Neurodegeneration – News and Features

Recent studies have discovered microplastics inside human organs, the brain and the blood. But does this accumulation of plastic have any adverse effect on our health? Experts suggest that more research is still needed.

A study from Geneva University Hospitals and the University of Geneva found that adults with ADHD have increased brain iron levels and higher neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) in their blood, markers associated with dementia.

A team developed an open-source model that simulates brain metabolism across neurons, glial cells and blood flow. It highlights how small shifts in metabolism affect brain function with age, revealing potential interventions like NAD supplementation.

Around 50–90% of brain tumor patients that survive at least 6 months after radiotherapy experience some form of cognitive decline, such as memory loss. In a systematic review, we examined damage to the normal brain tissue after brain irradiation.

A team of neuroscientists has discovered that brain waves in the alpha and beta frequency ranges predict the timing of future events. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), they identified three key brain areas responsible for this process.

Researchers have described a novel light-driven reaction that efficiently produces tetrahydroisoquinolines, a group of chemicals that play a crucial role in medicinal chemistry.

A recent trial on gantenerumab showed that the drug could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s symptoms by 50% in pre-symptomatic individuals with inherited risk. However, safety concerns remain.

Researchers at Washington University found that stimulating meningeal lymphatic vessels in aged mice improved memory performance. The study highlights the potential of enhancing waste clearance to reduce inflammation and improve cognitive function.

Scientists at the University of South Australia have come up with an innovative solution to improve the effectiveness of cannabidiol to treat epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.

New research, in a rat model, finds that both biological sex and mitochondrial DNA – the small set of genes inherited only from mothers – play a key role in how gut bacteria change over time.