MedWorm: Alzheimer's

Early Identification Of Alzheimer's Disease With PET Scan

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Westside Medical Associates of Los Angeles and Westside Medical Imaging (WMI) of Beverly Hills announce the benefit of early positron emission tomography (PET) scanning to identify Alzheimer's in its early more treatable phase. According to Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Early Identification Of Alzheimer's Disease With PET Scan

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

DJ-1 and {alpha}-synuclein in human cerebrospinal fluid as biomarkers of Parkinson's disease

Brain — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:20:00 +0100

In this study, the nature of DJ-1 and -synuclein in human cerebrospinal fluid was studied by a combination of western blotting, gel filtration and mass spectrometry. Sensitive and quantitative Luminex assays detecting most, if not all, species of DJ-1 and -synuclein in human cerebrospinal fluid were established. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of DJ-1 and -synuclein from 117 patients with Parkinson’s disease, 132 healthy individuals and 50 patients with Alzheimer’s disease were analysed using newly developed, highly sensitive Luminex technology while controlling for several major confounders. A total of 299 individuals and 389 samples were analysed. The results showed that cerebrospinal fluid DJ-1 and -synuclein levels were dependent on age and influenced by the extent of bl...

A reduction in hippocampal GABAA receptor α5 subunits disrupts the memory for location of objects in mice

Genes, Brain and Behavior — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The memory for location of objects, which binds information about objects to discrete positions or spatial contexts of occurrence, is a form of episodic memory particularly sensitive to hippocampal damage. Its early decline is symptomatic for elderly dementia. Substances that selectively reduce [alpha]5-GABAA receptor function are currently developed as potential cognition enhancers for Alzheimer's syndrome and other dementia, consistent with genetic studies implicating these receptors that are highly expressed in hippocampus in learning performance. Here we explored the consequences of reduced GABAA[alpha]5-subunit contents, as occurring in [alpha]5(H105R) knock-in mice, on the memory for location of objects. This required the behavioral characterization of [alpha]5(H105R) and wild-type a...

Lower Barthel Index Scores Predict Less Prescription of Pharmacological Therapy in Elderly Patients with Alzheimer Disease

Karger Publishers — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2010;29:198203 (DOI:10.1159/000278348) (Source: Karger Publishers)

Biomarker Tracks Bapineuzumab's Effect on Amyloid Burden in Brains of Alzheimer's Patients

Medscape Internal Medicine Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:39:14 +0100

A new study finds a 25% reduction in amyloid deposits compared with placebo with bapineuzimab treatment, tracked using 11C-PiB. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Internal Medicine Headlines)

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Daily Mail launches National Carers Awards 2010

Alzheimers Society — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:28:31 +0100

Alzheimer's Society is delighted to be the beneficiary charity for this year's Daily Mail National Carers Award 2010 in association with Bupa. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

Physical Interaction of Jab1 with Human Serotonin 6 G-protein-coupled Receptor and Their Possible Roles in Cell Survival [Signal Transduction]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:36:05 +0100

The 5-HT6 receptor (5-HT6R) is one of the most recently cloned serotonin receptors, and it plays important roles in Alzheimer disease, depression, and learning and memory disorders. However, unlike the other serotonin receptors, the cellular mechanisms of 5-HT6R are poorly elucidated relative to its significance in human brain diseases. Here, using a yeast two-hybrid assay, we found that the human 5-HT6R interacts with Jun activation domain-binding protein-1 (Jab1). We also confirmed a physical interaction between 5-HT6R and Jab1 using glutathione S-transferase pulldown, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunocyto(histo)chemistry assays. The manipulation of Jab1 expression using Jab1 small interference RNA decreased 5-HT6R-mediated activity and cell membr...

University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine And AstraZeneca Working Together To Find New Therapies For Alzheimer's Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The University of Pennsylvania and AstraZeneca announced a new collaborative research agreement to make use of their respective talents and resources in an effort to bridge the transition from drug discovery to development. Initially, the collaboration between Penn Medicine and AstraZeneca scientists will focus on generating new Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug candidates for the clinical development pipeline.... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine And AstraZeneca Working Together To Find New Therapies For Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Mechanisms Underlying Inflammation in Neurodegeneration

Cell — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:00:10 +0100

Christopher K. Glass, Kaoru Saijo, Beate Winner, Maria Carolina Marchetto, Fred H. Gage. Inflammation is associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. In this Review, we discu.... (Source: Cell)

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Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) S18Y polymorphism in Alzheimer's disease

Molecular Neurodegeneration — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, the genotype and allele frequencies of the UCHL1 S18Y polymorphism were investigated in 452 AD patients and 234 control subjects, recruited from four memory clinics in Sweden. Using a binary logistic regression model including UCHL1 allele A and APOE epsilon4 allele positivity, age and sex as covariates with AD diagnosis as dependent variable, an adjusted OR of 0.82 ([95% CI 0.55-1.24], P=0.35) was obtained for a positive UCHL1 allele A carrier status. The present study thus do not support a protective effect of the UCHL1 S18Y polymorphism against AD. (Source: Molecular Neurodegeneration)

Discovery of a patient with strongly suspected bullous pemphigoid in a ward by oral health care providers

International Journal of Dental Hygiene — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Discussion: In cases in which oral health care providers suspect their patients may have BP, appropriate examination and provision of information to the doctor are important. Oral health care providers should have knowledge about systemic diseases, the signs of which appear in oral cavity to avoid missing important systemic diseases. (Source: International Journal of Dental Hygiene)

Early limited nitrosamine exposures exacerbate high fat diet-mediated type2 diabetes and neurodegeneration

BMC Endocrine Disorders — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Early limited exposure to nitrosamines exacerbates the adverse effects of later chronic high dietary fat intake in promoting T2DM and neurodegeneration. The mechanism involves increased generation of ceramides and probably other toxic lipids in brain. (Source: BMC Endocrine Disorders)

Alzheimer's disease: a molecular mechanism, new hypotheses, and therapeutic strategies.

Medicina (Kaunas) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:02:03 +0100

Authors: Plečkaitytė M Human diseases involving protein misfolding and aggregation have received increasing attention in recent years. Alzheimer's disease and other diseases associated with aging are sweeping the developed countries whose populations are rapidly aging. Recent progress has improved our knowledge about molecular and cellular pathogenesis of these diseases. For more than 20 years, multiple diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases have been associated with accumulation of abnormal protein fibrils. These self-assembling fibrils, referred as "amyloid," have been considered the pathogenic molecules that cause cellular degeneration. Accumulation of fibrillar Abeta in plaques underlies the theory for Alzheimer's disease. Recent experiments have provided...

