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Participating in Research - Alzheimer's Association Trial Match
If you are interested in participating in research, you can find local and regional research studies that are currently recruiting using the Alzheimer's Association Trial Match program. You can search on-line or simply call 1.800.272.3900. Click here to learn more.
Monthly Reaserach Articles
April 2013
How Chronic Stress Accelerates Alzheimer's
(Source: Science Daily) - Why does chronic stress lead to increased risk for dementia? The answer may lie in the elevation of stress steroids that is seen in the brain during stress.
Read more!
March 2013
New Push For Early Testing, Treatment for Dementia There is a new push for early testing and treatment for dementia under the U.S. health law.The Wall Street Journal, Feb 25, 2013.
February 2013Diabetes Drug May Help Fight Alzheimer's
A drug originally meant to treat diabetes may restore memory in brain cells affected by Alzheimer's disease.
"This is very important because it tells us that drugs like this might be able to restore memory, even after Alzheimer's disease may have set in," Jack Jhamandas, Research Study Leader, said in a statement.
See Link for full Article:
January 2013
Americans Rank Alzheimer's As Most Feared Disease
A recent survey has revealed that Americans fear developing Alzheimer's disease more than any other major life-threatening disease, including cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Americans are equally split down the middle, 50/50, when asked if it would be harder to receive an Alzheimer's diagnosis or care for someone with the disease.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans have had a personal experience with someone with Alzheimer's and/or a serious memory loss problem. "The survey confirmed what I frequently hear from family caregivers - people feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's," said Vicki Castleman. "The need for support and education for these families is critical."
Click here fo rthe full story: http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Americans-Rank-Alzheimers-As-Most-Feared-Disease-179104991.html
December 2012
Scientists Identify New Risk Gene for Alzheimer's
(Reuters) - Two international teams of scientists have identified a rare mutation in a gene linked with inflammation that significantly increases the risk for the most common form of Alzheimer's disease, the first such discovery in at least a decade.
Click here for full story http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/14/us-alzheimers-gene-idUSBRE8AD1TF20121114
November 2012
Researchers announced Monday that an experimental Alzheimer's therapy has shown it slows the progression of the disease in people with mild cases, bringing them a "step closer" to finding the first treatment and to understanding a cause of the complex disease.
Go to full story: http://www.lohud.com/usatoday/article/1619869?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs
October 2012
Environmental Factors and Quality of Life in Dementia
(Source: Aging in Action) - Recent research has identified the importance of environmental elements - such as temperature, light, and noise - for persons with severe dementia. A study of eight public long-term care facilities in Spain highlights the importance of environment in the quality of life of residents with dementia.
Go to full story: http://aginginaction.com
September 2012
IViG Keeps Alzheimer's at Bay for a Decade (Source ABC News)
Clinical trial announced at the Alzheimer's Association International Conefrence creates controversy due to the small size, but produced big results.
August 2012Patterns of Alcohol Use May Increase Risk of Cognitive Decline
(Source: Alzheimer's Assn.) - Light to moderate alcohol consumption has generally been considered to have some health benefits, including possibly reducing risk of cognitive decline. However, two studies reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference suggest that moderate alcohol use in late-life, heavier use earlier in life, and "binge" drinking in late-life increase risk of cognitive decline.
"The many dangers of misuse of alcohol, and some of its possible benefits, have been widely reported, and there needs to be further clarification by the scientific community," said William Thies, PhD, Alzheimer's Association chief medical and scientific officer. "Certainly no one should start drinking in order to reduce Alzheimer's risk, as these two new reports attest."
Go to full story: http://www.alz.org/aaic/wed_2amct_alcohol_use.asp
A New Attack on Alzheimer's
(Source: The New York Times) The Obama administration has announced a bold research program to test whether a drug can prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease well before any symptoms appear.
See full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/opinion/a-new-attack-on-alzheimers.html?_r=1
June 2012
Sundown Syndrome-like Symptoms May be Due to High Dopamine Levels
(Source: Medical Xpress) - University of Pennsylvania researchers have discovered a mechanism involving the neurotransmitter dopamine that switches fruit fly behavior from being active during the day (diurnal) to nocturnal. This change parallels a human disorder in which increased agitation occurs in the evening hours near sunset and may also be due to higher than normal dopamine levels in the brain. Sundown syndrome occurs in older people with dementia or cognitive impairment.
See full story: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-sundown-syndrome-like-symptoms-fruit-flies.html
May 2012
Any Kind of Physical Activity Lowers Alzheimer’s Risk
(Source: USA Today) - New research suggests that cleaning house and doing yardwork - any higher level of physical activity, not just exercising - is linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease even in people over 80.
See full story: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-04-17/Alzheimers-exercise-benefit/54390452/1
April 2012
Alzheimer's Biomarkers Unaffected By Antioxidants
Adding antioxidant supplements such as vitamin E and vitamin C to the diet does not appear to affect some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial that were published online in Archives of Neurology on Monday...
To read the full article, please go to:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/243098.php
March 2012
Older people who eat too much are at risk for memory impairment, a new study contends.
Overeating May Double Risk of memory Loss: Study
February 2012
Is Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic? When it comes to evaluating risk for developing a disease, there are factors that we can control and others with which we are simply born.Alzheimer's Mythbustering: Genes, Berries and Fish Oil: Is Alzheimer's disease genetic?
January 2012
The Deadly Duo: Research Shows that Two of Leading Killers in America Might be Linked
Research has indicated that diabetes and Alzheimer's disease are linked. The question for now is why? Click here to view the article in full.
