A monthly recap of the latest news about Alzheimer’s and dementia
Lilly drug slows Alzheimer’s by 35%, bolstering treatment approach
An experimental Alzheimer’s drug developed by Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N) slowed cognitive decline by 35% in a late-stage trial, the company said on Wednesday, providing what experts say is the strongest evidence yet that removing sticky amyloid plaques from the brain benefits patients with the fatal disease. Read more here.
MIND and Mediterranean diets linked to fewer signs of Alzheimer’s brain pathology
The MIND and Mediterranean diets — both of which are rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans, and fish — are associated with fewer signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of older adults. Read more here.
NIH researchers identify large genetic changes that contribute to dementia risk
Discovery provides potential clues for Lewy body and frontotemporal dementias. Read more here.
Less myelin content in the brain linked to faster cognitive decline
People whose brains have less myelin — the fatty tissue that insulates nerve cells — experience steeper declines in cognition over time, according to an NIA study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Read more here.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing the supplemental approval of Rexulti (brexpiprazole) oral tablets for the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. This is the first FDA-approved treatment option for this indication. Read more here.
Mutation Protected Man From Alzheimer’s Disease, Hinting at Treatment
The man should have gotten Alzheimer’s disease in his early 40s — he had a gene mutation that guaranteed it, or so it seemed. Read more here.
Removing a genetic risk factor from neurons reduces pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease in mice, according to an NIA-funded study. Read more here.
Deep Sleep May Be the Best Defense Against Alzheimer’s
Shakespeare said slumber was ‘the main course in life’s feast.’ Studies suggest is also protects the brain. Read more here.
Insomnia drug may lower levels of Alzheimer’s proteins
Past studies have found links between poor sleep and Alzheimer’s disease. Poor sleep may contribute to dementia risk. The development of cognitive decline and dementia may also disrupt sleep. Read more here.
