Latest news with #Alzheimers
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
Being Curious Might Help Keep Alzheimer's Disease At Bay: Study
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: A chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) family enjoys Christmas treats of flavoured pine ... More cones and frozen fruit at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, 23 December 2004. The Christmas gifts form part of Taronga's on-going behavioural enrichment programme, aimed at stimulating the animals' natural curiousity. AFP PHOTO/Torsten BLACKWOOD (Photo credit should read TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP via Getty Images) The secret to maintaining your brain health and staying sharp as you age might just be cultivating your sense of curiosity, a recent study found. Being curious during old age could also help in preventing or at least off-setting Alzheimer's disease. 'Curiosity is broadly defined as a desire to learn, experience, or explore new information or environments. It is a motivating influence that drives us to participate in hobbies, pursue education, and travel to experience new things,' the authors wrote in the study. 'Trait curiosity, defined as people's stable tendency to actively seek knowledge and information, has been correlated with a variety of positive traits in everyday settings. For example, in educational settings, curiosity is related to rates of student question-asking and academic performance. Additionally, medical students with higher levels of curiosity report having deeper motives for studying and engaging in deeper study strategies when learning new information,' the authors added. Psychologists measure curiosity as a state, where feeling curious is just a momentary or fleeting experience and as a trait, where it is a feature of an individual's personality and way of life. During old age, curiosity is the main factor that motivates people to engage in formal learning such as taking classes for learning a new skill. And such stimulating activities help in maintaining the brain's cognitive abilities. In a press release, senior author of the study, Alan Castel, a psychologist at UCLA said: 'You see this in the context of lifelong learning: A lot of older adults will go back to take classes or pick up hobbies or engage in bird watching. I think it shows that this level of curiosity if maintained, can really keep us sharp as we age.' To further investigate how the two forms of curiosity work in adults, the researchers collected data from 1,218 participants between the ages of 20 and 84. They completed an online questionnaire that measured their levels of curiosity. Some of the questions they answered included: 'What is added to white sugar to make brown sugar? (answer: molasses) and what is the name of the biggest constellation in the sky? (answer: hydra)." The researchers then rated each participant's curiosity level on a scale of one to 10. 'Age does not have a uniform influence on curiosity; rather, we need to consider the multifaceted nature of this construct when discussing aging effects,' they noted. 'Curiosity subsumes different levels of psychological processes (e.g., emotional processes, reinforcement, learning, attention, appraisal, etc.), each of which would be impacted differently by age.' Prior research has found that younger adults tend to be more curious about learning new topics while older adults feel more motivated to continue expanding their existing knowledge. 'It is important to consider some of the ways that older adults may maintain curiosity other than via trait curiosity measures. Specifically, older adults may be selectively curious about things that have greater self-relevance or that are relevant to their prior knowledge, which may benefit them in specific contexts. For example, if an older adult is curious about gardening, they may be more likely to read gardening magazines, join a gardening group, or to learn a new gardening skill,' the researchers highlighted in their study published in the journal PLoS One in May 2025. 'Engaging with any of these activities can be beneficial for overall well-being and cognitive outcomes in older age, for example by fostering social connections and learning complex new skills. Thus, it may be important to recognize and encourage specific domains of curiosity for older adults, rather than simply focusing on measures of trait curiosity,' they added.
