Latest news with #Alzheimers
Fox News
5 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Ingredient in common kitchen herbs could target Alzheimer's, but don't change any recipes just yet
Experts believe they've identified a chemical compound in certain herbs that could help mitigate or prevent Alzheimer's disease — but before anyone makes a run for the spice rack, there are a few catches. In a study published in the journal Antioxidants earlier this year, researchers from the Scripps Research Institute identified a compound called carnosic acid, which is prevalent in rosemary and sage. The compound could prove therapeutic for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, the experts concluded. Carnosic acid contains "striking antioxidant [and] anti-inflammatory properties," the researchers wrote in the findings. Scripps Research postdoctoral associate Piu Banerjee and board-certified neurologist Dr. Stuart Lipton, based in California, spoke with Fox News Digital about the results. "In this study, we observed that administering this drug to mice that had advanced Alzheimer's-like disease significantly improved the number of neurons, as well as the number of synapses or connections between the brain cells," the team said. The experts added, "It also reduced inflammation that is caused by the current anti-amyloid antibody therapies. We also observed an improvement in the learning and memory behavior of the mice that received the drug." "From the results of our animal studies, we are cautiously optimistic for its success in the human clinical trials." Banerjee and Lipton also noted that carnosic acid is a "prodrug," meaning it's inactive at first — but once it enters the body, it's activated by oxidative and inflammatory stress. "It specifically targets cells undergoing oxidative and inflammatory stress, without affecting the healthy, normal brain cells," Banerjee said. "This further makes it a safe option for therapeutics." The experts agreed that carnosic acid could potentially improve the inflammation that generally occurs in most aging brains. There are cautions, however. Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, told Fox News Digital that studies based on a mouse model of Alzheimer's can be helpful but are not conclusive. There is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend rosemary and sage as a standard therapy. "Models are important in helping us understand the basic biology of the disease, but we need human studies in representative populations for ideas to be fully validated," Kloske said. "Therefore, while these are intriguing findings, more research is needed to understand the impacts and outcomes of these compounds on people living with, or at risk for, Alzheimer's." Cooking sage and rosemary won't provide the full anti-inflammatory effects, Banerjee and Lipton stressed. "Critically, one cannot take sufficient herbs safely to produce the same effect as our new drug," Banerjee said. The study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. Kloske advised that, at this point, "no one should consume these herbs (or carnosic acid) to prevent or treat Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairment." Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist in Jackson, Tennessee, echoed Kloske's concerns. "Before patients start incorporating rosemary and sage in every dish they eat, we need to remember these studies are pre-clinical," Murray told Fox News Digital. "Currently, there is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend rosemary and sage as a standard therapy for Alzheimer's dementia." Murray, however, said the data "is encouraging" and opens the door to additional pathways for potential therapeutics. Banerjee said she hopes that "our drug will start human clinical trials soon." She added, "If it proves to be effective, it will be a great new drug for those suffering from Alzheimer's … From the results of our animal studies, we are cautiously optimistic for its success in human clinical trials."
Medical News Today
6 hours ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Insulin resistance test may help predict early Alzheimer's cognitive decline rate
There is currently no tool for predicting how quickly early stage Alzheimer's disease will progress. A new study has identified a simple blood test used to measure insulin resistance that may also help doctors determine which people with early stage Alzheimer's disease are most likely to experience rapid cognitive decline. The test found that higher insulin resistance indicated quicker deterioration in cognitive estimate that about 69 million people around the world are living with prodromal Alzheimer's disease, or early stage Alzheimer's disease. People in the earliest stage of Alzheimer's disease begin to experience some mild cognitive impairment that may affect their memory and ability to complete tasks and communicate. Past studies show that detecting Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stage allows currently available medications and lifestyle changes to be more effective in helping to slow down disease progression. 'Alzheimer's (disease) begins silently, often decades before symptoms appear, and so detecting risk early is essential to slow or alter the disease course,' Bianca Gumina, MD, a neurology resident for the Neurology Unit in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences at the University of Brescia and for the Neurology Unit in the Department of Continuity of Care and Frailty at ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, both in Italy, told Medical News Today. 'Current tools can diagnose the disease, but they don't always predict how fast it will progress. Identifying individuals at higher risk of rapid decline [c]ould allow for timely, targeted interventions during a critical window when the disease could be still responsive to treatment or changes in (lifestyle),' she is part of the research team for a study recently presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 that has identified a simple blood test used to measure insulin resistance that may also help doctors determine which people with early stage Alzheimer's disease are most likely to experience rapid cognitive decline. The findings of the study are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed TyG Index Test for Alzheimer'sFor this study, researchers analyzed medical records from 315 adults with an average age of about 70 that did not have diabetes. Two hundred of the study participants had received biological confirmation they had Alzheimer's disease. All study participants received insulin resistance assessment using a test called the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, with a clinical follow-up three years later. 