All posts tagged: Alzheimers

Revolutionary study upends current knowledge of Alzheimer’s, memory and aging

Revolutionary study upends current knowledge of Alzheimer’s, memory and aging

Published by skeptic

The researchers challenge conventional wisdom, shedding light on the broader impact of Alzheimer’s on brain function. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) This research challenges conventional wisdom, shedding light on the broader impact of Alzheimer’s on brain function, extending beyond memory and attention deficits. Notably, the study’s findings also reveal changes in circuits related to sensory and motor processing, potentially opening new avenues for early detection and treatment of the disease. Dr. Gagan Wig, an associate professor of psychology in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at UT Dallas and the corresponding author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings. Alzheimer’s disease and aging are associated with distinct patterns of brain network disruption. Alzheimer’s impacts brain connectivity, including both higher order cognitive networks and sensory and motor networks (left), while aging is limited to disruption of cognitive networks. (CREDIT: UT Dallas) He noted, “Some Alzheimer’s disease-accompanied brain dysfunction that goes beyond memory and attention might be detectable at very early stages, even during mild cognitive impairment before a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.” This revelation offers a …

Chris Hemsworth Was ‘P***ed Off’ By Alzheimer’s Reports

Chris Hemsworth Was ‘P***ed Off’ By Alzheimer’s Reports

Published by skeptic

Chris Hemsworth is hoping to clarify any lingering confusion about his future in Hollywood a year and a half after he publicly disclosed some health concerns. In a 2022 episode of the National Geographic docuseries Limitless, the “Thor” actor underwent testing that found he was genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease, a common type of dementia that progressively affects memory, thinking and behaviour. Given that the episode came out just as Chris was already planning to take some time off, many outlets claimed that the test results had prompted him to step away from the spotlight. Speaking to Vanity Fair in an interview published on Tuesday, however, he said that wasn’t the case at all. “It really kind of pissed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this,” he told the publication. “No matter how much I said ‘This is not a death sentence,’ the story became that I have dementia and I’m reconsidering life and retiring and so on.” He went on to note: “I did read …

Hippocampal atrophy linked to cognitive decline even in people without Alzheimer’s pathology

Hippocampal atrophy linked to cognitive decline even in people without Alzheimer’s pathology

Published by José

Older individuals experiencing a faster reduction in the volume of the hippocampus region of the brain also exhibited quicker cognitive decline, according to new research. This correlation did not rely on the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain. The findings were published in the journal Neurology. Cognitive abilities undergo significant changes throughout the human lifespan. In childhood, these skills develop rapidly, while in adulthood, they generally stabilize. Typically, humans reach their peak cognitive performance in their late 20s to early 30s. As adults transition into middle age and beyond, some cognitive functions, such as processing speed and memory, begin to decline. In individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline occurs as abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain. These proteins form clumps that gradually destroy neurons in affected brain areas, leading to cognitive deterioration. Neuroimaging can detect this as a reduction in the volume of the neuron mass in affected areas. Recent studies have shown that such brain atrophy is not exclusive to Alzheimer’s disease; other conditions that cause cognitive decline also involve reductions in neuron …

Surprising link found between intermittent fasting and Alzheimer’s disease

Surprising link found between intermittent fasting and Alzheimer’s disease

Published by skeptic

Alzheimer’s disease, a menacing neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 6 million Americans. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Alzheimer’s disease, a menacing neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 6 million Americans, is often accompanied by disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythm. Such disruptions have devastating impacts, worsening cognitive function at night and causing sleep issues. Interestingly, while this has long been considered a symptom of Alzheimer’s, emerging evidence suggests it might be a driver of the disease itself. A groundbreaking study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has now shed light on the potential benefits of time-restricted feeding in alleviating these circadian disruptions. This novel approach could potentially redefine how we perceive and treat Alzheimer’s disease, turning our focus to our daily eating habits. This confocal microscopy image shows amyloid plaques (blue and red) in the brain of a mouse. The accumulation of amyloid plaques is the most well-documented biochemical hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. (CREDIT: UC San Diego Health Sciences) The Link Between Alzheimer’s and Circadian Rhythm For the uninitiated, the circadian rhythm is our internal …

Researchers found a major connection between vaccinations and Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers found a major connection between vaccinations and Alzheimer’s Disease