Medscape
a day ago
- Business
- Medscape
New Data: Wide Disparities in Access to Lecanemab
Access to lecanemab among Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was marked by racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities, a new study suggested, with early use significantly higher in men than in women, and in non-Hispanic White individuals than in Asian or Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic patients. METHODOLOGY: Researchers performed a cross-sectional analysis and examined early trends in lecanemab use among 842,192 US Medicare beneficiaries with at least 11 months of coverage. In all, 1725 Medicare beneficiaries who received at least one lecanemab infusion between 2023 and 2024 were identified (mean age at initiation, 75.7 years). The researchers identified beneficiaries with AD and MCI using claims in the previous year. The analysis included age, sex, race/ethnicity, urban-rural status, and socioeconomic status. TAKEAWAY: Of those who received lecanemab, 51.5% were women; 90.5% were White, 1.3% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.2% Black, and 2% Hispanic individuals; 1.3% were socioeconomically disadvantaged; and 88% resided in urban areas. Among all patients with AD or MCI, lecanemab use was significantly higher in men than in women (0.27% vs 0.17%; P < .01), in urban residents than in rural patients (0.22% vs 0.14%; P < .01), and in socioeconomically advantaged patients than in those who were socioeconomically disadvantaged (0.27% vs 0.01%; P < .001). < .01), in urban residents than in rural patients (0.22% vs 0.14%; < .01), and in socioeconomically advantaged patients than in those who were socioeconomically disadvantaged (0.27% vs 0.01%; < .001). Lecanemab use was significantly higher among non-Hispanic White patients (0.23%) than among Asian or Pacific Islander (0.09%), Black (0.04%), and Hispanic (0.07%) patients ( P < .001 for all). < .001 for all). By the end of the study, 407 patients (23.6%) had discontinued lecanemab treatment, indicating substantial early discontinuation rates. IN PRACTICE: 'Even among beneficiaries who meet initial Medicare coverage requirements for lecanemab by having documented MCI or AD, early uptake of lecanemab still appears to be marked by racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities. This dynamic is consistent with a recurring historical pattern of inequitable access to breakthrough therapies administered by specialized centers, and underscores how a costly and likely low-value treatment, which contributes to higher Medicare spending, is seemingly being disproportionately utilized by advantaged populations,' the study authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Frank F. Zhou, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). It was published online on May 15 in JAMA Network Open . LIMITATIONS: Data for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were not available. The use of diagnosis codes to identify patients with AD or MCI underestimated MCI prevalence, misdiagnosed AD, did not consider additional lecanemab eligibility criteria, and could not distinguish between mild and moderate or severe AD, where only mild cases are eligible for lecanemab treatment. DISCLOSURES: This study received funding from the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, US Deprescribing Research Network, UCLA Resource for Minority Aging Research/Center for Healthcare Improvement of Minority Elders, and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Three investigators reported receiving grants from or having other ties with various sources. Details are provided in the original article.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lake District charity walking challenge for former York Sheriff's Lady
A former Sheriff's Lady is set to walk 26 miles to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society. Danielle Mason will walk the distance around Ullswater, in the Lake District, this Saturday (May 31). Her father Mark will join her for the feat, known as 'Trek26,' and the pair hope to raise £1,000 for the charity. The grandmother of Danielle, who was diagnosed with dementia five years ago, is serving as inspiration for the challenge. Danielle, who was part of York's civic party in 2021, said: "It has been heartbreaking to see my nana slowly deteriorate. Danielle (centre) outside Mansion House in York with the city's swordbearer and sergeant-at-mace (Image: Supplied) "Medication has slowed down the process but now she struggles to keep conversation and remember what she has been doing. "It has had a huge impact on her husband, who is her main carer. "I want to raise money to help others in the future to get better support, and to help raise the profile of this important charity helping to support research into new treatments." Donations to Danielle's cause can be made at
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
DVLA £1,000 driving fine risk over 209 medical conditions
