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☆ Routine jobs raise the risk of cognitive decline by 66% and dementia by 37%, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Having a routine job with little mental stimulation during your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s was linked to a 66% higher risk of mild cognitive impairment and a 37% greater risk of dementia after the age of 70, according to the study, when compared with having a job with high cognitive and interpersonal demands. Attending college, for example, reduced the impact of a repetitive job by about 60% but didn’t fully negate the risk. Routine jobs that were not classified as “cognitively protective” often involved repetitive manual and mental tasks, such as is typical of factory work and bookkeeping. “Most people in routine jobs in our sample included housekeepers, custodians, construction workers and mail carriers,” Edwin said. More cognitively demanding jobs were not based on routine tasks, even though repetition was required at times.

Persons: ”, Dr, Trine Edwin, Edwin said, Richard Isaacson, Isaacson, ” Edwin, Edwin, It’s, ” Isaacson Organizations: CNN, Oslo University Hospital, American Academy of Neurology, “ Locations: Norway, Florida

☆ How to fight dementia, according to neurologists
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

What about diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, high blood pressure or heart disease? Some of the questions might seem unexpected to those who don’t write about brain health. However, my risk of developing vascular dementia, the second most common type after Alzheimer’s disease, is elevated. "Such spikes cause brain inflammation, disrupt brain metabolism and increase shrinkage of the thinking part of the brain," Isaacson said. The National Institute on Aging currently supports nearly 500 active clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Persons: Louise Dittner, Krysta, Ryan LaMotte, It’s, ”, Natalia Rost, “, Rost, ” Rost, Richard Isaacson, ” Isaacson, mockingbird …, birthed, it’s, I’ve, Isaacson, Sandee LaMotte Organizations: CNN, Comprehensive, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, American Academy of Neurology, Boca Raton, Weill Cornell Medicine, Presbyterian, Mayo Clinic, Volunteers, Alzheimer’s, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health Locations: Massachusetts, Boston, neonatologists, Florida, United, New York, New York City, Nature

☆ Healthy living may battle cognitive decline even with signs of dementia in the brain, study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Living a healthy lifestyle with a focus on a nutritious diet, regular exercise, minimum alcohol consumption and other healthy habits can help keep your brain sharp into old age, doctors say. But what if your brain already has signs of beta amyloid or tau — two of the hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s and other brain pathologies? Will a healthy lifestyle still protect you from cognitive decline? Not everyone who has signs of Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia goes on to develop cognitive issues, but many do. In fact, “a higher healthy lifestyle score was associated with better cognition even after accounting for the combined burden of brain pathologies,” according to Yaffe and Leng.

Persons: ”, Dr, Klodian, Richard Isaacson, “, Isaacson, wasn’t, —, Kobus, Lewy, Yue Leng, Kristine Yaffe, Yaffe, San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences . Leng, Leng, it’s Organizations: CNN, Rush Institute, Healthy Aging, Rush University, “, University of California, San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences . Locations: Chicago, Florida, San

☆ Rare cases of possible Alzheimer’s transmission uncovered in recipients of discontinued medical treatment
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

All five adults had growth hormone deficiency as children and received pituitary growth hormones prepared in a specific way from cadavers. The treatment approach was discontinued after cases of a rare brain disorder called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were found to be associated with the administration of contaminated human growth hormone from cadavers. Although Alzheimer’s is not a prion disease, some separate research suggests that the two proteins that are hallmarks in Alzheimer’s disease — amyloid beta and tau — behave like prions. “This study suggests that in very rare circumstances Alzheimer’s disease may be transmitted between humans via human growth hormone from deceased donors. “I’m also intrigued by how these results may inform potential therapeutic targets and strategies in the future,” Isaacson said, regarding Alzheimer’s disease.

