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Now, a spectacle-mounted device to detect early signs of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

Now, a spectacle-mounted device to detect early signs of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

Time of India5 days ago
Now, a spectacle-mounted device to detect early signs of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
Chethan Kumar
TNN
Jul 21, 2025, 11:27 IST IST
A homegrown device is in the works that could determine you brain's health in quite literally the blink of an eye by transforming how doctors diagnose and monitor neurological disorders
In modest labs tucked away in the Indian Institute of Science , Bengaluru, scientists have engineered a spectacle-mountable device that does more than sharpen your vision — it peers into your brain's health. This is not science fiction. It's a working apparatus and could change how doctors diagnose and monitor neurological disorders .
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Understanding frontotemporal dementia, the disease Bruce Willis is battling
Understanding frontotemporal dementia, the disease Bruce Willis is battling

India Today

time14 hours ago

  • India Today

Understanding frontotemporal dementia, the disease Bruce Willis is battling

When Hollywood icon Bruce Willis was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), it wasn't just another celebrity health update it was a moment of global heartbreak. For decades, Willis played characters who defied odds, cracked jokes under pressure, and carried the weight of the world with a smirk. To imagine him now struggling to find words or understand emotions feels deeply personal for many beyond the emotional impact lies a serious medical reality: FTD is one of the most common causes of early-onset dementia, yet it remains widely misunderstood, frequently misdiagnosed, and largely IS FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA?Frontotemporal Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of neurodegenerative disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, regions responsible for personality, language, decision-making, behavior, and emotional regulation. Unlike Alzheimer's disease, which initially presents with memory loss, FTD often begins with changes in personality or language abilities. "While Alzheimer's typically causes memory problems, FTD starts with behavior, mood, or speech issues," says Dr. Sonia Lal Gupta, a senior neurologist. "It affects the part of the brain that makes us who we are how we interact socially, empathize, or express ourselves."Dr. Lal Gupta emphasizes that early signs can be subtle. 'Many families dismiss it as stress, depression, or a midlife crisis,' she says. 'But when someone begins behaving out of character, becomes socially inappropriate, or has trouble with language, it's time to consider a neurological evaluation.' TYPES OF FTDThere are several clinical subtypes of FTD, with overlapping symptoms:1. Behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD):Most common form; marked by changes in behavior, disinhibition, apathy, and lack of empathy.2. Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA):Involves a gradual loss of language skills-difficulty naming objects, forming sentences, or understanding conversations.3. FTD with motor neuron disease (like ALS):In some cases, FTD co-occurs with movement disorders, including Parkinsonism or CAUSES FTD?FTD is caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal and/or temporal lobes. This shrinkage leads to the loss of function in those regions. It's often sporadic, but up to 40% of cases have a genetic link, caused by mutations in specific genes like MAPT, GRN, or is not linked to lifestyle factors like smoking or poor diet, and currently, there is no cure or disease-modifying treatment. Most treatments aim to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.'Public figures sharing their diagnosis helps remove the stigma,' says Dr. Arvind Iyer, a senior neuropsychiatrist in Mumbai. 'FTD is not just 'getting old'—it's a serious condition that needs timely intervention. The more we talk about it, the earlier we can catch it, and potentially improve quality of life.'WHO DOES IT AFFECT?FTD primarily strikes people between 40 and 65 years of age, though it can appear later. This makes it especially devastating, as it often affects people at the peak of their careers and family life."FTD is under-recognized because we don't expect dementia in people in their 40s or 50s," explains Dr. Arvind Iyer, a neuropsychiatrist. "In many cases, patients are misdiagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, or even burnout before FTD is considered."KEY SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FORadvertisementEarly behavioral symptoms may include:Loss of social tact or empathyInappropriate jokes or impulsive behaviorApathy or lack of motivationObsessive or repetitive behaviorsPoor personal hygieneChanges in eating habits (e.g., overeating or preference for sweets)In language-dominant FTD:Difficulty forming words (non-fluent aphasia)Trouble understanding or remembering namesLoss of vocabularySpeaking in short, broken sentencesAs the disease progresses, symptoms may overlap with those of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, making accurate diagnosis WHY EARLY RECOGNITION MATTERSCurrently, there is no single test for FTD. 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Bruce Willis may have stepped away from acting, but his real-life battle is teaching us something far more powerful: the importance of recognizing the invisible battles so many families are quietly your loved one is showing unusual behavior, personality shifts, or language struggles don't wait. Talk to a neurologist. Early help can make a lifetime of difference.- EndsTrending Reel

Pioneering monsoon scientist Sulochana Gadgil passes away at 81
Pioneering monsoon scientist Sulochana Gadgil passes away at 81

