimer's disease-related plaques in the brain than intravenous anesthetics say University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers in a journal article published in the Jan. 23 issue of Biochemistry. This is the first report using state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic technique to explain the detailed molecular mechanism behind the aggregation of amyloid beta peptide due to various anesthetics.

Active mind may delay onset of Alzheimer's

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:43:25 PST

New York, Jan 24 - The elderly can delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease by keeping their mind active, says a new study.

Common anaesthetic isoflurane can kill brain cells

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 13:19:33 PST

New York, Jan 17 - The commonly used anaesthetic isoflurane could kill brain cells and raise the risk of Alzheimer's, suggests a new study questioning the safety of the drug.

US House backs wider stem-cell research, defies Bush

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:53:38 PST

Washington, Jan 12 - Lawmakers in the Democratic-led US lower house approved plans to expand government funding for human embryonic stem-cell research, defying a threatened veto by President George W. Bush.

Physical exercise fights mental woes

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 12:26:05 PST

New York, Jan 7 - Physical activities improve blood flow to the brain, helps the bodies detoxify and could ward off addiction, depression, stress and even Alzheimer's, say researchers.

Non drug treatments may help cure dementia

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:01:08 PST

New York, Jan 1 - Non drug treatments such as mental training and physical activity may help cure dementia, a disorder characterised by a general loss of intellectual abilities, says a new study.

New scan technique could spot early Alzheimer's

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:34:07 PST

New York, Dec 27 - Scientists in the US claim to have developed an advanced scan technique that can spot early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

How frontotemporal dementia affects brain at cellular level

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 08:26:24 PST

UCSF scientists have identified a cell population that is a primary target of the degenerative brain disease known as frontotemporal dementia, which is as common as Alzheimer's disease in patients who develop dementia before age 65. Because the cells arose only recently in evolutionary history -- in a common ancestor of great apes and humans-- and are particularly abundant in humans, and the finding supports the concept that evolution has rendered the human brain vulnerable to disease, including frontotemporal dementia, and, possibly, disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, the researchers say.

Scientists create antibody to prevent Alzheimer's

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 22:44:32 PST

London, Dec 22 - Scientists in Britain claim to have created an antibody that can be used as preventive treatment for people with a family history of Alzheimer's.

Diet rich in fish cuts dementia risk

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:04:02 PST

New York, Nov 20 (IANS) A diet rich in fish could significantly lower the risk of dementia, says a new study.

Yeast model shows promise as Alzheimer's test

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 04:25:15 PST

A century ago this month, German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer formally described characteristics of the neurodegenerative disease which ultimately came to bear his name. While international efforts to learn about Alzheimer's disease and develop treatments have progressed significantly in recent years, a cure remains an elusive goal.

Occupational therapy improves quality of life for dementia patients

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 13:34:00 PST

Occupational therapy can help to improve the ability of people with dementia to perform daily activities and can also reduce the pressure on their caregivers, says a BMJ study published today.

Hope remains for Alzheimer's sufferers

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:08:00 PST

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), who last week rejected appeals to allow patients with mild Alzheimer's to receive the life-changing medication donepezil (Aricept®), will hopefully re-appraise their decision in three-years time, according to neurologist Professor Robert Kerwin in an article published in the November issue of the medical journal Future Neurology.

Cognitive Decline is Often Undetected - Study

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 05:30:00 PST

Many patients over the age of 65 who are hospitalized with an acute illness experience a subtle change in their cognitive ability that often goes undiagnosed, untreated and underreported. As a result, a patient's ability to make decisions about his or her medical treatment may be negatively impacted.

