2nd International Conference on Alzheimers, Dementia and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

For the first time in history, researchers have found medicine that can reduce the risk of memory loss and dementia in your golden years. Even better, most forms of the treatment are available in safe, inexpensive generic formulations. The twist? These drugs have been around for decades, since they're widely used to lower blood pressure and ward off heartdisease . As the population ages, the incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia has surged. One in six women over the age of 55 and 10 percent of men are expected to develop dementia before they die. Alzheimer'sdisease , the most common type, affects more than 5 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the country. And while the drug industry has spent billions of dollars trying to slow down memory loss once it begins, the efforts have been largely unsuccessful until now. The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, or Sprint, was begun in 2010 to see if aggressively lowering blood pressu...

Losing Sleep Alzheimer’s disease disrupts sleep. And disrupted sleep itself might encourage Alzheimer’s by allowing build-up of amyloid-beta, or A-beta, which is thought to lead to the death of neurons . This cycle of sleep deprivation can also affect levels of the hormone melatonin, which helps the body to sleep, and can interfere with metabolism, a disruption that is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s . One Bad Night Using PET scans to measure amyloid-beta markers, researchers compared levels of A-beta in the brains of 20 healthy volunteers after one restful night and after one night of sleep deprivation. Levels of the plaque-forming A-beta rose in most people tested. To know more join us at # Alzheimers2018 at Madrid, Spain on December 03-04, 2018. 

A type of iron called magnetite may lead researchers down the path to a more effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease . Magnetite is not usually found in the human brain, but researchers say the metal is present in the brains of people affected by Alzheimer’s . The scientists say the magnetite is found in the abnormal protein clusters known as amyloid plaques that are symptomatic of this disease. Understanding why they’re there could lead to more effective treatment. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, almost 6 million people in the United States are living with the disease, Researchers had previously shown that minerals will form when iron and amyloid protein interact with each other. However, using synchrotron X-ray facilities with advanced measurement capabilities in the United States and United Kingdom, the team was able to show detailed evidence that these processes occurred in the brains of individuals who had died with Alzheimer’s disease . To ...

A team of NIA-supported researchers, as part of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Alzheimer's disease (AMP-AD) Target Discovery and Preclinical Validation consortium has zeroed in on several potential therapeutic targets from a cluster of genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease brain pathology and cognitive decline. The finding is an important milestone for the AMP-AD program and Alzheimer’s disease research in general, as it demonstrates the power of systems-based modelling approaches to identify causal associations between entire networks of genes and various pathologic and/or clinical traits for Alzheimer’s disease . Known as gene module-trait network (MTN) analysis, this technique gives a more holistic view of molecular targets than traditional single gene associations, focusing on disease-relevant patterns of co-expressed genes that can enable entire gene networks to be therapeutically modulated to more robustly modify the disease process. #Alzheimers2018 ...

There’s some reassuring news for healthy women taking hormone replacement therapy who are concerned about Alzheimer’s disease : University of Wisconsin-Madison research shows no increased risk for the most common type of dementia. But it also didn’t find any benefits to the brain. Prior to a 2003 landmark study, scientists believed estrogen therapy was protective for the brain and heart. But the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) showed just the opposite; the surprising results suggested women had an increased risk for dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Millions of women stopped taking hormone replacement therapy to protect their bones, improve their mood and ease hot flashes. The women in the WHIMS study were older, all over age 65. The women in the studies Gleason reviewed were younger when they began taking hormone replacement therapy, usually in their early 50s. And they were healthier, less obese and had fewer heart problems and diabetes . ...

Scientists have presented new research pointing to the liver as a potential culprit in the onset of Alzheimer's disease . Presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, the research suggests that a compound produced in the liver can confer neurocognitive protections, and when the liver cannot effectively produce those compounds then cognitive deficits can result in the brain. Molecules called plasmalogens were the primary focus of the new research. These are a class of lipids generated in the liver, and certain types have been found to be critical for effective synaptic function in the brain. The study set out to measure whether reduced levels of several specific types of plasmalogens corresponded with an increased risk of Alzheimer's or mild cognitive decline. Over 1,500 human subjects were examined, split into three categories: those clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, those with clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impair...

