Latest news with #Alzheimer's-related
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New blood test for Alzheimer's approved by FDA
May 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new blood test for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease in patients beginning to show cognitive decline. Fujirebio Diagnostics, a firm dedicated to developing medical diagnostic products, has been cleared by the FDA to begin marketing the test, known as the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio. "Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million," said Dr. Michelle Tarver, the director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Today's clearance is an important step for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, making it easier and potentially more accessible for U.S. patients earlier in the disease." The test works by looking at the ratio of two proteins in a patient's blood plasma, which together are a sign of amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Until now, confirming amyloid plaque has required costly PET brain scans or an invasive spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid. The new blood test would be cheaper and safer for patients testing for Alzheimer's disease. To clear the new blood test, the FDA evaluated data from a multi-center clinical study of 499 individual plasma samples from adults who were cognitively impaired and compared the results to those from tests using PET scans or spinal taps. In the study, when the blood test indicated a person likely had Alzheimer's-related plaques, it was correct about 92% of the time, the FDA determined. When the test said a person likely didn't have plaques, it was correct about 97% of the time. "These findings indicate that the new blood test can reliably predict the presence or absence of amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease at the time of the test in patients who are cognitively impaired," the FDA said in a news release. "The test is intended for patients presenting at a specialized care setting with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline. The results must be interpreted in conjunction with other patient clinical information."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New blood test for Alzheimer's approved by FDA
May 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new blood test for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease in patients beginning to show cognitive decline. Fujirebio Diagnostics, a firm dedicated to developing medical diagnostic products, has been cleared by the FDA to begin marketing the test, known as the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio. "Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million," said Dr. Michelle Tarver, the director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Today's clearance is an important step for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, making it easier and potentially more accessible for U.S. patients earlier in the disease." The test works by looking at the ratio of two proteins in a patient's blood plasma, which together are a sign of amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Until now, confirming amyloid plaque has required costly PET brain scans or an invasive spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid. The new blood test would be cheaper and safer for patients testing for Alzheimer's disease. To clear the new blood test, the FDA evaluated data from a multi-center clinical study of 499 individual plasma samples from adults who were cognitively impaired and compared the results to those from tests using PET scans or spinal taps. In the study, when the blood test indicated a person likely had Alzheimer's-related plaques, it was correct about 92% of the time, the FDA determined. When the test said a person likely didn't have plaques, it was correct about 97% of the time. "These findings indicate that the new blood test can reliably predict the presence or absence of amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease at the time of the test in patients who are cognitively impaired," the FDA said in a news release. "The test is intended for patients presenting at a specialized care setting with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline. The results must be interpreted in conjunction with other patient clinical information."
UPI
16-05-2025
- Health
- UPI
New blood test for Alzheimer's approved by FDA
May 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new blood test for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease in patients beginning to show cognitive decline. Fujirebio Diagnostics, a firm dedicated to developing medical diagnostic products, has been cleared by the FDA to begin marketing the test, known as the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio. "Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million," said Dr. Michelle Tarver, the director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Today's clearance is an important step for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, making it easier and potentially more accessible for U.S. patients earlier in the disease." The test works by looking at the ratio of two proteins in a patient's blood plasma, which together are a sign of amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Until now, confirming amyloid plaque has required costly PET brain scans or an invasive spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid. The new blood test would be cheaper and safer for patients testing for Alzheimer's disease. To clear the new blood test, the FDA evaluated data from a multi-center clinical study of 499 individual plasma samples from adults who were cognitively impaired and compared the results to those from tests using PET scans or spinal taps. In the study, when the blood test indicated a person likely had Alzheimer's-related plaques, it was correct about 92% of the time, the FDA determined. When the test said a person likely didn't have plaques, it was correct about 97% of the time. "These findings indicate that the new blood test can reliably predict the presence or absence of amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease at the time of the test in patients who are cognitively impaired," the FDA said in a news release. "The test is intended for patients presenting at a specialized care setting with signs and symptoms of cognitive decline. The results must be interpreted in conjunction with other patient clinical information."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
One Stage of Sleep Seems Critical For Reducing Risk of Dementia