Persons: John Collinge, Jakob, Creutzfeldt – Jakob, Alzheimer’s, ” Collinge, ’, –, ” Dr, Susan Kohlhaas, ” Kohlhaas, “ It’s, Dr, Richard Isaacson, ”, Isaacson, “ I’m, ” Isaacson, “, Gargi Banerjee, ” Banerjee, James Galvin, Sanjay Gupta, ” Galvin, Lewy Organizations: CNN, Nature, University College London Institute, University College London, National Hospital for Neurology, Neurosurgery, Alzheimer’s Research, Science Media, Comprehensive, Brain Health, University of Miami Health, CNN Health Locations: United Kingdom, United States, United, Florida, UHealth, Creutzfeldt

☆ New blood test that screens for Alzheimer’s may be a step closer to reality, study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that affects memory and thinking skills, is the most common type of dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health. “A blood test being negative speeds up the investigation for other causes of the symptoms and this is just as important,” Ashton said. Isaacson, who has researched blood biomarkers in people with no or minimal cognitive complaints, likened testing blood samples for signs of Alzheimer’s disease to how people undergo routine blood tests for high cholesterol. It is possible that currently available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease would work better in those diagnosed early in this way,” he said. The combination of a simple screening test with an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease would have a dramatic impact for individuals and for society.”

Persons: ” Nicholas Ashton, Ashton, ”, Kaj Blennow, Henrik Zetterberg, antiamyloid, immunoassay, ” Ashton, Richard Isaacson, ” Isaacson, Isaacson, ‘, “, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, David Curtis, ” Curtis Organizations: CNN, University of Gothenburg, National Institutes of Health, Quest Diagnostics, Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s Association, Get CNN, CNN Health, University College London, Science Media Locations: Sweden, United States, Wisconsin, Pau, Florida

☆ Address 12 health factors to prevent brain disease, research suggests
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The 21-point Brain Care Score refers to how a person fares on 12 health-related factors concerning physical, lifestyle and social-emotional components of health, according to the study published December 1 in the journal Frontiers in Neurology. Those in their 50s had a 32% lower risk of dementia and a 52% lower chance of stroke. Participants older than 59 had the lowest estimates, with an 8% lower risk of dementia and a 33% lower risk of stroke. But in terms of explaining the overall findings, many past studies have affirmed the benefits of these health components for brain health. “But as scientists, we always want to see proof.”Participating in studies like this one can be a good way to manage your brain health, Isaacson said — especially if you have limited access to health care.

Persons: ”, Jonathan Rosand, Kistler, “, Richard Isaacson, Isaacson wasn’t, ” Isaacson, it’s, ‘, Isaacson, ” Rosand, — Organizations: CNN, BCS, McCance, Brain Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, National Institutes of Health Locations: Massachusetts, United States, United Kingdom, Florida

☆ Bigger belly in 40s and 50s linked to early signs of Alzheimer’s disease
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Inflammation from belly fat may be linked to the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease decades before symptoms begin, new research has found. “That’s important because brain atrophy is another biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease,” Raji said. “These are people who, if they do develop Alzheimer’s disease, it won’t happen for another 20 or 25 more years. “Regardless of weight, people should find out if they have hidden visceral fat,” Raji said. Visceral fat ‘easier to lose’There’s good news: Visceral fat responds well to diet and exercise, Raji said.

Persons: “, ”, Richard Isaacson, Isaacson, Cyrus Raji, St . Louis, ” Raji, Dr, Mahsa, Raji, ” Isaacson, It’s Organizations: CNN, Washington University School of Medicine, Radiology Society, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic Locations: Florida, St .

☆ Sweet spot for HRT may reduce dementia risk by nearly a third, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Just how harmful or helpful hormone replacement therapy may be also depends on the type of hormones that are prescribed, especially at older ages. Estrogen-only hormone therapy can be prescribed if the uterus has been removed via hysterectomy. Scientists are developing a new generation of hormone replacement called selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM. Scientists are working on new forms of hormone replacement therapy that go directly to the brain, thus making them safer for menopausal women. In addition, some women are not candidates for hormone replacement therapy, perhaps due to family history, heart conditions or clotting disorders.

Persons: hasn’t, “, ”, Lisa Mosconi, Mosconi, Richard Isaacson, ” Isaacson, gynecologists, midlife, ” Mosconi Organizations: CNN, Weill Cornell Medicine, “ Locations: New York City, midlife, Florida

☆ Loss of slow-wave sleep raises dementia risk, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Loss of slow-wave sleep as you age may increase your risk of developing dementia, according to a new study. Slow-wave sleep is the third stage of sleep, which is important for brain health. Each percentage decrease in slow-wave sleep per year was linked with a 27% increased risk of developing dementia and a 32% higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease dementia. The rate of slow-wave sleep loss accelerated from age 60, peaked from ages 75 to 80 and slowed afterward. “This is an important study yet again showing the impact of quality of sleep on a person’s risk of cognitive decline and dementia,” Isaacson said.