The DVLA tells motorists there are multiple conditions they may need to declare to avoid the risk of breaking the rules UK drivers are being cautioned that they must inform officials about medical conditions that could affect their driving. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) warns that failure to disclose one of 209 conditions could result in a fine of up to £1,000. The DVLA suggests that if you have one of the listed conditions, you might even consider voluntarily surrendering your licence. This might be an option for those who have been advised by their doctor to refrain from driving for three months or more. You might also consider this if your medical condition compromises your ability to drive safely for a period of three months or longer. Or you might need to do this if your medical condition means you do not meet the necessary standards for driving. If you decide to take this step, the DVLA says: "You'll need to tell DVLA and send them your licence. If you have a medical condition that affects your driving and do not voluntarily give up your licence, you must inform DVLA. They will decide if you can continue holding a driving licence." Medical conditions you may need to declare to the DVLA - full list The list of 209 conditions here applies to those with a car. If you have a bus, lorry or coach licence, "you cannot use the online service to check for your condition or report it to DVLA", they add. Check the guidance on seizures and epilepsy Check the guidance on acoustic neuroma Check the guidance on Addison's disease Check the guidance on agoraphobia Check the guidance on alcohol problems Check the guidance on Alzheimers disease Check the guidance on transient ischaemic attacks and mini-strokes Check the guidance on amputations Check the guidance on motor neuron disease - also known as ALS Check the guidance on angina Check the guidance on heart attacks and angioplasty Check the guidance on ankylosing spondylitis Check the guidance on eating disorders Check the guidance on anxiety Check the guidance on aortic aneurysms Check the guidance on arachnoid cysts Check the guidance on arrhythmias Check the guidance on defibrillators Check the guidance on arteriovenous malformations Check the guidance on arthritis Check the guidance on autistic spectrum condition, including asperger syndrome Check the guidance on ataxia, including Friedrich's ataxia Check the guidance on ADHD Check the guidance on autistic spectrum condition, including asperger syndrome B Check the guidance on balloon angioplasties in the leg Check the guidance on bipolar disorder - previously known as manic depression Check the guidance on blackouts and fainting Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on blood clots Check the guidance on blood pressure Check the guidance on brachial plexus injuries Check the guidance on brain abscesses, cysts or encephalitis Check the guidance on brain aneurysms Check the guidance on angiomas Check the guidance on brain haemorrhages Check the guidance on traumatic brain injuries Check the guidance on brain tumours Check the guidance on broken limbs Check the guidance on Brugada syndrome Check the guidance on burr hole surgery C Check the guidance on surgery Check the guidance on cancer (not including leukaemia) Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on catheter ablations Check the guidance on cardiac problems Check the guidance on carotid artery stenosis Check the guidance on cataplexy Check the guidance on cavernomas Check the guidance on central venous thrombosis Check the guidance on cerebral palsy Check the guidance on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease Check the guidance on Chiari malformation Check the guidance on chronic aortic dissection Check the guidance on cognitive problems Check the guidance on congenital heart disease Check the guidance on fits, convulsions and seizures Check the guidance on coronary artery bypass or disease Check the guidance on heart attacks and angioplasty Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on cystic fibrosis D Check the guidance on deafness Check the guidance on defibrillators Check the guidance on deja vu Check the guidance on dementia Check the guidance on depression Check the guidance on diabetes Check the guidance on dilated cardiomyopathy Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on dizziness (including vertigo) Check the guidance on drug misuse E Check the guidance on eating disorders Check the guidance on brain empyemas Check the guidance on seizures and epilepsy Check the guidance on essential tremors Check the guidance on eye conditions F Check the guidance on blackouts and fainting Check the guidance on fits, convulsions and seizures Check the guidance on head injuries Check the guidance on ataxia, including Friedrich's ataxia G Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on global amnesia Check the guidance on seizures and epilepsy Check the guidance on Guillain Barré syndrome H Check the guidance on head injuries Check the guidance on heart attacks and angioplasty Check the guidance on arrhythmias Check the guidance on heart failure Check the guidance on heart murmurs Check the guidance on heart palpitations Check the guidance on high blood pressure Check the guidance on HIV Check the guidance on Hodgkin's lymphoma Check the guidance on Huntington's disease Check