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Do we have Alzheimer’s disease all wrong?

Every step toward an effective Alzheimer’s treatment seems to be followed by another step back. It’s hard not to feel as if we are running in place, as millions of patients and their families suffer through one of the most harrowing diseases known to humanity. We went through that two-step again over the past two weeks when the retraction of a landmark study was followed by federal scientific advisers endorsing a new treatment. This treatment has led to modest clinical improvements for patients but also comes with the same safety concerns that have dogged other recent drug candidates. The authors of the retracted paper in question, which was published in Nature in 2006 and claimed to…

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Previously Featured

After amyloid failures, it’s time to take a new tack for treating Alzheimer’s

If insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results, then the last decade or so of Alzheimer’s disease drug development has been insane. Three carefully designed, well-executed, and fully resourced trials targeting amyloid protein in the brain as the cause of Alzheimer’s disease have failed. It’s long past time to take a new approach to this mind-robbing disease.

Could the Covid Vaccine (and Others) Prevent Alzheimer’s?

There’s growing evidence that inoculation confers significant protective benefits.

SAGE: A Test to Detect Signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia

Catch memory problems early, take the SAGE test.

Alzheimer’s might not be primarily a brain disease. A new theory suggests it’s an autoimmune condition

It is gratifying to see new thinking about this age-old disease. Dementia currently affects more than 50 million people worldwide, with a new diagnosis being made every three seconds. Often, people living with Alzheimer’s disease are unable to recognize their own children or even their spouse of more than 50 years.

FDA approves Alzheimer's drug that appears to modestly slow disease

Lecanemab, which will be marketed as Leqembi, is likely to reach many more patients than a similar product, Aduhelm, which flopped after receiving a controversial approval in 2021. But Leqembi, like Aduhelm, can cause swelling or bleeding in the brain, which means patients must receive periodic brain scans after starting treatment.

I Had Alzheimer’s. But I Wasn’t Ready to Retire

I was 58 when I learned I had early-onset Alzheimer’s. For two years, I had been experiencing short-term memory loss. I sometimes had difficulty finding the simplest of words — I once forgot the word “and” in a meeting — and I’d been struggling to concentrate. While the diagnosis made sense to me, it was devastating.

In Life, She Defied Alzheimer’s. In Death, Her Brain May Show How.

A woman in Colombia with a rare genetic mutation recently made the ultimate donation to science.

SAGE: A Simple Window on Cognitive Function

Self-administered online tests are a dime a dozen. But one of the simplest has shown itself an effective tool for showing you something about what's going on with your most complex organ.

The Alzheimer's Project

Created by the award-winning team behind HBO’s acclaimed Addiction project, this multi-platform series takes a close look at groundbreaking discoveries made by the country’s leading scientists, as well as the effects of this debilitating and fatal disease both on those with Alzheimer’s and on their families

What will be the breakthrough that finally disrupts Alzheimer’s?

The history of Alzheimer’s research has been filled with setback after setback – in fact nearly every clinical trial has failed – but it is also one marked by perseverance and renewed hope. Advancements in medical imaging have increased our understanding of how the disease strikes, and efforts are underway to develop diagnostics to treat the disease before its onset. With a growing aging population, how will the disease burden the country’s health care system? The Atlantic gathered leading experts and key stakeholders for a national conversation on what it will take to disrupt Alzheimer’s disease.

A new view of twisted proteins could help scientists understand Alzheimer’s

Many scientists believe that tau proteins are the molecular building blocks of Alzheimer’s disease. Within the cell, these proteins clump together and group into tangles. These tangles are thought to inhibit cell communication, form lesions, and eventually cause the memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s. Different arrangements of tau proteins, or “morphologies,” can accompany different neurodegenerative diseases such Parkinson’s.

Alzheimer's Researchers Go Back To Basics To Find The Best Way Forward

One goal is to identify cells that become abnormal long before symptoms of Alzheimer's start to appear. "If we can find the cells where something goes wrong, this would provide a new way to try to treat this disease," Lein says.

Alzheimer's, a Formidable Forgettable Foe

Unfortunately, despite extensive research, we are still far away from finding a cure for Alzheimer's. But here's what you can do in the meantime.

Alzheimer’s disease: surprising new theory about what might cause it

We think that it will be important for future trials to focus on the levels of amyloid-beta 42, and whether it is beneficial to increase and restore its levels to normal values instead of targeting it for removal. This could be achieved using proteins similar to amyloid-beta 42 – so-called “protein analogues” – but that clump together less than the natural ones.

Alzheimer’s Hits Men and Women Differently, and We Need to Understand Why

To fight the disease, we need to look at sex-specific risks.

Alzheimer’s Is More Complicated Than We Thought

With a much-needed spike in research funding, scientists are transcending a one-size-fits-all approach for the disease and looking at personalized strategies for prevention and treatment.