In a recent study, researchers found out about this gene. Scientists know that faulty proteins can cause harmful deposits or “aggregates” in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease . Although the causes of these protein deposits remain a mystery, it is known that abnormal aggregates can result when cells fail to transmit proper genetic information to proteins. Usually, the information transfer from gene to protein is carefully controlled–biologically “proofread” and corrected–to avoid the production of improper proteins. Researchers found that the Ankrd16 gene rescued specific neurons –called Purkinje cells –that die when proofreading fails. Without normal levels of Ankrd16, these nerve cells, located in the cerebellum , incorrectly activate the amino acid serine, which is then improperly incorporated into proteins and causes protein aggregation. “Simplified, you may think of Ankrd16 as acting like a sponge or a ‘failsafe’ that captures inco...

The exact functions of sleep remain a mystery to scientists. Although studies suggest that a healthy sleep schedule helps people regulate their emotions, perform better on cognitive tasks , and even live longer, it’s still unclear exactly what the body is doing during sleep to bring about these positive effects. However, one recent hypothesis suggests the brain uses its downtime to run a ‘cleaning cycle’ during which it removes metabolic debris, like amyloid beta (A-beta), the main component of the sticky plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease . According to the hypothesis, poor sleep hinders the brain’s ability to remove A-beta and over time the plaques build up. This puts people at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’sdisease . In 2013, scientists made an important discovery about the brain’s cleaning functions during sleep. The brain is the only organ that’s not connected to the lymphatic system , which removes waste and toxins from the body via t...

A major problem with understanding Alzheimer’s is not being able to clearly see why the disease starts. Now, a super-resolution “nanoscope” offers a 3D view of brain molecules with 10 times greater detail than ever before. Recent studies show that 40 percent of Americans over the age of 85 have Alzheimer’s disease . Further, the disease begins 10 to 20 years before people ever show up at the doctor’s office with memory problems. The instrument helped researchers better understand the structure of plaques that form in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients, pinpointing characteristics that are possibly responsible for damage. “It gives insight into the biological causes of the disease, so that we can see if we can stop the formation of these damaging structures in the brain .” To know more about the current research on #Alzheimer's Disease, join us at the International #Conference on # Alzheimers , Dementia and Related # Neurodegenerative Diseases which is scheduled...

The two terms are often mixed up or used interchangeably, which can be confusing. To put it simply, dementia is not a disease in its own right. Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms that commonly include problems with memory, thinking, problem solving, language and perception. Dementia is caused by different diseases that affect the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Some other common types of dementia include vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. While dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are related, there are key differences between the two. What is dementia ? When a person receives a dementia diagnosis they should also learn what type of dementia they have. This is not always the case, and sometimes the term ‘ dementia ’ is used to describe the symptoms they may be experiencing. These symptoms might include memory loss or difficulties with language or concentration. Dementia is caused by diseases which damage the brain by causi...

Every year, Alzheimer’s disease affects a growing number of people. Currently, about 5.7 million Americans are living with the condition, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. By 2020, nearly 14 million are expected to have this progressive brain disorder , which destroys memory, thinking skills, and often the ability to carry out simple tasks. 7 Tips for Talking About Alzheimer’s Drew stresses that although Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month has just ended this June, we need to keep the conversation about Alzheimer’s going all year long and learn how to talk about the disease with family and friends. Here are a few tips that can help people broach the subject of dementia with someone who may be developing the condition. Recognize the Signs and Symptoms Don’t Put Off the Conversation Pick a Comfortable Time and Setting Keep Trying No Matter How Much Push-back You Get Get Family and Healthcare Providers Involved Create a Concrete Plan Reach Out for Prof...

