Dementia News and Research

Latest Dementia News and Research

Alzheimer's disease may be caused by infectious proteins called prions

Scientists have used advanced laboratory assays to show that high levels of prions are implicated in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

2 May 2019

UNC School of Medicine initiative providing unique care to dementia patients

The Dementia Friendly Hospital Initiative will reach a total of 3,900 employees in four hospitals across North Carolina to raise awareness of how patients with dementia experience care, and to meet their unique needs with strategic and compassionate treatment.

2 May 2019

New type of dementia is '100 times more common' than ALS

Physicians have defined a new form of dementia that may be more common than Alzheimer’s disease. The condition, named LATE, affects a different part of the brain.

1 May 2019

Researchers define brain disorder that mimics symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

A brain disorder that mimics symptoms of Alzheimer's disease has been defined with recommended diagnostic criteria and guidelines for advancing future research on the condition.

30 Apr 2019

A poor sense of smell increases your risk of dying early, but scientists don’t know why

Researchers have found that a poor sense of smell during older age is be associated with an increased likelihood of dying within the next ten years. However, they can’t explain why.

30 Apr 2019

Researchers gain new insight into Alzheimer's using organoids that resemble mini brains

In the majority of cases, dementia can be traced back to Alzheimer's disease. Its causes are not really understood yet. What is known is that plaques form from misfolded proteins and that there is an increase in neuronal cell death levels in the brain. However, the plaques don't necessarily go hand in hand with any symptoms.

30 Apr 2019

Researchers seek sage advice of elders on aging issues

Rachel O'Conor booted up her slides and began posing questions to six older adults sitting around a table: How should primary care physicians support patients and caregivers after a diagnosis of dementia? And what stands in the way of getting adequate support?

25 Apr 2019

Drugs for treatment of stroke, vascular dementia show promising results in early trial

Treatments that prevent recurrence of types of stroke and dementia caused by damage to small blood vessels in the brain have moved a step closer, following a small study.

25 Apr 2019

Scientists develop new video game that may help in the study of Alzheimer's

How do we find our way around? Why do I always get lost while my friend never does? Why does people's sense of direction vary so widely in general? Is it linked to inherent, genetic characteristics or determined by cultural factors?

25 Apr 2019

Researchers uncover potential clue to halt destruction of nerve cells in people with ALS

A special focus on rogue proteins may hold future promise in stopping the progression of nerve cell destruction in people who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or frontotemporal dementia.

24 Apr 2019

In 10 years, half of middle-income elders won’t be able to afford housing, medical care

In 10 years, more than half of middle-income Americans age 75 or older will not be able to afford to pay for yearly assisted living rent or medical expenses, according to a study published Wednesday in Health Affairs.

24 Apr 2019

Obesity linked to a reduction in gray matter

A new study suggests that obesity may be associated with changes in brain structure, including reduced brain volumes in certain areas.

24 Apr 2019

New mobile phone game can detect people at risk of Alzheimer's

A specially designed mobile phone game can detect people at risk of Alzheimer's - according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

24 Apr 2019

Study provides evidence that blood tests can detect Alzheimer’s risk

A new study confirms that a simple blood test can reveal whether there is accelerating nerve cell damage in the brain.

23 Apr 2019

Research uncovers critical RNA processing aberrations in ALS and FTD

Research by a Barrow Neurological Center scientist on mechanisms of dysfunctional RNA processing in ALS and frontal temporal dementia was published in the April issue of Acta Neuropathologica.

21 Apr 2019

Light-intensity physical activity associated with healthy brain aging

Incremental physical activity, even at light intensity, is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging.

19 Apr 2019

Drug that treats high blood pressure shows promise against neurodegenerative diseases

A prescribed drug to treat high blood pressure has shown promise against conditions such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and forms of dementia in studies carried out in mice and zebrafish at the University of Cambridge.

19 Apr 2019

Keto diet - for the military, aging and epilepsy

Ketogenic diet or keto diet has been in the news as a trending diet option for weight watchers and those who wish to lose those extra pounds.

17 Apr 2019

Falling for telephone scams could be an early sign of dementia

The United States Department of Justice says that annually around $3 billion is defrauded from seniors. Many of these tricksters use the telephone for their scams. What would not dupe a person with normal mental faculties often takes in seniors. A new study shows that elderly with mild cognitive impairment or early signs of dementia often fall prey to these telephone scams.

16 Apr 2019

Researchers observe correlation between abnormal proteins and aggressive behavior in dementia

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have together with American colleagues studied deceased patients who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal dementia.

12 Apr 2019