Dementia News and Research

Latest Dementia News and Research

Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone launched

Launched today, the Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone(TM), powered by Omnilink, is the first comprehensive location management system designed specifically for Alzheimer's, giving people with the disease more freedom and independence in their community while providing their family some peace of mind.

22 Oct 2009

Blood test to identify MCI patients at risk of Alzheimer's disease

Elderly people exhibiting memory disturbances that do not affect their normal, daily life suffer from a condition called "mild cognitive impairment" (MCI). Some MCI patients go on to develop Alzheimer's disease within a few years, whereas other cases remain stable, exhibiting only benign senile forgetfulness. It is crucial to develop simple, blood-based tests enabling early identification of these patients that will progress in order to begin therapy as soon as possible, potentially delaying the onset of dementia.

22 Oct 2009

Eyes may mirror Alzheimer's disease

The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but new research indicates they also may mirror a brain ravaged by Alzheimer's disease.

22 Oct 2009

Contribution of glycosaminoglycans to skeletal abnormalities in patients with lysosomal storage diseases demonstrated

A group led by Dr. Dieter Br-mme at the University of British Columbia has demonstrated that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) contribute to skeletal abnormalities in patients with lysosomal storage diseases. Their report can be found in the November 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

21 Oct 2009

MMPF technique for diagnosing and predicting brain syndromes

NASA technology will now be available to the medical community to help in the diagnosis and prediction of syndromes that affect the brain, such as stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.

21 Oct 2009

Researchers use biotechnological tools to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease

No one has yet found a cure or a way to prevent people from developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, among others, are breaking new ground in biotechnology to find new tools that can help provide new solutions.

20 Oct 2009

Antioxidant extracts of G.biloba leaves may protect cells from radiation damage

Antioxidant extracts of the leaves of the Gingko biloba tree may protect cells from radiation damage, according to a study published in the International Journal of Low Radiation. The discovery may one day be used to help reduce side effects in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

20 Oct 2009

Studies find frail seniors often get poor, futile care

Two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine find that some medical care, especially at the end of life, may be a poor choice for feeble seniors. They also show the importance of palliative care over aggressive treatment for certain patients.

19 Oct 2009

Novel HIV drug to be studied in cell cultures and patients

A $6 million, five-year federal grant to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute will enable researchers to investigate a novel approach in treating HIV infection---a unique class of drugs focused on developing therapies for psychological and neurological effects in AIDS.

19 Oct 2009

ADDF grant to support the evaluation of PPAR-sparing insulin sensitizers

Metabolic Solutions Development Company (MSDC) announced today that it has received a $100,000 grant from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to support the evaluation of PPAR-sparing insulin sensitizers as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

14 Oct 2009

Vanda Pharmaceuticals announces its agreement with Novartis Pharma AG

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Novartis Pharma AG to commercialize and develop Fanapt(TM) (iloperidone), Vanda's anti-psychotic, in the U.S. and Canada. Fanapt(TM) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 6, 2009 for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

14 Oct 2009

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals announces results of Zenvia double-blind Phase III STAR trial

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced detailed results from the confirmatory double-blind Phase III STAR trial evaluating two doses of the investigational drug Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine) compared to placebo in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in patients with underlying multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

14 Oct 2009

New mouse models resembles human ALS; may provide important tool for screening new drugs

A new mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) closely resembles humans with the paralyzing disorder, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report.

13 Oct 2009

Mouse model of ALS closely resembles humans with the paralyzing disorder, says report

A new mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) closely resembles humans with the paralyzing disorder, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report.

13 Oct 2009

Guidelines for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis identified

New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology identify the most effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig's disease. The guidelines are published in the October 13, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 Oct 2009

Report shows that visual impairments are associated with the risk of death in older adults

Visual problems that cannot be corrected are associated with increased risk of death among individuals between the ages of 49 and 74, and all visual impairments may be associated with the risk of death in older adults, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

13 Oct 2009

Cognitive abilites other than memory may decline prior to clinical diagnosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Cognitive abilities other than memory, including visuospatial skills needed to perceive relationships between objects, may decline years prior to a clinical diagnosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

13 Oct 2009

Holistic care needed for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Whilst cognitive function can be improved by the medicines currently available for the treatment of dementias, the positive effects of improved socialibility, initiative and motivation on the patient and their carer as well as their capability of coping with everyday life should not be overlooked says a research report published by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust (the Trust).

12 Oct 2009

Brookdale Senior Living enters asset purchase agreement with affiliates of Sunrise Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with affiliates of Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.to acquire 21 senior living communities that are currently owned by those affiliates for an aggregate purchase price of $204 million plus customary transaction expenses.

9 Oct 2009

NIH grant to the University of Central Florida to conduct research on aphasia

A new University of Central Florida study could help tens of thousands of Chinese-Americans who have difficulty speaking after they suffer from strokes or other illnesses.

9 Oct 2009