MPs call for better checks on how PCTs spend dementia strategy money

Alzheimers Society — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:27:47 +0100

More than two thirds of primary care trusts (PCTs) in England are unable to say if or how they spent money allocated to them under the National Dementia Strategy for England. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

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MPs Call For Better Checks On How PCTs Spend Dementia Strategy Money, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

More than two thirds of primary care trusts (PCTs) in England are unable to say if or how they spent money allocated to them under the National Dementia Strategy for England. Only 31 per cent (22) of PCTs who responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia said they had allocated their proportion of the Â£150million made available by the government last year. The same percentage could not say how dementia strategy funds had been spent as they were inseparable from other funding... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MPs Call For Better Checks On How PCTs Spend Dementia Strategy Money, UK

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

More than two thirds of primary care trusts (PCTs) in England are unable to say if or how they spent money allocated to them under the National Dementia Strategy for England... (Source: Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today)

Could Lowering Blood Pressure Help Stop Dementia?

MedicineNet Alzheimer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Could Lowering Blood Pressure Help Stop Dementia?Category: Health NewsCreated: 3/17/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/18/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Alzheimer)

Football replays used to tackle Alzheimer's

Scotsman.com News - Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

RICHARD only used to speak to reveal what he wanted for dinner or to say that he was going to bed – his will to communicate destroyed by dementia. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Dementia 'timebomb' predicted

Scotsman.com News - Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CAMPAIGNERS have warned of a "dementia timebomb", with the number of people with conditions such as Alzheimer's set to increase dramatically. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

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Nurses Call For Improvements To Dementia Care, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the Public Accounts Committee report Improving dementia services in England - an interim report, Janet Davies, Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said: "It is deeply concerning that dementia care is still not being dealt with as a priority. Training and education for healthcare staff working in all settings is absolutely vital if care for dementia patients is to improve. Greater investment is also needed for specialist dementia nurses, who provide invaluable support for dementia patients, their carers and families... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Nurses Call For Improvements To Dementia Care, UK

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0100

We are recruiting new trustees

Alzheimers Society — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:11:00 +0100

Use your mind to fight dementia. We are seeking Trustees who are forward thinking, have a breadth of vision which will enable them to make judgements about strategy for the coming 2 - 5 years. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

The combined Chorus' of Evesham raise £5,064 to support Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimers Society — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:30:04 +0100

The combined Chorus' of Evesham based Vale Harmony and Vale Connection performed a Charity Concert at Evesham Methodist Church. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

Could Lowering Blood Pressure Help Stop Dementia?

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Major U.S. trial will enroll thousands to examine links between hypertension, Alzheimer's Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Dementia, High Blood Pressure (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Level of gene alters risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers find

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Using sophisticated techniques that scan the genomes of patients, researchers have found that a gene appears to either help protect against development of Alzheimer's disease, or promote the disorder depending on the level of gene in the brain. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Brain plaques may explain higher risk of Alzheimer's based on mom's history

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

A family history of Alzheimer's is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the memory-robbing disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans and is the most common form of senile dementia. Researchers have found the likely basis for this heightened familial risk -- especially from the maternal side. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Fruit Flies And Test Tubes Open New Window On Alzheimer's Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

A team of scientists from SLU in Uppsala and University of Cambridge have discovered a molecule that can prevent a toxic protein involved Alzheimer's disease from building up in the brain. They found that in test tube studies the molecule not only prevents the protein from forming clumps but can also reverse this process. Then, using fruit flies with Alzheimer's disease, they showed that the same molecule effectively "cures" the insects of the disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder linked to protein misfolding and aggregation, or clumping... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Fruit Flies And Test Tubes Open New Window On Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Alzheimer's Disease-Like Changes Discovered In Elderly People Without The Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The emergence of multiple new brain imaging technologies and the combined application of these new approaches is helping to create new insights into aging and Alzheimer's disease. One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is the deposition of amyloid beta protein in clumps or "plaques" within the brain. These plaques can be measured in humans with PET scans that use a chemical marker or radiotracer called 11C-PIB. It was long thought that the formation of plaques injured and perhaps even caused the death of nerve cells in the brain... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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New Imaging Tool Could Eventually Lead To Earlier Detection Of Alzheimer's Disease Among Pre-Symptomatic Individuals

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A family history of Alzheimer's is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the memory-robbing disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans and is the most common form of senile dementia. Now an international collaboration led by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers has found the likely basis for this heightened familial risk - especially from the maternal side... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Alzheimer's Disease-Like Changes Discovered In Elderly People Without The Disease

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

New Imaging Tool Could Eventually Lead To Earlier Detection Of Alzheimer's Disease Among Pre-Symptomatic Individuals

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A family history of Alzheimer's is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the memory-robbing disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans and is the most common form of senile dementia. Now an international collaboration led by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers has found the likely basis for this heightened familial risk - especially from the maternal side... (Source: Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today)

Familial associations of Alzheimer disease and essential tremor with Parkinson disease

European Journal of Neurology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Our study suggests a familial susceptibility to AD amongst first-degree relatives of younger onset PD cases. (Source: European Journal of Neurology)

Effects of Ginkgo biloba in dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Geriatrics — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Ginkgo biloba appears more effective than placebo. Effect sizes were moderate, while clinical relevance is, similar to other dementia drugs, difficult to determine. (Source: BMC Geriatrics)

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T1ρ MRI in Alzheimer's Disease: Detection of Pathological Changes in Medial Temporal Lobe

Journal of Neuroimaging — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The need of an early and noninvasive diagnosis of AD requires the development of imaging-based techniques. As an alternative, the magnetic resonance image (MRI) relaxation time constant (T1[rho]) was measured in brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild-cognitive impairment (MCI), and age-matched controls in order to determine whether T1[rho] values correlated with the neurological diagnosis. MRI was performed on AD (n= 48), MCI (n= 45), and age-matched control (n= 41), on a 1.5 Tesla Siemens clinical MRI scanner. T1[rho] maps were generated by fitting each pixel's intensity as a function of the duration of the spin-lock pulse. T1[rho] values were calculated from the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of medial temporal lobe (MTL). GM and WM T1[rho] values were 87.5 ± 1.2 ms and 80.5 �...

