Dementia News and Research

Latest Dementia News and Research

Study reveals how exercise may protect against Alzheimer's disease

Athletes know a vigorous workout can release a flood of endorphins: "feel-good" hormones that boost mood. Now there's evidence that exercise produces another hormone that may improve memory and protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to a study co-led by Ottavio Arancio, MD, PhD, a researcher at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain.

11 Feb 2019

New study aims to investigate lifestyle effects on cognitive function in older adults

Researchers in Finland recently found that lifestyle choices can help older adults stay mentally sharp. Now scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine hope to find confirmatory evidence this is indeed the case by coordinating a large, national clinical trial sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association through a $28 million grant.

8 Feb 2019

Vilcek Foundation prizes awarded to immigrants for their work on human biology and disease

The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 Vilcek Foundation Prizes for Biomedical Science, awarded to immigrants who have made significant contributions to the field. Dr. Angelika Amon will receive the $100,000 Vilcek Prize, while Drs. Amit Choudhary, Jeanne T. Paz, and Mikhail G. Shapiro will each receive the $50,000 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise.

8 Feb 2019

Professional musicians are not protected from brain-related diseases

Listening and practicing music have been reported to have many beneficial effects on human health. The effect of music on human brain has been previously studied in young professionals but studies on the long-term effects of music on human health are largely missing.

7 Feb 2019

Insufficient sleep mirrored by DNA from blood leukocytes

An insufficient amount of sleep and qualitatively poor sleep are common among the general population. Prior studies have indicated that prolonged insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality are associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases, dementia and psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this connection are not well known.

7 Feb 2019

Blood-clotting factor may cause Alzheimer's disease

A protein known for its role in forming blood clots has been found to cause the characteristic cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease.

7 Feb 2019

Absentmindedness points to earlier symptoms of cerebral small vessel disease

Adults who notice that they frequently lose their train of thought or often become sidetracked may in fact be displaying earlier symptoms of cerebral small vessel disease, otherwise known as a "silent stroke," suggests a recent study.

6 Feb 2019

Older adults' symptoms of depression can be linked to higher risk of death

As we age, we become more likely to experience symptoms of depression. Research shows that depression's symptoms can be linked to a higher risk for death. Yet often, older adults' symptoms of depression may be missed by healthcare professionals.

6 Feb 2019

Fibrinogen results in cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, finds study

It has long been known that patients with Alzheimer's disease have abnormalities in the vast network of blood vessels in the brain. Some of these alterations may also contribute to age-related cognitive decline in people without dementia.

6 Feb 2019

Study explains why women are more prone to Alzheimer’s disease

A study of 300 elderly individuals who underwent PET scans has revealed that women are more likely to develop the tau and beta-amyloid aggregates in the brain.

5 Feb 2019

CIRM announces funding for UCI researchers to develop new treatment for Huntington’s disease

Following a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Independent Citizens Oversight Committee meeting held last week, University of California, Irvine researchers learned they will receive $6 million in funding to support the continued development of a promising new treatment for Huntington's disease

5 Feb 2019

OHSU paper recommends feeding tubes to be excluded from POLST

Following years of research that demonstrated feeding tubes can harm patients with dementia, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has published an OHSU opinion paper recommending patient preference for feeding tubes be excluded from Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST, forms.

1 Feb 2019

Exercise may decrease cerebral blood flow and improve brain function in older adults

Exercise training alters brain blood flow and improves cognitive performance in older adults, though not in the way you might think.

31 Jan 2019

Gut microbiota may have direct association with dementia risk, study finds

The makeup of bacteria and other microbes in the gut may have a direct association with dementia risk, according to preliminary research to be presented in Honolulu at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2019, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

30 Jan 2019

Study shows that aging and chronic diseases share common genetic factors

The global population aged 60 or over is growing faster than all younger age groups and faces the tide of chronic diseases threatening their quality of life and posing challenges to healthcare and economy systems.

30 Jan 2019

USC researchers use AI to identify blood-based markers of Alzheimer's disease

Nearly 50 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. While age is the greatest risk factor for developing the disease, researchers believe most Alzheimer's cases occur as a result of complex interactions among genes and other factors. But those factors and the role they play are not known--yet.

29 Jan 2019

Researchers compare treatment options for fecal incontinence

It is a common health problem that causes uncommon personal discomfort. Fecal incontinence, or accidental stool leakage, affects some 8 to 10 percent of the 325 million people in the United States. In up to half of patients, there is both fecal and urinary incontinence.

29 Jan 2019

Study adds more evidence to the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline

Hearing loss affects tens of millions of Americans and its global prevalence is expected to grow as the world's population ages. A new study led by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital adds to a growing body of evidence that hearing loss is associated with higher risk of cognitive decline.

29 Jan 2019

Alzheimer's Association grants more than $800,000 to support the SPRINT MIND Study

The Alzheimer's Association has awarded more than $800,000 to support the SPRINT MIND 2.0 Study, which will further investigate the impact of intensive blood pressure treatment on reducing risk of dementia.

29 Jan 2019

Cognetivity signs agreement to become ninth industry partner of Dementias Platform UK

Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd. today announced that it has signed a commercial agreement with Dementias Platform UK to become its ninth industry partner.

25 Jan 2019