Spotlight on dementia and Alzheimer's disease
In recent years, new knowledge has improved the care of people with dementia. The progress is based on an interdisciplinary collaboration between different research areas and professional groups in healthcare. However, the care of dementia patients is extremely resource-intensive, and more research is needed to find better ways to help patients and their loved ones.
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High metabolism is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease
An early phase in the process of developing Alzheimer’s disease is a metabolic increase in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, report researchers from Karolinska Institutet in a study published in Molecular Psychiatry. The discovery opens up for new potential methods of early intervention.
Possible link between chronic stress and Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers at KI have investigated the possible associations between chronic stress, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The study shows that people aged 18–65 with a previous diagnosis of chronic stress and depression were more likely than other people to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease.
Higher risk of dementia in Swedish top-division football players
Men who played football (soccer) in the Swedish top division until the mid 1900s had a higher risk of dementia than men from the general population, a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in The Lancet Public Health reports.
Blood-based markers may reveal AD ten years before symptoms
Alzheimer disease begins decades before any symptoms, such as memory loss, start to show. Consequently, early diagnosis increases the chances of slowing the disease down with drugs. A new study on an inherited form of the disease shows that a protein called GFAP is a possible biomarker for very early stages of the disease.
Newly discovered mechanism can explain increased risk of dementia
Millions of people around the world use acid suppressants called proton pump inhibitors for conditions like heartburn, gastritis and stomach ulcers. Researchers in Sweden now report how the long-term use of these drugs could increase the risk of developing dementia.
Surprising new theory about what might cause AD
KI professor Samir El Andaloussi and his colleagues have studied whether it is the amount of plaques in the brain or the amount of amyloid-beta 42 remaining that is more important for Alzheimer’s disease progression. Do as 800 000 people around the world, read the researcher's lay article about the findings on the news site The Conversation.
Genetic differences important for Alzheimer's diagnosis
The two used methods for detecting amyloid pathology in Alzheimer's disease give ambiguous results. KI researchers have found genetic explanations for the differences that may be important for individual diagnostics and the development of future drugs.
Target protein for diabetes drug linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Mechanisms associated with a particular diabetes drug can also help to protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and published in Neurology reports. The results indicate that the drug’s target protein can be an interesting candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain imaging can predict Alzheimer’s related memory-loss
In a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, Professor Agneta K. Nordberg and colleagues have imaged tau protein in the brains of living patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The amount and spread of tau proved a predictor of future memory loss.
Simple tool shows life expectancy after dementia diagnosis
Researchers have developed a simple tool that shows the survival probability of a person with dementia disease over three years. This, they hope, help doctors and others plan the necessary care.
Air pollution linked to dementia
People continuously exposed to air pollution are at increased risk of dementia, especially if they also suffer from cardiovascular diseases, according to a study in JAMA Neurology. Heart patients who live in polluted environments may require additional care to prevent dementia.
Common Alzheimer’s treatment linked to slower cognitive decline
Research from Karolinska Institutet shows persisting cognitive benefits and reduced mortality for up to five years after diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in patients treated with cholinesterase inhibitors.