Alzheimer's and dementia news covering clinical trials, biomarkers, caregiving, policy, and neuroscience of cognitive decline.
A meta-analysis of over 4.2 million people published in The Lancet Public Health reveals that leisure-time physical activity reduces dementia risk by 24 percent compared to the least active individuals. Conversely, occupational physical activity was linked to a 20 percent higher risk, highlighting a distinct paradox between recreational and work-related movement.
A new study analyzing brain scans of over 450 Indian adults aged 60 and older reveals that healthier superficial white matter can mitigate cognitive effects caused by gray matter loss. Researchers found this white matter integrity is consistently associated with stronger language skills and resilience against cognitive impairment.
The article argues that amyloid beta pathology, linked to Alzheimer's disease, may be transmissible via blood transfusions. It cites evidence of iatrogenic transmission from historical medical procedures and draws parallels to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmission risks.
Researchers at Amsterdam UMC developed an AI algorithm using MRI scans to estimate brain-predicted age difference. They found that for every year a brain appears older than its actual age, the risk of developing dementia increases by 6 percent, offering earlier detection than current visual assessments.