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Posted on 09 Jan
A night of no sleep increases Alzheimer’s marker in blood
Researchers from Sweden have found that one night of no sleep increases levels of the Alzheimer’s disease biomarker tau in healthy young men. The results of the small study are published today (Wednesday 8 January) in the scientific journal Neurology. The 15 men who took part in the study had an average age of 22 […]
Posted on 07 Jan
New study to recruit former professional footballers to look at dementia risk
Today (Tuesday 7 January) sees the University of East Anglia (UEA) announce a new study to test memory and thinking skills in former professional football players to see if they show any cognitive changes due to concussions and head injuries. Dr Carol Routledge, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “Recent research has highlighted […]
Posted on 01 Jan
Alzheimer’s protein predicts future brain shrinkage
Scientists in the US have shown that scans to visualise a hallmark Alzheimer’s protein, tau, can be used to predict brain shrinkage around 15 months in advance. The study is published in the scientific journal Science Translational Medicine. Our expert’s reaction Dr Laura Phipps of Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “Tau is one of two proteins […]
Posted on 18 Dec
UK health records point to midlife obesity link to dementia risk
Scientists from the University of Oxford, using NHS health records, have found obesity in women’s midlife is associated with increased dementia risk. The researchers published the findings in the scientific journal, Neurology. What did the researchers do? The researchers looked at over one million volunteers taking part in the Million Women study – a group […]
Posted on 05 Dec
Potential new Alzheimer’s drug presented at clinical trial conference
Today the pharmaceutical company, Biogen presented further analysis from two phase III trials of the potential new Alzheimer’s drug, aducanumab. Results were presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) conference in San Diego. Dr Carol Routledge, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “Since Biogen announced unexpected positive results from two phase […]
Posted on 04 Dec
Blood-brain barrier breakdown leads to increased activation of immune system
Scientists have found that faults in the blood-brain barrier lead to increased immune activity in the brain of mice. The researchers published the findings in two scientific papers in Science Translational Medicine. Dr Sara Imarisio, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “A barrier between the blood and brain is an important protection against […]
Posted on 18 Nov
Statin use in older age has no effect on memory decline
Australian researchers have found that taking statins doesn’t affect memory and thinking in later life. There is also no effect on brain size between statin users and those who don’t take the drugs. The scientific publication Journal of the American College of Cardiology announced the results today (Monday 18 November). What are statins? Statins are […]
Posted on 15 Nov
Alzheimer’s Research UK welcomes international research funding for UK study
Today the US-based charity Alzheimer’s Association announces a $7 million dollar grant to allow UCL researchers to carry out detailed assessments of individuals from the 1946 birth cohort. This expands the important work of the Insight 46 project, originally funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK. What is Insight 46? The original Insight 46 study, funded by […]
Posted on 13 Nov
Could being unable to read or write increase your risk of dementia?
Neurology: Illiteracy, dementia risk, and cognitive trajectories among older adults with low education Researchers in the US have found that people who report that they cannot read or write are at increased risk of dementia compared to people who are literate. The scientific journal, Neurology, published the findings today (Wednesday 13 November). Who did the […]
Posted on 13 Nov
Experts unite to improve dementia research
Data scientists, artificial intelligence experts and clinicians are among a range of professionals invited to join a new national network to find innovative ways of conducting dementia research and care. The ARUK Deep Dementia Phenotyping (DEMON) Network is led by the University of Exeter and is supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Alan Turing […]