Researchers ID brain abnormalities in children exposed to methamphetamine in utero

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:00:00 +0100

In this study, we show that the effects of prenatal meth exposure, or the combination of meth and alcohol exposure, may actually be worse, and our findings stress the importance of seeking drug-abuse treatment for pregnant women." In particular, said Sowell, a structure in the brain called the caudate nucleus, which is important for learning and memory, motor control, and punishment and reward, was one of the regions that was more reduced by methamphetamine than alcohol exposure. Of the more than 16 million Americans over the age of 12 who have used methamphetamine, about 19,000 have been pregnant women, according to 2002–04 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. "About half of women who say they used meth during pregnancy also used alcohol," ...

Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program: Evidence-Based Cooperative Agreements to Better Serve People with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Grants.gov — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:15:32 +0100

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2010-AOA-AE-1013 Opportunity Category: DiscretionaryFunding Instrument Type: Cooperative AgreementCategory of Funding Activity: Income Security and Social ServicesCFDA Number: 93.051Eligible Applicants State governmentsOthers (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)Agency Name HHS-AoA (Source: Grants.gov)

Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program: Innovation Cooperative Agreements to Better Serve People with Alzheimer

Grants.gov — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:15:32 +0100

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2010-AOA-AI-1012 Opportunity Category: DiscretionaryFunding Instrument Type: Cooperative AgreementCategory of Funding Activity: Income Security and Social ServicesCFDA Number: 93.051Eligible Applicants State governmentsOthers (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)Agency Name HHS-AoA (Source: Grants.gov)

Public Accounts Committee criticises lack of dementia priority

Alzheimers Society — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:15:48 +0100

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Fruit flies and test tubes open new window on Alzheimer's disease

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Scientists have discovered a molecule that can prevent a toxic protein involved Alzheimer's disease from building up in the brain. They found that in test tube studies the molecule not only prevents the protein from forming clumps but can also reverse this process. Then, using fruit flies with Alzheimer's disease, they showed that the same molecule effectively "cures" the insects of the disease. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Political Debate On Social Care Fails To Reassure The Public, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Almost two thirds (59%) of people are worried about the standard of care they could receive in old age while nearly a third (30%) feel none of the three main political parties are addressing the issue successfully. The new Alzheimer's Society commissioned YouGov poll suggests the pre-election debate on social care has so far failed to convince voters that the current situation is likely to be improved. Not only does the survey of more than 2,000 people show a concern for the standard of care, it also demonstrates mixed opinions on how the care should be funded... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Public Accounts Committee Criticises Lack Of Dementia Priority, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

There is a wide gulf between what the Department of Health keeps saying it is going to do about dementia services and what it actually does, according to Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts. Mr Leigh was speaking as the Committee published its report on the management of the National Dementia Strategy for England. Alzheimer's Society comment 'Important steps have been made since the publication of the National Dementia Strategy but we know that in many areas dementia is still not a local priority. One million people will develop dementia in the next ten years... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Political Debate On Social Care Fails To Reassure The Public, UK

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Public Accounts Committee Criticises Lack Of Dementia Priority, UK

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

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Could a £260 gene test really save your life?

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:30:28 +0100

From Alzheimer's to cancer, DNA testing firms claim to foretell your future health. So what happened when a gene expert had himself analysed. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Neuroimaging Study Describes Alzheimer's Disease Like Changes In Elderly People Without The Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

In a new study published in Biological Psychiatry, by Elsevier, researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits. The emergence of multiple new brain imaging technologies and the combined application of these new approaches is helping to create new insights into aging and Alzheimer's disease. One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is the deposition of amyloid beta protein in clumps or "plaques" within the brain... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Neuroimaging Study Describes Alzheimer's Disease Like Changes In Elderly People Without The Disease

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

In a new study published in Biological Psychiatry, by Elsevier, researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits. The emergence of multiple new brain imaging technologies and the combined application of these new approaches is helping to create new insights into aging and Alzheimer's disease... (Source: Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today)

Turning The Tide Of Dementia, Hope Is In Prevention, Research

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

With the prevalence of dementia expected to reach 1.1 million Canadians within a generation, taking care of your brain health has never been more important. This Brain Awareness Week, March 15 to 21, the Alzheimer Society is calling on Canadians coast to coast to take action today. This means doing everything you can to reduce your risk of developing dementia, including adopting a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, staying mentally and socially active , and protecting your head from injury... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Statement For 'Screening For Alzheimer's Disease Consultation'

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

In its response to the UK National Screening Committee's consultation on Screening for Alzheimer's Disease, the British Psychological Society say that the existing evidence supports screening for people who are at risk of, or suspected of having dementia, but that screening for Alzheimer's disease in the general population is not yet warranted... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Turning The Tide Of Dementia, Hope Is In Prevention, Research

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Statement For 'Screening For Alzheimer's Disease Consultation'

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-Advised

MedicineNet Alzheimer — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-AdvisedCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/15/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/16/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Alzheimer)

Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-Advised

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-AdvisedCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/15/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/16/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

Freshwater polyp hydra genome sequenced: Survey finds genes linked to Huntington's, Alzheimer's

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:00:00 +0100

An international team of scientists have sequenced the genome of Hydra, a freshwater polyp that's been a staple of biological research for 300 years. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Strokes, Alzheimer's & The Whole Catastrophe

Psychology Today Personality Center — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:27:04 +0100

I began my first novel in seventh grade. It opened with a description of a solitary male figure on a hillside, gazing out to sea, wearing sandals. That was as far as I got in terms of character and plot development before the narrative spontaneously evolved into a discussion of my sock drawer, and how my older brother Harry used to irritate me by opening it without my permission and helping himself to my socks.Some years later I agreed to co-author a novel with that same sock-thief of a brother, entitled November Under my Sole. He wrote the central story, concerning a disgruntled New Yorker named Noah Wilner who decides to wreak havoc on New York City by arranging to import massive quantities of dehydrated elephant waste that he plants in the city's street cleaning machines. Recalling Noah...

Testing for Genetic Link to Alzheimers

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Last year, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine asked whether the children of Alzheimer's patients should find out whether they were genetically predisposed to the same fate. Defying conventional wisdom, the researchers concluded that people who... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

New report seeks 'fairer' older care funding formula

OnMedica Latest News — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Revised version of Wanless plan vital to sustainable old age care, according to new a reportRelated items from OnMedicaDementia cases set to double in two decadesPrevention screening for one third of populationDrug watchdog ordered to open up decision makingDoctors against legalisation of euthanasiaBanned Alzheimer's drug would improve quality of life (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Synaptic Plasticity and Alzheimer’s Disease

TheScientificWorldJOURNAL: Newly published articles. — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is well established with respect to growth and differentiation. Recent studies suggest that this growth factor may regulate long-term potentiation, which is considered a cellular mechanism for memory. In addition, studies suggest that HGF may have beneficial effects for Alzheimer's disease. This mini-review is focused on the role of HGF in synaptic plasticity and memory impairment. (Source: TheScientificWorldJOURNAL: Newly published articles.)