CATIE Study: Antipsychotics in Alzheimer's No Better Than Placebo

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:08:00 PST

Most Alzheimers patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs for delusions, agitation or aggression do no better than those who take a placebo because so many discontinue the drugs due to significant side effects, according to a new nationwide study led by Lon Schneider, professor of psychiatry, neurology and gerontology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Mediterranean diet associated with a lower risk for Alzheimers disease

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 04:51:00 PST

Eating a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables and olive oil and includes little red meat, is associated with a lower risk for Alzheimers disease, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the December 2006 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. This association persisted even when researchers considered whether individuals had vascular diseasesdiseases of the blood vessels, such as stroke, heart disease and diabetessuggesting that the diet may work through different pathways to reduce Alzheimers disease risk.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may slow cognitive decline

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 04:48:00 PST

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may slow cognitive decline in some patients with very mild Alzheimers disease, but do not appear to affect those with more advanced cases, according to results of a clinical trial published in the October issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Microscopic brain damage detected in early Alzheimer's disease

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 23:08:00 PST

Researchers have developed a new computer-aided analysis technique to identify early cellular damage in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study is featured in the October issue of Radiology. "With increasing longevity among the population, the incidence of AD is expected to rise rapidly, creating a great burden not only for patients and their families, but also for society," said Min-Ying Su, Ph.D., author and associate professor in the Department of Radiological Sciences & the Tu and Yuen Center for Functional Onco-Imaging at the University of California at Irvine. "Our methods may enable earlier diagnosis of AD, allowing earlier intervention to slow down disease progression," she added.

Novel technique can identify early cellular damage in Alzheimer's disease

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 16:33:00 PST

Researchers have developed a new computer-aided analysis technique to identify early cellular damage in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study is featured in the October issue of Radiology.

Cathepsin B - Part of protective mechanism against Alzheimer's

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 00:02:00 PST

An enzyme found naturally in the brain snips apart the protein that forms the sludge called amyloid plaque that is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), researchers have found. They said their findings in mice suggest that the protein, called Cathepsin B (CatB), is a key part of a protective mechanism that may fail in some forms of AD.

Boosting ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (Uch-L1) restores lost memory

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 19:29:00 PST

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have successfully restored normal memory and synaptic function in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The study was published today on the website of the journal Cell.

Exercise helps sustain mental activity as we age

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:05:00 PST

Based on a review of studies on exercise and its effect on brain functioning in human and animal populations, researchers find that physical exercise may slow aging's effects and help people maintain cognitive abilities well into older age. Animals seem to benefit from exercise too and perform spatial tasks better when they are active. Furthermore, fitness training an increased level of exercise may improve some mental processes even more than moderate activity, say the authors of the review.

New research points toward mechanism of age-onset toxicity of Alzheimer's protein

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:40:00 PST

Like most neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease usually appears late in life, raising the question of whether it is a disastrous consequence of aging or if the toxic protein aggregates that cause the disease simply take a long time to form. Now, a collaboration between researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Scripps Research Institute shows that aging is what's critical. Harmful beta amyloid aggregates accumulate when aging impedes two molecular clean-up crews from getting rid of these toxic species.

HIV mutation is clue to why only some people develop AIDS dementia

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:12:00 PST

The study of 18 HIV-positive subjects shows that HIV in the brain and central nervous system is genetically different from HIV that lives in the blood and peripheral tissues. Moreover, serious cognitive impairment among the study subjects was correlated with the presence of a particular mutation in the HIV envelope gene. The study appears in the July 2006 issue of Brain. It was led by Satish K. Pillai, PhD, a staff research associate at SFVAMC and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco.

Structure of calbindin-D28K Protein Involved in Preventing Alzheimers, Huntingtons Diseases Characterised

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:22:00 PST

Scientists at North Carolina State University have effectively lifted the veil from an important protein that is linked to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Huntingtons.

High estrogen levels associated with dementia in older men

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:30:00 PST

A prospective population-based study has found that higher estrogen levels in older men are associated with an increased risk of dementia. By contrast, levels of testosterone were not associated with cognitive decline. As our population ages, the impact of dementia will grow. By the year 2050, some 13 million Americans could have Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common cause of dementia. Researchers are searching to understand risk factors and some studies have suggested that sex hormones play a role. One large study showed that women receiving estrogen therapy had an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. However, the evidence for how testosterone levels affect men is contradictory.