America Needs Alzheimer’s Funding Now

While the National Institute of Health spends $3 billion a year on AIDS research, and nearly $4.9 billion on cancer, for Alzheimer’s it spends only $500 million, an enormous drop off for an illness that is already widespread and growing rapidly.

An Alzheimer’s Diagnosis—Before Any Symptoms

An effort is under way that could redefine the way Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, putting the focus on biological changes in the brain rather than on symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness.

Connections between Alzheimer’s Disease and viruses are building, but stop freaking out about herpes

First of all, it's not the herpes you're thinking of.

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Since the mid-80s, a handful of scientists around the world had doggedly pursued the idea that either a virus or a bacterium could play a role in Alzheimer’s, despite almost complete antipathy from those studying more accepted theories about the disease.

Gene Wilder and His Alzheimer’s Secret

He didn’t want to sadden children, but many feel shame with the disease.

Here’s what we think Alzheimer’s does to the brain

The main way the disease works is to disrupt communication between neurons, the specialised cells that process and transmit electrical and chemical signals between regions of the brain. This is what is responsible for the cell death in the brain – and we think its due to a build up of two types of protein, called amyloid and tau. The exact interaction between these two proteins is largely unknown, but amyloid accumulates into sticky clusters known as beta-amyloid “plaques”, while tau builds up inside dying cells as “neurofibrillary tangles”.

How Close Are We To A Cure For Alzheimer's?

We very much still lack clarity on the heterogeneity and granularity of the disease thus making it profoundly difficult to assess disease stages for measurements and clinical trials.

How Seth Rogen Is Getting Millennials To Fight Alzheimer's

Rogen and Miller, both 34 and Millennials, know the devastating downside of having a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. They also know how to harness humor and their thirtysomething friends to raise awareness and funds for a disease that most Millennials know little about.

If I Have Alzheimer's, Will You Still Read My Column?

I don’t have Alzheimer’s, at least not yet, but when I do, will you still read what I have to say? I ask you this because someday a lot of us might have Alzheimer’s disease.

Is the Leading Theory About Alzheimer's Wrong?

Yet another failed drug trial has prompted soul-searching about the “amyloid hypothesis.”

Living Well, Even With Alzheimer’s

Many people have the idea that Alzheimer’s disease is a one-way street to inexorable decline, but patients can remain active and engaged.

Mr. Rogen Goes to DC

So, what does a funny man do when faced with a not so funny problem?

My Mother’s Quiet Burden Was My Father’s Fading Mind

My mother claimed he was getting too hard for her to handle on her own, though I never saw it. Whenever I visited them in Florida, he was always setting the table, doing the laundry. He seemed fine, despite the fact that he was 10 years into an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

One big reason why Alzheimer’s might be going undetected in the US

It can be hard to tell if subtle changes to memory and thinking are precursors to something more serious.

Researchers Explore Why Women's Alzheimer's Risk Is Higher Than Men's

Scientists are beginning to understand why Alzheimer's disease affects more women than men and why the disease seems to progress more quickly in women's brains.

Scientists Finally Discover Why Exercise Cuts Alzheimer’s Risk, Study Says

In a study published Friday in the journal Neuron, the researchers found that the hormone irisin, which circulates through the body during exercise, can help reduce deposits of a protein fragment called amyloid beta in a patient’s brain cells.

Tau protein—not amyloid—may be key driver of Alzheimer’s symptoms

One of the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is sticky plaques of ß-amyloid protein, which form around neurons and are thought by a large number of scientists to bog down information processing and kill cells. For more than a decade, however, other researchers have fingered a second protein called tau, found inside brain cells, as a possible culprit. Now, a new imaging study of 10 people with mild AD suggests that tau deposits—not amyloid—are closely linked to symptoms such as memory loss and dementia.

The harrowing new reality for Alzheimer’s patients

Alzheimer’s patients and families live in a cloud of uncertainty. It’s about to get worse.

The Startling Link Between Sugar and Alzheimer's

A high-carb diet, and the attendant high blood sugar, are associated with cognitive decline.

We may finally know what causes Alzheimer’s – and how to stop it

AFTER decades of disappointment, we may have a new lead on fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Compelling evidence that the condition is caused by a bacterium involved in gum disease could prove a game-changer in tackling one of medicine’s biggest mysteries, and lead to effective treatments or even a vaccine. As populations have aged, dementia has skyrocketed to become the fifth biggest cause of death worldwide. Alzheimer’s constitutes some 70 per cent of these cases...

What if You Knew Alzheimer’s Was Coming for You?

Simple blood tests may soon be able to deliver alarming news about your cognitive health.

Resources

25 Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

How can you tell if someone has Alzheimer's disease? Here are symptoms of the memory-robbing disorder.

5 Measures That May Lower Your Alzheimer’s Risk

Exercise, not smoking, moderate drinking, a Mediterranean diet and mentally stimulating activities were linked to a lower Alzheimer’s risk.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Weekly

This site was inspired by my Mom's autoimmune dementia. It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chaffe, the important articles & videos from each week's river of news. With a new post on Alzheimer's or dementia appearing on the internet every 7 minutes, the site's focus on the best information has been a help to many...

