Tag: Alzheimer's

Scientists have created engineered nanostructures that bind monomers and oligomers of harmful amyloid beta (Aβ) protein, preventing them from entering neurons and drastically increasing the cells’ survival in vitro [1]. Don’t let them into cells! Misfolded proteins are thought to be behind diseases like Alzheimer’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The most recognizable hallmark of...

The results of a Phase 1 trial of the well-known senolytic combination of dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q) in patients with Alzheimer's disease have been published in Neurotherapeutics. Building on substantial previous work What Are Senolytics? Senotherapeutics for Senescent CellsSenolytics work by targeting one of several pro-survival pathways that senescent cells use to evade apoptosis and...

Some brain regions are more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease than others. A new study suggests that this might be due to how they uptake cholesterol [1]. Why do some parts of the brain succumb earlier? Despite decades of research and vast amounts of funding, scientists still have limited understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops and...

According to an open-label study from Washington University in St. Louis, the anti-amyloid drug gantenerumab reduced the risk of developing familial Alzheimer’s disease in a subgroup of participants [1]. Is it about amyloid beta? Despite billions of dollars invested in developing therapies against Alzheimer’s disease, the progress has been slow. The decades-old amyloid cascade hypothesis...

Yesterday in Aging Cell, researchers published their findings that using gene therapy to overexpress a synaptic promoter increases cognitive ability in ordinary, middle-aged mice. Hevin vs. SPARC Astrocytes are general-purpose helper cells of the brain, and one of their tasks is to maintain synapse structure [1]. They secrete synapse-modifying molecules, including members of the SPARC...

A new study dives into a human-derived probiotic cocktail meant to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. The treatment improves gut health and reduces inflammation in mice [1]. The earlier, the better Early interventions to prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease might be a more feasible approach than reversing the disease when it is fully developed. However, such...