Enhanced mental and physical activity slows neurological decline

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 18:54:00 PST

Researchers have uncovered the pathways behind the protection offered by environmental stimulation in Alzheimer's disease, further confirming that enhanced mental and physical activity slows neurological decline. The paper by Ambrée et al., "Reduction of amyloid angiopathy and A-Beta plaque burden after enriched housing in TgCRND8 mice: involvement of multiple pathways," appears in the August issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

Measuring Proteins In Spinal Fluid May Provide Early Clue To Alzheimer's Disease

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 05:37:00 PST

Early signs of the development of Alzheimer's disease can be seen in the cerebrospinal fluid of middle-aged adults who are genetically predisposed to the neurologic condition, according to a report in the July issue of the Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Teddies May Improve Quality of Life in Alzheimers

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 20:49:00 PST

Dolls and teddy bears can help Alzheimer's patients interact and communicate with others, finds a new study. A team of doctors at Newcastle General Hospital studied the benefits of dolls after seeing how a patient bonded with a teddy bear from her son, reported the online edition of BBC News.

Alzheimer's pathology related to episodic memory

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 02:34:00 PST

Alzheimer's pathology can appear in the brains of older men and women without dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The pathology is related to loss of episodic memory, according to a new study published in the June 27, 2006, issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Mental faculties in Dementia not improved by homocysteine-lowering supplements

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 04:50:00 PST

Giving healthy older people supplements to reduce high blood levels of an amino acid linked to dementia does not help their cognitive performance, according to a major University of Otago clinical study published today in one of world's top medical journals.

Alzheimer's Memory loss affects more of the brain

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:09:00 PST

Memory loss associated with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be linked to altered activity in several areas of the brain, according to a study in the July issue of Radiology. For the first time, researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., used a special, high-field- strength, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner to study the brain activity of people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to AD, and found altered functionality in both the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Previous studies looking at structural changes alone have shown evidence that brain atrophy in the earliest stages of AD tends to be restricted to the temporal lobe, a region critical to long-term memory formation.

Factors associated with physical aggression among nursing home residents with dementia

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 04:06:00 PST

Depressive symptoms, delusions, hallucinations and constipation are associated with physical aggression among nursing home residents with dementia, according to a report in the June 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Production of amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) monitored for first time in humans

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:45:00 PST

Science is now poised to answer an important and longstanding question about the origins of Alzheimer's disease: Do Alzheimer's patients have high levels of a brain protein because they make too much of it or because they can't clear it from their brains quickly enough?

How restricting caloric intake may prevent Alzheimer

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 17:54:00 PST

A recent study directed by Mount Sinai School of Medicine suggests that experimental dietary regimens might calm or even reverse symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The study, which appears in the July 2006 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, is the first to show that restricting caloric intake, specifically carbohydrates, may prevent AD by triggering activity in the brain associated with longevity.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Increases Risk for Alzheimer

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 17:15:00 PST

Research at the University of Navarra has concluded that some patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will develop Alzheimer in the future. The investigation of the detection of early signals of alteration was based on a multidisciplinary analysis of data from a sample of 300 individuals and undertaken at the University Hospital.

Different forms of amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease harm neurons in different ways

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 13:06:00 PST

Researchers at UC Irvine have shown that different forms of amyloid beta lead to neural damage in different ways, leading to an increasingly complex view of amyloid toxicity in the Alzheimer brain. The finding could modify the way therapeutic approaches for the treatment of Alzheimers disease are designed.

Social Mealtimes Boost Wellbeing of Nursing Home Residents

Wed, 10 May 2006 02:55:00 PST

Providing a convivial and social environment at mealtimes improves the quality of life and physical performance of nursing home residents, finds a study published on bmj.com. Residents of nursing homes not only face physical deterioration but also loss of independence, privacy, and a familiar environment. These factors lead to high levels of loneliness and depression and a low perceived quality of life.

