News

A new study out of Michigan points to the pro nerve growth factor (proNGF) as a possible biomarker that could aid in the diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The article, “Cerebrospinal fluid proNGF: A putative biomarker for early Alzheimer’s disease,“ appeared in the journal…

Tarrytown, New York-based PsychoGenics has announced its Line-41 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has obtained a license from the University of California, San Diego. This experimental model expresses human APP with the London (V717I) and Swedish (K670N/M671L) mutations under the murine-Thy-1 promoter control. PsychoGenics is a leader in providing preclinical…

Researchers have identified specific gene sites controlled by global regulator GABPa are linked to the development of metabolic and cognitive conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The study, “Human lineage-specific transcriptional regulation through GA binding protein transcription factor alpha (GABPa),” was published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution. Differences in gene…

New research from the University of Zurich and Vienna Medical University contradicts the conventional and more accepted theory that Alzheimer’s disease is not transmissible. Alzheimer’s-like pathology was detected in the brains of patients who received dura mater grafts and later died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The research paper, “Amyloid-β pathology and cerebral…

Dublin, Ireland-based Alkermes plc announced it will initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial for its drug candidate ALKS7119 for the treatment of agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. Psychiatric symptoms such as agitation are the main cause of morbidity in Alzheimer’s patients and also a major burden among caregivers. There are currently no…

A National Football League broadcaster and former NFL player is urging Americans to “Huddle Up for New Alzheimer’s Treatments” by participating in clinical trials testing new drugs that may potentially treat the degenerative brain disease. The new educational and awareness-raising campaign teams Solomon Wilcots with Axovant Sciences, Ltd., and patient advocacy groups in…

A collaboration between researchers at the Institute for EthnoMedicine and the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank revealed that chronic exposure to an environmental toxin has the potential to increase the risk for neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease. The research paper, “Dietary exposure to an environmental toxin triggers…

Buck Institute and UCLA researchers have discovered a new role for a specific genetic form (allele) of a certain gene, which might explain its status as the most important genetic risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The research paper, “Direct Transcriptional Effects of Apolipoprotein E,” was published in…

Lack of sleep on a regular basis or waking up several times during the night may be harmful to the brain and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to recent evidence. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease tend to sleep poorly and stay awake more often at night. However, researchers have…

PsychoGenics Inc. and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) announced a collaboration that opens PsychoGenics’ Alzheimer’s animal models and investigational services to recipients of ADDF grants who are working in preclinical Alzheimer’s drug discovery programs. Through the collabortion, PsychoGenics will offer its products and services to ADDF-funded biotechnology companies on “extremely favorable…