'The TyG index is a validated marker of insulin resistance, a condition often seen in prediabetes or metabolic syndrome,' Gumina explained. 'It combines triglycerides and fasting blood glucose, two common and non-invasive blood values. (It is) easy to calculate and already available in routine labs.' Higher TyG index results predict quicker cognitive declineAt the study's conclusion, the research team found that when grouping study participants by their TyG index results, those in the highest TyG index group experienced a quicker deterioration in cognitive decline than those with lower TyG index results. 4-fold higher risk'This finding is significant because it highlights a vulnerable window (mild cognitive impairment, the early phase of the disease) when the disease may be especially sensitive to metabolic stress. Patients in this early phase with high TyG levels had a fourfold increased risk of rapid cognitive decline compared to those with lower TyG levels. This suggests that insulin resistance may actively influence how fast Alzheimer's progresses, and identifying this risk early could open new avenues for intervention.'— Bianca Gumina, MD'The TyG index is a low-cost, widely available tool that could be easily integrated into routine clinical practice to flag patients at higher risk of rapid decline,' she continued. 'By identifying these individuals early, clinicians could prioritize them for closer monitoring, lifestyle interventions, or even enrollment in clinical trials, maybe individualizing sub phenotypes of the disease. It also supports the development of metabolic-based treatment strategies, potentially paving the way for therapies targeting insulin resistance to modify disease progression.'As for the next steps in this research, Gumina said the research group is currently exploring whether the TyG index also correlates with neuroimaging biomarkers of brain degeneration. 'The next goal is to integrate metabolic profiling with genetic and imaging data to refine risk models and guide early, personalized interventions,' she added. New potential variable for Alzheimer's progression predictionsMNT spoke with Rehan Aziz, MD, geriatric psychiatrist at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study. Aziz commented that he thought this was a very interesting study involving a new variable to consider when working with patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's dementia, especially as it may predict who is likely to decline faster.'Accurate progression prediction is crucial for multiple reasons,' he explained. 'It empowers families to make informed decisions about care planning, financial arrangements, and how to prioritize quality time together. Clinically, it helps us identify patients who need more intensive monitoring and earlier intervention.''With new disease-modifying treatments like aducanumab and lecanemab becoming available — treatments that carry real risks including brain swelling and bleeding — we urgently need better ways to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from aggressive treatment versus those who might have slower progression,' Aziz continued.'This metabolic marker could help us personalize the risk-benefit calculation for each patient, ensuring we're offering these powerful but potentially risky therapies to those who need them most while protecting slower-progressing patients from unnecessary exposure.'— Rehan Aziz, MDAziz said he'd like to see this study's results validated in larger populations. 'We also need longer follow-up studies to see if this predictive power holds over five to 10 years,' he continued. 'I'm particularly interested in whether interventions targeting insulin resistance — like lifestyle modifications or medications like metformin — could actually slow progression in high-TyG patients. Finally, I'd like to see this integrated with other biomarkers to create a more comprehensive risk stratification tool.' More information on how Alzheimer's progressesMNT also spoke with Peter Gliebus, MD, director of cognitive and behavioral neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, about this commented that he found the study both fascinating and highly applicable to daily clinical practice. 'As clinicians, we frequently encounter questions from patients and their families, such as, 'How quickly will it worsen?'— and we often don't have a definitive answer,' he explained. 'The prospect that a simple, cost-effective marker like the TyG index could predict progression in Alzheimer's disease is extremely encouraging. It has the potential to bridge an important gap between diagnosis and practical prognosis, which has been a missing element in this field,' he said.'Early-stage Alzheimer's, especially during the mild cognitive impairment stage, exhibits significant variability-some individuals remain stable for years, while others decline rapidly. Identifying those at higher risk of swift decline enables us to customize clinical care and research strategies. It also helps families set clearer expectations and facilitates early, potentially more effective interventions, whether through lifestyle changes, medications or future planning.' — Peter Gliebus, MD'As new treatments are developed, timing and patient stratification will be essential — tools like the TyG index may play a crucial role in that process,' he added.
Wall Street Journal
7 hours ago
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
Three Siblings, One Fatal Gene: A Family's Fight Against Early-Onset Alzheimer's
Hannah Richardson is hopeful about her future and its endless possibilities. But the 24-year-old's plans are clouded by an unthinkable reality—there is a 50% chance she will develop Alzheimer's disease in her 30s. Hannah's family has a history of a rare genetic mutation that, when inherited, virtually guarantees that the carrier will die of an aggressive form of Alzheimer's early in life. No drug has been found to stop it. But now researchers are exploring a new avenue: Could pre-emptive treatment slow or even halt the memory-robbing disease in people at high risk of developing it?