the guidance on hydrocephalus Check the guidance on high blood pressure Check the guidance on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Check the guidance on hypoglycaemia Check the guidance on hypoxic brain damage Check the guidance on surgery I Check the guidance on defibrillators Check the guidance on intracerebral haemorrhages Check the guidance on ischaemic heart disease K Check the guidance on kidney dialysis (also known as renal dialysis Check the guidance on kidney problems Check the guidance on Korsakoff's syndrome L Check the guidance on labyrinthitis Check the guidance on learning difficulties Check the guidance on left bundle branch blocks Check the guidance on leukaemia Check the guidance on Lewy body dementia Check the guidance on limb disability Check the guidance on Long QT syndrome Check the guidance on monocular vision Check the guidance on hypoglycaemia Check the guidance on lumboperitoneal shunts Check the guidance on lung cancer Check the guidance on lymphoma M Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on brain tumours Check the guidance on malignant melanoma Check the guidance on bipolar disorder - previously known as manic depression Check the guidance on Marfan's syndrome Check the guidance on medulloblastomas Check the guidance on severe memory problems Check the guidance on meningioma Check the guidance on transient ischaemic attacks and mini-strokes Check the guidance on monocular vision Check the guidance on motor neurone disease Check the guidance on multiple sclerosis Check the guidance on muscular dystrophy Check the guidance on myasthenia gravis Check the guidance on heart attacks and angioplasty Check the guidance on myoclonus N Check the guidance on narcolepsy Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on excessive sleepiness Check the guidance on eye conditions P Check the guidance on pacemakers Check the guidance on heart palpitations Check the guidance on paranoia Check the guidance on paranoia Check the guidance on paraplegia Check the guidance on Parkinson's disease Check the guidance on peripheral arterial disease Check the guidance on peripheral neuropathy Check the guidance on personality disorders Check the guidance on seizures and epilepsy Check the guidance on pituitary tumours Check the guidance on PTSD Check the guidance on psychosis Check the guidance on psychotic depression Check the guidance on pulmonary arterial hypertension R Check the guidance on kidney dialysis (also known as renal dialysis Check the guidance on transient ischaemic attacks and mini-strokes Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on eye conditions S Check the guidance on schizo-affective disorders Check the guidance on schizophrenia Check the guidance on scotoma Check the guidance on fits, convulsions and seizures Check the guidance on severe communication disorders Check the guidance on severe depression Check the guidance on monocular vision Check the guidance on excessive sleepiness Check the guidance on excessive sleepiness Check the guidance on spinal problems Check the guidance on strokes Check the guidance on subarachnoid haemorrhages Check the guidance on surgery Check the guidance on blackouts and fainting T Check the guidance on tachycardia Check the guidance on seizures and epilepsy Check the guidance on seizures and epilepsy Check the guidance on Tourette's syndrome Check the guidance on global amnesia Check the guidance on transient ischaemic attacks and mini-strokes Check the guidance on eye conditions U V Check the guidance on heart valve disease or replacement valves Check the guidance on defibrillators Check the guidance on dizziness (including vertigo) Check the guidance on monocular vision Check the guidance on eye conditions Check the guidance on eye conditions W Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Humansa and i-Cognitio Sciences Unveil the World's First AI-Powered Retinal Imaging for Alzheimer's Risk Detection
Revolutionizing Brain Health with CUHK Spin-off's Cutting-Edge Technology to Enable Early Detection and Prevention HONG KONG SAR- Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - Humansa, Asia's leading health and longevity center, is proud to announce the launch of its ground-breaking BrainSpark Program, a brain health program in collaboration with i-Cognitio Sciences, a spin-off company from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) founded by Prof. Vincent Mok. This revolutionary program incorporates the world's first artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of detecting risk of Alzheimer's disease using fundus photographs alone, offering a non-invasive and accessible solution to address the growing global challenge of cognitive decline and dementia. The Humansa BrainSpark Program is a timely response to the alarming statistics in developed Asia-Pacific regions, where the mean life expectancy has reached 85 years. Yet, 1 in 3 individuals aged 85 or above may suffer from dementia, a devastating disease that robs individuals of their independence and quality of life. Research shows that 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed by optimizing modifiable risk factors, making