The risk of getting dementia may go up as you get older if you don't get enough slow-wave sleep. A 2023 study found that over-60s are 27 percent more likely to develop dementia if they lose just 1 percent of this deep sleep each year. Slow-wave sleep is the third stage of a human 90-minute sleep cycle, lasting about 20–40 minutes. It's the most restful stage, where brain waves and heart rate slow and blood pressure drops. Deep sleep strengthens our muscles, bones, and immune system, and prepares our brains to absorb more information. Another recent study discovered that individuals with Alzheimer's-related changes in their brain did better on memory tests when they got more slow-wave sleep. "Slow-wave sleep, or deep sleep, supports the aging brain in many ways, and we know that sleep augments the clearance of metabolic waste from the brain, including facilitating the clearance of proteins that aggregate in Alzheimer's disease," said neuroscientist Matthew Pase from Monash University in Australia. "However, to date we have been unsure of the role of slow-wave sleep in the development of dementia. Our findings suggest that slow-wave sleep loss may be a modifiable dementia risk factor." Pase and colleagues from Australia, Canada, and the US examined 346 Framingham Heart Study participants who had completed two overnight sleep studies between 1995 and 1998 and between 2001 and 2003, with an average of five years between testing periods. This community-based cohort, who had no record of dementia at the time of the 2001-2003 study, and were over 60 years old in 2020, gave researchers a chance to look into the link between two factors over time by comparing the datasets from the two in-depth polysomnography sleep studies, and then monitoring for dementia among participants up until 2018. "We used these to examine how slow-wave sleep changed with aging and whether changes in slow-wave sleep percentage were associated with the risk of later-life dementia up to 17 years later," said Pase. In the 17 years of follow-up, 52 dementia cases were recorded among the participants. Participants' slow-wave sleep levels recorded in the sleep studies were also examined for a link to dementia cases. Overall, their rate of slow-wave sleep was found to decrease from age 60 onward, with this loss peaking between the ages of 75 and 80 and then leveling off after that. By comparing participants' first and second sleep studies, researchers discovered a link between each percentage point decrease in slow-wave sleep per year and a 27 percent increased risk of developing dementia. That risk increased to 32 percent when they zeroed in on Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. The Framingham Heart Study measures multiple health data points over time, including hippocampal volume loss (an early sign of Alzheimer's) and common factors contributing to cardiovascular disease. Low levels of slow-wave sleep were linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, taking medications that can impact sleep, and having the APOE ε4 gene, which is linked to Alzheimer's. "We found that a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, but not brain volume, was associated with accelerated declines in slow wave sleep," Pase said. Although these are clear associations, the authors note this type of study doesn't prove that slow-wave sleep loss causes dementia, and it's possible dementia-related brain processes cause sleep loss. For these factors to be fully understood, more research is required. We certainly can prioritize getting enough sleep in the meantime – it's important for more than strengthening our memory. There's even steps you can take to boost your chances of getting more of this crucial slow-wave sleep. The study has been published in JAMA Neurology. An earlier version of this article was published in November 2023. World First: US Baby Treated With Personalized CRISPR Gene-Editing Men Are Dying From 'Broken Heart Syndrome' at Twice The Rate of Women Your Walking Style Can Have Surprising Health Benefits, Study Says
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These Neuro-Approved Hacks Will Supercharge Your Brain
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Dementia isn't just a byproduct of aging or bad luck—it's increasingly seen as a lifestyle-driven condition, shaped by what we eat, how we sleep, who we connect with, and how we move through our days. While there's no single cure, new research is showing that everyday choices can help lower your risk—dramatically. From gut health to air quality, these science-backed strategies offer a smarter path to protecting your brain for the long haul. 1. Feed Your Gut, Fuel Your Mind Your brain doesn't work in isolation—your gut bacteria are deeply involved in cognitive health. Scientists now call the gut the 'second brain' for a reason. An imbalanced microbiome can increase inflammation, impact mood, and trigger memory problems. Eating prebiotic and probiotic foods like yogurt, garlic, kefir, bananas, and leafy greens helps nurture healthy gut flora. According to Nature, the microbiome may directly influence the brain's cognitive networks, including memory and attention. 2. Move Like Your Brain Depends On It—Because It Does Physical activity isn't just good for your heart—it's essential for your brain. Exercise helps reduce brain shrinkage, boost blood flow, and clear out Alzheimer's-related plaques. Whether it's walking, strength training, or even dancing, consistent movement slashes dementia risk by up to 40%. Healthline highlights that moderate activity like gardening or swimming can be just as protective as high-intensity workouts. 3. Prioritize Sleep Like It's Brain Medicine Forget hustle culture—your brain needs rest to stay sharp. Sleep helps consolidate memory and may play a role in flushing out harmful toxins like beta-amyloid. Skimping on sleep accelerates cognitive decline. As Harvard Health notes, while the detox role of sleep is still being studied, its importance in protecting brain function is undeniable. Deep, consistent rest may be one of your best defenses against dementia. 4. Get Serious About Social Connection Loneliness isn't just sad—it's biologically risky. Being isolated shrinks gray matter and speeds up memory loss. People who stay socially engaged have a 50% lower risk of cognitive decline, according to Neurotrack. Even small interactions—calls with friends, joining a club, or volunteering—can spark brain activity and elevate mood, helping to keep dementia at bay. 5. Eat Like You're Mediterranean The Mediterranean diet is still the reigning champ for brain health. Rich in olive oil, fatty fish, vegetables, and whole grains, this anti-inflammatory diet is associated with a 40% lower risk of Alzheimer's. It supports vascular health, reduces oxidative stress, and promotes neuroplasticity. Even simple swaps—like replacing butter with olive oil or sugary snacks with nuts—can offer long-term benefits for your cognitive future. 6. Shield Your Brain From Invisible Threats Air pollution doesn't just harm your lungs—it quietly damages your brain. A 2022 study in The BMJ found that chronic exposure to PM2.5 particles was associated with faster cognitive aging and increased dementia risk. Use indoor air purifiers, avoid exercising in heavy traffic zones, and push for clean-air policies in your community. Protecting your environment is protecting your memory. 7. Stress Less or Risk More Chronic stress floods the brain with cortisol, which can shrink the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory. Stress also raises inflammation and may accelerate dementia risk. Research from the University of California links elevated cortisol to greater cognitive impairment. Mindfulness, yoga, and time in nature aren't indulgences—they're tools of neurological self-defense. Your nervous system needs calm to protect your cognitive power.
