Ferroptosis Destroys Microglia Cells in Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia

Credit: Annals of Neurology (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ana.26770

A new path of cell death in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia has been discovered by researchers. Ferroptosis, a type of cell death caused by an accumulation of iron in cells, destroys microglia cells, a type of cell involved in the brain’s immune response, in Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, a study led by scientists at…

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Ponesimod Reduces Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease

A multiple sclerosis medication is potentially effective as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a team of researchers from the University of Kentucky. The researchers investigated ponesimod, an oral medicine licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsing types of multiple sclerosis (MS). Ponesimod, sold under the brand name Ponvory, was…

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Priming in Psychology: Exploring Nonconscious Influences on Behavior

Priming is a phenomenon in psychology where the exposure to a stimulus (priming stimulus) influences the subsequent response to a related stimulus (target stimulus). It is an essential concept in understanding how our brain processes information and how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be subtly influenced by external factors. Priming effects play a significant…

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Women with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Have More Symptoms than Men

It has long been known that women are more likely to have myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Now, a new study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh has found that women tend to experience more symptoms and co-occurring conditions than men do with ME/CFS. According to initial results from the…

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MDMA-assisted Therapy for PTSD – Jury Is Still Out on Effectiveness

When the war in Ukraine broke out, many countries and agencies around the world lent their support in the form of financial aid, weapons, and food. But Olga Chernoloz, a Ukrainian neuroscientist based in Canada, wanted to provide a different kind of assistance: a combination of therapy and the psychedelic drug MDMA. Such therapy, she…

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Adult Education Associated with Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline

Taking an adult education class is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia, according to researchers from the Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer of Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. Regular cognitive activity, such as brain challenges, sudoku, or specific video games in middle and old age, is known to protect against…

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Intermittent Fasting Eases Circadian Disruptions in Alzheimer’s 

The interruption of the body’s circadian rhythm, the internal biological clock that regulates many of our physiological functions, is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Almost 80% of persons with Alzheimer’s suffer these symptoms, which include difficulties sleeping and decreasing cognitive function at night. However, this aspect of Alzheimer’s disease is not currently addressed…

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Thalamus Xiphoid Nucleus Controls Cold-induced Appetite Increase

The brain circuits that cause mammals to crave food more when exposed to cold temperatures have been identified by neuroscientists at the Scripps Research Institute. The finding could lead to new therapeutics for metabolic health and weight loss. “This is a fundamental adaptive mechanism in mammals and targeting it with future treatments might allow the…

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Brain Circuits Disrupted in Patients with Hidden Consciousness

Researchers at Columbia University have identified brain injuries that may be at the root of hidden consciousness, a perplexing phenomenon in which brain-injured patients are unable to respond to simple commands, making them appear unconscious despite having some level of awareness. The observational study findings could aid physicians in identifying brain-injured patients who may have…

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