Why people can have Alzheimer’s related brain damage but no symptoms?

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Some people don’t develop dementia despite showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their brain, and we’re starting to understand why

Some people develop Alzheimer’s-related brain changes without experiencing symptoms of the disease, such as memory loss. We don’t know exactly why this occurs, but two recent studies are inching us closer towards an answer, with scientists revealing that these people have unusual changes in their brain that may shield them from cognitive decline.

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Cancer May Emit Signals That Protect The Brain Against Alzheimer’s

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Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are two of the most feared diagnoses in medicine, but they rarely strike the same person.

For years, epidemiologists have noticed that people with cancer seem less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, and those with Alzheimer’s are less likely to get cancer, but nobody could explain why.

A new study in mice suggests a surprising possibility: certain cancers may actually send a protective signal to the brain that helps clear away the toxic protein clumps linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

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Scientists Discover Brain-Penetrating Compounds That May Calm Alzheimer’s-Linked Inflammation

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Researchers have created a targeted compound that blocks an enzyme linked to inflammation in individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease, while still maintaining normal brain activity and successfully passing through the blood-brain barrier.

Scientists at the University of Southern California report that they have found new druglike compounds that could calm a major source of brain inflammation tied to Alzheimer’s disease. The study was just published in the Nature journal npj Drug Discovery.

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Alzheimer’s may trick the brain into erasing its own memories

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Alzheimer’s may destroy memory by flipping a single molecular switch that tells neurons to prune their own connections. Researchers found that both amyloid beta and inflammation converge on the same receptor, triggering synapse loss. Surprisingly, neurons aren’t passive victims—they actively respond to these signals. Targeting this receptor could offer a new way to protect memory beyond current amyloid-focused drugs.

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Alzheimer’s Association releases safety tips ahead of winter storm

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A spokesperson for the chapter says sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can create hazardous conditions for seniors, including those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Tips for keeping loved ones safe this winter:

  • Be prepared. Winter storms can be dangerous for anyone. Check weather conditions regularly and have contingency plans in place. If a snowstorm is on the horizon, consider rescheduling appointments that are not urgent. Tackle to-do lists in one trip to avoid making multiple trips out of the house.
  • Bundle up. Help the person living with Alzheimer’s dress warmly for winter weather conditions by covering exposed skin. A good option to consider is wearing several layers of lightweight clothing for easy movement.
  • Prevent slips. Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, so assume all surfaces are slick. Assist the person living with dementia by wearing sturdy shoes and walking slowly when outside. Keep sidewalks and driveways clear, use handrails or walk arm-in-arm. Consider acquiring a state-issued Handicapped placard to enable closer access to buildings.
  • Prevent wandering. Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. If a family member wanders, start by searching the immediate vicinity inside and outside the home. In winter weather, a missing vulnerable adult is an emergency, so don’t hesitate to call 911 and alert responders that the individual has Alzheimer’s. Consider installing a doorbell camera or other outdoor monitoring device.
  • Make daylight last. Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Turn on indoor lights earlier or install timers, open curtains during daylight hours, and consider installing motion detector lights to help illuminate walkways around the home.

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Why Alzheimer’s Patients Lose New Memories First

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Some loved ones may struggle to recall what they ate for lunch just an hour ago, yet they can vividly describe a childhood vacation from fifty years ago. For many families navigating an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, this is one of the most perplexing symptoms — the loss of short-term memory vs. long-term recollection.

However, this selective memory loss is not random. According to G. Peter Gliebus, M.D., chief of neurology and director of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, there is a specific biological reason why the brain’s timeline seems to unravel from the present backward.

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