Cocktail of dietary supplements holds promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 19:36:00 PST

MIT brain researchers have developed a "cocktail" of dietary supplements, now in human clinical trials, that holds promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. For years, doctors have encouraged people to consume foods such as fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids because they appear to improve memory and other brain functions. The MIT research suggests that a cocktail treatment of omega-3 fatty acids and two other compounds normally present in the blood, could delay the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer's disease, which afflicts an estimated 4 million to 5 million Americans.

Social networks protect against Alzheimer's

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 18:17:00 PST

Having close friends and staying in contact with family members offers a protective effect against the damaging effects of Alzheimers disease according to research by physicians at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The study, which is currently posted online in The Lancet Neurology, will be published in the May print edition of the journal.

Severe cerebral congophilic angiopathy found in Camelford resident

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:11:00 PST

A rare form of Alzheimer's disease has been discovered in a resident of Camelford, the town in south west England which bore the brunt of the accidental discharge of 20 tonnes of aluminium sulphate into the local water supply almost 20 years ago.

Amount of Amyloid Protein in Brain Determines Age of Onset for Alzheimer's Disease

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:06:00 PST

Researchers from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) connected to the University of Antwerp are the first to show that the quantity of amyloid protein in brain cells is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid protein has already been known to be the primary component of the senile plaques in the brains of patients. The new discovery demonstrates that the greater the quantity of the protein that is produced, the younger the dementia patient is.

Mediterranean diet could reduce risk of dementia

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:21:00 PST

A Mediterranean diet of low saturated fat and high fibre content could reduce the risk of developing dementia, says a study. The Mediterranean diet is a nutritional model inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of the countries of the Mediterranean basin, particularly Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain. The diet comprises high consumption of fruit and vegetables, bread and other cereals, olive oil and fish, making them low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat and fibre.

Sustained blood pressure treatment lowers risk of dementia

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:03:00 PST

Maintaining high blood pressure treatment may reduce the risk of dementia in old age, researchers reported in the rapid access issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Ovary removal could increase dementia risk

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:01:00 PST

Women who undergo an ovary removal may have the risk of facing dementia - a disorder of the brain that sometimes causes emotional disturbances and personality change.

Reduced insulin in the brain triggers Alzheimer's degeneration

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:38:00 PST

By depleting insulin and its related proteins in the brain, researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School have replicated the progression of Alzheimer's disease including plaque deposits, neurofibrillary tangles, impaired cognitive functioning, cell loss and overall brain deterioration in an experimental animal model. The study demonstrates that Alzheimer's is a brain-specific neuroendocrine disorder, distinct from other types of diabetes.

Possible Alzheimer's link to Choroid Plexus in Brain

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 08:19:00 PST

Researchers have discovered that an organ in the brain called the choroid plexus apparently plays a critical role in preventing the accumulation of a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Excessive peroxidase of amyloid-beta- understanding Alzheimers

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:59:00 PST

In a study published in the February 28th issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, lead scientist Hani Atamna, Ph.D., found that alterations in the production of heme (a molecule that contains iron) may be the key to understanding why excessive amyloid-beta is toxic to brain cells.

Raised levels of stress hormones linked with age-related dementia

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 21:20:00 PST

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified for the first time a certain area of the brain which can shrink in old age and cause depression and Alzheimer's disease. The scientists believe the shrinkage may be caused by high levels of stress hormones.

High levels of education speeds up the progression of Alzheimer's

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 16:48:00 PST

High levels of education may help ward off Alzheimer's disease, but they also speed up its progression once developed, reveals research in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

Neuronal Receptor Response May Help Explain Alzheimerâs Memory Loss

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 18:31:00 PST

Based on laboratory research, scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have a new theory as to why people with Alzheimer's disease have trouble performing even the simplest memory tasks, such as remembering a family memberâs name.

Increasing NogoReceptor Protein Can Treat Alzheimer's Deficits

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 16:12:00 PST

Increasing the level of a protein that plays a key role in traumatic spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis reduces the concentration of disease-causing plaque in Alzheimer's disease, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Anticholinergic drugs for the elderly could cause dementia

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:38:00 PST

Some commonly used drugs by the elderly to treat illnesses like Parkinson's or urinary incontinence may lead to mild mental impairment, says a study.

