All posts tagged: Alzheimers

Alzheimer’s disease study identifies brain cells at higher risk of tau protein damage

Alzheimer’s disease study identifies brain cells at higher risk of tau protein damage

Published by José

Scientists have developed a powerful new tool to map different types of cells throughout the brain. Using this technique, researchers have discovered that specific brain cells crucial for memory, located in a region called the hippocampus, are especially susceptible to the protein buildup that characterizes Alzheimer’s disease. This finding, published in Nature Communications Biology, helps explain why Alzheimer’s disease damages memory so severely and opens new avenues for targeted treatments. Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating brain disorder that progressively erodes memory and thinking abilities, and currently has no cure. A major characteristic of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of a protein called tau within brain cells. This buildup is thought to disrupt normal cell function and contribute to the widespread brain damage seen in the disease. Scientists have long observed that Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t affect the brain uniformly; some regions are hit harder and earlier than others. Understanding why some brain areas are more vulnerable than others is a significant question in Alzheimer’s research. Researchers from The University of Texas at Arlington and the University of …

Men experience faster Alzheimer’s progression after brain amyloid buildup

Men experience faster Alzheimer’s progression after brain amyloid buildup

Published by José

A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia has found that while Alzheimer’s disease is more common in women, men tend to experience a quicker decline in brain health and cognitive abilities once the disease process begins. Researchers discovered that in the years following the initial buildup of amyloid plaques – a hallmark of Alzheimer’s – men showed more rapid increases in key markers of brain damage and faster decreases in brain volume and cognitive performance compared to women. These findings suggest that sex plays a significant role in how Alzheimer’s disease progresses after the earliest biological changes occur in the brain. Although previous studies have shown that more women than men are diagnosed with dementia, there has been less focus on whether the underlying biological changes and symptoms progress differently by sex. By following a group of older adults over time, the research team hoped to shed light on the pattern of changes in the blood and brain that occur after amyloid-β buildup starts, and to determine if these changes are influenced by a …

Pioneering Alzheimer’s drug rejected for widespread use in NHS in England | UK News

Pioneering Alzheimer’s drug rejected for widespread use in NHS in England | UK News

Published by skeptic

A new pioneering Alzheimer’s drug has been rejected for widespread use in the NHS in England. The announcement comes as the UK’s medicines regulator said that donanemab could be licensed for use in the UK. However, the health spending watchdog, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), said that it “does not currently demonstrate value for the NHS”. It is the second time a new Alzheimer’s treatment has been rejected by NICE in a matter of months. Manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, donanemab, also known as Kisunla, is a targeted antibody drug that slows down the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Along with another new Alzheimer’s drug called lecanemab, it has been billed as a huge step forward in research because they both target a known cause of the disease – instead of just treating the symptoms. Image: A doctor indicates to a brain scan of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Pic: Reuters Commenting on new draft guidance rejecting the drug, Helen Knight from NICE said: “For NICE to be able to approve a …

Exposure to light pollution at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk, especially in younger people

Exposure to light pollution at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk, especially in younger people

Published by José

A new study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience suggests that exposure to artificial light at night may contribute to an increased prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly among younger individuals. The researchers found a significant correlation between higher levels of outdoor light pollution and higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease across various regions in the United States. This connection was observed even after accounting for known risk factors, raising concerns about the role of artificial light in neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory and cognitive function, is a growing concern worldwide. With rates of Alzheimer’s disease rising and light pollution now affecting 80% of the global population, the researchers sought to investigate whether there could be a link between these two modern phenomena. Artificial light at night has become a hallmark of urban life, providing convenience and safety. Yet, growing evidence shows that light exposure during nighttime disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythms—the internal processes that regulate sleep and wake cycles. Circadian disruptions have been linked to health problems such as insomnia, obesity, …

Alzheimer’s Could Be A White Matter Disease, Not Gray

Alzheimer’s Could Be A White Matter Disease, Not Gray

Published by skeptic

Authored by RJ Tesi via RealClearScience, Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s) is conceptualized as a progressive consequence of two hallmark pathological changes in gray matter, in particular, extracellular amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. However, over the past several years, neuroimaging studies have implicated micro and microstructural abnormalities in white matter in the risk and progression of Alzheimer’s, suggesting that in addition to the neuronal pathology characteristic of the disease, white matter degeneration and demyelination are crucial features of patients living with the disease. A shift to focus on white matter abnormalities, rather than gray matter, can open up critical new avenues in Alzheimer’s pathology and could be potential treatment targets.  White matter vs. gray matter  The brain’s gray matter is mainly composed of neuronal cell bodies. Nerve cells in the gray matter are where memories are stored. Networks of nerve cell bodies process information in the brain. These neuronal networks are necessary for thinking, speaking, and most activities. White matter is made up of myelinated axons.  White matter disease is the degeneration of tissue in the largest and …

Scientists discover some brain cells age faster, contributing to Alzheimer’s disease

