Work Underway on Potential Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Test Using Spinal Fluid – Researchers at the University of Kentucky are working on a potential diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease, based on biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid.
Differences in brain structure indicate risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease — Thinning of key cortical areas predicts dementia up to a decade in advance – Subtle differences in brain anatomy among older individuals with normal cognitive skills may be able to predict both the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the following decade and how quickly symptoms of dementia would develop.
Imaging Procedure Can Identify Biomarker Associated With Alzheimer Disease – Preliminary research suggests that use of a type of molecular imaging procedure may have the ability to detect the presence of beta-amyloid in the brains of individuals during life, a biomarker that is identified during autopsy to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.
Pivotal study finds link between PTSD and dementia — More study needed to determine why veterans with PTSD are more at risk than others – Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a greater risk for dementia than Veterans without PTSD, even those who suffered traumatic injuries during combat, revealed by researchers in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Rheumatoid arthritis signaling protein reverses Alzheimer’s disease in mouse modeln — New study shows GM-CSF reduces AD pathology and eliminates memory loss – A signaling protein released during rheumatoid arthritis dramatically reduced Alzheimer’s disease pathology and reversed the memory impairment of mice bred to develop symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease, a new study by the University of South Florida reports.
Study evaluates association of genetic factors and brain imaging findings in Alzheimer’s disease – By investigating the association between genetic loci related to Alzheimer’s disease and neuroimaging measures related to disease risk, researchers may have uncovered additional evidence that several previously studied genetic variants are associated with the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and also may have identified new genetic risk factors for further study, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Fluctuating blood pressure associated with risk of cerebrovascular disease – The risk of cerebrovascular diseases appears to be higher among individuals with fluctuating blood pressure in addition to high blood pressure, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
FDA Approves Ampyra to Improve Walking in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ampyra (dalfampridine) extended release tablets to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Aerobic exercise has a better effect on cognition and other biomarkers associated with Alzheimer disease pathology for older adults with mild cognitive impairment. – Moderate physical activity performed in midlife or later appears to be associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment, whereas a six-month high-intensity aerobic exercise program may improve cognitive function in individuals who already have the condition.
Compared with placebo, the use of G biloba, 120 mg twice daily, did not result in less cognitive decline in older adults with normal cognition or with mild cognitive impairment. – Older adults who used the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba for several years did not have a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to adults who received placebo.