MCI-A and MCI-MCD - two transitional states that lead to Alzheimer's disease

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:33:00 PST

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a transitional stage between normal cognition and Alzheimer's disease, exists in two different forms, according to a study published today by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of California, Los Angeles in the Archives of Neurology.

Memantine effective and safe in Alzheimer's disease

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:31:00 PST

Memantine, a drug approved for the treatment of Alzheimer disease, appears safe and effective in patients with moderate to severe cases of the condition, according to a study in the January issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Blood flow in brain takes a twist in Alzheimer's understanding

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:26:00 PST

New findings that long-overlooked brain cells play an important role in regulating blood flow in the brain call into question one of the basic assumptions underlying today's most sophisticated brain imaging techniques and could open a new frontier when it comes to understanding Alzheimer's disease.

Reduced brain volume may predict dementia

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:19:00 PST

Reduced volume, or atrophy, in parts of the brain known as the amygdala and hippocampus may predict which cognitively healthy elderly people will develop dementia over a six-year period, according to a study in the January issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Region of chromosome 10 strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:07:00 PST

An international team of researchers, led by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, are zeroing in on a gene that increases risk for Alzheimer's disease. They have identified a region of chromosome 10 that appears to be involved in risk for the disease that currently affects an estimated 4.5 million Americans.

Exercise is linked to later onset of dementia

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 15:37:00 PST

Regular exercise is associated with a delay in the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to a Group Health Cooperative/University of Washington study that will appear in the January 17 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The study--the most definitive investigation of exercise and dementia to date--also found that the more frail a person is, the more he or she may benefit from exercise.

MW01-5-188WH stops brain cell degeneration in Alzheimer's disease

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:39:00 PST

Drug discovery researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel orally administered compound specifically targeted to suppress brain cell inflammation and neuron loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Workouts reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 13:12:00 PST

Regular exercise reduces the risk of memory disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, say scientists. Workouts may also help to delay progression of the condition in people who begin to develop these symptoms.

Astrocytes are not just housekeepers

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 22:33:00 PST

Mechanism Tying Obesity to Alzheimers Disease Uncovered

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 15:58:00 PST

If heart disease and diabetes arent bad enough, now comes another reason to watch your weight. According to a study just released, packing on too many pounds can increase the risk of developing Alzheimers disease. A team led by researchers at the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and Edith Cowan University in Joondalup, Western Australia has shown that being extremely overweight or obese increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimers. They found a strong correlation between body mass index and high levels of beta-amyloid, the sticky protein substance that builds up in the Alzheimers brain and is thought to play a major role in destroying nerve cells and in cognitive and behavioral problems associated with the disease.

Cyanobacteria Nostoc can be natural drug source for Alzheimer's

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 15:53:00 PST

A compound isolated from a cyanobacterium, a type of blue-green algae known as Nostoc, shows promise of becoming a natural drug candidate for fighting Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, according to an in vitro study by researchers in Switzerland. It is believed to be the first time that a potent agent against Alzheimer's has been isolated from cyanobacteria, commonly known as 'pond scum.' The study was published in the Dec. 26 issue of the Journal of Natural Products, a monthly peer-reviewed joint publication of the American Chemical Society and the American Society of Pharmacognosy. Cyanobacteria and other marine natural products have been increasingly found to be a promising source of drug candidates for fighting a variety of human diseases, including cancer and bacterial infections, but their chemistry has been largely unexplored, experts say. Now, a common marine organism could lead to yet another potential health benefit, says study leader Karl Gademann, Ph.D., an organic chemist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich. Gademann's lab specializes in identifying, synthesizing and studying new bioactive compounds from natural sources.

