Coffee may reverse Alzheimer’s disease

Caffeine reverses memory impairment in Alzheimer’s mice — New studies show caffeine markedly reduced the hallmark protein for Alzheimer’s disease in the brains and blood of the mice. – Caffeine significantly decreased abnormal levels of the protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, both in the brains and in the blood of mice exhibiting symptoms of the disease, revealed by researchers.

Depression may increase Alzheimer’s disease risk

Depression may increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people with memory problems – People with memory problems who are depressed are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease compared to people who are not depressed, revealed by US researchers.

Test your memory test for Alzheimer’s disease

Self administered cognitive screening test (TYM) for detection of Alzheimer’s disease – UK researchers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital have created a new cognitive test (TYM) that detects Alzheimer’s disease quickly and accurately. The study published online on BMJ.com.

Cognitive impairment linked to reduced survival in US

Cognitive impairment is associated with reduced survival among both African-Americans and whites – Alzheimer’s disease and its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, appear to be associated with an increased risk of death among both white and African American older adults according to a new, long-term research study by neurological experts at the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center.

MRI shows brain atrophy pattern that predicts Alzheimer’s Disease

Using special MRI methods, researchers have identified a pattern of regional brain atrophy in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that indicates a greater likelihood of progression to Alzheimer’s disease. – Researchers have identified a pattern of regional brain atrophy in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that indicates a greater likelihood of progression to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers used special MRI methods.

Mediterranean diet improves cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease

Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) may protect from Alzheimer disease (AD). Its association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been explored and proved in this study. – Eating a Mediterranean diet appears to be associated with less risk of mild cognitive impairment-a stage between normal aging and dementia-or of transitioning from mild cognitive impairment into Alzheimer’s disease.

Retired athletes with mental decline after concussion

Brain function decline in healthy retired athletes who sustained their last sports concussion in early adulthood – Researchers have found the first evidence that athletes who were concussed during their earlier sporting life show a decline in their mental and physical processes more than 30 years later.

Ginkgo biloba does not reduce dementia, Alzheimer’s disease risk

Ginkgo biloba does not reduce dementia or Alzheimer’s disease risk according to Pitt-led study in JAMA. – The medicinal herb Ginkgo biloba does not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease development in either the healthy elderly or those with mild cognitive impairment, according to a large multicenter trial led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

PET scans useful to assess Alzheimer’s disease

Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning useful in a non-invasive assessment of the formation of Alzheimer’s disease?related plaques in the brain. – A type of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning may be useful in a non-invasive assessment of the formation of Alzheimer’s disease?related plaques in the brain, according to small study posted online today that will appear in the October 2008 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.