Sequestration of the Aβ Peptide Prevents Toxicity and Promotes Degradation In Vivo

PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

An engineered protein prevents aggregation of the Aβ peptide and facilitates clearance of Aβ from the brain in a fruit fly model of Alzheimer's disease. (Source: PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents)

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Sorting of the Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid Precursor Protein Mediated by the AP-4 Complex.

Developmental Cell — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Burgos PV, Mardones GA, Rojas AL, Dasilva LL, Prabhu Y, Hurley JH, Bonifacino JS Adaptor protein 4 (AP-4) is the most recently discovered and least well-characterized member of the family of heterotetrameric adaptor protein (AP) complexes that mediate sorting of transmembrane cargo in post-Golgi compartments. Herein, we report the interaction of an YKFFE sequence from the cytosolic tail of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid precursor protein (APP) with the mu4 subunit of AP-4. Biochemical and X-ray crystallographic analyses reveal that the properties of the APP sequence and the location of the binding site on mu4 are distinct from those of other signal-adaptor interactions. Disruption of the APP-AP-4 interaction decreases localization of APP to endosomes and enhances gamma-secret...

SSeCKS promote beta-amyloid-induced PC12 cells neurotoxicity by up-regulating tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, Abeta-induced apoptosis and tau phosphorylation were investigated in differentiated PC12 cells. This Abeta-induced tau phosphorylation paralleled with the increase of expression and phosphorylation of Src-suppressed protein kinase C substrate (SSeCKS). By knocking down the expression of SSeCKS, Abeta-induced apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation in PC12 cells were partially rescued, and were increased further due to the overexpression of SSeCKS in PC12 cells. Also, the cell apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation were strongly decreased when the cells were pretreated with the protein kinase C inhibitor, Gö6983. In addition, Abeta-induced tau phosphorylation was also partially decreased due to the overexpression of SSeCKS in PC12cells. In summary, our data indicate that ...

Sequestration of the Aβ Peptide Prevents Toxicity and Promotes Degradation In Vivo

PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Serum Levels of S100B and NSE in Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Medscape Psychiatry Headlines — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:56:08 +0100

Are serum levels of S100B and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) useful as biochemical markers in the neuropsychiatric evaluation of Alzheimer's disease patients? Journal of Neuroinflammation (Source: Medscape Psychiatry Headlines)

Brain scans show signs of early Alzheimer's: study

Reuters: Health — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:13:53 +0100

CHICAGO (Reuters) - People with a family history of Alzheimer's disease often have clumps of a toxic protein in their brains even though they are perfectly healthy, researchers said on Monday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

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Brain Scans Show Signs of Early Alzheimer's

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:13:53 +0100

People with a family history of Alzheimer's disease often have clumps of a toxic protein in their brains even though they are perfectly healthy, researchers said on Monday. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Alzheimer's Disease, Nuclear Scans (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Using new approach, Mayo Clinic researchers find level of gene alters risk of Alzheimer's disease

News from Mayo Clinic — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:29:59 +0100

Using sophisticated techniques that scan the genomes of patients, researchers at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida have found that a gene appears to either help protect against development of Alzheimer's disease, or promote the disorder depending on the level of gene in the brain. (Source: News from Mayo Clinic)

Using new approach, Mayo Clinic researchers find level of gene alters risk of Alzheimer's disease

Mayo Clinic Research News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:29:59 +0100

Using new approach, Mayo Clinic researchers find level of gene alters risk of Alzheimer's disease

Mayo Clinic Jacksonville News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:29:59 +0100

Dying Matters Week (15-21 March)

Alzheimers Society — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:34:42 +0100

As a society we need to talk more about dying, death and bereavement. As individuals, we all need to have a conversation about what we want with family and friends, whatever our age or state of health (Source: Alzheimers Society)

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The Clinical Use of Structural MRI in Alzheimer Disease

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:04:35 +0100

Structural markers based on MRI are radically changing how Alzheimer's disease is conceptualized, from its preclinical to overt stages. Nature Reviews Neurology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Angela Lonsdale to host Manchester spring ball for Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimers Society — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:01:00 +0100

Angela Lonsdale, soap star and Alzheimer’s Society celebrity supporter, is set to host a spectacular evening of entertainment and dancing on Saturday, 24 April 2010 at the Palace Hotel, Manchester. T (Source: Alzheimers Society)

Political debate on social care fails to reassure the public

Alzheimers Society — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:14:00 +0100

Downregulation of Notch Pathway by a {gamma}-Secretase Inhibitor Attenuates AKT/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling and Glucose Uptake in an ERBB2 Transgenic Breast Cancer Model

Cancer Research — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:07:29 +0100

Gamma secretase inhibitors developed initially for Alzheimer's disease might provide therapeutic benefit to a subset of HER2 breast cancers. (Source: Cancer Research)

Neuroimaging study describes Alzheimer's disease-like changes in elderly people without the disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(Elsevier) In a new study published in Biological Psychiatry, by Elsevier, researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Neuroimaging study describes Alzheimer's disease-like changes in elderly people without the disease

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

Researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Using new approach, Mayo Clinic researchers find level of gene alters risk of Alzheimer's disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(Mayo Clinic) Using sophisticated techniques that scan the genomes of patients, researchers at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida have found that a gene appears to either help protect against development of Alzheimer's disease, or promote the disorder depending on the level of gene in the brain. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Brain plaques may explain higher risk of Alzheimer's based on mom's history

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(NYU Langone Medical Center / New York University School of Medicine) A family history of Alzheimer's is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the memory-robbing disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans and is the most common form of senile dementia. Now an international collaboration led by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers has found the likely basis for this heightened familial risk -- especially from the maternal side. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

A medial temporal lobe division of labor: Insights from memory in aging and early Alzheimer disease

Hippocampus — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We examined measures of recollection and familiarity in three groups (normal older adults, amnesic-mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease) in which these memory measures and the relative integrity of MTL structures are variable, thus enhancing our power to detect MTL-memory relationships. Recollection and familiarity and volumes of hippocampus and ehMTL, defined as a region including entorhinal/perirhinal cortices and parahippocampus, were measured. Regression analyses revealed a stronger relationship of recollection with the hippocampus compared to ehMTL, while familiarity was more highly related to ehMTL compared to hippocampus. These results are consistent with a division of labor in the MTL and the dual process model. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Hippocampus)