Synthetic Melatonin Metabolites Appear to Prevent Brain Cell Death

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 16:32:00 PST

Spanish chemists have developed a promising set of synthetic compounds that one day could help slow or perhaps halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. The preliminary finding, based on test tube studies by researchers at the Universidad de Granada and others, appears in the Dec. 29 issue of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Research sheds light on creatine's presence in brain

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 05:15:00 PST

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most hauntingly destructive maladies to wreak havoc on humans. It robs children of parents and spouses of each other-with lifetimes of memories lost forever behind blank stares. But researchers are working toward answers to the many questions that have made Alzheimer's a complex and unsolved degenerative disease and, in some cases, a death sentence. In an article in the November Journal of Biological Chemistry, a team of Canadian and American scientists reports the first-ever finding of elevated levels of creatine-the newly discovered agent of Alzheimer's-in brain tissue. The article is available pre-press at the Journal of Biological Chemistry's Web site.

Advances in biomarkers search to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD)

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 03:52:00 PST

The search for new measures, or "biomarkers," to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) before signs of memory loss appear has advanced an important step in a study by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and the University of Pittsburgh. The researchers combined high-tech brain imaging with measurement of beta-amyloid protein fragments in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They found that greater amounts of beta-amyloid containing plaques in the brain were associated with lower levels of a specific protein fragment, amyloid-beta 1-42, in CSF. Prior research indicates that amyloid-beta 1-42 is central to AD development. The fragment is a major component of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are believed to influence cell-to-cell communication and are considered a hallmark of the Alzheimer's brain.

Testosterone therapy may improve life quality in some Alzheimer patients

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 17:10:00 PST

Testosterone replacement therapy may help improve the quality of life for elderly men with mild cases of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study posted online today that will appear in the February 2006 print issue of the Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. "There is a compelling need for therapies that prevent, defer the onset, slow the progression, or improve the symptoms of Alzheimer disease (AD)," the authors provide as background information in the article. They note that hormonal therapies have been the focus of research attention in recent years since male aging is associated with a gradual progressive decline in testosterone levels. "The gradual decline in testosterone level is associated with decreased muscle mass and strength, osteoporosis, decreased libido, mood alterations, and changes in cognition, conditions that may be reversed with testosterone replacement." The authors add that the age-related decline in testosterone is potentially relevant to AD as previous studies have found significantly lower concentrations of the hormone in middle-aged and elderly men who developed AD.

Alzheimer's plaque precursor characterized

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 17:49:00 PST

Using a nuclear magnetic resonance technique, University of Illinois at Chicago chemists have obtained the first molecular-level images of precursors of bundled fibrils that form the brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease.

Early Anti-amyloid Treatments in Alzheimer's are most effective

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 19:34:00 PST

Dementia is a common condition in the elderly; around 6% of people over 65 and up to 50% over 90 have some form of dementia, about half of which are due to Alzheimer disease (AD). The dementia caused by AD has an insidious onset and a progressive course with slow deterioration in cerebral function, initially affecting short-term memory and cognitive skills, and later speech, motor functions, and personality. Death usually occurs within four to eight years after diagnosis.

Resveratrol found in red wine can protect against Alzheimer's

Sun, 06 Nov 2005 15:02:00 PST

A study published in the November 11 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry shows that resveratrol, a compound found in grapes and red wine, lowers the levels of the amyloid-beta peptides which cause the telltale senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease.

Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs in Dementia Associated With Increased Mortality - Meta-Analysis