Persons: ”, Matthew P, Pase, “, Richard Isaacson, Isaacson wasn’t, ” Pase, ” Isaacson, it’s, Rudolph Tanzi, Tanzi wasn’t, Pase’s Organizations: CNN, Monash University, Framingham Heart Study, US, Blood Institute, Study, Genetics, Aging Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, ” Locations: Australia, Florida, Framingham, Massachusetts

☆ Opinion: A boast that could sink Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —“I’m the one that got rid of Roe v. Wade,” former President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday on Newsmax. Congress has the power to rein in the court, wrote CNN legal analyst and law professor Steve Vladeck, whose new book “The Shadow Docket” focuses on the Supreme Court. Courtesy Boaz FreundIn 2019, then-President Trump issued an executive order requiring hospitals to post the prices of common medical services and procedures. For some, its celebration of a multiracial but purely fictional British aristocracy may even be a big part of its appeal.”As escapism, “Queen Charlotte” is a success.

☆ A man destined for Alzheimer's defied that fate. Now scientists want to know how
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

He seems to have been protected by a rare gene change that enhanced the function of a protein that helps nerve cells communicate. Scientists say that understanding how this gene change defended his brain may help prevent Alzheimer’s in other people. “Another big insight from this case is, it seems like maybe you don’t need this everywhere in the brain,” Arboleda-Velasquez said. This is the pathway that is important for extreme protection against Alzheimer’s,’ ” Arboleda-Velasquez said. The sister of the man in the new study also shared the rare protective gene change, and it helped her, but not as much.

☆ Sleep apnea, lack of deep sleep linked to damage in brain, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

If the sleep apnea is severe and untreated, people have three times the risk of dying from any cause. People with severe sleep apnea who spent less time in deep, also known as slow-wave sleep, had more damage to the white matter of the brain than people who had more slow-wave sleep, according to the study. “The association with sleep apnea was only unveiled when we isolated severe cases, suggesting that mild to moderate sleep apnea may not be significantly associated with white matter changes,” he said. About 34% of the participants had mild sleep apnea, 32% had moderate and 34% had severe sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea, however, can have dozens of micro-awakenings during the night as they snore, snort or gasp for breath.

☆ Alzheimer’s first signs may appear in your eyes, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Getty ImagesResearch has been exploring how the eye may help in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms begin. “Alzheimer’s disease begins in the brain decades before the first symptoms of memory loss,” said Dr. Richard Isaacson, an Alzheimer’s preventive neurologist who is also at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Researchers then compared samples from donors with normal cognitive function to those with mild cognitive impairment and those with later-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in February in the journal Acta Neuropathologica, found significant increases in beta-amyloid, a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease, in people with both Alzheimer’s and early cognitive decline. Tissue atrophy and inflammation in cells in the far periphery of the retina were most predictive of cognitive status, the study found.

☆ Experimental drug appears to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease in clinical trial but raises safety concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

It involved 1,795 adults, ages 50 to 90, with mild cognitive impairment due to early Alzheimer’s disease or mild Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia. Such a score is consistent with early Alzheimer’s disease, with a higher number associated with more cognitive impairment. By 18 months, the CDR-SB score went up 1.21 points in the lecanemab group, compared with 1.66 in the placebo group. Overall, there were serious adverse events in 14% of the lecanemab group and 11.3% of the placebo group. The researchers also wrote that about 0.7% of participants in the lecanemab group and 0.8% of those in the placebo group died, corresponding to six deaths documented in the lecanemab group and seven in the placebo group.

☆ Alzheimer’s drug slows progression of cognitive decline in clinical trial, drugmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Amanda Sealy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A monoclonal antibody treatment for Alzheimer’s disease called lecanemab slows the progression of cognitive decline by 27% compared with a placebo, drugmakers Biogen and Eisai said Tuesday. Alzheimer’s is a very heterogeneous disease.”But he says that does not diminish the potential significance of the trial. “In the past, reducing amyloid in the brain has not always been tied to cognitive improvements or any meaningful clinical improvements. Biogen is also the company behind another Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm, which was controversially approved by the FDA in June 2021. Aduhelm was the first new Alzheimer’s drug approved in nearly 20 years, but there were questions about its efficacy and cost.

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