Identifying patients at risk for vascular brain injury before the onset of cognitive decline 21 December 2024: To identify and track blood vessel-related changes in the brain that contribute to cognitive impairment and dementia, researchers and clinicians typically rely on MRI to assess “downstream” biological markers – those at the end of a cascade of…
Category: Alzheimer’s Disease
New mechanism for blood flow regulation in the brain
19 December, 2024: A study led by Mark Nelson, PhD, from the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, has identified a new mechanism, Electro-Calcium (E-Ca) Coupling, that integrates electrical and calcium signalling to regulate blood flow in the brain. Published in PNAS, the research redefines how capillaries ensure precise oxygen and nutrient…
A link between gut bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease?
1 December 2024: A study by researchers at Florida State University’s Gut Biome Lab has revealed a potential link between an infection caused by gut bacteria and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The research found that the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae — a common bacteria notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections — can migrate from the gut into the…
Finger-prick blood test accurately detects p-tau217
A pilot study presented at the 17th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) conference highlights the potential of a finger-prick blood test to measure p-tau217, a key biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study demonstrated a strong correlation between p-tau217 levels from capillary dried plasma spot (DPS) samples and standard venous plasma. Capillary samples, collected…
EMA reverses decision on Leqembi (lecanemab)
14 November 2024: The EMA has today partially approved a marketing application for Leqembi (Biogen/Eisai), having previously rejected it it July 2024, saying that the side effects outweighed the benefits. “After re-examining its initial opinion, the EMA… has recommended granting marketing authorisation to Leqembi (lecanemab) for treating mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to…
MHRA approves donanemab…
…but NICE says it does not demonstrate value for the NHS The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted marketing authorisation for donanemab, an injection for intravenous infusion every four weeks to treat mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease in eligible adults in Great Britain. Eligible patients are limited to…
Bepranemab Phase 2a study
Results accepted for Late-Breaking Presentation at Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) 2024 Meeting 22nd October 2024: UCB today announced that the results of its double-blind TOGETHER (AH0003) Phase 2a study of bepranemab – an investigational anti-tau antibody – in people living with prodromal to mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), have been accepted for presentation in…
Cannabis-based medicine for neurodegenerative diseases
Avextra announces the approval of NEUROBIS by the Italian Medicines Agency: A Phase II clinical trial Avextra AG, a European manufacturer and developer of Cannabis-based medicines located in Germany, has announced that both the Italian Medicines Agency AIFA and the Italian Ministry of Health have granted formal approval for a multi-centre Phase II study to…
Rewriting the story of dementia
Poetry book challenges mainstream media portrayal In the palm of a spider’s hand by Gerald King, who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s at 55, aims to challenge the dehumanising narratives about dementia perpetuated by mainstream media. This publication seeks to redefine how we understand and engage with the lived dementia experience. King’s words liken Alzheimer’s…