[Reflection and Reaction] Testing the amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease in vivo

Lancet Neurology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this issue of The Lancet Neurology, Rinne and colleagues report something of a breakthrough by demonstrating the feasibility of eventually testing the so-called amyloid hypothesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease in vivo. According to their analysis, a passive immunotherapy protocol with an anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody (bapineuzumab) was associated with a decrease in the cerebral PET signal after administration of the amyloid plaque imaging compound carbon-11-labelled Pittsburgh compound B (11C-PiB). This finding of a change in PiB signal over time is exciting, and the interpretation favoured by the authors is that the new results suggest that bapineuzumab has increased the clearance of cerebral amyloid β. This is a logical conclusion drawn from the dramatic changes in cerebral a...

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[In Context] Book: Fusion of neuroscience and art

Lancet Neurology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Javier DeFelipe should be congratulated on assembling such a beautiful book about the earliest microscopic investigations of the nervous system conducted at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century. DeFelipe is an accomplished neurobiologist at the Cajal Institute, Madrid, Spain, where his research has focused on the micro-organisation of the cerebral cortex and the alterations of cortical circuits in epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. His professional background, research accomplishments, and affiliation with the Cajal Institute place him in a situation of unique expertise to analyse the early history of research into the cellular organisation of the nervous system. (Source: Lancet Neurology)

[Articles] 11C-PiB PET assessment of change in fibrillar amyloid-β load in patients with Alzheimer's disease treated with bapineuzumab: a phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose study

Lancet Neurology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Carbon-11-labelled Pittsburgh compound B (11C-PiB) PET is a marker of cortical fibrillar amyloid-β load in vivo. We used 11C-PiB PET to investigate whether bapineuzumab, a humanised anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody, would reduce cortical fibrillar amyloid-β load in patients with Alzheimer's disease. (Source: Lancet Neurology)

Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease - Facts and Information

Disabled World — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:39:54 +0100

Alzheimer's disease usually starts with symptoms that are subtle and therefore poorly recognized, such as memory failure. (Source: Disabled World)

Dimebon Disappoints: Is There Hope for Novel Alzheimer's Agent?

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:35:28 +0100

The great hope for serendipitous transformation of a shelved antihistamine into an Alzheimer's treatment has been dashed by negative results in phase 3 trials. Medscape Neurology polls experts on what went wrong. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

[News of the Week] Pharmacology: The Puzzling Rise and Fall of a Dark-Horse Alzheimer's Drug

Science: Current Issue — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:06:03 +0100

The announcement last week that a closely watched phase III clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease had failed to show a significant effect deals yet another demoralizing blow to patients, families, and caregivers.Author: Greg Miller (Source: Science: Current Issue)

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AMP-activated Protein Kinase Signaling Activation by Resveratrol Modulates Amyloid-{beta} Peptide Metabolism [Neurobiology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:36:07 +0100

Alzheimer disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide deposition into cerebral amyloid plaques. The natural polyphenol resveratrol promotes anti-aging pathways via the activation of several metabolic sensors, including the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Resveratrol also lowers Aβ levels in cell lines; however, the underlying mechanism responsible for this effect is largely unknown. Moreover, the bioavailability of resveratrol in the brain remains uncertain. Here we show that AMPK signaling controls Aβ metabolism and mediates the anti-amyloidogenic effect of resveratrol in non-neuronal and neuronal cells, including in mouse primary neurons. Resveratrol increased cytosolic calcium levels and promoted AMPK activation b...

Loss of Function of ATXN1 Increases Amyloid {beta}-Protein Levels by Potentiating {beta}-Secretase Processing of {beta}-Amyloid Precursor Protein [Molecular Bases Of Disease]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:36:05 +0100

In this study, we ask whether ATXN1 may lead to AD pathogenesis by affecting Aβ and APP processing utilizing RNA interference in a human neuronal cell model and mouse primary cortical neurons. We show that knock-down of ATXN1 significantly increases the levels of both Aβ40 and Aβ42. This effect could be rescued with concurrent overexpression of ATXN1. Moreover, overexpression of ATXN1 decreased Aβ levels. Regarding the underlying molecular mechanism, we show that the effect of ATXN1 expression on Aβ levels is modulated via β-secretase cleavage of APP. Taken together, ATXN1 functions as a genetic risk modifier that contributes to AD pathogenesis through a loss-of-function mechanism by regulating β-secretase cleavage of APP and Aβ levels. (Source: Jour...

The Large Hydrophilic Loop of Presenilin 1 Is Important for Regulating {gamma}-Secretase Complex Assembly and Dictating the Amyloid {beta} Peptide (A{beta}) Profile without Affecting Notch Processing [Enzymology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:36:05 +0100

In this study we have examined the role of the large hydrophilic loop (amino acids 320–374, encoded by exon 10) of presenilin 1 (PS1), the catalytic subunit of -secretase, for -secretase complex formation and activity on Notch and APP processing. Deletion of exon 10 resulted in impaired PS1 endoproteolysis, -secretase complex formation, and had a differential effect on Aβ-peptide production. Although the production of Aβ38, Aβ39, and Aβ40 was severely impaired, the effect on Aβ42 was affected to a lesser extent, implying that the production of the AD-related Aβ42 peptide is separate from the production of the Aβ38, Aβ39, and Aβ40 peptides. Interestingly, formation of the intracellular domains of both APP and Notch was intact, implying a di...

Alzheimer’s Society comment on new research which indicates that individual episodic memory traces can be decoded in hippocampus

Alzheimers Society — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:28:40 +0100

Dr Susanne Sorensen comment, (Source: Alzheimers Society)

New Alzheimer's test offers better opportunities

Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:04:28 +0100

Early detection is key to more effective therapy for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive impairment, and new research shows that a test developed at the University of Tennessee is more than 95 percent effective in detecting cognitive abnormalities linked to these diseases. The test, called CST -- for computerized self test -- was designed to be both effective and relatively simple for medical professionals to administer and for patients to take........ (Source: Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert)

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Mimetics of hormetic agents: stress-resistance triggers.

