Posts by: Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana brings more than 8 years of academic research and experience as well as Scientific writing and editing to her role as a Science and Research writer. She also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Coimbra, Portugal, where she also received her PhD in Health Science and Technologies, with a specialty in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

August 3, 2017

Can Brain Bacteria Contribute to Alzheimer’s? These Researchers Think So

News

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease may have more bacteria — and different types — in their brains, compared to the general population, according to results of a new study. These findings ... Read more

August 2, 2017August 3, 2017

Pain Therapeutics’ PTI-125, Potential Treatment for Alzheimer’s, to Undergo Phase 1 Clinical Trial

News

Pain Therapeutics will soon launch a Phase 1 clinical trial to study the safety and efficacy of PTI-125 in treating Alzheimer’s disease. The announcement came after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the ... Read more

July 27, 2017

Cell Death Mechanism Involved in Other Diseases Plays Role in Development of Alzheimer’s, Study Reports

News

A cell death mechanism linked to neuron loss in ALS and stroke also plays a role in neuron loss in Alzheimer’s, a study reports. The insight could lead to ways ... Read more

July 17, 2017July 17, 2017

Chronic Lack of Sleep May Raise Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, Study Suggests

News

A poor night’s sleep may increase the levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, say researchers, noting that their findings may be especially important for people with chronic sleep disorders. ... Read more

July 5, 2017

Enzyme Slices Off Protein Chunks That End up Toxic, Contributing to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, Study Reports

News

An enzyme called asparagine endopeptidase contributes to Parkinson’s as well as Alzheimer’s by slicing off fragments of proteins that end up being toxic, a study reports. Previous researched showed that ... Read more

June 20, 2017

Mutation Contributes to Faster Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease, Study Reports

News

A mutation in the BDNF gene can accelerate loss of memory and cognitive function in people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s, according to a study. The study, “BDNF Val66Met predicts ... Read more

June 19, 2017

U.S. Alzheimer’s Deaths Up 50% in 15 Years, Centers for Disease Control Reports

News

Alzheimer’s deaths in the United States have jumped more than 50 percent in 15 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One reason for the increase is that physicians ... Read more

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017

Specific Genetic Factors Plus Unhealthy Diet Boost Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, USC Study Finds

News

A high-fat, high-sugar diet may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people carrying the ApoE4 gene, according to a new study, “Obesity Accelerates Alzheimer-Related Pathology in APOE4 but Not APOE3 Mice,” ... Read more

June 14, 2017

Researchers Identify Metabolite That Could Signal a Higher Risk of Developing Dementia and Alzheimer’s

News

Higher levels of a molecule called anthranilic acid could signal that a person is at increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study. The research, “Association ... Read more

May 31, 2017May 31, 2017

Acadia Investigates Nuplazid (Pimavanserin) Therapy to Treat Psychosis in Alzheimer’s Patients

News

Acadia Pharmaceuticals plans to start a Phase 3 clinical program to explore the effect of Nuplazid (pimavanserin) in Alzheimer’s disease patients with psychosis. The medication was approved by the U.S. ... Read more