Alzheimer's Disease

Tracking body fat over a 35-year period reveals that excess belly fat in midlife is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease decades later. However, the relationship reverses in old age as cognitive decline alters metabolism.

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 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.

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.

Professions requiring constant spatial navigation physically reshape the hippocampus, the brain region Alzheimer’s attacks first. By routinely building mental maps, individuals may develop a cognitive reserve that delays the onset of severe memory loss.

New research reveals that physical social isolation harms the aging brain independently of subjective feelings of loneliness. Simulated public health interventions show that reconnecting isolated older adults can directly protect against cognitive decline.

A 12-week program requiring older adults to read out loud, write by hand, and solve basic math problems for 30 minutes a day resulted in measurable improvements on cognitive tests.