A major study suggests glucosamine, a popular supplement for joint pain, could be linked to faster progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found a 25% higher likelihood of developing dementia among glucosamine users and uncovered biological clues that may explain why.
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In 2022, neurologists at a memory clinic in China diagnosed a 19-year-old with what they believed to be a probable case of Alzheimer’s – making him the youngest person ever to be diagnosed with the condition.
The teen first began experiencing memory decline around age 17, with symptoms worsening over time.
Brain scans revealed shrinkage in the hippocampus, a region involved in memory, while his cerebrospinal fluid showed biomarkers consistent with Alzheimer’s – the most common form of dementia.
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A single brain scan taking a static snapshot of brain tissue volume can forecast future cognitive decline better than tracking brain shrinkage over time. This approach offers a practical way to identify people at risk for dementia by assessing their brain’s built-in structural reserve. The research was published in Cortex.
As people grow older, they can accumulate physical damage inside their brains caused by diseases like Alzheimer’s. Yet, individuals with similar amounts of this microscopic damage often experience vastly different levels of memory loss. Some older adults maintain relatively sharp thinking skills despite harboring the physiological hallmarks of dementia.
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A UCLA club is partnering with local senior living homes and engaging in research to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Brain-Health Education and Advocacy Movement at UCLA works with the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Care at UCLA, which allows club members to learn from medical professionals and give back to the community, said Charlize Yip, BEAM’s current education director and incoming president.
Yip, a third-year physiological science student, added that BEAM allows students to shadow remote support groups for caregivers.
“A big part of healthcare is the caregivers who are involved, especially when it comes to Alzheimer’s and dementia,” she said. “It was always a really good experience to see the caregiver’s perspective, and then really understand what they’re going through and how – even though they don’t have the disease – they are heavily impacted.”
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved an expanded use for Auvelity (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and bupropion hydrochloride) extended-release tablets to treat agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease in adults. The drug is the first FDA-approved treatment for this condition that is not an antipsychotic. FDA initially approved Auvelity in 2022 to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
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While Alzheimer’s disease is commonly associated with older adults, it can also affect people under the age of 65. This form is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and in some cases it may develop in individuals in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.
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