Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Latest Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Roche initiates Phase 1 clinical trial of investigational drug for Down syndrome

Roche today announced the initiation of its first Phase 1 clinical trial to investigate the safety and tolerability of a molecule designed to address the cognitive and behavioral deficits associated with Down syndrome.

12 Sep 2011

Neurosurgery creates new online collection of recent papers on sports concussions

The last few years have seen increasing concern over the effects of concussions and head trauma in sports—including the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) occurring in athletes.

9 Sep 2011

Simple universal test to detect Alzheimer’s early

A ten-minute memory test that gives early warning of Alzheimer’s in people as young as 50 is being piloted in GP surgeries. Using a touch-screen computer or an iPad, it can distinguish between normal forgetfulness and the more dangerous memory lapses that signal dementia in its earliest stages. If trials are successful, it could be in widespread use in under a year. The developer, Cambridge Cognition, said the mobile electronic test will allow GPs to access patients presenting memory problems more quickly, simply and accurately than with tradition paper-based tests.

8 Sep 2011

MSTAR Program fosters interest in geriatric medicine and research

"This year marks the first year that the oldest members of the Baby Boomer generation turns 65. This milestone is an indication of the upcoming increase of older adults in the American population, and accompanying it will be an increase in their complex medical needs. We currently have a shortage of physicians specializing in geriatric medicine, leaving a gap that needs to be filled." states Stephanie Lederman, Executive Director of The American Federation for Aging Research.

8 Sep 2011

Pharnext puts together €2.5M to fund development of Pleodrug for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Pharnext SAS, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative treatments based on Pleotherapy for severe neurological diseases, today announced that it has put together a €2.5 million round of financing (corresponding to a pre-money company valuation of €60 million).

8 Sep 2011

Study: Aerobic physical activity linked to reduced risk of dementia

Any exercise that gets the heart pumping may reduce the risk of dementia and slow the condition's progression once it starts, reported a Mayo Clinic study published this month in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

8 Sep 2011

Simple pain relievers a better alternative to antipsychotic medications for dementia patients

Many dementia patients are being treated with antipsychotic medications, but a new study shows that simple pain relievers may be a better alternative.

8 Sep 2011

Running may trigger the production of new brain cells throughout life, research shows

Researchers have, for the first time, isolated exercise as the key factor in triggering the production of functional new cells in the learning and memory centre of the brain.

7 Sep 2011

Month of birth may determine career

Being born in a certain month appears to indicate the statistical likelihood of what job a person will end up with, the study by the UK’s Office for National Statistics has found.

6 Sep 2011

European Neurotech Investing & Partnering Summit to take place in Helsinki

The inaugural European Neurotech Investing & Partnering Summit takes place in Helsinki this week. It features keynotes on the state of the European neurotech industry, investor analysis, as well as company and research project presentations on next generation treatments emerging in the EU for unmet needs of brain and nervous system disorders like Alzheimer's, addiction, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, stroke and more.

6 Sep 2011

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures may go undiagnosed for longer in veterans

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures may go undiagnosed for much longer in veterans compared to civilians, according to a new study published in the September 6, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

6 Sep 2011

Moderate to severe cognitive impairment has impact on life expectancy

Cognitive impairment, even when detected at an early, mild stage, is a significant predictor of decreased life expectancy.

6 Sep 2011

DiaGenic allots options to employees

According to the resolution by the Annual General Meeting on 23 May 2011, the Board of Directors in DiaGenic ASA today allotted options to DiaGenic employees. The share options have strike price of NOK 6.00 per share, which is set based on last week weighted share price + 10%. The options have life of 4 years and can be exercised after 3 years.

5 Sep 2011

Study sheds new light on the state of Europe's mental and neurological health

A major landmark study released today by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) sheds new light on the state of Europe's mental and neurological health.

5 Sep 2011

Freiburg researchers receive European Research Council Starting Grants

Marta Artal Sanz, Thomas Brox, Winfried Römer, and Oliver Schilling from the University of Freiburg have been selected for one of the most prestigious European grants for young researchers: The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded them a total of 5.8 million euros in ERC Starting Grants for new projects.

2 Sep 2011

Blocked blood vessels linked to familiar signs of aging

Many common signs of aging, such as shaking hands, stooped posture and walking slower, may be due to tiny blocked vessels in the brain that can't be detected by current technology.

2 Sep 2011

AAN calls all high school coaches, athletes and parents to learn signs of sports concussion

The American Academy of Neurology, the leading group of neurologists dedicated to managing sports concussion, is issuing a call to all youth and high school coaches, athletes and parents to learn the signs of sports concussion and to know when a player must leave the game.

2 Sep 2011

Valproic acid may increase survival for brain tumor patients

New research suggests brain tumor patients who take the seizure drug valproic acid on top of standard treatment may live longer than people who take other kinds of epilepsy medications to control seizures.

2 Sep 2011

People with Alzheimer's have lower ubiquilin-1 protein levels

Researchers have found that a protein variation linked by some genetic studies to Alzheimer's disease is consistently present in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

2 Sep 2011

Two ALS-associated genes work in tandem to support long-term survival of motor neurons

Although several genes have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it is still unknown how they cause this progressive neurodegenerative disease. In a new study, Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have demonstrated that two ALS-associated genes work in tandem to support the long-term survival of motor neurons.

2 Sep 2011