New Atlas

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Another big Alzheimer’s drug fails in late-stage human trials

Rich Haridy March 21, 2019

A shockwave hit the Alzheimer’s research community today after Biogen announced it was discontinuing two massive final phase human trials into the promising Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab. The announcement is the latest in a long line of failed Alzheimer’s drugs targeting the amyloid hypothesis.

Biogen has abandoned late-stage clinical trials for a previously promising Alzheimer's drug

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Unusual strobing light and sound treatment reverses Alzheimer's in mice

Rich Haridy March 14, 2019

Could exposure every day to a specifically calibrated flickering light and droning sound help clear your brain of the toxic proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease? A new study raises this possibility after mouse experiments showed neurological improvements through visual and auditory stimulation.

A new study suggests light and sound oscillating at 40 Hertz may help the brain clear ...

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Alzheimer's eye test could catch the disease before symptoms appear

Rich Haridy March 11, 2019

A compelling new study has reported that statistically significant differences can be identified in the retinas of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The finding paves the way for a future where the disease could be diagnosed from a simple eye scan before major symptoms appear.

A newly published study adds weight to the growing body of evidence suggesting cognitive decline can ...

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Green tea and carrot compounds found to reverse Alzheimer's symptoms in mice

Nick Lavars March 7, 2019

Researchers pondering the potential of compounds found in green tea and carrots to treat Alzheimer's have conducted a study with some promising results, with the engineered mice demonstrating unimpaired cognitive function following a carefully designed bout of treatment.

A new study in mice has shown the compounds in green tea and carrot could have ...

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New evidence bolsters link between sleep apnea and Alzheimer's disease

Rich Haridy March 3, 2019

A new study reveals a connection between sleep apnea and increased levels of a toxic brain protein commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, bolstering the growing body of evidence linking sleep problems with the onset of neurodegenerative conditions.

A new study has found subjects suffering from sleep apnea display higher levels of tau in ...

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Deep sleep may be crucial in clearing toxic Alzheimer’s proteins from the brain

Rich Haridy February 28, 2019

For the first time scientists have demonstrated how the brain washes away toxic proteins during a specific phase of deep sleep. The study builds on a growing body of evidence suggesting chronic sleep disruption could play a role in the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

For the first time scientists have shown a particular deep sleep phase is fundamental to activating ...

Science

Association between Alzheimer’s and high brain iron to be tested in new clinical trial

Rich Haridy February 20, 2019

A study is suggesting high iron levels in the brain may fundamentally trigger the progressive neurodegeneration associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A clinical trial is now underway exploring whether Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline can be slowed by lowering brain iron levels.

No causal connection has been proven, but evidence is suggesting high brain iron levels may play ...

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Dementia eliminates the ability to daydream, sufferers are "stuck in the moment"

Rich Haridy February 18, 2019

Daydreaming, or just letting your mind wander off from the current moment occupies our thoughts for a large part of every day. However, a study has revealed patients suffering from a kind of early-onset dementia may have lost the ability to do this and seem perpetually “stuck in the moment”.

New research has revealed frontotemporal dementia results in a person losing the ability to daydream or ...

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New experimental drug rapidly repairs age-related memory loss and improves mood

Rich Haridy February 14, 2019

A team of Canadian scientists has developed a fascinating new experimental drug that is purported to produce rapid improvements to both mood and memory following extensive animal testing. It's hoped the drug will move to human trials within the next two years.

It's hoped a new drug showing promise for reversing age- and depression-related memory loss will move ...

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Unclogging blood flow to the brain could open the floodgates for Alzheimer’s treatment

Nick Lavars February 12, 2019

Among the earlier symptoms of Alzheimer's is a reduced blood flow to the brain, and scientists from Cornell University believe they have now found an explanation for these blockages, raising new hopes for treatments that target one of the disease’s potential root causes.

Scientists believe they have uncovered a major reason for blockages in blood flow that can affect ...