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
Category: Brain & Neurons
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
Fisetin Alleviates Cognitive Dysfunction and Brain Inflammation
Highlights: Although evolution has trained our body’s internal soldiers — white blood cells — to fight off infection effectively with all its got, one particular condition known as sepsis piggybacks off our cellular defense mechanisms to target the whole body. When our bodies are introduced to foreign invaders, cells carefully trigger an inflammatory response. But… Continue reading Fisetin Alleviates Cognitive Dysfunction and Brain Inflammation
Omega-3 Improves Memory Deficits From Processed Diet
Highlights: Aged rats that consume a diet high in processed foods for 28 days exhibit cognitive deficits in brain regions linked to memory. Proinflammatory genes display greater activation in aged rats fed a processed diet. DHA mitigates memory impairments and lowers proinflammatory gene expression in aged rats fed a processed diet. In grocery stores and… Continue reading Omega-3 Improves Memory Deficits From Processed Diet
Study Links Depression to Reduced Levels of NAD⁺-Producing Protein
Highlights: Researchers measured brain cell proteins from the blood of patients to identify psychiatric condition markers and therapeutic targets. Levels of the NAD+ generating protein NMNAT2 are disrupted in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Since NAD+ levels also fall as biological age progresses, these findings provide a link between MDD and aging. Most of… Continue reading Study Links Depression to Reduced Levels of NAD⁺-Producing Protein
Resveratrol Restores Cognition (In Mice with Alzheimer’s)
Over the last few years, overconsumption of calories that derive from saturated fat has been a catalyst to the progression of global obesity, and metabolic and brain disorders have also been linked to caloric overconsumption. Mouse and human models have provided overwhelming evidence that Alzheimer’s disease, along with other manifestations of cognitive impairment, can be… Continue reading Resveratrol Restores Cognition (In Mice with Alzheimer’s)