These 4 Distinct Patterns May Signal Alzheimer's According to Science
Now, US researchers have uncovered four telltale medical sequences that appear to predict the onset of the progressive neurological disorder.
In the large new study, scientists analyzed health records from 24,473 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's, searching for patterns that typically led up to their diagnosis – and crucially, how different factors combined in sequence.
"We found that multi-step trajectories can indicate greater risk factors for Alzheimer's disease than single conditions," says Mingzhou Fu, a bioinformatician at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
"Understanding these pathways could fundamentally change how we approach early detection and prevention."
Related:
Four "trajectory clusters" were identified by the team, which are essentially different routes to Alzheimer's, like step-by-step directions towards a destination on a map.
Analysis of an independent dataset from across the US found people who follow one of these trajectories tend to have a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer's.
The four clusters were mental health (psychiatric conditions), encephalopathy (brain dysfunctions that gradually get worse), mild cognitive impairment (declining mental dexterity), and vascular disease (heart and blood conditions).
The researchers used an algorithmic approach called dynamic time warping to standardize the duration and sequence of health issues across these thousands of database records, and find patterns that matched up between patients.
In the mental health cluster, for example, anxiety often came first, followed by depression, which often eventually led to Alzheimer's. In the vascular cluster, conditions like hypertension and joint disorders were common starting points on the road to Alzheimer's.
Across the four clusters, thousands of different individual trajectories were identified, varying in terms of their progression speeds and associated Alzheimer's risk level. It shows just how complex the road to Alzheimer's can be.
"By unveiling distinct and interconnected routes to Alzheimer's disease, this approach offers insights that may improve risk assessment, timely diagnosis, and targeted interventions," write the researchers in their published paper.
To test their findings, the team ran their model on a separate set of health records from 8,512 people. The pathways identified by the study were far more likely to be present in those with Alzheimer's, adding weight to the results.
Of course, understanding more about how Alzheimer's progresses in the body could help us stop it: there may be blocks that can be put in place along the way that prevent the disease from fully developing, or at least reduce the risk.
As always, there's plenty more work to do here. The researchers want to study broader groups of people with and without Alzheimer's to further validate their findings, and expand the work to more types of dementia.
While these four clusters don't imply direct cause and effect or guarantee someone will develop Alzheimer's, they're likely to be important in future assessments of patients – and in figuring out how to stop this devastating disease.
"Recognizing these sequential patterns rather than focusing on diagnoses in isolation may help clinicians improve Alzheimer's disease diagnosis," says neurologist Timothy Chang, from UCLA.
The research has been published in eBioMedicine.
Related News
Study Reveals Turning Point When Your Body's Aging Accelerates
Putting Makeup on Children Could Risk Their Health, Study Shows
New Kind of Dental Floss Could Replace Vaccine Needles, Study Finds
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
California's Wildfire Emissions Top Its Power Plants, But Go Uncounted
When wildfires ravaged Los Angeles County earlier this year, they destroyed thousands of homes and caused exorbitant insurance claims. But a less obvious disaster also occurred: satellites detected massive plumes of CO₂, rivaling the yearly emissions of some small countries. In just days, the fires released more carbon pollution than all of California's passenger vehicles emit in a month. Yet none of it counts toward the state's official climate ledger. Despite California's ambitious climate laws and sophisticated carbon accounting, emissions from wildfires are treated as natural disasters—uncontrollable and, therefore, unaccountable. But with wildfires now exacerbated by fossil fuel combustion, hotter weather, and poor forest management, experts say this blind spot is no longer defensible. Fires are both a consequence and a contributing factor to the climate crisis. 'Wildfires in California have become a major and growing source of greenhouse gas emissions,' said Michael Jerrett, professor at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health, in a study. 'Wildfire emissions in 2020 essentially negate 18 years of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.' In that year, wildfires released an estimated 127 million metric tons of CO₂—twice the amount produced by California's entire power sector. Because these emissions originate from trees rather than smokestacks, they are often excluded from climate inventories due to a technicality known as the 'fast carbon cycle.' The idea is that forests will eventually reabsorb the carbon they release. However, with longer fire seasons and declining ecosystems, that reabsorption is no longer assured. Today's wildfires burn hotter, spread faster, and start more easily than those of decades past. Rising global temperatures, prolonged drought, earlier snowmelt, and increasingly dry vegetation are all part of the equation. So is human encroachment into fire-prone areas, which increases ignition sources—from cars to power lines—and puts more lives and infrastructure at risk. "In a warmer world, we're already seeing more extreme wildfires that put both people and nature at risk," said Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy's publication. 