Alzheimer's

A new brain imaging study has found that recalling facts and personal experiences activates nearly identical neural networks, challenging long-held views on memory systems. Researchers from the University of Nottingham and University of Cambridge used fMRI scans on 40 participants to compare these memory types. The results, published in Nature Human Behaviour, suggest a rethink in how memory is studied and could inform treatments for Alzheimer's and dementia.

February 02, 2026 Reported by AI

A large study of nearly 2 million older adults has found that cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition where amyloid proteins build up in brain blood vessels, sharply increases the risk of dementia. Within five years of diagnosis, people with this disorder were four times more likely to develop dementia than those without it, even absent a history of stroke. The findings, drawn from Medicare records, underscore the need for early cognitive screening in affected individuals.

As the population ages, more people are affected by memory diseases like Alzheimer's. However, research in the field is progressing slowly, and only about half of those affected receive the available treatment.

January 05, 2026 Reported by AI

European scientists have developed a preliminary method to identify Alzheimer's using a drop of dried blood from a finger, achieving 86% accuracy in detecting amyloid pathology. The study, validated in 337 patients from several countries, is published in Nature Medicine and aims to simplify early diagnosis of this disease affecting over 50 million people worldwide.

A Swedish study suggests that consuming more high-fat cheese could lower dementia risk by 13%, based on data from nearly 30,000 people followed for 25 years. However, experts caution that it is an observational analysis without proof of causality. Critics highlight potential confounders and the importance of factors like blood pressure and weight control.

December 12, 2025 Reported by AI

Alzheimer's trials are shifting to a multi-target approach inspired by cancer research, even after failures with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide. Only two drugs, Eli Lilly's Kisunla and Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi, are widely approved to slow progression. This evolution treats the brain-wasting disease as a complex system, seeking new ways to halt it amid its global impact.