Hindustan Times

time15 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Pioneering monsoon scientist Sulochana Gadgil passes away at 81

Former Indian Institute of Science (IISc) professor Sulochana Gadgil, whose five-decade research on variability and the physics of monsoon enhanced its understanding and inspired generations of climate scientists, has passed away. She was 81. Former IISc professor Sulochana Gadgil's research enhanced the understanding on monsoon. (X) Gadgil made a name for herself through her pioneering work as a scientist, when it was considered difficult for women to lead in such fields. In 1973, she played a key role in establishing the IISc's Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (Bengaluru) after her doctoral work at Harvard and post-doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Born and brought up in Pune, Gadgil credited her parents for encouraging their four daughters to study. She called her husband, ecologist Madhav Gadgil, an important inspiration behind her research and career. 'Madhav, the fellow student whom I eventually married, claims that I caught his attention when jumping out of a high French window of a lecture hall to escape from a boring class!' she wrote in her essay titled 'My tryst with the Monsoon'. Sulochana Gadgil enjoyed mathematics from a young age, did her master's degree in applied mathematics at Pune University, and fell in love with the monsoon dynamics. She studied the how and why of monsoon variability. Sulochana Gadgil analysed conventional and satellite data, and models of varying levels of complexity to understand the mechanisms responsible for important phenomena. She worked on the formulation of the methodology for the application of the knowledge and prediction of rainfall variability for farming strategies and modelling ecological and evolutionary phenomena. Tributes poured in as the news of Sulochana Gadgil's death late on Thursday broke. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called her one of India's finest climate scientists. 'Her research over almost five decades greatly enhanced our understanding of the Indian monsoon,' Ramesh wrote on X. Ramesh said that Sulochana Gadgil's life was devoted to advancing academic scholarship. He called her a field scientist who investigated the practical relevance of her work, especially on farming in rain-fed areas. 'Her ability to communicate scientific research to the larger public was remarkable. She was an outstanding personality in her own right.' Ramesh called Sulochana and Madhav Gadgil a formidable duo who individually and jointly mentored, guided, and inspired many. India Meteorological Department scientist DS Pai referred to Sulochana Gadgil's research on physics, predictability, and variability of monsoon, and said she was an expert on every aspect. 'She conducted field experiments related to agriculture. Young or old, whoever discussed the monsoon with her, she would explain things very enthusiastically.' Former earth sciences ministry secretary M Rajeevan called Sulochana Gadgil a true inspiration to generations of young scientists. 'Her unwavering commitment to research ethics, justice, and equality set her apart as both a scholar and a human being.' He said she was not only his teacher and mentor, but also a close and cherished friend. 'We had the privilege of working together on several seminal research papers on monsoon variability and prediction—collaborations that remain deeply meaningful to me.'

Car Emissions, Air Pollution Linked To Higher Dementia Risk: Study
Car Emissions, Air Pollution Linked To Higher Dementia Risk: Study

NDTV

time15 hours ago

  • NDTV

Car Emissions, Air Pollution Linked To Higher Dementia Risk: Study

New Delhi: Regular exposure to air pollution, including that coming from car exhaust emissions, can increased your risk of dementia, according to an analysis of studies published on Friday. Dementias such as Alzheimer's disease are estimated to affect more than 57.4 million people worldwide, a number that is expected to almost triple to 152.8 million cases by 2050. The study, published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health, showed that for every 10 micrograms per cubic metre of PM2.5, an individual's relative risk of dementia would increase by 17 per cent. For each 1 micrograms per cubic metre of soot as found in PM2.5, the relative risk for the cognitive condition increased by 13 per cent. Soot comes from sources such as vehicle exhaust emissions and burning wood. "These findings underscore the need for an interdisciplinary approach to dementia prevention. Preventing dementia is not just the responsibility of health care: this study strengthens the case that urban planning, transport policy, and environmental regulation all have a significant role to play," said joint first author Dr. Christiaan Bredell from the University of Cambridge. Air pollution causes inflammation in the brain and oxidative stress (a chemical process in the body that can cause damage to cells, proteins, and DNA), leading to the onset and progression of dementia. "Tackling air pollution can deliver long-term health, social, climate, and economic benefits. It can reduce the immense burden on patients, families, and caregivers, while easing pressure on overstretched health care systems," said Dr. Haneen Khreis from the MRC Epidemiology Unit. For the study, the team carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing scientific literature. They included 51 studies, including data from more than 29 million participants, mostly from high-income countries. Of these, 34 papers were included in the meta-analysis: 15 originated in North America, 10 in Europe, seven in Asia, and two in Australia. The researchers found a positive and statistically significant association between particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and soot and dementia. Further analysis revealed that the effect of exposure to these pollutants was stronger for vascular dementia -- a type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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