Neurodegeneration – News and Features

In this op-ed, Charles Gersbach explores how genetic tuning is emerging as a next-generation approach to modulating gene expression.

Researchers have identified a small molecule that can selectively block cell death. The findings lay the groundwork for next-generation neuroprotective drugs for degenerative conditions, which currently have no cure or treatments.

In a real-world study of 234 Alzheimer’s patients, Washington University researchers found that lecanemab caused severe side effects in just 1%. Patients with very mild symptoms had the lowest risk and greatest benefit.

A University of Georgia study finds that adults with both diabetes and hypertension in midlife show elevated dementia-related biomarkers over time. The risk was especially notable in Black Americans, underscoring health disparities.

A new MIT review highlights how dividing visual processing between hemispheres supports attention and memory. This contralateral organization reduces overload and enhances tracking of multiple objects.

A study from Australia shows that exercise improves outcomes of stem cell-derived dopaminergic neuron transplants in rats with Parkinson’s disease. Rats with access to running wheels showed better transplant maturation and motor recovery.

When the cellular waste disposal system goes on strike, this can have fatal consequences. A research team at the University of Würzburg has now identified a key player in this clean-up crew.

New research shows that the gum disease bacterium P. gingivalis can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart. There, it quietly drives scar tissue buildup, disrupting electrical signals and raising the risk of atrial fibrillation.

Scientists are calling for clinical trials to test the potential of HIV drugs called NRTIs to prevent Alzheimer’s disease after discovering that patients taking the drugs are substantially less likely to develop the condition.

Researchers have demonstrated that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can detect early signs of Parkinson’s disease (PD) by analyzing brain activity linked to sensory impairments, such as smell and vision.