Not All Sleep is Equal When it Comes to Cleaning the Brain
Study reinforces and explains the links between sleep deprivation and neurodegenerative diseases, researchers say.... Read More...
Tau
Hip Fractures May Be An Early Sign of Alzheimer’s in Older People
Researchers report they have identified biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in spinal fluid samples of a significant number of older patients hospitalized as a result of hip fractures. The study suggests neural alterations that lead to poor balance in older people may signify an increased risk of falls that result in hip fractures, and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers suggest the hip fracture, therefore, may serve as an early sign of Alzheimer's in older patients.... Read More...
Sleep Deprivation Accelerates Alzheimer’s Brain Damage
A new study reports sleep deprivation increases the levels of tau, and accelerates the spread of the protein, in the brain. The findings reveal a lack of sleep alone may help drive the development of Alzheimer's disease.... Read More...
Epigenetics Contributes to Male and Female Differences in Fear Memories
A new mouse study reveals males recall fearful memories better than females. Researchers attribute the difference to the gene Cdk5, which has previously been implicated in creating fear memories and stress behaviors. The study reports Cdk5 is naturally activated in males, but not females.... Read More...
Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown an Early Driver of Dementia
A new study reports leaky capillaries in the brain may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease as it can signal cognitive impairment prior to the buildup of proteins associated with the neurodegenerative disease.... Read More...
Decreased Deep Sleep Linked to Early Alzheimer’s Disease
A new study links poor sleep quality in older adults with elevated levels of tau, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers report poor sleep quality later in life may be associated with declining brain health and may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease.... Read More...
One Type of Brain Cell May Invite Alzheimer’s
Researchers report excitatory neurons are more vulnerable to accumulations of Tau, a protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease.... Read More...
New Genetic Clues to Frontotemporal Dementia
Study reports a mutation in a single gene that causes hereditary frontotemporal dementia makes it harder for neurons to communicate, leading to neurodegeneration.... Read More...
New Discoveries Predict Ability to Forecast Dementia From Single Molecule
Researchers report single tau proteins have different shapes, and the folds of the molecules could help doctors to predict which type of dementia a person is likely to suffer from. ... Read More...
Researchers Pinpoint Genes Tied to Dementia
Researchers have identified two major groups of genes involved in mutations that result in an overproduction of tau. The findings could offer new avenues for treatments to slow the progression of dementia.... Read More...
DNA Vaccine Reduces Both Toxic Proteins Linked to Alzheimer’s
A new DNA vaccine tested in mice significantly reduces tau and amyloid beta, two proteins implicated in Alzheimer's disease. The findings, researchers say, may pave the way for clinical trials in humans with the neurodegenerative disease.... Read More...
Playing High School Football Changes the Teenage Brain
Researchers say a single season of playing high school football is all it takes to cause microscopic alterations to the structure of the brain. ... Read More...