Alzheimer's Disease

The recent FDA approval for a new Alzheimer's drug raises questions over what factors the regulatory body should take into account when authorizing new medicines

Science

FDA Alzheimer’s call slammed as “Worst drug approval in recent US history”

The FDA's approval of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm has been criticized by many in the scientific community. Amidst concerns surrounding the drug’s efficacy, advisors to the FDA have resigned in protest and calls for top officials to step down are growing.

Scientists have used experiments on rats to identify specific patterns of brain cell activity that can relate to correct and incorrect memories

Medical

First brain observations of faulty memory sheds light on Alzheimer's

Through a new study on rodents, scientists have made first-of-a-kind observations of the brain mistakenly recalling a memory, which they believe lays the groundwork for understanding the mechanisms at play in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

A test could be used as a rapid screening tool in clinics to determine whether a patient's cognitive problems are due to neurodegeneration.

Medical

Blood biomarker detects whether depression is due to neurodegeneration

A study is reporting a blood-based biomarker can detect the presence of 13 neurodegenerative disorders, from dementia to motor neuron disease, and determine whether those with depression are suffering from the early stages of neurodegenerative disease.

Approval of a new Alzheimer's drug comes after a FDA advisory panel last year overwhelmingly concluded there is not enough evidence to claim it is effective

Health & Wellbeing

First new Alzheimer’s drug in decades receives controversial FDA approval

A new Alzheimer’s treatment has been controversially approved for use in the US despite an independent FDA panel reporting last year the drug’s trial results were inconclusive. The approval marks the first new treatment for Alzheimer’s in almost 20 years.

Scientists have identified a new set of blood-based biomarkers that may help predict Alzheimer's risk

Medical

Massive blood sampling study identifies predictors of Alzheimer's risk

A new study, claimed to be the most comprehensive of its type, has demonstrated how concentrations of certain proteins in the blood might indicate the onset of Alzheimer's far in advance, and has pinpointed one that may even help trigger it.

The idea low-dose radiation can be a treatment for Alzheimer's disease is still controversial with little clinical evidence backing it up

Medical

Small pilot study claims low-dose radiation may treat severe Alzheimer’s

A very small pilot study has found several treatments of low-dose radiation, delivered from a CT scanner, could increase alertness and responsiveness in people suffering severe late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. However, the research is still preliminary.

Researchers have detected four types of Alzheimer's by tracking different patterns of tau protein accumulation in the brains of patients

Science

Four distinct variants of Alzheimer’s identified in brain imaging study

A study has found four distinct patterns of toxic protein spread in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings indicate the patterns correspond with specific symptoms and it's hypothesized the variants could respond to different treatments.

Researchers have developed models that could predict mild cognitive impairment and dementia with 88 percent accuracy

Health & Wellbeing

Early signs of dementia can be detected by tracking driving behaviors

Machine learning has been used to develop algorithms that can analyze driving data and detect dementia in a driver. The researchers say it could be possible in the future to detect early signs of dementia using devices incorporated into car systems.

New research has found diabetics who go on to develop dementia display higher blood pressure for years before cognitive decline appears, compared to diabetics who don't develop dementia

Health & Wellbeing

High blood pressure suggested as link between diabetes and dementia

Researchers have long detected higher rates of cognitive decline in people with type 2 diabetes and new findings indicate cardiometabolic factors associated with diabetes, such as increased blood pressure, could be contributing to the development of dementia.

An artist's impression of tau tangles taking hold in the brain, which are considered one of the drivers of Alzheimer's disease

Medical

Novel drug rejuvenates cellular cleaning to reverse Alzheimer's in mice

Scientists have uncovered a promising pathway in Alzheimer's research, discovering that an experimental drug can supercharge a natural cellular cleaning mechanism to rid mice brains of unwanted waste products, and reverse key symptoms of the disease

We all know exercise is good for us, but science continues to reveal new benefits to getting moving

Health & Wellbeing

Seven surprising ways exercise can boost human health

We all know exercise is good for us, but recently, scientific studies have started to shine a light on how regular physical activity can benefit human health in ways you might not expect. Let's take a look at some interesting examples.

A large cancer research institute in London claims new cancer therapies have been delayed up to two years by the COVID-19 pandemic

Medical

Cancer research set back two years due to pandemic disruptions

Lockdowns, lab closures, funding cuts, and delays to ongoing clinical trials have all contributed to cancer research disruptions that may set the field back two years, according to new estimates made by the Institute of Cancer Research in London.