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:12:00 PST

Patients with dementia who took atypical antipsychotic drugs had a slightly increased risk of death compared to patients who took placebo, according to a meta-analysis published in the October 19 issue of JAMA. A majority of elderly patients with dementia develop aggression, delusions, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms during their illness, according to background information in the article. Antipsychotic medications are commonly used to treat these behaviors, along with psychosocial and environmental interventions. During the last decade, newer atypical antipsychotic drugs (i.e., risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and aripiprazole, in order of introduction) have largely replaced the older conventional or first generation antipsychotic drugs (e.g., haloperidol and thioridazine) and have been considered preferred treatments for these behavioral disturbances associated with dementia. However, concerns have arisen about possibly increased risks for cerebrovascular adverse events, rapid cognitive decline, and death with their use. Lon S. Schneider, M.D., M.S., and colleagues at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, conducted a meta-analysis of atypical antipsychotic drug trials to assess the evidence for death associated with their use in elderly patients with dementia. After a search of databases and meeting presentations, the researchers selected 15 trials (9 unpublished) that met criteria, generally 10 to 12 weeks in duration, including 16 contrasts of atypical antipsychotic drugs with placebo (aripiprazole [n = 3], olanzapine [n = 5], quetiapine [n = 3], risperidone [n = 5]). A total of 3,353 patients were randomized to study drug and 1,757 were randomized to placebo. Outcomes were assessed using standard methods to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and risk differences based on patients randomized and relative risks based on total exposure to treatment. There were no differences in dropouts.

Eating fish is inversely associated with cognitive decline

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:16:00 PST

Consuming fish at least once a week was associated with a 10 percent per year slower rate of cognitive decline in elderly people, according to a new study posted online today from the Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The study will be published in the December print edition of the journal.

Midlife Obesity Linked With Increased Dementia Risk

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:16:00 PST

Individuals who were obese at midlife had an increased risk for dementia later in life compared to individuals of normal weight, according to an article in the October issue of the Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Imaging With Radiotracer FDG in Patients With Mild Cognitive Disorder Has Significantly Higher Accuracy

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 23:19:00 PST

Positron emission tomography (PET) imagingwith the radiotracer fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)is a promising tool in detecting Alzheimer's disease in patients who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a study reported in the October issue of the Society of Nuclear Medicine's Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Exercising could decrease risk of dementia

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:36:00 PST

Being physically active in midlife could decrease a person's risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in life, concludes an article published online today (Tuesday October 4, 2005) by THE LANCET NEUROLOGY.

Implicit-memory tests are stronger predictors than Mini Mental exam

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 03:34:00 PST

Two recent studies may help clinicians and researchers better predict and understand dementia of the Alzheimer's type early in its history. Both studies appear in the September issue of Neuropsychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Psychologists focus on early detection in part because current medications are useful only when given very early in the course of the disease.

"Complex work" protects against dementia

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 16:15:00 PST

Publishing in the September issue of the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, University of South Florida School of Aging Studies researcher Ross Andel and James Mortimer, professor, USF College of Public Health, examined the relationship between complexity of main lifetime occupation and risk for Alzheimer's disease and dementia in general. He and co-researchers discovered that people engaging in "complex work" had a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Hope for Alzheimer's blossoms in daffodil

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 00:12:00 PST

A substance found in the Welsh national flower, which could offer hope for sufferers of Alzheimers disease, is being supported for large scale manufacture by Cardiff Universitys Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC).

Cerebral Blood Flow Linked to Late-Onset Dementia

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 19:30:00 PST

The amount of blood flowing into the brain may play a larger role in the development of dementia than previously believed, according to a study in the September issue of the journal Radiology.

New dye NIAD-4 could offer early test for Alzheimer's

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 03:37:00 PST

MIT scientists have developed a new dye that could offer noninvasive early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, a discovery that could aid in monitoring the progression of the disease and in studying the efficacy of new treatments to stop it.

Coronary bypass surgery increases risk of Alzheimer's disease

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 13:43:00 PST

Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers have discovered that patients who have either coronary artery bypass graft surgery or coronary angioplasty are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Sex Variation in Dementia Incidence Challenged

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:04:00 PST

A new study on the incidence of dementia in England and Wales, published in the forthcoming issue of the open access journal PLoS Medicine, challenges three commonly held assumptions about dementia. Contrary to widespread views, the study found that there was no major difference in the incidence of dementia between men and women, that the incidence did not fall beyond a certain critical age, and that there was no difference in the incidence across five different sites (three urban and two rural).

Mesenchyme homeobox 2 (MEOX2) gene linked to Alzheimer's disease

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 14:05:00 PST

Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered a link between a prominent developmental gene and neurovascular dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.