Dose Response — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:46:02 +0100

Authors: Sonneborn JS Mimetics of hormetic agents offer a novel approach to adjust dose to minimize the risk of toxic response, and maximize the benefit of induction of at least partial physiological conditioning. Nature selected and preserved those organisms and triggers that promote tolerance to stress. The induced tolerance can serve to resist that challenge and can repair previous age, disease, and trauma damage as well to provide a more youthful response to other stresses. The associated physiological conditioning may include youthful restoration of DNA repair, resistance to oxidizing pollutants, protein structure and function repair, improved immunity, tissue remodeling, adjustments in central and peripheral nervous systems, and altered metabolism. By elucidating common pathways ...

Alzheimer's Test That Can Be Administered In Family Practitioners' Offices Offers Better Opportunities For Early Detection

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Early detection is key to more effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive impairment, and new research shows that a test developed at the University of Tennessee is more than 95 percent effective in detecting cognitive abnormalities associated with these diseases. The test, called CST -- for computerized self test -- was designed to be both effective and relatively simple for medical professionals to administer and for patients to take. Rex Cannon, an adjunct research assistant professor of psychology at UT Knoxville, and Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Alzheimer's Test That Can Be Administered In Family Practitioners' Offices Offers Better Opportunities For Early Detection

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Allon's Phase 1 Trial Broadens Davunetide's Intranasal Safety And Dose Range

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Allon Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:NPC) announced today that a Phase 1 clinical trial of its lead neuroprotective drug, davunetide , which began patient enrolment January 28, 2010, has been completed. The results demonstrated that the intranasal dose range can be broadened and provided additional information on the pharmacokinetic profile of davunetide... (Source: Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today)

Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-Advised

MedicineNet Alzheimer — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-AdvisedCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/11/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/12/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Alzheimer)

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Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-Advised

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Driving With Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-AdvisedCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/11/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/12/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

Antidepressants are a rational complementary therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

BioMed Central — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

There is a high prevalence rate (30-50%) of Alzheimer's disease and depression comorbidity. Depression can be a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease or it can be developed secondary to the neurodegenerative process. There are numerous documented diagnosis and treatment challenges for the patients who suffer comorbidity between these two diseases. Meta analysis studies have provided evidence for the safety and efficacy of antidepressants in treatment of depression in Alzheimer's patients. Preclinical and clinical studies show the positive role of chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in hindering the progression of the Alzheiemr's and improving patient performance. A number of clinical studies suggest a beneficial role of combinat...

Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease with a Cholinesterase Inhibitor Combined with Antioxidants.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cornelli U A formula (formula F) was prepared to counteract oxidative stress (OS) in the brain. The formula contained the most common antioxidants and was intended to: (a) protect proteins, lipids, DNA and proteoglycans from oxidation (carnosine, coenzyme Q(10), vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium, L-cysteine and ginkgo biloba); (b) reduce homocysteine (HCy) blood levels (vitamins B(6), B(9) and B(12)), and (c) sustain the pentose phosphate cycle in circulating cells (vitamins B(1), B(2) and B(3)). Formula F contained low doses of each antioxidant component and was administered in a two-phase ampoule. A cohort of 52 patients (21 males and 31 females) affected with moderate probable AD (according to NINCDS-ARDA and NINCS-AIREN criteria) already being treated with done...

Retinoids as a Perspective in Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Nontoxic synthetic retinoids - like acitretin - offer a valuable therapeutic approach in treatment of AD by moderately enhancing ADAM10 gene expression. PMID: 20224284 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

Effect of Heparin on APP Metabolism and Abeta Production in Cortical Neurons.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Heparin or other glycosaminoglycans may have value for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, the data do not support the view that a heparin-induced decrease in Abeta secretion is due to inhibition of BACE1. PMID: 20224283 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

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Cholesterol and Cognitive Performance in Normal Controls and the Influence of Elective Statin Use after Conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results in a Clinical Trial Cohort.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Cholesterol levels may be associated with differential performance on the MMSE and measures of learning or memory. The trend for improved delayed recall in statin users with MCI compared to non-LLA users with MCI may have contributed to the reduced hazards risk of incident AD without reducing the risk of MCI. PMID: 20224282 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

Evidence for the Involvement of Apoptosis-Inducing Factor-Mediated Caspase-Independent Neuronal Death in Alzheimer Disease.

The American Journal of Pathology — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yu W, Mechawar N, Krantic S, Quirion R Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of caspase-dependent and -independent mechanisms in neuronal cell death in Alzheimer disease (AD). The apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a mitochondrial oxido-reductase originally characterized as a mediator of caspase-independent programmed cell death (PCD). In this postmortem study, we investigated the distribution of AIF and its possible morphological association with pathological features in the hippocampus, as well as entorhinal and medial gyrus of temporal cortices of late stage AD, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and control subjects. In comparison with controls, a significant increase in neuronal AIF immunoreactivity (AIF-ir) was observed in the hippocampus and the superficial layer...

Iowa Variant of Familial Alzheimer's Disease: Accumulation of Posttranslationally Modified A{beta}D23N in Parenchymal and Cerebrovascular Amyloid Deposits.

The American Journal of Pathology — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tomidokoro Y, Rostagno A, Neubert TA, Lu Y, Rebeck GW, Frangione B, Greenberg SM, Ghiso J Mutations within the amyloid-beta (Abeta) sequence, especially those clustered at residues 21-23, which are linked to early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), are primarily associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The basis for this predominant vascular amyloid burden and the differential clinical phenotypes of cerebral hemorrhage/stroke in some patients and dementia in others remain unknown. The AbetaD23N Iowa mutation is associated with progressive AD-like dementia, often without clinically manifested intracerebral hemorrhage. Neuropathologically, the disease is characterized by predominant preamyloid deposits, severe CAA, and abundant neurofibrillary tangles in the pres...

Driving with Early Alzheimer's May Be Ill-Advised

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:00:00 +0100

Even a drive to the local store can end in getting lost, hurt, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Alzheimer's Disease, Impaired Driving (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Cholesterol in Alzheimer's Disease and other Amyloidogenic Disorders.

Sub-Cellular Biochemistry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:32:03 +0100

Authors: Harris JR, Milton NG The complex association of cholesterol metabolism and Alzheimer's disease is presented in depth, including the possible benefits to be gained from cholesterol-lowering statin therapy. Then follows a survey of the role of neuronal membrane cholesterol in Abeta pore formation and Abeta fibrillogenesis, together with the link with membrane raft domains and gangliosides. The contribution of structural studies to Abeta fibrillogenesis, using TEM and AFM, is given some emphasis. The role of apolipoprotein E and its isoforms, in particular ApoE4, in cholesterol and Abeta binding is presented, in relation to genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Increasing evidence suggests that cholesterol oxidation products are of importance in generation of Alzheimer's ...