December 2011
State-of-the-art brain imaging explored in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease supplement
Collaboration continues as researchers use the advancement of brain imaging to expedite research and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Thirty-one papers discuss the advances in numerous imaging methodologies that increase scientists understanding of the brain. Advanced imaging technology is providing a continuum that scientists can study to obtain a clearer picture on the progression of the disease. This, combined with progress in biomarkers for early detection, is resulting in physical signs that can be viewed earlier through brain imaging.
"Ultimately, the prospects for neuroimaging to enhance clinical care in Alzheimer's disease are bright as researchers collaborate and clinicians become informed about innovations and advances," says George Perry, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, and Dean and Professor, College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio.
Click here to view the article in full.
October 2011
The media has recently highlight several studies discussing links between Diabetes and Alzheimer's and even a study that showed some modest gain for people with Alzheimer's and MCI who used a Diabetes insulin nasal spray. Below are some recent articles on the topic
- Diagnosis with type 2 diabetes doubled future risk of dementia for older adults
- Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Topic Sheet
- Insulin via Nasal Spray Shows Preliminary Promise in Alzheimer's and MCI
Sept 2011
Aug 2011
The Alzheimer's Assoiation International Conference (AAIC) was hosted July 16-21, 2011 in Paris, France. With the largest attendance ever, over scientists from over 80 nationas around the world converged in Paris to share some of their best findings at this annual meeting.
To read more and to review research highlights from the AAIC click here.
July 2011
Diets Affect Markers of Alzheimer's Disease - WebMD Health News
- Diets that are low in saturated fat and rich in carbohydrates that steady blood sugar and insulin can beneficially change levels of substances associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study shows.
- Such Diets may alos improve sone measures of memory.
June 2011
alz.org/research - Treatment Horizon
Right now, there are more potential new Alzheimer drug treatments in development and testing than ever before. New discoveries are fueling steady progress toward possible treatments to stop, slow and even prevent Alzheimer's. Because new drugs take years to produce from concept to market, it is critical that Alzheimer research continues to accelerate. To this end, the Alzheimer's Association funds researchers looking at new treatment strategies and advocates for more federal funding of Alzheimer research.
- The hope for future drugs
- Target for future drugs
- Recent treatment trials
- Participate in a clinical trial
May 2011
Article 1 - Guidelines Allow Earlier Definition of Alzheimer's - New York Times
- In a landmark for the field, new criteria and guidelines for the diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease have been published - for the first time in 27 years - by three expert workgroups spearheaded by the Alzheimer's Association and the national Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes on Health (NIH)
- The Alzheimer's Association believe this moves us closer to our goal of eventually detecting and treating Alzheimer's before people experience the disease's devastating symptoms.
Article 2 - Insulin Found Promising in Treating Alzheimer's - IANS
- Insulin in low doses has shown promise in Alzheimer's disease by suppressing the activity of four proteins connected with Alzheimer's.
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‘Our results show clearly that insulin has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s, for which no satisfactory treatment is currently available,’ says Paresh Dandona, senior study author and professor of medicine at Buffalo University.
April 2011
Article 1 - Medical Decline May Start Years before Alzheimer's - HealthDay Reporter
- New research suggests that onset of the disease may be preceded by rapid cognitive decline for up to six years before Alzheimer's symptoms become evident.
- Researchers suggest that Alzheimer's disease may have a much longer course than is generally recognized, and that new results provide further evidence of the magnitude of the public health problem.
Article 2 - Walking and the Risk of Cognitive Decline - University Of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh research analyzed the relationship between walking and brain structure.
- Cognitive exams showed walking 6 miles a week was associated with a 50% decline in Alzheimer's risk over 13 years. Walking more than six miles showed no additional benefits.
March 2011
Article 1 - Moderate Exercise in Older Adults Shown to Improve Memory - Rice News
- A new study shows that one year of moderate physical exercise can increase the size of the brain's hippocampus in older adults.
- Miami Valley Chapter currently offers the RDAD (Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's) program to families interested in improving function of the person with dementia and learning how to better handle behaviors and other issues related to Alzheimer's. To learn more click here or contact Julie Worley at (937) 291-3332 or by email at julie.worley@alz.org.
Article 2 - High Cholesterol May Harm Memory In Middle Age - HealthDay Reporter
- Hypertension and cholesterol may be linked to losses in memory and mental abilities in middle age.
- The study showed a relationship between poor cardiovascular scores and overall cognitive decline over 10 years.
February 2011
Article 1 - Which Dementia is it? Florbetapir Refines Diagnosis - Alzheimer's Weekly
- The FDA met on January 20, 2011 to discuss the approval of Florbetapir Pet-imaging technology for Alzheimer's diagnosis and did not approve Florbetapir, but also extended conditions under which it would approve - read more.
- The Alzheimer's Association supports this approval, though feels that further research needs to be conducted to better understand the use of Florbetapir and other imaging technology in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
Article 2 - Giving Alzheimer’s Patients Their Way, Even Chocolate - New York Times
- Research suggests that positive emotional experience can do more to reduce stress in Alzheimer's patients than previously thought.
- This leads to Alzheimer's therapy focusing more on care (favorite foods, environment, daily schedules) and the caregiver in reducing distress in people living with Alzheimer's.
January 2011 - Study ties blood protein to Alzheimer's brain abnormalities
- Currently, we must wait for the disease to damage the brain significantly before research trials attempt to halt or slow the progression
- If we could identify the disease before significant brain damage occurs, trials could begin much earlier with real hope of halting or slowing the progression of the disease.
- This article signifies hope in future tools that could detect Alzheimer's in people before they are symptomatic, thus allowing researchers to possibly test new Alzheimer's drugs before the damage has occurred in the brain. .
