Researchers across USC are studying how lifestyle and environment influence dementia risk and resilience. They’re finding that what’s good for the body is also good for the brain.
Read more about it HERE
Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease may be modified by higher meat intake
Older people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease did not experience the expected increase in cognitive decline and dementia risk if they consumed relatively large amounts of meat. This is shown in a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in JAMA Network Open. The results may contribute to the development of more individually tailored dietary advice.
Read more about it HERE
An Alzheimer’s Revolution Is Coming, Experts Say
An earlier diagnosis and intervention strategy for Alzheimer’s disease is on the horizon, signaling a need to overhaul current detection methods and patient care protocols, experts at the Alzheimer’s Association Research Roundtable (AARR) said.
“Advances in biomarker technology, digital cognitive assessments, and amyloid-targeting therapies have redefined the opportunities for accurate and early diagnosis and care of Alzheimer’s disease,” reported Christopher Weber, PhD, of the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, and co-authors in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions.
These advances create new possibilities to intervene before the onset of cognitive impairment, Weber and colleagues wrote. Targeting the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s, Weber said, “is similar to how doctors treat other diseases like heart disease and some cancers, where early detection and prevention are key parts of care.”
Read more HERE
New research shows how to diagnose people with Alzheimer’s plus a hard-to-identify dementia type
People with Alzheimer’s disease often have other neurodegenerative conditions as well, including a less-understood disorder called frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). While a precise diagnosis of FTLD has only been possible during an autopsy, new research shows how clinicians may be able to diagnose people living with both Alzheimer’s and FTLD by evaluating neuropsychiatric symptoms.
In a study published in Neurology, researchers found that compared to patients who have either of the two types of dementia alone, having both Alzheimer’s disease and FTLD is associated with greater likelihood of having known neuropsychiatric symptoms of both diseases.
The findings could have important implications for patients and their caregivers, the researchers noted, because patients with both disorders may experience a more complex disease course, rapid decline or unique responses to disease-modifying treatments.
Read more HERE
Sildenafil and shingles vaccine show surprising promise against Alzheimer’s, suggests study
Researchers have pinpointed three already approved medications that may be repurposed to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Instead of starting from scratch, scientists examined medicines that are currently used for other conditions to see whether any could help protect the brain.
The study, funded by Alzheimer’s Society and led by the University of Exeter, was published in Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy. Among the drugs reviewed, a shingles vaccine (Zostavax) emerged as the most promising candidate. Viagra (sildenafil) and a medication used to treat motor neurone disease (riluzole) also showed strong potential.
Read it HERE
Eye tests could spot signs of Alzheimer’s years before symptoms first appear, new research suggests
A routine eye test could spot signs of Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms first appear, promising research has suggested.
Experts from City St George’s, University of London say early stage cognitive decline could soon be picked up by an AI tool rolled out in opticians and ophthalmologist offices that measures changes to blood vessels in the back of the eye.
The tool, which is being tested using the health records of more than 500,000 Britons, could help dementia patients be identified and treated before the disease significantly damages their brain.
Read all about it HERE