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dementia

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·December 3, 2024·3 min read

Empathy Loss in Dementia Linked to Brain Activity Changes

Frontotemporal dementia, affecting about 3% of dementia patients in Sweden, is characterized by a loss of empathy that challenges patients and their families. Using functional MRI, researchers found that patients showed no activation in brain networks associated with empathy when viewing distressing images, unlike healthy individuals.

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·November 19, 2024·5 min read

Early-Onset Diabetes Linked to Increased Dementia Risk

New research reveals that individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age face a higher risk of developing dementia, particularly those with obesity. The study found that for each year earlier type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, dementia risk increases by 1.9%.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 12, 2024·5 min read

Frailty Boosts Dementia Risk

Frailty is a strong predictor of dementia risk, with risk increasing by 40% with each 4-5 additional age-related health conditions. This connection between frailty and dementia suggests that frailty may not simply result from undetected dementia but actively contributes to its onset.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 11, 2024·6 min read

Fluctuating Cholesterol Linked to Higher Dementia Risk

Older adults with significant fluctuations in cholesterol levels are at increased risk for dementia and cognitive decline, even without medication changes. Researchers studied nearly 10,000 older adults, tracking their cholesterol levels and cognitive function over six years. High variability in total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol was associated with a 60% increase in dementia and 23% increase in cognitive decline.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 1, 2024·5 min read

Socioeconomic Factors Influence Cognitive Health and Dementia Risk

A new study reveals that socioeconomic factors like education, occupation, and wealth play a role in the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in later life. Tracking over 8,000 adults in England, researchers found that people with higher socioeconomic status were less likely to transition from healthy cognition to impairment and more likely to recover from mild impairment.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 22, 2024·4 min read

Loneliness Increases Dementia Risk by 31%

A large meta-analysis of over 600,000 people shows that experiencing loneliness significantly raises the risk of developing dementia by 31%. Researchers found that loneliness is a key factor in cognitive decline, contributing to conditions like Alzheimer's disease, regardless of age or sex.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 18, 2024·6 min read

How a Brain Lipid’s Production Could Impact Dementia

Researchers have discovered how a lipid molecule, BMP, crucial for brain function, is produced, potentially opening new doors for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia. Two enzymes, PLD3 and PLD4, were found to catalyze the formation of BMP by changing the molecule’s “handedness,” allowing it to remain stable in lysosomes where other lipids are broken down.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 7, 2024·7 min read

Salience Network Disruption Tied to Dementia Behavior Changes

Researchers have discovered that disruptions in the brain’s salience network, often tied to tau protein buildup, correlate strongly with behavioral changes in people with early-stage dementia. Using advanced brain imaging on 128 participants, they found that as tau impairs this critical network, behavioral symptoms worsen, adding another layer to understanding dementia beyond memory loss.

Featured Neurology Psychology

·September 25, 2024·3 min read

LGBTQ+ Community Faces Elevated Dementia and Depression Risks

A new study suggests that LGBTQ+ individuals may face a higher risk of adverse brain health outcomes, including dementia and late-life depression, than their cisgender and straight counterparts. Researchers analyzed data from 393,041 participants and found that LGBTQ+ people were 15% more likely to develop conditions like stroke, depression, or dementia.

This shows a person holding a brain model.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 25, 2024·6 min read

Blocking a Brain Pathway Reverses Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s

Blocking the kynurenine pathway, a regulator of brain metabolism, can restore cognitive function in lab mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The pathway is overactivated in Alzheimer’s, disrupting glucose metabolism and starving neurons of energy. By inhibiting this pathway, researchers improved memory and brain plasticity in mice, offering hope for new treatments in humans. IDO1 inhibitors, currently in cancer trials, could be repurposed for Alzheimer’s treatment.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 23, 2024·5 min read

Does Multiple Sclerosis Lower Dementia Risk?

Research has revealed that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are significantly less likely to exhibit the molecular signs of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting a protective element in MS that could inspire new Alzheimer's treatments. The study found that MS patients had 50% less amyloid plaque accumulation, a key indicator of Alzheimer’s, compared to non-MS individuals. This connection between MS and reduced Alzheimer's risk highlights potential immune-related mechanisms that may be leveraged for therapeutic strategies.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 8, 2024·3 min read

Lower Dementia Risk Than Previously Thought in Parkinson’s

A new study suggests that the risk of developing dementia in Parkinson’s disease patients may be lower or occur later than previously reported. Researchers analyzed data from two large studies, finding a 9% risk of dementia within 10 years for newly diagnosed patients and a 27% risk for those diagnosed for an average of six years. Factors increasing dementia risk included older age at diagnosis, being male, and lower education levels.