Massachusetts man first to try new Alzheimers nasal spray treatment
Doctors at Brigham and Women's said they want to test foralumab on a larger group of Alzheimer's patients.
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Common Childhood Virus Linked to Alzheimer's Development in Old Age
A study published 30 years ago is striking up new conversation about the potential connection between the common cold sore and Alzheimer's disease. Published in The Lancet in 1997, researchers compared DNA extracted from the brains of elderly people with and without Alzheimer's, and in some of them, found herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)—an infection often contracted in childhood—dormant in the nerves. Ultimately, researchers predicted that those with HSV-1 and a specific gene, called the ApoE-e4 gene, had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. Meet the Experts: David Hunter, M.D., an assistant professor and neurologist with UTHealth Houston, Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious disease doctor at Memorial Hermann Health System; and Mark Santos, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Touro University Nevada. Study co-author Ruth Itzhaki, Ph.D., summarized her team's findings in a recent article for The Conversation and noted that, over the years, additional work has surfaced to support hers. But what does it all mean, exactly? If a cold sore pops up, should you be concerned about dementia? We reached out to experts who explained everything. 'HSV-1 is a common virus to which almost everyone is exposed early in life,' says David Hunter, M.D., an assistant professor and neurologist with UTHealth Houston. 'It is best known for causing cold sores and is closely related to chicken pox and mononucleosis.' What these viruses have in common is that they are neurotropic, meaning they linger in the nervous system long after the initial illness, explains Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious disease doctor at Memorial Hermann Health System, and can be reactivated by stress or lowered immunity. That's how, for instance, chicken pox can manifest later in life as shingles, adds Dr. Hunter. The virus's ability to infiltrate the nerves is believed to get it past the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that shields the organ from infection via the bloodstream. Thanks to that entry point, Dr. Hunter says, HSV-1 is the most common cause of viral brain inflammation in the United States. 'There is no vaccine for HSV and almost everyone will get it by adulthood,' Dr. Hunter adds. Cold sores are a mild case of it, and symptoms can be treated with antiviral drugs. Dormant HSV-1 may be reactivated by illness and reach the brain, explains Mark Santos, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Touro University Nevada. This can trigger brain inflammation over time, known as herpes encephalitis,and in people with genetic risk factors, like the ApoE-4 gene, contribute to Alzheimer's development, he adds. 'We don't entirely know why ApoE-4 is a risk factor for Alzheimer's,' adds Dr. Hunter. 'The link to HSV could be that ApoE-4 impacts the blood-brain barrier and makes it easier for HSV to enter.' And the inflammation caused by that entry may heighten Alzheimer's risk. 'It is now universally accepted that inflammation in the brain is a key step in the development of Alzheimer's,' Dr. Hunter reiterates. In the three decades since the original study, doctors and researchers have learned much more about Alzheimer's disease and its connection to viral inflammation. For instance, several studies have found that being immunized for any disease (like COVID-19 or the flu) reduces Alzheimer's risk, says Dr. Hunter. 'Several other studies have shown that reducing inflammation in the brain helps prevent Alzheimer's,' he adds. Santos concurs. 'Since 1996, additional studies have found HSV-1 DNA in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's. Lab studies have also shown that HSV-1 infection can trigger the buildup of amyloid-beta and tau—proteins strongly associated with Alzheimer's pathology,' he explains. However, there are a few disclaimers to note. Firstly, the posed risk is associated with people who contract HSV-1 in early life, giving it time to progressively cause inflammation. The risk may be lower in adults, says Santos. 'That said, if someone has other risk factors (like a weakened immune system or APOE-e4), adult-onset HSV-1 could still have long-term consequences,' he adds. Still, neurotropic viruses are extremely common, Dr. Yancey reiterates. 'This makes it difficult to tease out whether they are causing neurologic problems or are simply common in the general population, including people with neurologic problems,' she adds. In other words, because most people end up with HSV-1 doesn't necessarily mean that most people will get Alzheimer's. 'Most cold sores aren't a cause for concern,' Santos adds. 'They're common and usually well-controlled by the immune system. But for people with frequent outbreaks, weakened immunity, or APOE-e4, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider. The concern is not a single cold sore, but long-term viral activity in the brain.' More research, including long-term studies, is needed to make any solid associations, Santos and Dr. Yancey conclude. 'The current data is based on population-level surveys. There is no way to predict on an individual patient's level whether this has a meaningful impact,' says Dr. Yancey. Future research will, hopefully, at least help experts understand how antiviral treatment affects Alzheimer's risk, as well as identify better ways to detect when HSV-1 is active in the brain. 'The hope is that understanding how infections contribute to Alzheimer's will open up new ways to prevent or treat it—especially before symptoms start,' says Santos. Being vaccinated, exercising, engaging in mental stimulation, and maintaining a heart-healthy diet are all known ways to lower dementia risk, our experts say. Avoiding smoking or nicotine use of any kind can also 'drastically' reduce the risk, says Dr. Yancey. All of these habits and choices work together to support both immune and brain health. 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
