Neurodegeneration News and Research

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Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.

Antibiotic rifampicin attenuates C9orf72-linked dementia in genetically modified mice

What did Stephen Hawking and Mao Zedong have in common? They both suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a cure for which remains elusive. Scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University took an important step toward prevention of ALS and another brain disorder called Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with their research on the effects of the antibiotic rifampicin on genetically modified mice.

23 May 2022

Novel brain-permeable Cdk5 inhibitor alters neurobehavior in mice

James Bibb, Ph.D., and colleagues have described a novel preclinical drug that could have the potential to combat depression, brain injury and diseases that impair cognition. The drug, which notably is brain-permeable, acts to inhibit the kinase enzyme Cdk5.

20 May 2022

Study explores if prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 increased sensitivity to a mitochondrial toxin known to induce parkinsonism

The authors of the current study looked at the potential for an increased risk of parkinsonism following a bout of SARS-CoV-2 infection through accepted post-viral mechanisms.

20 May 2022

Consumption of cranberries could improve memory, ward off dementia, and lower 'bad' cholesterol

Adding cranberries to your diet could help improve memory and brain function, and lower ‘bad’ cholesterol – according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UK).

18 May 2022

Experimental drug more effective than existing FDA-approved medications for ALS

New research on the experimental drug, NU-9, invented and developed by two Northwestern University scientists to treat ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), shows it is more effective than existing FDA-approved drugs for the disease.

17 May 2022

Research describes how DNA damage can affect neural health and function

A new research paper in the journal EMBO Reports describes how DNA damage can affect neural health and function.

12 May 2022

Study finds promising new treatment for patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia

A Monash University led study has found a promising new treatment for patients with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia, the second most common form of dementia in the under 60s – resulting in a stabilising of what would normally be escalating behavioural issues, and a slowing of brain shrinkage due to the disease.

6 May 2022

Research shows how Alzheimer's disease affects the functional architecture of the brain

A new study led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) shows the impact of early amyloid-β and tau protein accumulation on disrupting connections between brain structures that are important for memory.

3 May 2022

Scientists gain important insights into novel mutation behind synucleinopathies

Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia belong to a family of neurodegenerative disorders called synucleinopathies because they are caused by the pathological accumulation of protein alpha-synuclein into structures called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites in the brain.

29 Apr 2022

New insights into the link between EMFs, calcium and Alzheimer’s disease

For almost a quarter of a century, researchers have been studying and publishing on the effect of calcium on Alzheimer's Disease. Research has led to the development of the calcium hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease, which argues that Alzheimer's is caused by excessive intracellular calcium.

26 Apr 2022

The challenges of Omicron

A new review published in sums up the position of Omicron as a potential threat to human health, especially in the context of controlling this pandemic.

25 Apr 2022

'Epigenetic age' can predict performance on cognitive tests later in life

Epigenetic markers of cognitive aging can predict performance on cognitive tests later in life, according to a study published in the journal Aging.

20 Apr 2022

Little-known protein found to play a role in common neurodegenerative disorder

Scientists have known for years that amyloid fibrils -; fibrous, ropelike structures formed by closely linked protein molecules -; are present in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and likely play a role in the progression of these disorders.

20 Apr 2022

Type I interferon found to be major driver of memory, cognitive loss in Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, progressively impairs memory, concentration and the ability to learn new things and accomplish everyday activities.

19 Apr 2022

Using customized 'mini-antibodies' to mitigate chronic inflammation

Researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Sao Paulo have succeeded in mitigating chronic inflammation in mice using customized "mini-antibodies."

19 Apr 2022

Evidence of an increased risk of neurodegeneration after SARS-CoV-2 infection

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11 Apr 2022

Brain charts show changing morphology by age

A new study develops utilizes neuroimages to understand how the brain grows, develops, and matures with age.

10 Apr 2022

New project launched to explore how GI microbiota may contribute to neurodegeneration

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 6.2 million Americans are living with this progressive neurologic disorder, and it is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.

31 Mar 2022

Study finds high rate of cognitive impairment after heart attack

A heart attack's impact on the brain may be more serious than previously understood. About 1 in 3 heart attack survivors showed significant mental decline in the days and months following their heart attack, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 71st Annual Scientific Session.

23 Mar 2022

Novel optobiological system may shine light on protein aggregation in Parkinson's disease

A novel system to control protein aggregation in a model of Parkinson's disease may answer longstanding questions about how the disease begins and spreads, according to a new study published March 9th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Abid Oueslati of Laval University, Quebec, Canada, and colleagues.