Published by skeptic

6 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and with an aging national population, this number is bound to rise. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) More than 6 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and with an aging national population, this number is bound to rise. The search for factors that can impact Alzheimer’s disease development has been the focus of many scientific studies. But now, a groundbreaking new investigation led by a team from the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston has brought to light a potentially significant connection between adult vaccinations and reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease recently unveiled a pre-press version of this study online. Spearheading the research were co-first authors Kristofer Harris, program manager in the Department of Neurology at UTHealth Houston; Yaobin Ling, graduate research assistant with McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics; and Avram Bukhbinder, MD, a distinguished alumnus of the medical school. Paul E. Schulz, MD, the Rick McCord Professor in Neurology with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, was senior author of a study …

Stress and alcohol consumption increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Stress and alcohol consumption increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Published by José

A review of the available scientific literature indicates that alcohol consumption and exposure to stress are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. However, the specific mechanisms responsible for this association remain unknown. The paper was published in Neurobiology of Stress. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects elderly individuals, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes. It is caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins in and around brain cells – amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which disrupt brain function. It is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. However, Alzheimer’s disease is not the only medical condition that involves progressive degeneration of brain cells leading to cognitive decline. Conditions involving these changes include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. All these types of dementia share symptoms that are common with Alzheimer’s disease, such as cognitive decline and memory loss, but are caused by different changes in the brain. Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, typically …

This Is The Reason Why People Living In Cities Are At Higher Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease

This Is The Reason Why People Living In Cities Are At Higher Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease

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In a study by the Emory Healthy Brain Study, researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and people who were frequently exposed to ambient and traffic-related pollution. This study was the largest of its kind and is said to add to the growing evidence that air pollution directly contributes to degeneration in the brain. Researchers found positive biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease—specifically amyloid plaques—in the cerebrospinal fluid of participants who were exposed to ambient and traffic-related air pollution at their homes. While this study took place in the US, the UK is no stranger to pollution. According to IQ Air: “Within the areas of the United Kingdom found to exceed the government’s legal limits for NO2, the highest levels were found within the Greater London area, with the next highest levels of NO2 pollution in South Wales, the West Midlands area, and Glasgow.” What this means for future prevention and research into pollution and Alzheimer’s Speaking to Futurity, James Lah, principal investigator of the Emory Healthy Brain Study said: “We know that air pollution is generally …

AI connects gut bacteria metabolites to Alzheimer’s disease progression

AI connects gut bacteria metabolites to Alzheimer’s disease progression

Published by José

In a new study published in Cell Reports, researchers have developed a sophisticated systems biology approach that combines artificial intelligence (AI), genetics, and multi-omics analyses to explore how metabolites produced by gut bacteria might influence Alzheimer’s disease. The study identifies specific receptors in the human body that these metabolites interact with, potentially opening new avenues for therapeutic intervention. This significant finding could lead to the development of novel drugs that target these interactions, offering hope for treating or even preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting older adults, characterized by the decline of cognitive functions such as memory and reasoning. It is marked by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, which interfere with neural function and lead to cell death. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. As the disease advances, it severely impacts daily living and independence, making it one of …

Alzheimer’s risk associated with stressful life events during childhood and midlife, study finds

Alzheimer’s risk associated with stressful life events during childhood and midlife, study finds

Published by José

Alzheimer’s disease, a major cause of dementia, currently affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, a number expected to triple by 2050. A recent study published in the Annals of Neurology explores the relationship between stressful life events and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on how the timing and nature of these stressors might influence disease onset. The study finds that not all stressful events are equally impactful, with midlife or childhood stressors showing a stronger association with Alzheimer’s disease risk factors compared to stress accumulated over a lifetime. Prior research has identified various psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress as potential risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. These factors can activate biological responses that may predispose individuals to the disease. The new study aimed to expand on this understanding by specifically focusing on the role of stressful life events and their impact on Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, brain inflammation, and brain structure. This was particularly relevant as previous studies have primarily concentrated on neuropsychiatric symptoms rather than the broader category of life …

Novel brain study identifies the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease

Novel brain study identifies the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease

Published by skeptic

Researchers at Yale University may have identified a new biomarker and potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are thought to be the cause of the disease’s hallmark symptoms. Despite years of research, drugs designed to reduce the accumulation of these plaques have yielded, at best, mixed results in clinical trials. However, a new study from researchers at Yale University may have identified a new biomarker and potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease. The research team, led by Dr. Jaime Grutzendler, the Dr. Harry M. Zimmerman and Dr. Nicholas and Viola Spinelli Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience at the Yale School of Medicine, found that swelling caused by a byproduct of amyloid plaques may be the true cause of the disease’s debilitating symptoms. Their findings were published in the journal Nature. The researchers discovered that each formation of plaque can cause an accumulation of spheroid-shaped swellings along …