Key Points: Researchers screened numerous compounds made by soil bacteria for the ability to affect the build-up of amyloid beta (Aβ) – a toxic protein that is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. The screen identified Verrucarin A, which reduced Aβ production by 80% in a cell-based Alzheimer’s model. These results suggest that the interactions between soil… Continue reading Japanese Researchers Identify Soil Bacteria Compounds That Improve Alzheimer’s
Category: Brain & Neurons
Trial Shows Increasing Brain NAD+ with NR Improves Parkinson’s
Key Points: Researchers from Haukeland University in Norway published a new study in Cell Metabolism detailing a double-blind phase 1 clinical trial with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a precursor to the energy-boosting coenzyme NAD+, in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Brakedal and colleagues show that supplementing Parkinson’s patients with 1000 mg NR for 30 days successfully boosts… Continue reading Trial Shows Increasing Brain NAD+ with NR Improves Parkinson’s
Huge UK Study Shows Even Light Alcohol Consumption Can Still Cause Brain Shrinkage in Adults
Key Points: Analysis of thousands of U.K. middle-aged and older adults shows increased alcoholic beverages consumed per day is linked to decreased brain volume. Predictions show that people who consume 2 drinks per week have brains that are 10 years older than people who do not drink. Alcohol consumption is associated with damaging parts of… Continue reading Huge UK Study Shows Even Light Alcohol Consumption Can Still Cause Brain Shrinkage in Adults
Study Shows that Deleting the Protein-Building Block Transporter xCT Increases Lifespan and Improves Memory in Mice
Key Points: Genetic deletion of the xCT – a transporter that moves the amino acids glutamate out of the cell and cystine into the cell – increases the lifespan of mice. Deleting xCT reduces the age-related body-wide overactive immune response and improves the inflammatory status of the hippocampus – a brain region associated with memory.… Continue reading Study Shows that Deleting the Protein-Building Block Transporter xCT Increases Lifespan and Improves Memory in Mice
Study Shows that NAD⁺ Boosters Can Rescue Neurons in Alzheimer’s
Key Points: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has no cure, yet is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders among the global aging population, ranking 6th in the world for the leading cause of death. In attempts to slow the progression of AD, scientists have honed in on the importance of keeping a healthy balance of our… Continue reading Study Shows that NAD⁺ Boosters Can Rescue Neurons in Alzheimer’s
Updated Analysis Shows More Cognitively Normal Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s
Key Points: Dutch scientists performed an updated analysis of an ongoing worldwide Amyloid Biomarker Study, now consisting of 19,097 participants with varying degrees of cognition. The analysis shows a 10% increase in the proportion of non-demented individuals who have detectable levels of the Alzheimer’s biomarker amyloid. The APOE ε4 gene and education level were associated… Continue reading Updated Analysis Shows More Cognitively Normal Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s
Senolytic Improves Age-Related Memory Loss
Highlights Neurogenesis declines and senescent “zombie” cells accumulate with age in the hippocampus, a brain region associated with learning and memory. A drug that destroys senescent cells, ABT-263, restores neurogenesis in the hippocampus by rejuvenating brain stem cells. Likely through this mechanism, ABT-263 enhances learning and memory in middle-aged mice. It is becoming increasingly apparent… Continue reading Senolytic Improves Age-Related Memory Loss
AI Zeroes In On Alzheimer’s Treatment
Highlights Artificial intelligence (AI) identified mitochondrial damage control molecules from a library of traditional Chinese medicinal plant compounds. Two of these molecules – Kaempferol and Rhapontigenin – reduce classic Alzheimer’s disease markers in worms and mice. Alzheimer’s disease mice fed Kaempferol and Rhapontigenin show improvements in spatial and visual memory. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatments are… Continue reading AI Zeroes In On Alzheimer’s Treatment
Eli Lilly & Company’s Small Molecule Prevents Neurodegeneration
Highlights: The molecule DSRM-3716 stops SARM1 from breaking down NAD+. Blocking SARM1 changes the fate of axon degeneration. SARM1 inhibitors have the potential to treat many neurodegenerative diseases. When a nerve fiber is cut or crushed, the projection withers away starting from the tip and back to the cell body. This process occurs in many… Continue reading Eli Lilly & Company’s Small Molecule Prevents Neurodegeneration
Spermidine Improves Brain Inflammation and Anxiety
Highlights Long-term spermidine treatment does not extend lifespan in rats. Spermidine improves anxiety and inflammation in aged rats. Cell recycling processes (autophagy) are activated with spermidine treatment. In the early 2000s, scientists coined the term inflammaging to describe the close relationship between low-grade chronic inflammation and aging. Inflammaging has been linked to a broad spectrum… Continue reading Spermidine Improves Brain Inflammation and Anxiety