Dementia

New research indicates that changes in the brain's outer layer can be detected at least seven years before amyloid plaques reach high levels. This challenges the traditional timeline of how Alzheimer's disease develops.

Even with preserved memory, older adults with higher amyloid-beta levels face greater risks of future brain atrophy. A new study highlights that this amyloid-driven shrinkage accelerates faster in women and those with the APOE-ε4 gene variant.

When the brain's cellular recycling system breaks down in Alzheimer's disease, damaged mitochondria pile up inside nerve fibers. Researchers have now identified these clusters as "mitochondrial plaques," revealing a new pathological feature that could unlock novel treatments.

A new study of nearly 4,000 older adults reveals that daily variations in the stress hormone cortisol predict cognitive decline. Researchers found that moderate daily fluctuations may protect the brain, while high average levels accelerate cognitive aging.

A new meta-analysis reveals that common lithium treatments do not slow memory loss in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, despite previous laboratory research suggesting the mineral might have neuroprotective benefits.

The diabetes and weight-loss medication semaglutide can accelerate the resolution of brain inflammation. By mapping cellular changes in mice, researchers discovered how the drug engages specific brainstem neurons to protect against pathways associated with cognitive decline.

Older adults who lived in socialist East Germany show better cognitive health today than their West German peers. Researchers attribute this unexpected mental resilience to the longer compulsory schooling and early childcare provided by the former East German educational system.

A new study reveals that the body roundness index, a measurement of abdominal fat, is strongly linked to depression in older adults with dementia. The findings suggest this simple screening tool could help doctors identify at-risk patients.

Public health guidelines usually tell us to "move more," but new research shows context matters. A sweeping study finds recreational exercise protects against dementia, but physical labor at work could actually increase your risk of cognitive decline.

The age a woman goes through menopause could predict her long-term neurological health. A new study links early menopause to faster cognitive decline, suggesting the transition is a vital window for protecting the brain.

Standard genetic tests for Alzheimer's often fail in non-European populations. A new study shows that blending global genetic data creates a highly accurate tool that predicts both Alzheimer's risk and underlying brain damage across diverse ancestral groups.

Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia share overlapping symptoms, making early diagnosis difficult. A new study reveals that tiny brain-derived vesicles carry distinct genetic markers for each condition, offering a potential new avenue for early detection.

A new study suggests that regular treadmill running can fully reverse memory loss and reduce toxic brain plaques in mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The benefits appear linked to a specific cellular pathway that boosts brain health.

A new study reveals that two different inflammatory proteins in the blood signal separate types of brain damage. Both distinct pathways ultimately converge to fuel Alzheimer's-related tau tangles, brain shrinkage, and memory decline in older adults.

A new study reveals that older adults with stiffer arteries face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. Researchers suggest that monitoring arterial stiffness could eventually become a valuable tool for predicting and managing cognitive decline.