Science news
Mediterranean diet linked to reduced brain shrinkage in old age
Neurology: Mediterranean-type diet and brain structural change from 73 to 76 years in a Scottish cohort A new study led by researchers in Scotland has found that older people who ate a Mediterranean-type diet went on to experience less brain shrinkage than those who ate other types of food. The research is published online on…
British scientists explore drug target against neurodegeneration in mice
The Journal of Clinical Investigation: M1 muscarinic allosteric modulators slow prion neurodegeneration and restore memory loss. A team of researchers from the UK, US and Australia has discovered that chemicals to mimic the action of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine could restore memory loss and prolong life in mice bred to develop a progressive neurodegenerative…
Protein in urine linked to higher risk of dementia
A research study has revealed that protein found in the urine of people with kidney problems may indicate a higher risk of decline in memory and thinking skills or dementia. The research is published on 14 December in the journal Neurology. Researchers at Maastricht University led a meta-analysis of 11 studies where tests of kidney…
Study reveals timeline of Alzheimer’s brain changes
Science and Translational Medicine: Early changes in CSF sTREM2 in dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease occur after amyloid deposition and neuronal injury A study led by researchers in Germany has shed more light on the sequence of biological changes that precedes the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The team found that signs of inflammation can be detected…
Prof Bart De Strooper to lead UK Dementia Research Institute from UCL Hub
The director of the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) has been named as Prof Bart De Strooper, current leader of the Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Leuven and scientific director at VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie) in Belgium. Prof De Strooper will lead the national institute from UCL. Alzheimer’s…
Statin use linked to reduced Alzheimer’s risk in people with high cholesterol
JAMA Neurology: Sex and Race Differences in the Association Between Statin Use and the Incidence of Alzheimer Disease Researchers from the US have reported findings from a study of 399,979 people with high cholesterol aged over 65 showing that statin use is associated with a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s, but that this varies between sexes…
LED light therapy reduces hallmark Alzheimer’s protein in mice
Nature: Gamma frequency entrainment attenuates amyloid load and modifies microglia A study by researchers in the US has found that shining a flickering LED light at mice reduces the levels of a key Alzheimer’s protein called amyloid in the visual area of the brain. The research is published on 7 December in the journal Nature.…
Social engagement is associated with better cognition at age 50
BMC Psychology: Is mid-life social participation associated with cognitive function at age 50? Results from the British National Child Development Study (NCDS) Researchers from the University of Southampton have found that social engagement through community activities is associated with better cognitive function, as measured by tests of memory and thinking, at age 50. The study…