'More than a century of fuel build-up, past land and fire management, fire exclusion, and expansion into the wildland-urban interface all play a part.' Carbon Risk Is Becoming A Financial Liability The Global Wildfire Information System estimates that wildfires release between 5 and 8 billion tons of CO₂ each year—roughly one-fifth of the total emissions from the entire cement industry, one of the world's biggest polluters. These fire-related emissions are often viewed as byproducts of global warming. But that's changing. The consequences of ignoring wildfire emissions are no longer just ecological—they're economic. Wildfires disrupt everything from supply chains and insurance premiums to asset valuations. Companies with fire exposure may experience a decline in their valuations, particularly as investors scrutinize climate-related risks. A McKinsey study found that 83% of Fortune Global 500 companies have climate-related targets; however, far fewer address nature-based threats, such as wildfires, drought, or land degradation. This leaves firms vulnerable not only to physical damage but also to shareholder lawsuits and director liability. Some institutions are responding. The USDA Forest Service and EPA have begun integrating wildfire emissions into national inventories. Platforms like Climate TRACE, which use satellites to monitor pollution in real-time, reveal that we underreport carbon sources, including wildfires. Meanwhile, reinsurers and insurers—who shoulder billions in wildfire losses—are calling for climate-adjusted pricing. And S&P Global Ratings and Moody's warn that utilities with wildfire exposure face mounting credit risks unless they invest in prevention, resilience, and emergency planning. The real-world results and the remedies? Few examples illustrate the financial fallout of fire-driven climate risk better than PG&E. The utility filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2019, overwhelmed by $30 billion in liabilities linked to fires between 2015 and 2018. Investigators determined that PG&E's equipment caused several major blazes, including the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive in California history. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2020 after agreeing to a $13.5 billion settlement with fire victims and pledging billions toward safety upgrades. The utility has become a case study in the cost of ignoring climate exposure. PG&E now routinely shuts down power during high-risk conditions. While controversial, Hawaiian Electric and PacifiCorp employ similar tactics. Climate Leadership Requires Carbon Accountability The bankruptcy also changed how the entire utility sector views risk. Companies now invest in vegetation management, grid modernization, and predictive analytics. But even these steps only address the triggers and technical solutions—not the obvious disconnect centered on carbon math. California continues to lead the nation in climate policy, with ambitious targets for zero-emission energy and net-zero emissions by 2045. Governor Gavin Newsom has invested in forest thinning, prescribed burns, and firefighting capacity. But wildfire emissions are still excluded from the state's formal climate goals. 'The debate is over around climate. Just come to the state of California. Observe it with your own eyes,' Newsom said in 2020, surveying wildfire damage. That line captured both the urgency and irony. While California acts boldly on decarbonization, it still underestimates one of its largest and fastest-growing sources of CO₂. The result is a policy blind spot with global implications. When California's fires take out the forests and emit more CO₂ in a single season than the state's power sector, we are not addressing the climate crisis—we are just greenwashing it.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
"It was kind of challenging but it was all for the good" - Luka Doncic reveals he gave up basketball to improve his conditioning for the next season
"It was kind of challenging but it was all for the good" - Luka Doncic reveals he gave up basketball to improve his conditioning for the next season originally appeared on Basketball Network. By now, the whole world has seen the transformation that Luka Doncic has made in his body in his first offseason as a Los Angeles Laker. This has not only surprised the consensus but also instilled belief that the 26-year-old superstar might just put together his best basketball season in his remarkable career so far. But ironically, what also led to Doncic's weight loss this summer wasn't basketball. In fact, the Slovenian sensation revealed that he had to be forced to stay away from it and take a whole new approach this offseason in order to achieve his goals. "I would say me and my team just tried different new things. Different food, different practices," he said. "I actually gave up playing basketball for one month, which I've never done in my life. So it was kind of challenging, but it was all good," said Doncic in his appearance on The Today's Show. Out with the old, in with the new While losing what seems to be more than 10 pounds, the 6'7" guard pursued playing other sports religiously, such as pickleball and padel. Doncic said that it helped that he played multiple sports as a kid growing up, which was why he eventually made peace with the fact that he wouldn't play basketball for a month. Instead of playing basketball, the international superstar focused on getting his diet right and placing more emphasis on weight training. Without playing basketball for the first time in years, the five-time All-Star also let his body recover completely, especially after a season that saw him miss 32 regular-season games because of a severe calf injury. This offseason, Doncic made it a point to lose weight, build muscle strength, and get right mentally. "This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can't stop," Doncic told Men's Health Magazine earlier this week. In prime position to bounce back Doncic also said he didn't lose weight to prove a point against his many critics who have long called him out for being out of shape. Instead, he did it for himself because he knows he needs to take advantage of his prime years while they're still around. It also helps that he's never been doubted the way he was last season, when not only the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Lakers, but his early playoff exit led him to be more motivated than ever to come back stronger. "Honestly, I tried to not read much. Just tried to focus," he said about his critics. "I think I was still a pretty good basketball player back then, no matter what people say." True enough, an "out-of-shape" Doncic has averaged 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists thus far in his seven-year stint in the NBA. If he was able to be a top five player over the last couple of years, what more now with his change in approach in regards to his fitness? Time will eventually tell how monumental this summer would eventually end up impacting The Don's career moving story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
