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Alzheimer’s disease

·May 30, 2025·4 min read

SSRIs Restore Brain Function in Alzheimer’s

A new study suggests that SSRIs, commonly prescribed antidepressants, may reduce biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease. In a cohort of 191 individuals, AD patients on SSRIs had lower levels of plasma phosphorylated tau-181, a key indicator of disease severity.

This shows a man, a woman, DNA, and a brain.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 30, 2025·5 min read

Common Gene Variant Doubles Dementia Risk, But Only in Men

New research reveals that men who carry two copies of a common genetic variant in the HFE gene are more than twice as likely to develop dementia, while women with the same variant are not affected. The variant, known as H63D, is linked to haemochromatosis and is present in about 1 in 36 people.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 29, 2025·6 min read

Sleep Aid May Protect Brain from Alzheimer’s Damage

A common sleep medication, lemborexant, may do more than promote rest—it appears to reduce harmful tau buildup and protect the brain from neurodegeneration in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that this orexin receptor antagonist not only restored healthier sleep patterns but also preserved brain structure and reduced inflammation.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 25, 2025·4 min read

Dementia Diagnoses Decline, But More Are Living Longer With the Disease

A new study of over 25 million Medicare recipients found that while dementia incidence in the U.S. is declining, more older adults are living longer with the condition. From 2015 to 2021, new diagnoses dropped from 3.5% to 2.8%, yet prevalence increased to nearly 12%.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·4 min read

New Alzheimer’s Drug Boosts Brain Protection, Restores Memory

Researchers have identified a promising drug candidate, DDL-357, that improves memory in Alzheimer’s mouse models by increasing levels of a protective brain protein called clusterin (CLU). CLU helps prevent the buildup of toxic amyloid-beta plaques and tau proteins, both key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·4 min read

Cold Sore Virus Linked to Alzheimer’s, Antivirals May Lower Risk

A large study suggests that symptomatic infection with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)—best known for causing cold sores—may significantly raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that people with HSV-1 were 80% more likely to have Alzheimer’s, while those treated with antiviral medications had a 17% lower risk.

This shows an older man sitting and brains.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 18, 2025·4 min read

Sitting for Hours May Shrink the Brain

Prolonged sedentary behavior in adults over 50 is linked to cognitive decline and brain shrinkage in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. Even among those who exercise regularly, spending more time sitting was associated with worse cognitive outcomes.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·5 min read

Midlife Cortisol Levels Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk

A new study finds that elevated cortisol levels in midlife are linked to increased brain amyloid deposition—a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease—specifically in post-menopausal women. Researchers tracked 305 cognitively healthy individuals over 15 years and discovered that high cortisol predicted amyloid buildup later in life, but only among women who had gone through menopause.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 17, 2025·5 min read

Alzheimer’s Disrupts the Whole Body, Not Just the Brain

Alzheimer’s disease is traditionally seen as a brain disorder, but new research using fruit flies reveals that it also affects organs and tissues throughout the body. Scientists created an Alzheimer’s Disease Fly Cell Atlas to profile gene expression across 219 cell types in flies expressing human Alzheimer’s proteins.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 8, 2025·4 min read

HIV Drugs Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk

New research shows that HIV drugs called NRTIs may significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Analyzing two large health databases, scientists found that patients on NRTIs had a 6% to 13% annual decrease in Alzheimer’s risk.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2025·4 min read

Knowing Alzheimer’s Risk Lowers Anxiety, But Motivation Fades

A new study shows that learning about amyloid beta buildup — a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease — does not increase emotional distress, but motivation to maintain healthy habits declines over time. Healthy adults who learned they had no amyloid buildup reported reduced depression, anxiety, and memory concerns, yet also lost motivation to continue positive lifestyle changes.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 7, 2025·9 min read

Want to Know Your Alzheimer’s Risk? Many Change Their Minds

New research reveals a striking gap between people’s theoretical desire to know their Alzheimer’s disease risk and their real-life decisions when results are actually offered. In a study of cognitively normal volunteers, only 60% chose to learn their estimated risk when given the chance, despite 81% expressing prior interest.