All articles tagged with #alzheimers
Researchers report FLAV-27, a G9a/EHMT2 inhibitor, epigenetically reprograms neuronal gene expression to combat Alzheimer's pathology; in cell cultures, nematodes, and mice it reduced disease features and restored memory and synaptic function, suggesting a broader upstream approach beyond amyloid and tau. The compound has not yet been tested in humans and would require extensive safety and regulatory steps before trials.
A new study suggests brain immune cells (microglia) can actively initiate amyloid plaques by reshaping amyloid-beta into fibers and promoting tau tangles, challenging the view that microglia only clear plaques and implying that early inflammatory responses may set the stage for Alzheimer’s progression; this could influence timing and targets of future therapies.
Mass General Brigham researchers are applying AI to quickly sift through routine electronic medical records to spot red flags for cognitive impairment, achieving about 93% accuracy in identifying early Alzheimer’s. With roughly 90% of mild cognitive impairment cases going undiagnosed in the U.S., the work aims to detect signs sooner to enable earlier treatment with newer drugs that slow progression, according to Dr. Lidia Moura and study collaborators.
A new study suggests Alzheimer's may start when amyloid beta competes with tau for binding to microtubules in neurons, displacing tau and destabilizing the cell’s transport system. This microtubule nexus could unify amyloid- and tau-centered theories and open pathways for therapies that target tau displacement from microtubules.
A Nature study shows that variants of the APOE gene largely determine Alzheimer's risk, with APOE3/4 raising risk and APOE2 offering strong protection. Companies are pursuing APOE-targeted gene therapies that could help millions, but brain delivery, regulatory hurdles, and proving cognitive benefit remain major challenges; no proven therapy exists yet.
Two FDA-approved blood biomarker tests used to diagnose Alzheimer’s in symptomatic patients may also predict who will develop dementia years or even decades earlier, with some studies suggesting up to 20 years lead time, as research advances alongside preventive therapies and trials expected to yield results in 2027.
Spring 2025 roundtable advocates moving Alzheimer’s care from reaction to prevention by enabling earlier detection through biomarkers, blood tests, imaging, and digital cognitive tools, while prioritizing lifestyle interventions (exercise, nutrition, social/cognitive engagement) to reduce risk; supported by U.S. POINTER and other trials, with calls for science-based, equitable screening guidelines as new therapies emerge.
At the Oxford Literary Festival, professor Lawrence Whalley suggested that men who marry intelligent women may be less likely to develop dementia, arguing that a mentally stimulating spouse could help keep the brain sharp. The piece notes dementia’s rising global prevalence and that Alzheimer’s is the most common form, but stresses that Whalley’s claim is theoretical rather than proven and aligns with broader evidence that cognitive engagement supports brain health.
A blood biomarker, p-tau217, tracks brain Alzheimer’s pathology and, in a study of 603 older adults, could estimate how many years remain before symptoms appear. This could enable earlier diagnosis and shorter, cheaper preventive trials, though it isn’t yet recommended for general asymptomatic screening. The researchers hint at improving accuracy by combining p-tau217 with other biomarkers and note a web tool and GitHub code for broader exploration.
A COLBOS gene variant linked with PSEN1-related early-onset Alzheimer’s appears to boost reelin signaling by strengthening its binding to heparan sulfate, keeping reelin at neuron surfaces where it helps slow tau phosphorylation and amyloid buildup. This protective effect can delay disease onset by about 20 years in some patients, though it does not prevent the disease. The finding suggests that therapies aiming to enhance reelin signaling could delay Alzheimer's in a broad patient population, with gene-therapy approaches being explored.
Engaging in brain-challenging activities such as reading, learning a new language, or playing chess is linked to slower cognitive decline and may postpone the onset of dementia (including Alzheimer's) by a few years, according to recent research.
An international expert panel identifies eight drugs already on the market as candidates for further study to prevent or slow dementia. The shingles vaccine shows the strongest real‑world signal, with Welsh data suggesting about a 20% reduction in dementia risk among recipients; the newer Shingrix vaccine is anticipated to be at least as effective. Other drugs cited include Viagra (sildenafil), riluzole, Gilenya (fingolimod), and vortioxetine, though evidence for these is less clear and confounded by factors such as lifestyle and relationships. The panel emphasizes more rigorous research and potential trials to determine true benefits at the population level.
A UCSF study in mice shows exercise increases GPLD1 in the blood, which helps prune TNAP in brain blood vessels, strengthening the blood-brain barrier, reducing inflammation, and lowering amyloid beta clumps associated with Alzheimer's. The findings suggest a body-brain mechanism behind exercise’s cognitive benefits and point to potential therapies that mimic GPLD1, though human relevance remains to be confirmed.
A Vanderbilt University and University of Chicago study analyzed electronic health records for about 150 million people and found that more than 70 pre-existing conditions across mental health, neurological, circulatory, and metabolic categories are associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease; while the study does not prove causation, these patterns could enable earlier risk detection and targeted prevention.
A Nature study finds that super-agers (80+) have roughly twice as many new neurons in the hippocampus as older adults with normal memory, and about 2.5 times more than people with Alzheimer’s, suggesting adult neurogenesis may help explain their exceptional memory and cognitive resilience.