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
Looks like it's up to Hochul to kill the monstrous ‘assisted suicide' bill
New York is on track to become the 12th state to legalize 'assisted suicide' — and with the most radical law yet. The state Senate was rushing to vote late Monday on Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal's Medical Aid in Dying Act, with insiders certain the wheels were fully greased for passage. So it'll be up to Gov. Kathy Hochul to wield her veto and prevent a disgraceful mistake. Again, the New York bill breaks new ground — or sinks to a newer low. All 11 other states (Delaware became No. 11 last month) require a waiting period before you get your suicide-meds prescription filled; it's 15 days in Oregon but could be less than 24 hours in New York. The Empire State bill also has no real mechanism for tracking how many deaths it brings: Some commissioner is supposed to review a 'sample' of patient medical records and produce a yearly report to the Legislature on how it's going; that's it. Beyond the details, this is fundamentally about a reinvention of the medical profession: Out goes 'do no harm,' in comes a 'calculation' as to whether a given life is still worth living. With the state, and insurance companies, having a clear financial interest in ending 'marginal' lives and those whose care costs 'too much.' Anyone who wants to die can, in fact, find a way: This is purely about giving 'assisted suicide' the moral force of law, a big first step on the way to euthanasia for those with chronic conditions — even Alzheimer's. Canada is about to expand its law to allow 'doctor-assisted' killing in some cases where the underlying condition is mental disease, such as depression or anxiety. Advocates claim New York's bill covers only people with terminal diagnoses and six months or less to live — but 'terminal' isn't as exact a term as it sounds, and any diagnosis is simply a doctor's best guess. It's entirely appropriate that the chief Democratic resistance to this bill has been among lawmakers of color: Philosophically as well as historically, euthanasia is intimately connected with eugenics. That is: The same geniuses who imagine that humanity can be 'scientifically' improved by eliminating 'inferior characteristics' from the breeding pool also tend to think 'experts' can calculate which lives have values less than zero. Embrace that pseudo-mathematics, and soon enough the smart set will be busy 'helping' the disabled and those suffering chronic illnesses to 'realize' they're better off ending their lives. We have no idea what back-room deals suddenly made this bill a priority at the very end of the legislative session; it certainly wasn't any shift in public opinion. Hochul should do the right thing and kill the bill: At the very least, that'll force its supporters to explain why New York must have fewer safeguards than any state against abuse of a law that turns doctors into executioners.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gut bacteria changes may be warning sign for worsening Parkinson's
Changes in specific bacteria in the mouth and gut of patients with Parkinson's disease could potentially be an early warning sign that symptoms of the condition are getting worse, a study suggests. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), scientists have linked these shifts to cognitive decline – problems with memory and learning – in people with the disease. They suggest the toxins could one day be used as 'markers' for medics to pinpoint the Parkinson's patients at a higher risk of dementia, as well as being used to help develop targeted treatments for the disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain, with symptoms including involuntary shaking, known as tremors, as well as psychological problems such as depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues. According to the Alzheimer's Society, around a third of people with Parkinson's eventually develop dementia. 'The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage," Dr Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the quantitative systems biology (QTS) lab at King's College London, said. "A common gum disease bacterium like porphyromonas gingivalis has been discovered as a potential driver of Alzheimer's." For the study, led by experts at King's College London and published in the journal Gut Microbes, scientists analysed 228 spit and stool samples. The samples came from 41 patients with Parkinson's and mild cognitive impairment, which causes problems with thinking and memory, 47 patients with Parkinson's and dementia and 26 healthy patients. The team found that the gut of people with mild cognitive impairment contained more harmful bacteria, many of which are likely to have come from the mouth. This bacteria releases toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation and potentially affect the brain, according to researchers. For a more in-depth analysis, the team used AI to pinpoint the bacterial species and functions not usually picked up by traditional testing, allowing them to link toxins specifically to cognitive decline. Dr Shoaie added: 'The emerging evidence underscores the potential importance of maintaining oral and gut health in mitigating or slowing neurodegenerative processes. 'As people with Parkinson's become increasingly reliant on carers, routine practices such as oral hygiene and nutritional intake may be neglected. 'Our findings suggest that promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet and potentially targeted probiotic interventions could support improved disease management in Parkinson's.'
