Restoring Mitochondrial Synapse Connections to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

Nerve cells in the brain require an immense quantity of energy to maintain their connections for communication with other nerve cells and to survive. Energy production is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease, and synaptic connections eventually deteriorate and fail, resulting in the loss of new memories. A Scripps Research team has now identified the energetic reactions…

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Disruption of Mitochondria-associated Membranes Linked to ALS Progression

Nagoya University researchers have identified a link between the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and the disruption of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM), the cell’s contact point between the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The finding provides important data about the mechanisms behind this neurodegenerative condition. Motor neurons are…

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Posterior Cortical Atrophy Predicts Alzheimer’s Disease

A group of international researchers, led by UC San Francisco, has conducted the first large-scale study of posterior cortical atrophy, a perplexing constellation of visuospatial symptoms that appear as the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. These symptoms appear in up to 10% of Alzheimer’s patients. More than 1,000 patients’ records from 36 locations across 16…

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Toxic RNA Interference May Play Key Role in Alzheimer’s

Significant neuronal degeneration is one consequence of Alzheimer’s disease, which is projected to impact approximately 6.7 million Americans in 2023. However, the mechanisms underlying neuron death remain inadequately comprehended. According to a new Northwestern Medicine study, RNA interference may be a crucial factor in Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have identified brief strands of toxic RNAs that…

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Five Alzheimer’s Disease Biological Variants Identified

Five biochemical varieties of Alzheimer’s disease have been uncovered by Dutch researchers, each of which may require a different treatment. As a result, previously studied medications may look ineffective or only marginally effective. This is the conclusion of Alzheimer Center Amsterdam researcher Betty Tijms and colleagues from Amsterdam UMC and Maastricht University. Amyloid and tau…

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Retinal Blood Flow Fluctuations May Influence Occular Migraines

Changes in blood flow in the retina, according to a recent study, could explain why some migraine patients have visual disturbances. The findings may provide a long-desired visible marker for migraines that clinicians can use to help with clinical management of the ailment. Migraine sufferers frequently encounter visual impairments, including blind spots, light sensitivity, pain…

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Hydrogel-based Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis Technique

Researchers have developed a new brain imaging tool that can detect mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) even when conventional imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show no structural abnormalities. The method includes injecting gadolinium, a common MRI contrast agent, into hydrogel-based micropatches connected to immune cells known as macrophages. mTBIs generate inflammation in…

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Newly Found Gene Variant a Protective Factor in Parkinson’s Disease

A new study from the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reveals that a genetic mutation in a small protein, which had not been previously identified, confers substantial protection against Parkinson’s disease and provides a novel avenue for investigating potential treatments. The variation, found in a mitochondrial microprotein called Small Humanin-like Peptide…

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Ex-NFL Player Brains Show Long-Term Effects of Head Hits

New research adds to the growing body of evidence that collision sports involving repeated blows to the head may result in dementia and other forms of cognitive disorders. Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered high levels of a repair protein in the brains of former NFL players in a new study using brain scans. The…

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