Scientists discover some brain cells age faster, contributing to Alzheimer’s disease

Published by José

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have made a significant discovery about the aging process of brain cells, revealing that some brain cells age faster than others. They found that these rapidly aging cells are more abundant in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the study uncovered differences in how brain cells age between men and women, with female brains showing a higher proportion of “old” oligodendrocytes—cells that provide support to neurons—compared to men. These findings not only offer new insights into the cellular mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease but also suggest that women may be at a higher risk for certain neurodegenerative disorders due to these cellular differences. The motivation behind this research, published in the journal Nature, stemmed from a long-standing question in neuroscience: why do some brain cells deteriorate faster than others, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s? The research team, led by Sheng Zhong, aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms that drive the aging process within individual brain cells. Understanding these mechanisms could provide critical clues for developing …

Common sleeping pill could stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

Common sleeping pill could stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

Published by skeptic

Individuals who develop Alzheimer’s often encounter difficulty falling and remaining asleep long before cognitive issues surface. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Alzheimer’s disease may manifest as sleep disturbances in its early stages. Individuals who develop Alzheimer’s often encounter difficulty falling and remaining asleep long before cognitive issues such as memory loss and confusion surface. A harmful cycle occurs where Alzheimer’s-induced changes to the brain disrupt sleep, and poor sleep exacerbates detrimental changes to the brain. In an attempt to break this cycle, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered a possible solution. In a small two-night study, participants who ingested a sleeping pill before bed displayed reduced levels of crucial Alzheimer’s proteins. This is a positive sign because elevated levels of such proteins are indicative of a worsening disease. The study utilized a sleeping aid named suvorexant, which has already been sanctioned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for insomnia. Although the results imply that sleep medications might decelerate or halt the progression of Alzheimer’s, significantly more research is necessary to …

Groundbreaking study finds that Alzheimer’s can be transmitted between people

Groundbreaking study finds that Alzheimer’s can be transmitted between people

Published by skeptic

Scientists have presented the first evidence of Alzheimer’s disease transmission in living individuals. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) In a surprising new discovery, scientists have presented the first evidence of Alzheimer’s disease transmission in living individuals. A recent paper published in Nature Medicine sheds light on a remarkable case where Alzheimer’s appears to have been medically acquired through the transmission of the amyloid-beta protein. Typically considered a sporadic condition of late adult life or an inherited condition resulting from faulty genes, Alzheimer’s disease has long remained a complex puzzle for researchers. However, this new study brings to the forefront a unique scenario, where the disease was seemingly transmitted through medical treatment. The individuals in question had all received a type of human growth hormone known as cadaver-derived human growth hormone (c-hGH) during their childhood. This hormone was derived from pituitary glands harvested from deceased individuals and was employed to treat various causes of short stature. Remarkably, c-hGH was administered to at least 1,848 people in the UK between 1959 and 1985. Unfortunately, c-hGH was withdrawn from use …

New research could revolutionize treatment of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and brain cancer

New research could revolutionize treatment of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and brain cancer

Published by skeptic

Scientists have shed light on a previously obscure aspect of brain biology, which may have profound implications for treating a variety of neurological conditions. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) In groundbreaking research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), scientists have shed light on a previously obscure aspect of brain biology, which may have profound implications for treating a variety of neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease, and certain brain cancers such as glioma. Published in the prestigious journal Nature Neuroscience, this study investigates the intricate synapses between neurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), revealing their crucial role in myelin formation. Myelin, a protective sheath surrounding nerve cell axons, is essential for the efficient transmission of electrical signals throughout the nervous system. Disruptions in myelin production can lead to severe neurological issues, as seen in diseases like MS. The research team at OHSU, led by Kelly Monk, Ph.D., professor and co-director of the Vollum Institute, utilized cutting-edge single-cell imaging techniques on zebrafish to explore these neuron-OPC synapses. The transparency of zebrafish bodies provides a unique …

Scientists claim to have found another distinct genetic form of Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s

Scientists claim to have found another distinct genetic form of Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s

Published by skeptic

Having two copies of a gene variant known to predispose people to Alzheimer’s could in fact represent a distinct genetic form of the disease, researchers have said. The variant, known as ApoE4, has long been known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, with two copies conferring greater risk than one. Now research has revealed almost everyone with two copies of the variant goes on to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD), suggesting it is not only a risk factor but a cause. “Over 95% of the individuals [with two copies of ApoE4], have AD pathology either in the brain or in the biomarkers that we analysed,” said Dr Juan Fortea, the co-author of the research from the Sant Pau hospital in Barcelona. His team said the predicability of the age at which symptoms began was similar to other genetic forms of the disease such as autosomal-dominant Alzheimer’s disease (ADAD) and Alzheimer’s disease in Down syndrome (DSAD). Dr Victor Montal, a co-author from Barcelona Supercomputing Center, said the research had catalysed a paradigm shift in the understanding …