Neurology

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.

21 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

An implanted device that stimulates the vagus nerve was associated with sustained improvements in symptoms, functioning and quality of life among adults with long-standing, treatment-resistant major depression, according to researchers reporting two-year follow-up data from the ongoing RECOVER study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

A randomized controlled trial at Massachusetts General Hospital tested high-dose nicotinamide riboside, a vitamin B3 derivative, to boost NAD+ levels in people with long COVID. Although between-group differences were limited, participants who took the supplement for at least 10 weeks reported improvements in fatigue, sleep, mood, and some executive function measures compared with their own baseline, suggesting potential benefits for some individuals despite mixed overall results.

12 Mwezi wa kumi na mbili, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

Preclinical research from McGill University indicates that peripheral nerve injuries can cause long-term changes in the immune system across the body, with distinct patterns in male and female mice. Male mice showed strong and persistent inflammatory responses in the blood, while females did not show the same increase, yet serum from both sexes transmitted pain hypersensitivity when transferred to healthy mice. The findings point to previously unrecognized pathways involved in chronic pain and may open the door to more personalized treatments.

An international team led by Shinghua Ding at the University of Missouri has identified a rare genetic disorder called Mutation in NAMPT Axonopathy (MINA) syndrome, tied to a mutation in the NAMPT protein that undermines energy production in nerve cells and impairs motor function.

4 Mwezi wa kumi na moja, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

A Mass General Brigham–led study published in Nature Medicine suggests that modest daily walking is associated with delayed cognitive decline among older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Model-based estimates link 3,000–5,000 daily steps with about a three-year delay and 5,001–7,500 steps with roughly seven years.