If you’re considered sarcopenic obese, or “skinny fat,” beware. Your body type could be linked to dementia , according to a new report.  Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Comprehensive Centre for Brain Health recently conducted a study to determine the link between obesity, low muscle tissue and dementia , which is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.  To do so, they used data from a series of aging and memory studies that examined 353 people with an average of 69. The researchers evaluated the individuals who were “skinny fat,” the combination of low muscle mass and strength in the context of high fat mass, and their performances on various cognition tests .  After analysing the results, they found that the “skinny fat” subjects had the lowest performance on global cognition, followed by those with just sarcopenia alone and then those who were only obese. Join us at the Leading Pharma Event # Alzheimers2018 at Madrid, Spain on December 03-04...

Scientists in Dresden, Germany, have been successful in mimicking mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease in a novel, stem cell-based model system that reproduces features of human brain tissue. This experimental tool can be used to study mechanisms of pathology and help to find new therapeutic approaches, the researchers say. Their results, published in DevelopmentalCell , indicate that modulating the immune system can trigger neuronal repair processes and thus possibly help the brain to better cope with Alzheimer's . The study involved the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF), the Centre for Regenerative Therapies Dresden at the TU Dresden (CRTD) and further institutions from Germany and abroad. By using the new disease model, the researchers discovered an approach to instruct stem cells to produce neurons and kick-start repair processes, i.e. ' neuronal regeneration '. " Neural st...

Sending electronic pulses through a brain that is being damaged by Alzheimer’s disease might become a new method of early treatment. A study headed by Dr. Andres Lozano at Toronto Western Hospital’s Krembil Neuroscience Centre in Canada, has concluded that patients over the age of 65 with mild Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from deep brainstimulation . Deep brain stimulation is nothing new but using it as a more targeted therapy could yield dividends. “Deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants have been used for over 30 years, mostly to treat the tremors of Parkinson’s disease patients,” Dr. Doug Scharre, director of the Division of Cognitive Neurology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre, told Healthline. Scharre notes that while DBS treatment is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Parkinson’s disease, it’s still an experimental therapy when it comes to Alzheimer’s. To know more about the current research on #Alzheimer's D...

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of neurological disorders, with symptoms such as a loss of memory skills and thinking abilities and changes in behavior that interfere with a person’s everyday functioning. There are many different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease , vascular dementia and Lewy-body dementia. Hearing the word dementia likely conjures up images of people in the final stages, as sufferers curled up on a bed, unable to speak or to recognize loved ones. There is no cure yet, although research continues. Nearly 6 million Americans live with dementia, and diagnoses are expected to spike as the population ages. But as the first wave of baby boomers begins to be affected by dementia, perceptions of the disease are gradually beginning to change. Some with early symptoms are speaking out, hoping to counter dementia’s stigma and to pursue a higher quality of life as they confront the disease. Advocates are pushing for more life-enhancing kinds of ca...

Is Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease one and the same? Alzheimer's is the most common form of # dementia in people who are older than 65 years and contributes to about 60 to 70 per cent of cases. Dementia can also result from a variety of conditions, including chronic alcoholism, stroke, Wilson’s disease, herpes virus and #HIV infections, #thyroid disease and #vitamin deficiency. How do you diagnose dementia? Unfortunately, there is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose # Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, MRI scans and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. #Laboratory tests and MRI imaging are also done to exclude other causes that could be treatable, especially in younger patients. Is the condition treatable? In the case of most progressive # dementias , including #Alzheimer's disease, there...

Though scientists haven't pinpointed the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease , they know that genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors all play a role. And now, they also know that certain strains of the herpes virus might have something to do with it. In a study funded by the National Institute of Health and published in the journal Neuron, researchers found that people with Alzheimer'sdisease had higher levels of herpes strains 6A and 7. (These aren't the strains that cause genital herpes or cold sores; they're responsible for a common childhood virus called roseola.) The study authors hope their research could someday help determine who's at risk for Alzheimer’s as well as lead the way for new treatments. Alzheimer's a form of dementia causes people to lose their ability to remember, think, and reason, which makes it hard to perform even routine activities. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United State...

