News

A protein that’s involved in calcium transport within nerve cells was linked to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease by scientists working in Spain. This protein, called STIM1, may hold promise as a biomarker of this common and non-familial form of Alzheimer’s. Importantly, common treatments for hypertension that are based on dihydropyridine — and…

Using a technique called genome-wide mapping, researchers were able to identify specific variations in RNA splicing from brain tissue taken from 450 people who were part of clinical studies into aging. This work — which identified hundreds of altered splicing events, which affect protein production — in Alzheimer’s, and may…

High levels of free triiodothyronine — a type of thyroid hormone — are associated with a lower rate of Alzheimer’s disease risk in patients who have subjective or objective mild cognitive impairment, a new study shows. The study, “Low serum concentration of free triiodothyronine (FT3) is associated with increased risk of…

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…

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is lauding the additional $425 million designated for Alzheimer’s disease research contained in the Sept. 26 passage of the Health and Human Services (HHS) budget for fiscal year 2019. Its passage brings federal funding to fight the disease to $2.34 billion. “AFA…

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism targeted by the leukemia therapy Sprycel that may contribute to Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury. The team, which effectively targeted this mechanism in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s, now hopes to replicate the test in humans. The study, “Oxidation of…

Fasudil, a chemical inhibitor used to treat strokes, may prevent early nerve cell impairment and sustainment of beta-amyloid damaging effects, opening new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a mouse study. These findings could not only help researchers understand the mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s development and progression, but also may shed light…

A previously unknown genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias has been uncovered. The culprit, known as humanin, is a neuroprotective factor known to decrease with age. It can protect brain cells from accumulating amyloid beta — a key player in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. “Because of the…

The percentage of U.S. residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will double by 2060, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  In 2014, roughly five million adults ages 65 and over had Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). That’s 1.6 percent of the U.S.

A newly developed strategy may help researchers identify which people with mild cognitive impairment are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study, “Utilizing Semantic Intrusions to Identify Amyloid Positivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment,” was published in the journal Neurology. There is a critical need to develop disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s…