Patricia Inacio, PhD, science writer —

Brain nerve cells of Alzheimer’s disease patients can produce thousands of variants of the APP gene, which codes for β-amyloid protein, a hallmark of the disease, researchers say. An enzyme important to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a key player in APP’s genetic diversity, supporting the potential…

Personalized music interventions may help enhance joy and social interaction among people with dementia who attend adult day health centers, a small study reports. The study, “Results from a person-centered music intervention for individuals living with dementia” was published in the journal Geriatrics & Gerontology. Dementia, which affects a…

Specific genes linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease also increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to results of a large genetic study. Researchers also found that managing the levels of lipids in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in…

Roughly 20 percent of Alzheimer’s disease patients in Finland combine sleeping pills (benzodiazepines) with strong painkillers (opioids), a practice that has been associated with serious risks, a study shows. These findings highlight the need for therapeutic strategies that reduce the unnecessary co-use of these compounds, according to the authors of…

Alector’s candidate immune system-targeting therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, called AL002, will be evaluated for safety and tolerability in a first Phase 1 clinical trial, the company announced. AL002 is an antibody that targets and activates TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2), a receptor selectively expressed on microglia — a group…

People with dementia, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, often are also living with one or more other chronic diseases  that significantly impact their quality of life, according to a new study. The study, “The impact of comorbidity on the quality of life of people with dementia: findings from the…

Chronic, low-level inflammation enhances the risk of Alzheimer’s disease among ApoE4 gene carriers, the major genetic risk factor for the late-onset form of the disorder, a study shows. The study, “Association of Chronic Low-grade Inflammation With Risk of Alzheimer Disease in ApoE4 Carriers,” was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Neuralstem’s stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease was found to improve cognition and lessen the load of amyloid-beta plaques in a mouse model of the disease, a study reports, recommending work continue into this possible Alzheimer’s treatment. The therapy, called NSI-532.IGF1, combines human neural stem cells with IGF1, a…

A dietary supplement made with components of foods such as broccoli and peppers plus fish oil may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improve memory, sight and mood, a small clinical trial suggests. The findings paved the way for a larger European trial, called re-MIND, currently recruiting…

A non-invasive eye exam, similar to those given in eye doctors’ offices, might someday help predict a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. The study, “Association of Preclinical Alzheimer Disease With Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography Findings,” was published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology. While…