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Our online forum celebrates its 7th birthday and reaches the 10,000 member

Alzheimers Society — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:31:55 +0100

In February Talking Point officially passed the 10,000 members mark. The online discussion forum will also be celebrating its seventh birthday at the end of March. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

Politicians Not Doing Enough To Improve Care For Older People, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Sixty per cent of people think politicians are not doing enough to improve care for older people according to a survey by Age Concern and Help the Aged. The poll also found that eight out of ten adults believe care reform is among the most important issues in the forthcoming election. The findings come ahead of a cross party care summit being attended by charity representatives including Alzheimer's Society's Acting Chief Executive, Ruth Sutherland... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Politicians Not Doing Enough To Improve Care For Older People, UK

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

New Alzheimer's test offers better opportunities for early detection

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Tennessee at Knoxville) Early detection is key to more effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive impairment, and new research shows that a test developed at the University of Tennessee is more than 95 percent effective in detecting cognitive abnormalities associated with these diseases. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Structural diversity of dimers of the Alzheimer amyloid-[small beta](25-35) peptide and polymorphism of the resulting fibrils

RSC - Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. latest articles — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Guanghong Wei, Andrew I. Jewett, Joan-Emma Shea (Paper from Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.) Guanghong Wei, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/c000755m To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. latest articles)

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Technique Shows Potential of Bapineuzumab in Alzheimer's

Modern Medicine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A neuroimaging technique known as carbon-11-labelled Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography shows that treating patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease with an antibody that targets amyloid-β is associated with a 25 percent reduction in amyloid-β deposits compared with placebo, according to a study published online March 1 in The Lancet Neurology. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Emotion and episodic memory in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Behavioural Brain Research — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dere E, Pause BM, Pietrowsky R It has long been known that emotions can modulate learning and memory processes in humans and non-human mammals. Here we will review evidence from clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging and animal research suggesting an important role of emotions for the establishment of long-term episodic memories in the mammalian brain. In the first part of the review the neuroanatomical and neurochemical foundations of the interaction between brain areas generating emotions, such as the amygdala, and those allowing the association of multi-dimensional stimuli into an episodic memory, such as the hippocampus, are delineated. Patients with emotional and affective disorders show changes in memory performance in dependence of the positive or negative valence o...

Combination Therapy in Alzheimer's Patients Significantly Eases Caregiver Distress

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:26:07 +0100

Caregiver distress is significantly attenuated when Alzheimer's disease patients are treated with a combination of memantine plus a cholinesterase inhibitor vs cholinesterase inhibitor monotherapy. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Cyclic GMP and Nitric Oxide Synthase in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Molecular Neurobiology — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:33:10 +0100

Abstract Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is an important secondary messenger synthesized by the guanylyl cyclases which are found in the soluble (sGC) and particular isoforms. In the central nervous system, the nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive sGC isoform is the major enzyme responsible for cGMP synthesis. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes for hydrolysis of cGMP in the brain, and they are mainly isoforms 2, 5, and 9. The NO/cGMP signaling pathway has been shown to play an important role in the process underlying learning and memory. Aging is associated with an increase in PDE expression and activity and a decrease in cGMP concentration. In addition, aging is also associated with an enhancement of neuronal NO synthase, a lowering of endothelial, and no alteration in in...

Cytokine polymorphisms and Alzheimer disease: possible associations

Neurological Sciences — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:26:45 +0100

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative dementia characterized by typical, destructive alterations of neurons (neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques), and glial proliferation. Cytokine-driven inflammatory environment can contribute to the pathogenesis and/or progression of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare genotypic and allelic polymorphisms of 13 cytokine genes in 19 Caucasoid AD patients with medium–high level of dementia (assessed by an MMSE < 24) and 20 normal controls affected by non inflammatory neuropsychiatric disease. Polymorphisms in the genes of IL-lA, IL-lB, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-G, TGF-β, TNF-α, and of the cytokine receptors IL-lR, IL-IRA, IL-4RA were investigated. APO-E and ACE gene...

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Politicians not doing enough to improve care for older people

Alzheimers Society — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:24:29 +0100

Sixty per cent of people think politicians are not doing enough to improve care for older people according to a survey by Age Concern and Help the Aged. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

Stress, the Brain, Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Psychology Today Work Center — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:34:08 +0100

Everyone has been there. You are about to get into an accident, your heart races, your mind is completely focused on the oncoming car, time seems to slow, your thoughts become crystal clear. It's a near-death experience that you never forget. Your "stress response" has helped you to survive.Here's another scenario: your boss is shouting at you, your kids are sick, bills are piling up, life is getting really stressful on a chronic basis, day after day, and... after a while, you can't think straight! Your mind is racing, you have trouble paying attention and focusing, memory is impaired, worries abound, you can't make decisions or you make bad decisions, and depression may set in. Now the "stress response" is impairing your brain.What's going on here??Let's go back to basic biology. Long ago...

Prevalence of dementia disorders in the oldest-old: an autopsy study

Acta Neuropathologica — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:47:27 +0100

Abstract The prevalence of Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) increases with advancing age, but less so after age 90 years. A retrospective hospital-based study of the relative prevalence of different disorders was performed in 1,110 consecutive autopsy cases of demented elderly in Vienna, Austria (66% females, MMSE <20; mean age 83.3 ± 5.4 SD years). It assessed clinical, general autopsy data and neuropathology including immunohistochemistry. Neuropathologic diagnosis followed current consensus criteria. Four age groups (7–10th decade) were evaluated. In the total cohort AD pathology was seen in 82.9% (“pure” AD 42.9%; AD + other pathologies 39.9%), VD in 10.8% (mixed dementia, MIX, i.e. AD + vascular encepha...

New Evidence Further Validates Ketone Body Therapy As An Effective Approach In Managing Alzheimer's Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Accera, Inc., a biotechnology company delivering breakthrough therapies in central nervous system diseases, announced data which showed that augmentation with ketone bodies significantly improved cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. An early feature of AD is region specific declines in cerebral glucose metabolism. One strategy has been to supplement the brain's normal glucose supply with ketone bodies. The company's data was drawn from two clinical studies which examined the cognitive effects of induced ketosis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Evidence Further Validates Ketone Body Therapy As An Effective Approach In Managing Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

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Green tea nutrients may prevent glaucoma

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

We present these findings in protest of the way in which they were acquired.For more information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20085274 http://www.glaucoma.org/ http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet Cancer General — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet Cholesterol General — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)

Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet Heart General — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Heart General)

Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

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Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet Diabetes General — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Diabetes General)

Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet Alzheimer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Alzheimer)

Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet HIV General — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet HIV General)

Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedicineNet Mens Health General — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Mens Health General)

Mitochondrial Dynamics in Alzheimers Disease: Opportunities for Future Treatment Strategies

Drugs — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:06:00 +0100

(Source: Drugs)

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Soluble βamyloid1-42: a critical player in producing behavioural and biochemical changes evoking depressive-related state?