early detection and personalized interventions critical. A Revolutionary Approach to Brain Health The Humansa BrainSpark Program embodies a proactive approach to brain health by offering: Comprehensive Brain Health Assessment: Powered by state-of-the-art AI retinal imaging technology (i-Cog Brain Health) led and developed by Prof. Vincent Mok's team, the program evaluates brain health and identifies early signals of Alzheimer's disease. The AI model, developed and validated using nearly 13,000 fundus photographs from 648 Alzheimer's patients and 3,240 cognitively normal subjects, demonstrated accuracies ranging from 80% to 92% among various datasets of multi-ethnicities and multi-countries. The study was led by CUHK in collaboration with Universities in Singapore (National University of Singapore, Duke-National University, Nanyang Technological University), China (Tsinghua University), US (Mayo Clinic) and UK (Queen's University Belfast). The findings were published in the prestigious Lancet Digital Health journal in 2022. Tailor-Made Lifestyle Solutions: The Humansa BrainSpark Program offers tailor-made solutions that go beyond standard care, focusing on early detection and prevention of major chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's and dementia. By combining advanced AI technology with personalized care, Humansa provides lifestyle interventions, medical support, and preventive strategies tailored to each individual's unique risk profile. Additionally, Humansa's signature membership program offers a holistic anti-aging solution. This comprehensive package includes personalized recommendations on supplements, the frequency of restorative therapies, and other longevity strategies, empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward better brain health and overall well-being. Professor Vincent Mok, Founding Director of i-Cognitio Sciences and Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine of CUHK explains, "The retina is an extension of the brain, and through non-invasive fundus photography, we can detect changes in the blood vessels and nerves of the retina that are associated with Alzheimer's disease. These changes can appear 10–15 years before symptoms develop, giving us a critical window for early intervention. This AI model can identify early microvascular changes associated with Alzheimer's disease that may not be detected even by conventional MRI, making it a powerful tool for identifying high-risk cases in both clinical and community settings." Regarding the Humansa BrainSpark Program, Professor Mok adds, "This program is an innovative initiative that combines cutting-edge AI technology with personalized care approach. It encourages individuals to take proactive steps to protect their brain health, enabling early preventive treatments and lifestyle changes that can slow cognitive decline and preserve quality of life." Aligning with Humansa's Methodology to Longevity The newly launched Humansa BrainSpark Program is a cornerstone of Humansa's methodology to longevity and its signature Future Health Program, which emphasizes prevention, early detection, and personalized care. Cognitive function is a critical pillar of Humansa's longevity strategy, as maintaining brain health is essential for living a long, independent, and fulfilling life. Don So, CEO of Humansa, shares, "At Humansa, we believe that aging is not a passive process—it's a skill, a choice, and a science. Cognitive function is at the heart of our longevity strategy because it directly impacts an individual's ability to live independently and enjoy life to the fullest. The symptoms may show up decades later, but the seeds are often planted much earlier. The silent inflammation, the unchecked insulin resistance, and the daily choices—small and seemingly insignificant—that quietly shape your destiny. The Brain Health Program is a testament to our commitment to empowering individuals to live longer, healthier lives by providing them with the tools and knowledge to protect their brain health." A Call to Action The Humansa BrainSpark Program combines cutting-edge technology with personalized care, offering individuals a proactive way to protect their brain health and live longer, healthier lives. For more information or to schedule an assessment, please visit Hashtag: #Humansa The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Humansa Founded in 2020, Humansa is a pioneering health and wellness brand dedicated to empowering individuals to extend their healthspan and live life to the fullest. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Humansa operates over 40 centers and partners with a trusted network across the world. By integrating cutting-edge science with personalized care, Humansa is redefining the future of health and longevity. Our offerings span proactive health assessments, evidence-based treatments, and continuous health optimization, setting a new standard in preventive and precision health. Explore more at: About i-Cognitio Sciences i-Cognitio Sciences is a spin-off medical technology company from CUHK, specializing in AI-driven ocular imaging technologies for brain health evaluation. Humansa Health