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
'Mum's young-onset dementia is 'heartbreaking' says Bristol woman
The daughter of a 58-year-old woman diagnosed with young-onset dementia is sharing her experience to help raise awareness of the Britton, 29, from Bristol, said she knew the symptoms her mum, Maria Britton, was showing in 2023 seemed serious but after initially being put down to the menopause it took months of "pushing" to discover the true Britton, who works as a cabin manager for EasyJet, said in under two years she had gone from being her mum's daughter to her carer which was "heartbreaking".A spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Society said dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK and one in three people will develop dementia in their lifetime. Dementia is most common in people over the age of 65, but about 70,800 people in the UK are living with young-onset dementia, typically diagnosed before the age of 65, according to the Alzheimer's Britton said she wanted to raise awareness as "so many" people talk about cancer, but few realise the likelihood of developing dementia. Less than two years ago, Ms Britton, her mum, and her brother Harry were looking forward to the "holiday of a lifetime" in Disneyland, Florida."My brother had generously paid for my mum, who had always wanted to go, but just before we went things didn't seem right with her," she said."She'd become withdrawn and quiet and went from being so excited, to seeming like she couldn't care less, and lost her normal mannerisms."I was constantly asking her 'are you okay?'. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know what." 'Really quiet' After they returned home, Ms Britton said her mum, who worked in accounts, admitted she had been making mistakes at work, but she did not know encouraged her to visit a doctor and Maria was told she was experiencing symptoms of the menopause and put on was between September and December 2023, during which time Maria's boss suggested she take time off work to get better."By January she'd become really quiet and distanced herself, like she didn't really want to talk," said Ms Britton."It was really, really strange and not like her, because she was so chatty before, you could never get her to be quiet."Ms Britton pushed for another GP appointment and her mum was referred for a CT scan but no abnormalities were highlighted so she was referred to a brain clinic. Maria resigned from her job, Ms Britton said, adding: "Her speech deteriorated, she would stutter a lot, and she gradually became unable to put sentences together."She was referred to the Dementia Wellbeing Service who visited within the month."That was around the end of August and they did a really thorough investigation, and by this time, mum's speech was worse along with the motor skills of her hands," Ms Britton said."The dementia clinic came back and said mum has a dementia and they believed it to be the behavioural variant - frontotemporal dementia." Having frontotemporal dementia means her mum still knows who everyone is but it has impacted her speech and personality."Mum can only say yes or no now, and her processing's so bad she can't do anything for herself except walk around. In every aspect of her life she needs help," Ms Britton visit three times a day but Ms Britton prepares all her mum's meals, as well as cleaning, shopping and helping her shower. "I change her bedding. I do her laundry. I take care of her finances. I take her to all her appointments. So anything a human needs, especially someone who does have an illness, I do for her." 'Quite scary' Ms Britton said: "At times it is overwhelming and crazy. Twenty months ago she was working, she seemed herself, and now, I'm like her parent, you know the roles are reversed significantly."Now she loves Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol… she loves walking around with her teddy bear."Some days I think – and it sounds selfish – but I just wish I didn't have to be this carer role anymore, because it takes so much away from me and my mum, too."But I never want to see mum sad, so everything I do is for her."Ms Britton and her brother Harry have learned the dementia her mum has is hereditary, so they her are in the process of being referred to a genetics clinic."We can be tested if we want to be. It's quite scary but we're just trying to get on with everything, maintain our lives and be as happy as we can be." Ms Britton wants to raise awareness of the condition and recently joined more than 1,000 people for a 26-mile (41.8km) fundraising walk in the Lake District with her brother Harry and partner than £600,000 was raised for the Alzheimer's Society, with the charity being fundamental to helping her cope, she said."They supported me and my family through the diagnosis and they're there at the end of the phone whenever you need them", she Britton said people do not realise how quickly dementia can deteriorate and advised anyone else going through something similar to "trust your instinct"."I knew immediately on that holiday there was so much more to the quietness and her being withdrawn. I even Googled early-onset dementia when I was away and everyone thought I was being silly."With something like this, the earlier you can - not catch it, because obviously it's not fixable - but the earlier you can recognise signs the easier it is for things to be put in place quicker."
Wall Street Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘The End Is the Beginning' Review: Her Mother's Days, Unspooled
Iris Yvonne Bialosky typified a generation of women taught to value marriage and family—above all, pleasing a husband—over a career or other measures of accomplishment and self-worth. Those traditional mores nourished her at times. But they also handicapped her, especially when unexpected tragedies—a husband's premature death, a daughter's suicide—pushed her promised life off course. In 'The End Is the Beginning,' Iris's daughter Jill Bialosky portrays her mother's yearnings and stumbles with tenderness and candor. Inspired by Thomas Mann's 'The Magic Mountain' (1924) and T.S. Eliot's 'Four Quartets' (1943), Ms. Bialosky starts her narrative with 86-year-old Iris's death, from Alzheimer's disease, in a memory-care facility. Ms. Bialosky's grief is accentuated by the timing—late March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic made traveling and attending funerals nearly impossible. Stranded on Long Island, N.Y., Ms. Bialosky witnesses her mother's Jewish burial in Cleveland over FaceTime. This memoir, moving backward through the past, constitutes a more nuanced and final farewell. Each chapter describes a major event or turning point in Iris's trajectory, as foreshadowed in previous chapters. Instead of squelching suspense, Ms. Bialosky—a novelist, memoirist and poet—skillfully uses reverse chronology to build it. The most resonant mystery involves the author's untangling of her own feelings about the woman who raised her with love but also negligence. 'My mother could be inscrutable, irrational, impulsive, willful, demanding,' Ms. Bialosky writes. 'She was never ordinary.'