How are prion diseases treated? Prion diseases can't be cured, but certain medicines may help slow their progress. Medical management focuses on keeping people with these diseases as safe and comfortable as possible, despite progressive and debilitating symptoms. Can prion diseases be prevented? Properly cleaning and sterilizing medical equipment may prevent the spread of the disease. If you have or may have CJD , do not donate organs or tissue, including corneal tissue. Newer regulations that govern the handling and feeding of cows may help prevent the spread of prion diseases. Living with prion diseases As prion diseases progress, people with these diseases generally need help taking care of themselves. In some cases they may be able to stay in their homes, but they eventually may need to move to a care facility. Key points about prion diseases Prion diseases are very rare. Symptoms can progress rapidly requiring help with daily needs. Prion diseas...

Prion diseases are confirmed by taking a sample of brain tissue during a biopsy or after death. Healthcare providers, however, can do a number of tests before to help diagnose prion diseases such as CJD, or to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. Prion diseases should be considered in all people with rapidly progressive dementia. The tests include: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the brain Samples of fluid from the spinal cord (spinal tap, also called lumbar puncture) Electroencephalogram , which analyzes brain waves; this painless test requires placing electrodes on the scalp Blood tests Neurologic and visual exams to check for nerve damage and vision loss Submit your #abstracts via:  https://bit.ly/2HlLuhx  to present your work in # Alzheimers2018 which is coming up with a #session on # PrionDisease .. To know more download our brochure via:  https://bit.ly/2Ld1keT  

Risk factors for prion disease include: Family history of prion disease Eating meat infected by “mad cow disease” Infection from receiving contaminated corneas or from contaminated medical equipment How are prion diseases diagnosed? Prion diseases are confirmed by taking a sample of brain tissue during a biopsy or after death. Healthcare providers, however, can do a number of tests before to help diagnose prion diseases such as CJD, or to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. Prion diseases should be considered in all people with rapidly progressive dementia . The tests include: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the brain Samples of fluid from the spinal cord (spinal tap, also called lumbar puncture) Electroencephalogram, which analyzes brain waves; this painless test requires placing electrodes on the scalp Blood tests Neurologic and visual exams to check for nerve damage and vision loss # Alzheimers2018 is coming up with a...

Caring for a Person with Prion Disease Whilst there is no proven treatment for prion disease , it is possible to alleviate specific symptoms through medication, other therapies, trying out different caring strategies and adapting the environment.   Behavioural Symptoms Often mood disturbance e.g. aggression or loss of interest and personality changes persist into the illness.   Anxiety and depression are fairly common features.   There may also be a lack of social judgement and dis-inhibition.   People may prefer to keep to familiar routines, changes in the regular daily pattern of events, or new faces may cause distress and anxiety. Communication Problems Speech tends to become slurred (dysarthria) and quiet and as a result speech may become hard to understand, making communication difficult.   There is often a reduction in the content of language, word finding difficulties and there may be repetition of words or sentences.   Eventually...

The most common form of prion disease that affects humans is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) . Prion diseases are rare. About 300 cases are reported each year in the U.S. Types of prion diseases include: CJD. A person can inherit this condition, in which case it's called familial CJD. Sporadic CJD , on the other hand, develops suddenly without any known risk factors. Most cases of CJD are sporadic and tend to strike people around age 60. Acquired CJD is caused by exposure to infected tissue during a medical procedure, such as a cornea transplant . Symptoms of CJD (see below) quickly lead to severe disability and death. In most cases, death occurs within a year.   Variant CJD. This is an infectious type of the disease that is related to “mad cow disease.” Eating diseased meat may cause the disease in humans. The meat may cause normal human prion protein to develop abnormally. This type of the disease usually affects younger people. Variably protease- sensi...