This tasty seasoning can boost memory, fight anxiety and even help prevent dementia
Herb your enthusiasm — your brain's about to get a boost. For centuries, a trusty kitchen staple has been celebrated by ancient healers for its wide-ranging medicinal properties, including sharpening memory, concentration and overall cognitive function. Now, modern science is backing up that old-school wisdom, with research suggesting the powerful plant could even help fight Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Advertisement 5 The herb is generally considered safe for culinary and medicinal purposes when used in moderation. rh2010 – A Mediterranean marvel Rosemary, a fragrant evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, has been a kitchen staple since the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Fast forward to today, and the versatile herb has won fans around the world. Its bold, aromatic leaves — whether fresh or dried — are widely used as seasoning, steeped in tea or infused into oil. Advertisement But could adding rosemary to your meals do more than just wake up your taste buds? More than just flavor Packed with phytochemicals, rosemary has been shown to help protect the body from harmful free radicals, oxidative stress and inflammation — all key drivers behind chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 5 Rosemary is part of the mint family, which also includes herbs like basil, thyme and lavender. PhotoArt Thomas Klee – It also appears to pack an antimicrobial punch, having long been used in traditional medicine to fight infections and speed wound healing. Advertisement Rosemary is a solid source of vitamins A, C and B6, along with essential minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. It's especially rich in manganese, a key nutrient for metabolic health. With all these benefits, scientists are investigating whether rosemary could help with everything from vision and skin health to hair growth, asthma relief and even slowing the spread of cancer cells. But one of the most promising frontiers in rosemary research is the brain. Brain food since ancient times Advertisement Scientists may be just catching on, but humans have relied on rosemary to boost brainpower for thousands of years. 5 Rosemary's potent tioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may give the brain a major boost. manassanant – Back in ancient Greece, students and scholars commonly wore garlands made from the plant on their heads during exams to boost their memory and focus. Centuries later, Shakespeare crowned it 'the herb of remembrance.' Turns out, they might have been onto something. In one study, older adults who sniffed rosemary scored significantly better on tests of prospective memory — the ability to remember to do something at the right time — compared to those in an unscented room. They were also more alert. 'This is potentially very important because prospective memory, for example, enables you to remember to take your medication at certain times of the day,' said Dr. Mark Moss, head of the department of psychology at Northumbria University, who helped lead the study. 5 The scent of rosemary has been shown to improve memory and focus, as well as lower stress and anxiety levels. annanahabed – Advertisement But it's not just seniors who could benefit. A 2018 trial found university students taking 500 mg of rosemary supplements twice daily for a month showed better memory than a placebo group. They also reported less anxiety and depression, plus better sleep — suggesting rosemary does more than just sharpen your mind. In another study, employees who drank rosemary-infused water daily said they felt less burnt out at their jobs than coworkers who didn't. Advertisement Scientists think rosemary may work its magic by boosting blood flow to the brain — flooding it with oxygen and nutrients that help clear out mental fog. Its calming scent has also been shown to lower cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. Meanwhile, research suggests its polyphenols may help fight depression by taming inflammation and supporting gut health. Rosemary also contains compounds like 1,8-cineole, which helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine — a key brain chemical tied to learning and memory. Experts suspect that keeping acetylcholine levels up may help your mind stay sharp with age. Advertisement 5 Over time, Alzheimer's disease gradually destroys thinking and memory skills. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – Researchers are also zeroing in on carnosic acid, a powerful antioxidant in rosemary that shields brain cells from damage linked to Alzheimer's disease. In 2025, researchers created a stable version called diAcCA, and early lab results are promising. The compound improved memory, strengthened brain cell connections and slashed levels of Alzheimer's-linked proteins like amyloid-beta and tau. Even better, diAcCA only activated in inflamed brain areas, potentially reducing side effects. In mouse studies, it showed no signs of toxicity and delivered major cognitive gains — raising hopes for future human trials. Advertisement The breakthrough could be big, with Alzheimer's becoming a growing public health crisis as America's population gets older. Right now, about 7.2 million Americans over 65 have the memory-robbing disease. By 2060, that number is expected to nearly double to 13.8 million unless new treatments or cures emerge.
