Patricia Inacio, PhD, science writer —

A new 3D model using human cells grown on a chip can mimic what happens in the brain during Alzheimer’s and allow for the screening of possible therapies in a disease where so many fail, including medicines already approved for other conditions. This tissue model also helps researchers see how…

A diet rich in phosphatidylcholine, a form of the choline found in foods like eggs and meat, was linked to a lower risk of dementia and better memory skills in middle-aged men in Finland, a recent study reports. These findings suggest that choline helps to support cognitive processing, and verbal and visual…

Alkahest’s experimental blood-derived protein GRF6019 helps maintain cognition and function in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease patients, results of a six-month Phase 2 clinical trial show. “These top-line results indicate a potential benefit of this plasma protein fraction in slowing the progression of cognitive decline in patients with…

Blood levels of certain molecules— metabolites and amino acids — may help to identify people with Alzheimer’s disease who are more likely to improve their cognitive skills in response to aerobic exercise, a study suggests. These results were shared in the poster “Plasma Metabolites to Predict Response to Exercise in…

AC Immune is launching a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial to evaluate an investigational anti-tau vaccine called ACI-35.030 as a potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders characterized by the accumulation of tau protein. The presence of abnormal aggregates of beta-amyloid and tau proteins in the brain…

AZTherapies has completed enrollment for its Phase 3 COGNITE trial, testing the safety and efficacy of its investigational ALZT-OP1 for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A total of 620 participants were enrolled following the screening of 1,800 patients, the company said. “With the COGNITE trial…

  A mutation in a gene linked to familial Alzheimer’s disease promotes the disease by reducing the points of contact between nerve cells and impairing neuronal communication, a study has found. A chemical compound, called EVP4593, partially rescued the mutation’s negative effects, suggesting it may hold a potential therapeutic…

Alzheimer’s disease patients carrying a gene found only in humans, called CHRFAM7A, are less responsive to cholinesterase inhibitors, a new study reports. These findings may explain why some therapeutic benefits seen in animal studies have failed to translate to patients. Kinga Szigeti, MD, PhD,  director of the University…

Following the approval of its investigational new drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Samus Therapeutics is launching a Phase 1 trial in the United States to evaluate the safety of its investigational therapy PU-AD, an epichaperome inhibitor, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s…

Healthy lifestyle choices — maintaining an active mind, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise — may help protect against cognitive decline and dementia, new research shows. Moreover, cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse seem to be associated with cognitive impairment and increased dementia risk. These are the main findings of five…