British Journal of Pharmacology — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and implications: Our data suggest that soluble A[beta]-treated rats have a depressive, but not anxiogenic-like, profile, accompanied by brain region-dependent alterations in the expression of neurotrophins and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurotransmission. Hence, these alterations induced by soluble A[beta] might be sensitive indicators of early phases of AD and possible risk factors for the expression of neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

[Visualization of amyloid with positron emission tomography : Useful improvement in the diagnosis of dementia?]

Der Nervenarzt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Grimmer T, Drzezga A, Kurz A Imaging techniques for in vivo visualization of cerebral amyloid using positron emission tomography (PET) have been tested in clinical trails over the past 5 years. Based on a selected overview of the literature including our own studies the various radiopharmaceuticals are presented and the current status of research on the validity of amyloid PET imaging as well as its suitability for early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are described.The findings available up to now support the validity of amyloid PET imaging and suggest a possible benefit in differential diagnosis. However, there are as yet no studies with large sample sizes. The possible use for the early diagnosis of AD should be viewed critically, particularly due to ...

Effect of Alzheimer's disease genetic risk disclosure on dietary supplement use.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of first-degree relatives receiving genetic susceptibility testing for AD, an APOE epsilon4+ genotype status was positively associated with dietary supplement use after risk disclosure. Such changes occurred despite the absence of evidence that supplement use reduces the risk of AD. Given the expansion of DTC genetic tests, this study highlights the need for future studies in disease risk communication. PMID: 20219963 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

Has medical science changed your life? Share your personal story and it could be published in The Sun newspaper

Alzheimers Society — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:39:29 +0100

Has medical science changed your life? Science: [So What? So everything] is a campaign that looks at what science is doing for us and how it will improve our future. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

Minorities' higher Alzheimer's risk

CNN.com - Health — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:26:30 +0100

Francisca Terrazas and other Latinas are about 1.5 times more likely than Anglos to develop Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, a new report says. Read how her family copes. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

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Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Blacks, Hispanics at much higher risk for the illness, which carries huge price tag, report finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Alzheimer's Disease, Health Disparities (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Alzheimer's Disease More Prevalent in Blacks, Hispanics

MedPage Today Neurology — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:43:09 +0100

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- African Americans and Hispanics are much more likely than whites to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, according to new figures from the Alzheimer’s Association. (Source: MedPage Today Neurology)

Minorities more likely to suffer from Alzheimer's: report

CTV Health — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:15:08 +0100

Minorities are at significantly higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, finds a new report from the Alzheimer's Association in the U.S. that has implications for minorities in Canada as well. (Source: CTV Health)

Alzheimer's Association Honors Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue With Humanitarian Award

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

African-Americans And Hispanics More Likely To Have Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia Than Whites

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

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Alzheimer's Association Honors Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue With Humanitarian Award

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue is the recipient of the Alzheimer's Association's 2010 Humanitarian Award. The award is given each year to a public official who has made a significant contribution to help those who are struggling with Alzheimer's disease. This year, the award will be given to Commissioner Astrue in recognition of his exceptional leadership in creating the Compassionate Allowances Initiative and the decision to include early-onset Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in that initiative... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

African-Americans And Hispanics More Likely To Have Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia Than Whites

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

According to the Alzheimer's Association's® 2010 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, African-Americans are about two times more likely and Hispanics are about one and one-half times more likely than their white counterparts to have Alzheimer's and other dementias. Although whites make up the great majority of the more than five million people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, African-Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for developing the disease... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Has The Clock Struck 12 For Dimebon?

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The Cinderella story eventually has a happy ending, but to revelers in the Dimebon story right now the time must feel like five past midnight. Some scientists have considered the sudden transformation of a modest hay fever medicine from Russia into the latest star in the AD drug development arena as a bit of a fairy tale all along. But it was hard for scientists and the media not to get swept up in the excitement over a young biotech company's $725 M dollar deal to develop Dimebon for a heart-breaking disease that has yet to see a truly effective treatment... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Has The Clock Struck 12 For Dimebon?

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Drowning in Alzheimer's: Minorities struggle

CNN.com - Health — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:25:26 +0100

Francisca Terrazas could not be left alone. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

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Untreated Poor Vision: A Contributing Factor to Late-Life Dementia

American Journal of Epidemiology — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:52:15 +0100

Ophthalmologic abnormalities have been described in patients with dementia, but the extent to which poor vision and treatment for visual disorders affect cognitive decline is not well defined. Linked data from the Health and Retirement Study and Medicare files (1992–2005) were used to follow the experiences of 625 elderly US study participants with normal cognition at baseline. The outcome was a diagnosis of dementia, cognitively impaired but no dementia, or normal cognition. Poor vision was associated with development of dementia (P = 0.0048); individuals with very good or excellent vision at baseline had a 63% reduced risk of dementia (95% confidence interval (CI): 20, 82) over a mean follow-up period of 8.5 years. Participants with poorer vision who did not visit an ophthalmologis...

Protein Suspected in Alzheimer’s May Be Needed to Fight Infection

NYT > Health — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:20:22 +0100

Beta amyloid, which was once thought to be a chief villain in Alzheimer’s, may be part of the brain’s normal defenses, researchers at Harvard suggested. (Source: NYT > Health)

Report: Minorities more likely to suffer Alzheimer's disease

USATODAY.com Health — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:06:11 +0100

A new report shows African-Americans and Hispanics are particularly vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease as they age. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Diabetes, Insulin and Alzheimer's Disease

Springer Biomedical Sciences titles — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:05:52 +0100

series:Research and Perspectives in Alzheimer's DiseaseNeurons share more similarities with insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells than with any other cell type. The root of this similarity may lie in the islet’s evolution from an ancestral insulin-producing neuron. The islet-neuron connection becomes less surprising as we learn more about insulin’s involvement in functions far from its traditional role in mediating glucose uptake in muscle. The ... (Source: Springer Biomedical Sciences titles)