Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Latest Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Children with microcephaly should be screened for neurologic and cognitive problems, says guideline

A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology, developed in full collaboration with the Child Neurology Society, finds that children with microcephaly that is, children whose head size is smaller than that of 97 percent of childrenare at risk of neurologic and cognitive problems and should be screened for these problems. The guideline is published in the September 15, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

15 Sep 2009

Mild cognitive impairment is a risk factor for dementia

Among individuals with mild cognitive impairment, often considered a transitional state between normal cognitive function and Alzheimer's dementia, those who have more difficulties performing routine activities appear more likely to progress quickly to dementia, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

15 Sep 2009

New protein substance could be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease

Gothenburg researchers have discovered a previously unknown substance in spinal fluid that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The findings, described in a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, will also be useful in research on new medications.

15 Sep 2009

Vivakor completes third-party validation testing of its VivaBlend nutraceutical product

Vivakor™, Inc. (OTCBB: VIVK) today announced the results of independent, third-party validation testing of its VivaBlend™ nutraceutical product. VivaBlend is a powerful extract developed by the scientists at Vivakor and is derived from over 18 highly bioactive fruits, vegetables and legumes. Through a proprietary formulation and extraction process, Vivakor scientists have maximized the health benefits of VivaBlend by creating an optimum blend of super-antioxidants and powerful plant phenolics and flavonoids.

14 Sep 2009

Final results of SAPHRIS clinical study released

Schering-Plough Corporation today reported final results of a SAPHRIS(R) (asenapine) long-term schizophrenia relapse prevention clinical study.

14 Sep 2009

Phase IIa clinical data of EHT 0202 released

Top-line Phase IIa clinical data released today demonstrate that EHT 0202, ExonHit’s lead candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, is safe and generally well tolerated in patients and that it could potentially enhance cognition in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

14 Sep 2009

U.S. Department of Justice awards grant to Project Lifesaver International

Project Lifesaver International, a non-profit organization that helps rescue citizens who are prone to wander due to Alzheimer's disease, autism, and other cognitive disorders, received notification of federal assistance yesterday.

14 Sep 2009

Improved-resolution views of a zinc transporter protein deciphered

New, improved-resolution views of a zinc transporter protein deciphered at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory provide not just a structure but also a suggested mechanism for how cells sense and regulate zinc, an element that is essential for life, but which must be kept at a steady state to avoid problems like seizures, diabetes, and possibly Alzheimer's disease.

14 Sep 2009

Scientific program to treat and prevent mental disorders

Mental disorders are a global problem and represent one of the biggest challenges for health care systems. In the world, there are some 500 million people suffering from mental disorders, and in the European Union, mental disorders range as one of the leading causes of disease burden.

14 Sep 2009

FDA accepts Merz Pharmaceuticals' premarket approval application for Belotero Balance

Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review Merz's premarket approval (PMA) application for Belotero(R) Balance.

11 Sep 2009

Social identity has a positive impact on health and well-being

The quality of a person's social life could have an even greater impact than diet and exercise on their health and well-being. There is growing evidence that being a member of a social group can significantly reduce the risk of conditions like stroke, dementia and even the common cold.

11 Sep 2009

Phase 2b clinical trial results of TC-5214 to be presented at nAChR2009

Targacept, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR Therapeutics, today confirmed plans to present data from its completed Phase 2b clinical trial of TC-5214 as an augmentation treatment for major depressive disorder at the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Therapeutic Targets Symposium (nAChR2009) in Lincolnshire, Illinois on October 15, 2009.

10 Sep 2009

CytRx granted patent for molecular chaperone amplifier drug candidate

CytRx Corporation, a biopharmaceutical research and development company engaged in the development of high-value human therapeutics, today announced that it has been granted a key patent by the European Patent Office that covers through 2024 the use of its orally available molecular chaperone amplifier drug candidate arimoclomol for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).

10 Sep 2009

Scientist awarded grant to study the role of VENs in quick decision making

A scientist at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the James S. McDonnell Foundation to help study a rare cell type that is believed to play a role in quick decision making and intuition. Abnormalities in this cell type have been seen in people suffering from autism and dementia.

10 Sep 2009

High cognitive performance linked to high intake of fruits and vegetables

Researchers at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I of the Heinrich-Heine University, D-sseldorf, Germany, investigated the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, plasma antioxidant micronutrient status and cognitive performance in healthy subjects aged 45 to 102 years.

10 Sep 2009

ADDF's grant to Abiant for developing accurate imaging diagnostic approach

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) announced today that it is providing a grant of $200,000 to Abiant, Inc. (Deerfield, IL), for the development of a highly accurate imaging diagnostic for Alzheimer's Disease.

9 Sep 2009

Hairstylists’ role in identifying elderly clients for medical check up

Hairstylists may have a unique opportunity to help steer their elderly clients to needed health services, according to a small, exploratory study.

9 Sep 2009

ADHC allies with INVENT Pharmaceuticals

Ernest B. Remo, Chairman/CEO of American Diversified Holdings Corporation, announced today that ADHC has entered into a broad strategic alliance with INVENT Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

9 Sep 2009

Daily intake of fruits and vegetables indicates higher cognitive performance in individuals

Researchers at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany, investigated the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, plasma antioxidant micronutrient status and cognitive performance in healthy subjects aged 45 to 102 years. Their results, published in the August issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, indicated higher cognitive performance in individuals with high daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

9 Sep 2009

Applications invited from scientists for LBD Biomarker Research Award

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) invite scientists from the biotechnology industry and academia worldwide to apply for a new collaborative research grant award entitled Lewy Body Dementia Biomarker Research Award.

8 Sep 2009