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund

The vision for Cure Alzheimer’s Fund was set by our founders. Frustrated with the slow pace of research about the disease, they applied their experience in venture capital and corporate startups to build an organization specifically designed to accelerate research, make bold bets, and eradicate the disease.

UsAgainstAlzheimer's

Anyone who has dealt with Alzheimer's knows the terrible toll it takes on patients and their families. I watched in horror as my wife’s brilliant, vibrant, extraordinary mother disappeared into the disease in the early 1990s. Alzheimer’s is a cancer-sized problem, and it demands a cancer-sized solution.

Alzheimer Society

The Alzheimer Society of Canada identifies, develops and facilitates national priorities that enable its members to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's and related diseases, promotes research and leads the search for a cure.

Alzheimer's & Dementia

The mission of Alzheimer's & Dementia: Journal of the Alzheimer's Association is to bridge the knowledge gaps across a wide range of bench-to-bedside investigation

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.

Alzheimer's Disease International

Alzheimer's Disease International is the umbrella organisation of Alzheimer associations around the world. We aim to help establish and strengthen Alzheimer associations throughout the world, and to raise global awareness about Alzheimer's disease and all other causes of dementia.

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation

The mission of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation is to rapidly accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America was founded by a consortium of organizations to fill the gap that existed on a national level to assure quality of care and excellence in service to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and to their caregivers and families.

Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation

The ARPF provides an alternative to the conventional, "magic bullet" drug approach. We believe that you can help yourself, right now, by utilizing a holistic or integrative medical approach, based on the lifestyle tools we advocate. Modern medical research, including papers presented at the most recent International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, reveals that all of the aspects of the ARPF's Four Pillars of Prevention Plan, including physical and mental exercise, especially when used together, do help build a healthier and stronger brain and memory.

Alzheimers.net

Alzheimers.net is an online community dedicated to education, advocacy and supporting those whose lives have been impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Alzheimers.net was created by people touched by Alzheimer’s at A Place for Mom to give caregivers, those with Alzheimer’s and ourselves a place to share our passion for change and a cure for the disease.

Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry

The Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry, led by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, unites leading researchers with people like you who are interested in taking part in Alzheimer’s studies. We focus our work on helping scientists advance our knowledge of Alzheimer’s and its prevention. Unfortunately, 80 percent of studies are delayed because too few people sign up to participate.

Fisher Center for Alzheimer's

The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Foundation funds over 85 scientists across the United States, with partnerships and collaborations in 17 other countries, all under the direction of Nobel laureate Dr. Paul Greengard at The Rockefeller University in New York City.

Help for Alzheimer's Families

The Help for Alzheimer’s Families website provides a variety of resources to assist families in coping with Alzheimer’s and with a dementia diagnosis. Find tips, get expert answers to common Alzheimer’s questions and access in-depth learning resources. Learn how to protect loved ones from memory loss and empower yourself to become a better caregiver. Here you’ll also find easy tools to locate professional Alzheimer’s care service providers.

lzheimer's Society

The Alzheimer's Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

The Alzheimers Notes

Current blog covering various aspects of Alzheimers.

AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s

AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s is the nation’s first organization dedicated to building a coordinated national response to eliminate and address Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among African Americans. The fourth leading cause of death for older African Americans, AD has a disparate impact on African Americans.

Alzheimer's Aid Society of Northern California

The Alzheimers Aid Society of Northern California is one of the only Alzheimers organizations in Northern California where your total contribution dollars remain within the state to help Alzheimers families.

Alzheimer's Association Australia

As the world’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research, the Alzheimer’s Association strives to improve quality of life for those facing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease

The aims of the meeting are to bring together the current leaders in clinical trials in Alzheimer's Disease to discuss new results, drugs in development, and future methodological issues (disease modifying, outcomes, biomarkers, health economics).

Neurotrack

Neurotrack is a digital health company dedicated to the development of non-invasive cognitive health assessment tools that will enable earlier and more effective evaluation of patients who may be at risk for cognitive decline, and help advance research of treatments for cognitive diseases, including Alzheimer's.

BrightFocus Foundation

BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting research and providing public education to help eradicate brain and eye diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. We are working to save mind and sight.

CDC

Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Dementia.org

Dementia.org is not just another medical information website. We provide practical, actionable information and “real world” reviews of research to help anyone impacted by dementia in any of its forms.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke

NINDS Alzheimer's disease information page.

National Institute on Aging

The National Institute on Aging’s ADEAR Center offers information and publications for families, caregivers, and professionals on diagnosis, treatment, patient care, caregiver needs, long-term care, education and training, and research related to Alzheimer’s disease. Staff members answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources. The ADEAR website provides free, online publications in English and Spanish; email alerts; an Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials database; and more.

Patient

Patient.co.uk is one of the most trusted medical resources in the UK, supplying evidence based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals.