Latest news with #AmitSachdev
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New Study Finds That A Blood Test For Diabetes Might Actually Predict Alzheimer's Progression
A new study suggests a simple blood test could tell who is at higher risk for rapid cognitive decline with Alzheimer's. The study found that people with higher insulin resistance were up to four times more likely to have rapid cognitive decline. Here's what to know about the test and how to get one. Historically, it has been quite difficult for doctors to predict how fast patients will experience cognitive decline with Alzheimer's disease, especially since the neurodegenerative disease impacts people differently based on a slew of factors. But new research has discovered that a specific blood test may help doctors get more answers, which could, in theory, help them respond more quickly with appropriate treatment and providing patients with more information. (But of course, experts first need to gather more data and perform further studies on the test.) The test measures insulin resistance, a condition where the body's cells don't respond properly to insulin, a hormone that helps escort blood sugar into cells for energy. The latest study finds a link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease progression, helping doctors and patients glean more information about what may be in store. Here's what the study found, plus what neurologists want you to know. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. The study, which was presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025, analyzed health records of 315 people without diabetes who had cognitive deficits. Of those, 200 had confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease. All of the patients had their insulin resistance checked using something called the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index, a way to check insulin resistance, based on fasting triglyceride (a type of fat in the blood) and blood sugar levels, at the start of the study and three years later. The researchers discovered that patients in the mild cognitive impairment group with higher TyG levels had their cognitive health deteriorate a lot faster than those who were lower on the TyG index. Ultimately, the researchers found that people with higher TyG levels were up to four times more likely to have rapid cognitive decline compared to those who were lower on the scale. For starters, this type of blood test isn't actually new. We're just discovering new ways it can be used. The TyG index is already used to look for insulin resistance in people, so technically, you could get this test now if your doctor thought that it was medically appropriate. Just know that it's usually used in the context of diabetes or when your doctor suspects you might have diabetes. The test appears to be pretty accurate in predicting rapid mental decline. The researchers found that people with high TyG ended up losing more than 2.5 points on the Mini Mental State Examination per year, which is a standardized test used to look at cognitive function in older adults. In Alzheimer's disease, insulin resistance is thought to interfere with how the brain uses glucose (blood sugar). It's also believed to promote the build-up of amyloid, or proteins deposits in the brain that are linked with Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, insulin resistance can disrupt the blood-brain barrier and fuel inflammation in the brain. All of these are linked with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. 'Insulin resistance often reflects features of overall health," says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University, pointing out that a major contributor to insulin resistance is higher bodyweight. 'If the overall health of the body is not optimal, then the brain will not be well supported and can be less resilient.' But the link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease is still being explored, says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. So, while it's clear that it seems to play some role, it's hard to tell what it's specifically doing as it relates to brain health. Your doctor can order one of these tests for you. However, neurologists say there are better options right now if you're concerned about Alzheimer's disease development and are looking for answers. 'Some tests that are more specific for Alzheimer's are serum amyloid and tau levels,' Dr. Sachdev sys. 'Tests that help predict risk for the anti-amyloid therapies used in Alzheimer's is the APO-E genotype. These studies are useful today in understand risk of dementia, type of dementia, and risk of treatment.' Dr. Segil says that doctors are 'extremely cautious' about using blood tests like TyG to determine if someone is at risk for developing dementia in the first place. 'There remains an extremely high number of false positive results in patients receiving various blood tests being marketed to determine if you are at risk for getting dementia,' he says. However, this specific study is exploring the test to see how quickly someone who already has cognitive decline will progress—and that usage is still being explored. All of this doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't get a TyG test. Just know that your doctor is more likely to use it while checking you for early signs of diabetes versus Alzheimer's disease right now. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A New Study Reveals There's A Specific Diet Linked To A Significantly Lower Dementia Risk
A new study suggests that a specific diet could lower your dementia risk. Researchers analyzing data from nearly 93,000 American adults found that those who closely followed the MIND diet had a 9 percent lower risk of developing dementia. The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. If you've been paying attention to health and wellness headlines over the past few years, you'll already know that your diet impacts everything from gut health to energy levels, but new research suggests it may even influence your dementia risk. That's the major takeaway from the study, which was presented at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting. The study pinpoints a specific eating plan—the MIND diet—as having a meaningful impact on dementia risk. Of course, following a specific diet won't automatically wipe away any risk of developing dementia, but neurologists say these new findings are worth paying attention to. Here's why that is, and what they make of the results. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University For the study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 93,000 American adults who participated in the Multiethnic Cohort Study, a long-term study that started in the '90s. At the start of the study, the participants were between 45 and 75 years old. During the study period, more than 21,000 developed Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The researchers discovered that study participants who closely followed the MIND diet had a 9 percent lower risk of developing dementia. There was a difference in race, too: People who were African American, Latino, or White had a 13 percent lower risk. But the researchers also discovered that people who followed the MIND diet more closely over 10 years, even if they weren't super consistent at the start of the study, had a 25 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those who stopped adhering as much to the eating plan over time. The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It's an iteration of the Mediterranean diet that is focused on eating plant-based foods with the goal of preventing dementia, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The MIND diet encourages people to focus on eating green leafy vegetables, berries, whole grains, beans, and nuts. It also encourages followers to have olive oil and one or more weekly servings of fish, while limiting red meat, sweets, cheese, butter and margarine, and fast and fried food, per the NIA. The study didn't find that following a MIND diet caused a drop in dementia risk—it just found a link between people who followed the diet and lower risk. But neurologists say there could be something behind this link. 'The MIND diet is generally a balanced diet that manages portion control and offers a diversity of food choices,' says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. 'This approach offers benefits for improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. By improving blood flow to the brain, overall brain health can be improved.' Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, agrees. 'Eating healthy prevents cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease which, in turn, prevents heart attacks and strokes,' he says. That question is still under investigation, Dr. Segil says. 'Many diets have been proposed to decrease your risk of getting Alzheimer's dementia as we age and it still remains challenging to see any diet is 'neuro-protective' against getting Alzheimer's dementia,' he adds. Still, Dr. Segil suggests that it may be best to avoid diets that are high in fats and sugars, and limit simple carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods. (All of these food factors have been linked to bodily inflammation, which is associated with dementia risk.) 'Eating a balanced diet of proteins, vegetables, and vitamins, and drinking water are healthy choices which can make you more healthy—and maybe your brain more healthy,' he says. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
Mumbai resident loses Rs 52 lakh in fake share trading scam
Mumbai: A 72-year-old Mahim resident lost nearly Rs 52 lakh after falling victim to a cyber fraud wherein fraudsters impersonated representatives of a multination banking group and persuaded him to trade in shares with them. After adding the senior citizen to a WhatsApp group, the fraudsters made him download a fake share trading app, where they showed him virtual profits generated by fictitious IPOs and stock trades. The Central Cyber Police have registered an FIR and are trailing the mobile numbers used by the fraudsters to call and dupe the victim. According to the complaint, the victim was first approached by individuals identifying themselves as Riya Bansal and Amit Sachdev, who posed as a professor and official of the banking group, respectively, on WhatsApp. They invited him to join a trading-focused WhatsApp group. The victim was then directed to download an application named HSSSPMA. Once installed, the app simulated a fake trading platform, where the complainant was able to view virtual profits generated by fictitious IPOs and stock trades. Believing the trading profits to be real, the complainant was gradually coaxed into transferring large sums of money — totalling ₹51,50,100 — into multiple bank accounts allegedly controlled by the fraudsters. The victim states that he was misled into believing he was participating in legitimate IPOs and share trading via the banking group's platform. However, the funds were siphoned off, and no actual investments were made. The scam only came to light when the withdrawal of returns was denied, and communication from the fraudsters ceased. This case highlights a growing trend in investment scams involving fake trading apps and impersonation of reputed financial institutions. Cyber police have urged the public to avoid installing trading apps from unofficial links, cross-verify investment schemes directly with official bank/customer care lines, and immediately report suspicious financial activity to 1930 or the nearest cyber police station.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Popular Supplement May Help With Alzheimer's Symptoms
Creatine is everywhere on social media right now, with recs coming from influencers and health experts. Research is starting to find that the popular supplement can do more than help you build muscle. In a small pilot trial published in a journal, researchers found that creatine monohydrate may help improve cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease. It's hard to cruise your For You feed right now without being faced with yet another testimonial about the perks of taking a creatine supplement. While creatine is the supplement du jour, there is solid data to support its use—mostly around fitness. But a growing body of research suggests that creatine may do more than help you build muscles, including easing depression and helping with brain fog after a bad night's sleep. Now, a new study suggests that there may be some benefit to using creatine to boost cognition in people with Alzheimer's disease. The research is very early and this is technically a pilot trial (which is basically a trial run). But the findings bring up a number of questions about whether something as simple as adding a creatine supplement could help improve symptoms in people with such a devastating condition. Here's what the study, found plus what doctors and nutritionists recommend keeping in mind. Meet the experts: Amit Sachdev, MD, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University; Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, is co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab; Matthew Taylor, PhD, RD, is a study co-author, assistant professor, and director of the KU Brain Nutrition Laboratory at University of Kansas Medical Center; Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA The study, which was published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, looked into the 'feasibility' of patients with Alzheimer's disease taking 20 grams a day of creatine monohydrate (the most widely studied form of creatine) for eight weeks. The researchers looked at how compliant the patients were (i.e. how likely they were to take the supplement). They also monitored levels of creatine in the patients' blood at the start, four weeks, and eight weeks later, along with levels of creatine in their brains. They also tested the patients' cognition at the start of the study and after eight weeks. The researchers found that 19 of the 20 participants were more than 80 percent compliant with taking the creatine during the study. They also found that creatine levels went up in their blood after four and eight weeks, and that creatine in the brain increased by 11 percent. And here's the really interesting part: The researchers discovered that the patients had better improvements in cognitive tests, including sorting and reading, along with tests to measure attention and response, after eight weeks of creatine supplementation. The researchers concluded that the findings provide 'preliminary evidence' for more research. 