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25 September 2022

UCLan Academics Make Stronger Connections Between Gum Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease

Porphyromonas gingivalis, which secretes the deadly enzyme gingipains

Researchers at the School of Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire were the first to report the link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Now two new studies from the same research group at the School of Dentistry demonstrate that progress is being made in making much stronger connections between gum disease in the mouth and deteriorating brain function.

15 September 2022

Risk Factor for Developing Alzheimer’s Disease Increases by 50–80% in Older Adults who Caught COVID-19

Case Western Reserve University logo

Older people who were infected with COVID-19 show a substantially higher risk – as much as 50% to 80% higher than a control group of developing Alzheimer’s disease within a year, according to a study of more than 6 million patients 65 and older. In a study published today in JAD, researchers report that people 65 and older who contracted COVID-19 were more prone to developing Alzheimer’s disease in the year following their COVID diagnosis. And the highest risk was observed in women at least 85 years old.

29 August 2022

Dementia and COVID-19: Determinants of Infection and Mortality

Anna Maria Bargagli

The elderly population has been hit with some of the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a considerable mortality burden in particular among those who were living in long term care facilities. Several studies have identified dementia as an important risk factor for SARS-CoV2 infection and COVID-19 mortality. A recent study, published in JAD, using a population-based approach, has identified clinical and demographic characteristics affecting the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity among patients with dementia.

12 August 2022

Inverse Relationship Found Between Cancer Diagnosis and Alzheimer’s Disease

brainimage

With increased age comes the increased risk to develop cancer or dementia. Both conditions share similar risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes. Many cancer patients experience cognitive impairment from cancer and its treatments with symptoms similar to dementia. But are these only similarities, or does a cancer diagnosis predispose patients to developing dementia? Prior literature indicates a lower risk of dementia after a cancer diagnosis and vice versa. However, studies of the long-term effects are lacking.

11 August 2022

Researchers Explore the “Dark Side” of Alzheimer’s Disease Revealing New Biomarkers

A special Mini-Forum published in the latest issue of JAD reports new scientific findings and insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms that induce brain overexcitability and its deleterious clinical effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Such brain overexcitability can manifest as subclinical epileptiform activities often associated with a faster AD progression

4 August 2022

Common Viruses May Be Triggering the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease

Varicella zoster virus (VZV, yellow), which commonly causes chickenpox and shingles, activates herpes simplex virus (HSV, purple) from dormancy in neural tissue grown in vitro, which then leads to an increase in plaque deposits and decrease in neural signaling - hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Credit: Tufts University

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can begin almost imperceptibly, often masquerading in the early months or years as forgetfulness that is common in older age. What causes the disease remains largely a mystery. But researchers at Tufts University and the University of Oxford, using a three-dimensional human tissue culture model mimicking the brain, have shown that varicella zoster virus, which commonly causes chickenpox and shingles, may activate herpes simplex, another common virus, to set in motion the early stages of AD.

2 August 2022

Overweight was Negatively Associated with Dementia in Women, whereas there was a Positive Underweight-Dementia Relationship in Men

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

A substantial body of literature has analyzed the potential association between late-life body mass index (BMI) and dementia. Given that there are some data suggesting that estrogen has neuroprotective effects, it is possible that the BMI-dementia relationship differs between women and men. However, to date, no research has yet investigated this hypothesis.

1 August 2022

Gender Differences in Behaviors Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline Revealed in Research

Dr Katrin Wolfová, PhD student at Charles University in Prague

Men who experience behavior changes including apathy or having false beliefs and perceptions in later life are at risk of faster cognitive decline than women, according to new research. A study led by Charles University, in collaboration with the University of Exeter and King’s College London, looked at changes in behavior in cognitively healthy people aged 50 and older, which have previously been linked to a higher risk of developing brain problems.

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