Dementia News and Research

Latest Dementia News and Research

Memory-binding process allows people to better understand new concepts and make decisions

When humans learn, their brains relate new information with past experiences to derive new knowledge, according to psychology research from The University of Texas at Austin.

12 Jul 2012

First Edition: July 11, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about the scheduled House vote on repealing the health law as well as how stakeholders -- whether it be certain governors or wall street investors -- are responding to the Supreme Court's decision on the Medicaid expansion.

11 Jul 2012

New computer system for early diagnosis of AD

University of Granada researchers have developed a new computer system for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This study has been recently presented at the World Conference of Computer Intelligence (WCCI2012) held in Brisbane (Australia) by Alberto Prieto, a researcher at the University of Granada Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (CITIC-UGR).

11 Jul 2012

Alzheimer's Association International Conference to be held in Vancouver

Is it estimated that the number of Canadians afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will increase from about 480,600 in 2008 to 1,125,000 by 2038.

11 Jul 2012

Nutrient cocktail can boost memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment

A clinical trial of an Alzheimer's disease treatment developed at MIT has found that the nutrient cocktail can improve memory in patients with early Alzheimer's. The results confirm and expand the findings of an earlier trial of the nutritional supplement, which is designed to promote new connections between brain cells.

11 Jul 2012

Agencies place unqualified, possibly criminal caregivers in homes of vulnerable seniors

If you hire a caregiver from an agency for an elderly family member, you might assume the person had undergone a thorough criminal background check and drug testing, was experienced and trained for the job.

11 Jul 2012

Dementia diagnosis plan unveiled

GP training, improved access to memory clinics and a public campaign for awareness are necessary to improve the diagnosis of dementia in the UK, says the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia.

10 Jul 2012

Book outlines importance of Alzheimer's diagnosis and therapeutic interventions

Karger Medical Publishers Book On Cutting-Edge Alzheimer's Diagnosis and Therapy, with guidance from the Alzheimer's Association. This volume advances emerging concepts for therapeutic interventions and earlier detection and diagnosis of the global epidemic and features internationally leading experts' findings on biomarkers

10 Jul 2012

Researchers investigate whether PTSD is a brain disorder

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) are investigating whether post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a brain disorder that can affect multiple parts of the body and cause lifelong illnesses.

10 Jul 2012

Oligomers may be responsible for onset of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most dreaded and debilitating illnesses one can develop. Currently, the disease afflicts 6.5 million Americans and the Alzheimer's Association projects it to increase to between 11 and 16 million, or 1 in 85 people, by 2050.

10 Jul 2012

Combination of estrogen and MPA increases synapses in the prefrontal cortex

A new study of aged female rats found that long-term treatment with estrogen and a synthetic progesterone known as MPA increased levels of a protein marker of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region known to suffer significant losses in aging.

10 Jul 2012

AtheroNova receives U.S. patent allowance for 'Dissolution of Arterial Plaque'

AtheroNova Inc., a biotech company focused on the research and development of compounds to regress atherosclerotic plaque, announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance for its patent application for Dissolution of Arterial Plaque.

10 Jul 2012

Does alcohol kill brain cells?

Several origins have been suggested for the idea that alcohol kills brain cells. Some link it to the temperance movement, which called for prohibition of alcohol.

9 Jul 2012

Study shows cells from different Parkinson’s patients have unique drug responses

Researchers have taken a step toward personalized medicine for Parkinson's disease, by investigating signs of the disease in patient-derived cells and testing how the cells respond to drug treatments.

5 Jul 2012

Dementia conference to take place in Manchester, UK

A groundbreaking event including an array of expert speakers outlining the challenges faced in combating this spiralling condition and how better outcomes can be achieved. This is an event for anyone involved with or affected by dementia who wishes to hear all the latest developments. Speakers include:

5 Jul 2012

Nottingham scientists to develop world's first atlas of the Asian brain

Scientists at The University of Nottingham are leading research that will develop the world's first 'atlas' of the Asian brain.

4 Jul 2012

Social interventions may help slow or treat age-related dementia

Scientists at Arizona State University have discovered that older honey bees effectively reverse brain aging when they take on nest responsibilities typically handled by much younger bees.

4 Jul 2012

EvergreenHealth, King County EMS collaborate to prevent future falls among older adults

The risk of suffering a serious injury from a fall is an unfortunate reality for many elderly people in King County, with more than 14 percent of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses for patients age 65 and older attributed to falls in the home. In order to prevent future falls, EvergreenHealth and King County EMS are collaborating to provide assistance to elderly community members.

3 Jul 2012

Longer looks: Native American rehab facility helps families in Ore.; Growing popularity of home births; Sexuality in the nursing home

Pearl Scott lifts the baby from the crib and balances the child on her hip, just as someone did with her when she was a baby 20 years ago. Her mom went through addiction treatment here in the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest's residential center. Now Scott works for NARA, operated by and for Native Americans. She helps care for the 10 children, all 5 years old and younger, of parents in treatment.

30 Jun 2012

Enlightening risk factor findings for REM sleep behavior disorder

Cigarette smoking, head injury, farming, pesticide exposure, and a lower level of education may be risk factors for idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, researchers report.

29 Jun 2012