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Want to lower dementia risk? Start with these habits

Want to lower dementia risk? Start with these habits

Research shows that a combination of lifestyle habits, from diet and exercise to social connection, can significantly help lower your risk of dementia.
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Dietary Interventions Show Cognitive Benefits, Experts Urge Caution Against Personalized Prescriptions

Dietary Interventions Show Cognitive Benefits, Experts Urge Caution Against Personalized Prescriptions

Brain-health diet interventions, including the consumption of berries and leafy green vegetables, have demonstrated cognitive benefits in various studies. The Mediterranean and MIND diets, which emphasize vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, are linked to improved cognitive health and a reduced risk of dementia. Specific dietary interventions, such as prebiotic supplementation and the ancestral diet-inspired Mikhuna trial, have also shown positive effects on cognitive function, particularly in older adults and pregnant women. For instance, a study on blueberry supplementation improved cognitive function measures in overweight adults aged 50 to 65, and increased green vegetable intake was associated with slower cognitive decline in older adults. Similarly, a 2024 review found higher fish consumption linked to a lower likelihood of cognitive impairment and dementia. However, experts caution against interpreting these findings as personalized dietary prescriptions, emphasizing the nee...
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UC San Diego Researchers Identify Antibody Potentially Protecting Brain After Traumatic Brain Injury

UC San Diego Researchers Identify Antibody Potentially Protecting Brain After Traumatic Brain Injury

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System have identified a naturally occurring antibody, anti-NMDAR1, that may protect individuals from developing depression and PTSD symptoms following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, analyzed blood samples and psychiatric assessments from 1,025 active-duty U.S. Marines before and after a seven-month combat deployment to Afghanistan between 2011 and 2013. The findings indicate that Marines with higher levels of this antibody had a significantly lower risk of developing depression and PTSD symptoms after experiencing a TBI. Specifically, participants with a lifetime history of TBI who were in the top quarter for natural anti-NMDAR1 antibody levels showed approximately 25% lower depression symptom scores and 22% lower PTSD symptom scores post-deployment compared to those with lower levels. These individuals were also less likely to report moderate-to...
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Nasal Spray Derived from Human Placenta Shows Promise Against Alzheimer's Decline in Mice

Nasal Spray Derived from Human Placenta Shows Promise Against Alzheimer's Decline in Mice

A new study published in Translational Neurodegeneration indicates that a nasal spray derived from human placenta may protect against Alzheimer's disease decline. Scientists from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy treated mice, genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's-like features, with a nasal formulation containing extracellular vesicles (hAMSC-EVs) sourced from the placental amniotic membrane. Administered twice weekly for six months, the treatment significantly reduced amyloid-beta deposits in the hippocampus, lowered signs of neuroinflammation by reducing the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and increased levels of proteins associated with neuroplasticity. Behavioral tests showed improved cognitive performance in treated mice, including better object recognition and spatial memory, suggesting a potential counter to the neuroinflammation implicated in cognitive decline.
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New Alzheimer's Treatments Show Promise in Slowing Disease Progression

New Alzheimer's Treatments Show Promise in Slowing Disease Progression

Recent advancements in Alzheimer's disease treatment, including drugs like lecanemab and donanemab, have demonstrated the ability to slow the progression of the disease in individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's. While these treatments are not yet cures, they represent a significant breakthrough in the understanding and management of the condition. The development of these disease-modifying treatments indicates that dementia is treatable, marking a historic shift in the approach to Alzheimer's. Furthermore, the understanding of Alzheimer's biology has expanded considerably, providing researchers with a clearer framework for developing more effective treatments. Diagnostic methods are also improving, with blood tests expected by 2030 to offer faster and more accurate diagnoses for symptomatic individuals. Emerging technologies are anticipated to identify risk and detect the disease even before symptoms manifest, enabling earlier intervention.
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Prenatal DEHP Exposure Linked to Autism and ADHD Symptoms in Children, Study Finds

Prenatal DEHP Exposure Linked to Autism and ADHD Symptoms in Children, Study Finds

