February 3, 2022
A monthly recap of the latest news about Alzheimer’s and dementia
At least 9 Alzheimer’s vaccines in trials right now
Stanford immunologist Mark Davis, PhD, once called vaccines “the single most life-saving medical innovation ever in the history of medicine.” Vaccines are not only key for protecting against infectious diseases — they may even be able to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease. Read more here.
Dementia cases may triple globally by 2050: Study
Smoking, obesity and high blood sugar are risk factors for dementia. Unless countries act swiftly to address dementia risk factors, global cases of dementia may triple by 2050, according to a new study published Thursday in the Lancet. Read more here.
Exercise may protect your brain even if you have signs of dementia, study finds
A new study finds exercise boosts levels of a protein known to strengthen communication between brain cells via synapses, which may be a key factor in keeping dementia at bay. Read more here.
Black participants in Alzheimer’s disease research studies were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related dementias than white participants, despite national statistics that indicate that Black Americans are overall about twice as likely to develop dementias than whites. Read more here.
Study maps out genomic regions that may control levels of proteins linked to neurological disorders
Proteins linked to neurological disorders may be regulated in different ways in various tissue types, a new study shows. Read more here.
Clinical Trial Set for Gantenerumab in Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease
An international clinical trial for gantenerumab aimed at preventing inherited, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is being launched at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Read more here.
Olive oil linked to lower death risks from Alzheimer’s disease, all causes
Adding olive oil to your diet could lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer, new research suggests. Read more here.
Medicare Proposes Limited Coverage of Controversial New Alzheimer’s Drug
Medicare plans to pay for the new Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, federal officials announced on Jan. 11. But in a rare move, the program is proposing to limit its coverage to beneficiaries who are enrolled in approved clinical trials. Read more here.
Cataract Surgery May Reduce Your Dementia Risk
Older adults who had cataract removal to restore their vision had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Read more here.
