Scientists have just found a direct link between air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease—suggesting that improving air quality could be an important way to prevent dementia and protect older adults.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, which affects about 57 million people worldwide, and there is currently no cure for it, making prevention is crucial.
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Researchers have identified two brain receptors that help the brain clear away amyloid beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. By stimulating these receptors in mice, scientists increased levels of a natural amyloid-breaking enzyme, reduced buildup in the brain, and improved memory-related behavior. Because these receptors are common drug targets, the findings could open the door to affordable pill-based treatments with fewer side effects.
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Scientists have created the most detailed maps yet of how genes control one another inside the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Using a powerful new AI-based system called SIGNET, the team uncovered cause-and-effect relationships between genes across six major brain cell types, revealing which genes are truly driving harmful changes. The most dramatic disruptions were found in excitatory neurons, where thousands of genetic interactions appear to be extensively rewired as the disease progresses.
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Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have identified a promising drug target for Alzheimer’s disease. The team found that removing an enzyme from neurons in the brain substantially reduces amyloid plaques—a hallmark characteristic of the disease—and may provide further resilience against disease progression.
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Patients with dementia who participated in a Medicare-funded collaborative care program that provided support and medical advice for caregivers were able to remain in their home communities longer before entering nursing homes, according to a new study. This compares to those patients who were taking lecanemab, one of two approved drugs that have been shown to slow progression of Alzheimer’s in some patients, a February study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging found.