Category Archives: Research

Lithium’s Surprising Effect on Alzheimer’s

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Scientists have identified new ways lithium chloride may interact with Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms at the cellular level.

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) suggests lithium chloride may influence several cellular processes linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. One of its key features is the abnormal phosphorylation and buildup of Tau proteins inside brain cells, along with the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques.

Researchers have previously used lithium salts, especially lithium chloride and lithium carbonate, in cell and animal models of AD to reduce Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation. However, human clinical trials have produced inconsistent results, with some studies showing little or no improvement in cognitive function.

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Cancer-Like Mutations Found in the Brain May Be Driving Alzheimer’s Disease

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Scientists have uncovered a surprising overlap between cancer genetics and Alzheimer’s disease, involving mutations in the brain’s immune cells.

As we age, our cells quietly collect genetic mutations—most of them harmless, some potentially dangerous. But what if the same kinds of mutations that fuel cancer are also shaping diseases of the brain?

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Study sheds new light on impact of Alzheimer’s screening for caregivers and family members

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A new study conducted by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers has found that primary care screenings for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in older adults did not cause psychological distress for the patient’s family members, nor did it better prepare those loved ones for caregiving.

The randomized clinical trial, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, is the first study to examine the longer-term benefits, risks and harms of ADRD screening in primary care for family members most likely to assume caregiving responsibilities. It examined 1,808 patient-family member pairs across 29 Indiana clinics. Each patient was at least 65 years old.

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Could Alzheimer’s Begin in the Nerves, Not the Brain?

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New research suggests that the balance and walking issues associated with Alzheimer’s disease may not be “top-down” problems caused by brain decay, but rather “bottom-up” failures in the peripheral nervous system.

The study utilized “human-on-a-chip” technology to prove that genetic mutations for familial Alzheimer’s can damage the connection between nerves and muscles directly, independent of the brain or spinal cord.

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What your dreams could be telling you about your Alzheimer’s risk

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Can you remember what you dreamt last night? Research has found that people who don’t remember their dreams may experience cognitive decline twice as fast as those who do.

A study published by Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, studied people aged over 60 and found those who have poor dream recall are more likely to be carrying the APOE ε4 gene — the biggest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

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Scientists just watched Alzheimer’s damage happen in real time

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Scientists at Oregon State University have captured something researchers have long struggled to see: the real-time chemical interactions that help drive Alzheimer’s disease. By watching how metal ions—especially copper—trigger harmful protein clumping in the brain, the team uncovered a clearer picture of how the disease develops at a molecular level.

Read the article HERE