A new study published in Med, led by Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, suggests a possible mechanism linking prenatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common plasticizer, to autism- and ADHD-related symptoms in early childhood. Researchers analyzed data from 847 children in the Barwon Infant Study, measuring DEHP exposure during pregnancy and examining DNA methylation patterns in umbilical cord blood at birth. They found that higher prenatal DEHP exposure was associated with specific DNA methylation signatures, which appeared to explain the links between DEHP exposure and higher levels of autism- and ADHD-related symptoms later in childhood. These alterations affected gene networks previously associated with neurodevelopment and brain regions involved in attention, social behavior, and emotional processing. While the study strengthens previous associations, experts caution that it remains observational and does not prove causation.
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University of Colorado Anschutz Researchers Link Exosomes to Lingering Shingles Pain

University of Colorado Anschutz Researchers Link Exosomes to Lingering Shingles Pain

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz have identified extracellular vesicles, known as exosomes, as a likely cause of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), the persistent pain some individuals experience after a shingles infection. The study, led by Andrew Bubak, PhD, found that even after the varicella zoster virus (VZV) has cleared the body, exosomes released by nerve cells continue to transmit inflammatory signals. When healthy nerve cells were exposed to exosomes from PHN patients, they exhibited similar harmful changes seen during viral infection, despite the absence of the virus. This suggests that PHN may arise from a 'failure-to-resolve' model, where the body's healing response remains active, preventing nerves from recovering normally. The findings, published in *Annals of Neurology*, indicate that these exosomes sustain a state of inflammation and abnormal nerve remodeling, contributing to chronic pain.
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Oxford Brain Diagnostics Appoints Healthcare AI Executive Jieun Choe as CEO

Oxford Brain Diagnostics Appoints Healthcare AI Executive Jieun Choe as CEO

Oxford Brain Diagnostics Appoints Healthcare AI Executive Jieun Choe as CEO
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University of British Columbia Researchers Link Genetic Variant to Accelerated Huntington Disease Onset

University of British Columbia Researchers Link Genetic Variant to Accelerated Huntington Disease Onset

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a specific genetic variant that accelerates the onset and progression of Huntington disease (HD). This variant, known as CAG-CCG loss-of-interruption (LOI), can hasten the emergence of motor symptoms by up to 12.5 years. The study, published in Neuron, reveals that this variant drives significant DNA changes within the brain's vulnerable neurons, leading to a more aggressive form of the inherited neurological disorder. While the mutation exists throughout the body, the research indicates that the expansion process is highly concentrated in certain brain cells, particularly striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which are gradually lost in HD. This finding helps explain why HD, despite the mutation being present in every cell, primarily manifests as a brain disease. The study also highlights that blood samples are not reliable indicators of the disease progression occurring within the brain.
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Long COVID Brain Fog Linked to Dopamine Nerve Damage, Study Finds

Long COVID Brain Fog Linked to Dopamine Nerve Damage, Study Finds

A new study by researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University of Toronto has identified a biological explanation for the 'brain fog' experienced by many Long COVID patients: damage to dopamine-releasing nerve terminals. Using PET imaging, the study measured levels of VMAT2, a protein found on these nerve terminals, in 24 Long COVID patients and 24 healthy individuals. The findings revealed significantly lower VMAT2 levels in Long COVID patients across brain regions associated with motivation, movement, and memory (the striatum). Reductions ranged from 16% in the planning region (dorsal putamen) to 20% in the motivation and apathy region (ventral striatum). This research builds on a previous 2023 study by the same team that found elevated inflammation in these brain regions, suggesting a potential link where inflammation may damage dopamine nerves.
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New Research Suggests Pre-Bed Exercise Can Mitigate Memory Loss from Sleep Deprivation

New Research Suggests Pre-Bed Exercise Can Mitigate Memory Loss from Sleep Deprivation

New Research Suggests Pre-Bed Exercise Can Mitigate Memory Loss from Sleep Deprivation
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Why former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is pushing for CTE answers

Why former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is pushing for CTE answers

Ensworth football assistant and former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck recently volunteered for a large-scale CTE study. Here's why.