Explore The Latest Findings

Mouse models have been developed to study the disease and test therapies, starting with transgenic models that over-express genetic mutations linked to familial Alzheimer's. More recent models use knock-in, knock-out, and CRISPR technologies to more accurately represent the disease. These models are analyzed for key Alzheimer's features such as neuronal degeneration, cognitive deficits, and sex-specific traits. Data from these models are compared to human Alzheimer's brain changes to guide the selection of appropriate models for specific research needs. The review highlights the pros and cons of these models and suggests future directions, such as developing new models with novel Alzheimer's risk variants, capturing diverse disease mechanisms, and creating chimeric systems with human and mouse cells. Click here to read more

The number of older people and those with dementia is increasing, though the incidence of dementia is falling in many countries due to better education, health, and lifestyle. New research adds three modifiable risk factors for dementia—excessive alcohol use, head injury, and air pollution—to the original nine factors identified by the Lancet Commission, making a total of 12. Addressing these risk factors could prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases. Prevention requires early and continuous action through public health programs and individual efforts, especially in low-income countries where these interventions can have the greatest impact. Click here to read more

The article "Neuropathologic Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease" by Gary L. Wenk, Ph.D., delves into the treatment approaches for Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on the role of neurotransmitter systems and brain regions affected by the disease. It explores how alterations in neurotransmitters like glutamate, norepinephrine, and serotonin, as well as degeneration in specific brain regions, contribute to Alzheimer’s progression. The article highlights the challenges of targeting these changes for treatment but suggests potential approaches, including anti-inflammatory therapies to combat chronic neuroinflammation and cholinesterase inhibitors to enhance cognitive function. By addressing these neuropathologic changes, the study aims to provide insights into more effective treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease. Click here to read more

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that restoring youthful levels of a part of the telomerase enzyme can reduce aging signs in preclinical models. They identified a small molecule that boosts telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), which decreases with age. This treatment reduced cell aging, tissue inflammation, and improved memory, muscle strength, and coordination. The study suggests that TERT not only lengthens telomeres but also influences genes related to learning, memory, and inflammation. These findings could have implications for treating age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease, and cancer if confirmed in clinical studies. Click here to read more

Researchers at the UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge have discovered that methazolamide, a drug commonly used to treat glaucoma, may also help protect against dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. Dementia, which affects over 5 million Americans, is often linked to the buildup of tau proteins in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. In their study, scientists screened 1,437 clinically approved drugs on genetically engineered zebrafish models and found that methazolamide effectively cleared tau protein clumps. Given its established safety profile, researchers believe methazolamide could fast-track into clinical trials, offering a promising avenue for Alzheimer’s treatment. The study also highlights zebrafish as an effective model for repurposing existing drugs, potentially accelerating the discovery of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Click here to read more