News

A small molecule delivered orally for 56 days improved memory in mice carrying the ApoE4 gene, the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The molecule, called A03 and initially developed as a candidate therapy for depression, increased the levels of a protective protein, called sirtuin 1, in the hippocampus — a brain…

With a new $5-million commitment, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s (ADDF) Diagnostics Accelerator initiative is expanding its focus on frontotemporal degeneration, the most common form of dementia for individuals under 60. The funds come from a new research pledge of $2.5 million from The Association for Frontotemporal…

Salt together with acidic conditions can change the 3D structure of the beta2-microglobulin protein and promote the formation of amyloid fibrils — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The study, “Conformational properties relevant to the amyloidogenicity of beta2-migroglobulin analyzed using pressure and salt dependent chemical shift data” was published in…

Inhibiting a protein called NHE6 is a potential strategy to prevent the damaging effect of ApoE4 and the associated risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, a study suggests. The study, “Reversal of ApoE4-induced recycling block as a novel prevention approach for Alzheimer’s disease,” was led by University of…

A study has identified the gene that explains why excitatory neurons — brain cells that excite their targets — are more vulnerable to accumulations of abnormal tau protein aggregates, which are implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The research article, “A tau homeostasis signature is linked with the cellular and…

An intellectually active lifestyle may help protect against neurodegeneration, delaying symptoms and loss of the brain’s gray matter, which is essential for motor control and sensory perception, a study shows. The study, “An active cognitive lifestyle as a potential neuroprotective factor in Huntington’s disease,” was published in…

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…

A new test using patients’ saliva may be helpful in distinguishing between Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment, and normal brain function, new research reports. The study, “Alzheimer’s Biomarkers From Multiple Modalities Selectively Discriminate Clinical Status: Relative Importance of Salivary Metabolomics Panels, Genetic, Lifestyle, Cognitive, Functional Health and…

A newly identified “tracer” molecule that binds to and “lights up” aggregates of tau — a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias – showed promise as a way to diagnose Alzheimer’s and measure the effectiveness of treatment in patients, researchers reported. The study, “First in‐human PET study of…

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…