For many years, specialists believed that people who studied more and kept their brains more active had lower dementia risk. Some recent studies have contradicted this idea. So how is education linked to the evolution of Alzheimer’s disease, if at all? Another study suggests that there is no link between a person’s level of education […]
Alzheimer’s / Dementia
How ultrasound could help curb Parkinson’s
There are two major stumbling blocks to developing effective drugs for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other diseases that destroy the brain. The first is overcoming the blood-brain barrier, and the second is delivering the drug to a precise location and ensuring that it does not spread to the rest of the brain. New research finds a […]
Parkinson’s: New gene therapy shows promise for prevention
The hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease and some forms of dementia include Lewy bodies, toxic aggregates that form in the brain and disrupt neural circuits. Researchers from Osaka University in Japan are now testing a new preventive therapy in a preliminary mouse study. Researchers from Japan are testing out a new therapeutic approach for the prevention […]
Can blood pressure drugs help reduce dementia risk?
A large new study has found a link between taking various kinds of blood pressure-lowering drugs and a lower risk of dementia among older adults, adding to the discussion around the link between cognitive decline and high blood pressure. People who take blood pressure-lowering medication may have a lower risk of dementia. Dementia is an […]
Is virtual reality the next frontier of Alzheimer’s diagnosis?
New research that aimed to highlight the potential of new technologies to diagnose disease has suggested that virtual reality may play a crucial role in monitoring Alzheimer’s disease. VR headsets may soon serve as a better alternative to standard testing for Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a general term to describe the impairment of cognitive functions such […]
Early-onset Alzheimer’s: Is ‘bad cholesterol’ a factor?
Millions of people live with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that affects memory and thinking skills. While most people develop it later in life, some have early-onset Alzheimer’s, which sets in before the age of 65 years. Its causes and risk factors are unclear, but scientists wonder if “bad cholesterol” plays a role. ‘Bad’ cholesterol may […]
Virus ‘identity change’ may play a role in Alzheimer’s
According to recent research in vitro and in mice, viruses that come into contact with biological fluids acquire a protein coating that renders them more infectious. Moreover, it seems that some viruses that ‘change identity’ in this way may promote neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. Research shows that viruses can acquire a protein ‘coating’ that […]
Antibiotics may help curb Alzheimer’s symptoms
Research showed that an antibiotic mix impacted the gut bacteria in mice to the point that it slowed the growth and development of Alzheimer’s, but only in males. New research in mice suggests that antibiotics may reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms by impacting the gut bacteria. The study, conducted at The University of Chicago, IL, demonstrated how […]
How do we recall the past? New mechanism revealed
Following their study in rats, scientists have broken new ground in memory research. The finding concerns how the brain retrieves long-term memory and should open new avenues for investigating and treating Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia. New research in rats has unveiled a brain mechanism that could explain how we retrieve old memories. […]
Alzheimer’s: Brain changes may occur 34 years before symptoms
New research identifies changes in the neurochemistry and anatomy of the brain that occur decades before people experience any symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Brain changes may occur decades before people experience Alzheimer’s symptoms, accumulating evidence suggests. The fact that more than 35 million people are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease has led some experts to […]