'We decided to do this study because there were a couple of recent studies in mice suggesting that, in a mouse model of Alzheimer's, creatine monohydrate supplementation may be beneficial,' says study co-author Matthew Taylor, PhD, RD, assistant professor and director of the KU Brain Nutrition Laboratory at University of Kansas Medical Center. 'Prior to this study, no work had been done in humans with Alzheimer's, so it was the right time to start looking at it as a potentially beneficial supplement for Alzheimer's.' The study didn't look into this, but there are some theories. 'The brain requires a lot of energy, but in Alzheimer's, brain energy metabolism drastically declines,' Taylor explains. 'Creatine is a very important substance for transporting energy produced by our mitochondria and increasing creatine levels may even encourage mitochondria to produce more energy.' Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, co-signs that theory. Creatine helps to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), 'and ATP is the brain's primary energy source,' he says. Adding more creatine to the body could, in theory, help support cognition in people with Alzheimer's disease, Matheny adds. Creatine may also have other roles, like decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which could potentially help with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, Taylor says. 'Each of these roles could help with cognitive function in Alzheimer's, but we still have so much to learn about the roles of this molecule in the brain,' he says. We're not there yet. Again, this was a pilot study and it simply found that people who have Alzheimer's disease may be able to regularly take creatine supplements and might have a boost in cognition as a result. But this doesn't mean that people with Alzheimer's disease should take creatine, says Amit Sachdev, MD, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. 'I would not advise the use of creatine with the goal of improving cognition,' he says, noting that there's not yet 'well-established data to support this use.' Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, agrees. "We are not at a point that creatine supplementation for brain health is an accepted supplement," he says. Taylor agrees. 'Our study is far from a definitive study,' he says. 'Well-designed, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to determine whether creatine is beneficial for Alzheimer's. I would suggest Alzheimer's patients and their families discuss taking any supplement with their neurologist.' You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
This Workout Supplement May Help With Alzheimer's-New Pilot Study
A popular workout supplement could lead to better outcomes for Alzheimer's patients, according to the findings of a new study. Creatine is a popular fitness supplement that many people use to help build muscle. However, a new study published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions discovered it could also boost brain cognition in Alzheimer's patients. In the United States, roughly 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in 2025, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The chronic neurodegenerative disease can affect memory, thinking and behavior and is currently the most common form of dementia worldwide. In the study, patients with Alzheimer's disease took 20 grams of creatine monohydrate for eight weeks. They improved on cognitive function, scoring higher in sorting, reading and attention tests after the full eight weeks were over. Researchers said the study laid the groundwork of "preliminary evidence" to conduct further research. "We decided to do this study because there were a couple of recent studies in mice suggesting that, in a mouse model of Alzheimer's, creatine monohydrate supplementation may be beneficial," study co-author Matthew Taylor, Ph.D, RD, assistant professor and director of the KU Brain Nutrition Laboratory at University of Kansas Medical Center, told Women's Health. "Prior to this study, no work had been done in humans with Alzheimer's, so it was the right time to start looking at it as a potentially beneficial supplement for Alzheimer's." Since creatine helps create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a primary energy source for the brain, researchers speculate that creatine is able to improve overall cognition in Alzheimer's patients. Creatine also may be able to reduce inflammation, improving the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Matthew Taylor, assistant professor and director of the KU Brain Nutrition Laboratory at University of Kansas Medical Center, told Women's Health: "The brain requires a lot of energy, but in Alzheimer's, brain energy metabolism drastically declines. Creatine is a very important substance for transporting energy produced by our mitochondria and increasing creatine levels may even encourage mitochondria to produce more energy." Further research is likely needed to understand the full impact of creatine on the body as well as the potential implications for Alzheimer's disease. "I would not advise the use of creatine with the goal of improving cognition," Amit Sachdev, MD, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University told Women's Health, adding there's not "well-established data to support this use." Taylor echoed this sentiment. "Our study is far from a definitive study," he said. "Well-designed, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to determine whether creatine is beneficial for Alzheimer's. I would suggest Alzheimer's patients and their families discuss taking any supplement with their neurologist." Related Articles The Good Life: A Tough, but Promising Path Ahead for College Grads'Important' Alzheimer's Treatment Breakthrough Gets FDA Approval'Remarkable' ALS Drug May Also Work on Alzheimer'sOzempic May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
