Latest news with #AAIC
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More women get Alzheimer's than men. It may not just be because they live longer
Working three full-time jobs, raising kids and tending her blooming garden: Angeleta Cox says her mother, Sonia Elizabeth Cox, never really slowed down all her life. Then, at the age of 64, a diagnosis of Alzheimer's slammed the brakes on the vibrant life she'd painstakingly built after immigrating to Canada from Jamaica in 1985. "The onset of the symptoms came on very fast," Cox said of her mother. "She forgot my dad first, and she wasn't able to respond to my brother, so I became a care provider for her," said Cox. Sonia Elizabeth died late last year, after years of battling Alzheimer's. More women get diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease than men. In developed countries, studiessuggest about two-thirds of people with Alzheimer's are women. It's a pattern seen in Canada, too, where women account for almost two-thirds of people with dementia, according to the last count from Statistics Canada. Scientists long explained this with a simple demographic fact: women tend to live longer, and age is a strong risk factor for the development of dementia. But that understanding is now changing. While age is still considered an important risk, scientists are increasingly realizing other aspects — both biological and sociological — may play an important role in making women susceptible to developing Alzheimer's. WATCH | Alzheimer's in women linked to early menopause, say scientists: "I think we're beginning to be at an inflection point," said Gillian Einstein, who studies how sex and gender can influence an individual's risk for developing dementia, as part of the Canadian Consortium on Degeneration and Aging. "I think you can feel it here," she said, gesturing around at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where leading Alzheimer's researchers gathered for the annual Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in late July. "There's so many more sessions on sex differences, or women's health." Hormones, babies and menopause Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in the world, according to the World Health Organization. It causes symptoms like memory loss, confusion and personality changes. In Canada, Alzheimer's is also the ninth leading cause of death, according to Statistics Canada. One factor scientists now know about: the timing of key hormonal changes, like when women first get their periods, how long they are fertile for, and the age they reach menopause. "There are a lot of studies in the UK Biobank, for example, showing that the longer the reproductive [period] women have, the lower the risk is of late-life Alzheimer's disease. Having [one to] three children also seems to lower the risk of Alzheimer's," said Einstein, referring to a large database containing the health and genetic information from 500,000 volunteers. Premature menopause, which happens before the age of 40, and early menopause (between the ages of 40 and 44) are also key risk factors, said Dr. Walter Rocca, who studies the differences in the way men and women age at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "So these women should be treated appropriately to avoid these deficiency of hormones," said Rocca, who presented research on the topic at the AAIC conference. What that treatment looks like could vary widely, Rocca said, based on the patient, as well as the cost and availability of the drug. Some main treatment approaches include pills, patches, gels and creams containing the hormone estrogen, which has been shown to have neuroprotective effects but naturally declines during menopause. The risk of cognitive decline with early or premature menopause exists whether the menopause happened naturally, or caused by their ovaries being removed, says Einstein. She pointed to a study she co-authored, which analyzed data from over 34,000 women from the UK Biobank. "Women who had their ovaries removed prior to the age of 50 will also have an increased risk of Alzheimer's," she said. More inclusive research Researchers are playing catch-up, when it comes to understanding women's risk for Alzheimer's, says Natasha Rajah, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Sex, Gender and Diversity in Brain Health, Memory and Aging at Toronto Metropolitan University. "Not only have we not been included in the research, but even in the clinical trials, we're not represented," she said. "It makes no sense when you think this disease affects more females than males." She's hoping to fill in some of those blanks. She's currently conducting the Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause study (BHAMM), which searches for early signs of the disease through brain scans and blood samples at mid-life. "We're trying to understand whether or not menopause is a window at which some females might be showing early signs of Alzheimer's disease," she said. If they are identifiable, those showing early signs of disease could get treatment or alter their lifestyles to better age, according to Rajah. There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but treatments include drugs that can help manage symptoms. Lifestyle changes, like physical exercise and a brain-healthy diet have also been shown to help brain health in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. She's also hoping to capture a more diverse population group in her research to better understand risk factors associated with race. Alzheimer's research in Western countries like the U.S. and Canada hasn't always been diverse, says Rajah. "With the BHAMM study, we're trying to reach out to as many communities as possible because we want to be more representative in our research." Different choices Looking back, Cox says she now realizes surgically induced menopause was a risk factor for her mother, who had a full hysterectomy after having fibroids in her 30s. The knowledge has led her to make different choices for herself — like reducing stress and taking care of her mental health. She's also now aware of how her own hormones can interact with Alzheimer's risk. "When it came time for me to deal with my fibroids that I had, I chose not to have a full hysterectomy." She's also passing down the knowledge to her daughter — and sharing it with other members of the Black community who have been impacted by Alzheimer's, through the Pan African Dementia Association. She's hoping researchers will find out more about risk factors for women developing Alzheimer's — so fewer women and families have to live through what her mom did. "When it impacts women, it impacts the entire family and the community," she said.
11-08-2025
- Health
More women get Alzheimer's than men. It may not just be because they live longer
Working three full-time jobs, raising kids and tending her blooming garden: Angeleta Cox says her mother, Sonia Elizabeth Cox, never really slowed down all her life. Then, at the age of 64, a diagnosis of Alzheimer's slammed the brakes on the vibrant life she'd painstakingly built after immigrating to Canada from Jamaica in 1985. The onset of the symptoms came on very fast, Cox said of her mother. She forgot my dad first, and she wasn't able to respond to my brother, so I became a care provider for her, said Cox. Sonia Elizabeth died late last year, after years of battling Alzheimer's. More women get diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease than men. In developed countries, studies (new window) suggest (new window) about two-thirds of people with Alzheimer's are women. It's a pattern seen in Canada, too, where women account for almost two-thirds of people with dementia, according to the last count from Statistics Canada (new window) . Scientists long explained this with a simple demographic fact: women tend to live longer, and age is a strong risk factor for the development of dementia. But that understanding is now changing. While age is still considered an important risk, scientists are increasingly realizing other aspects — both biological and sociological — may play an important role in making women susceptible to developing Alzheimer's. WATCH | Alzheimer's in women linked to early menopause, say scientists: I think we're beginning to be at an inflection point, said Gillian Einstein, who studies how sex and gender can influence an individual's risk for developing dementia, as part of the Canadian Consortium on Degeneration and Aging. I think you can feel it here, she said, gesturing around at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where leading Alzheimer's researchers gathered for the annual Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in late July. There's so many more sessions on sex differences, or women's health. Hormones, babies and menopause Alzheimer's disease is the most common form (new window) of dementia in the world, according to the World Health Organization. It causes symptoms like memory loss, confusion and personality changes. In Canada, Alzheimer's is also the ninth leading cause of death, according to Statistics Canada (new window) . One factor scientists now know about: the timing of key hormonal changes, like when women first get their periods, how long they are fertile for, and the age they reach menopause. There are a lot of studies in the UK Biobank, for example, showing that the longer the reproductive [period] women have, the lower the risk is of late-life Alzheimer's disease. Having [one to] three children also seems to lower the risk of Alzheimer's, said Einstein, referring to a large database containing the health and genetic information from 500,000 volunteers. Enlarge image (new window) Gillian Einstein studies women's brain health and aging at the University of Toronto. She says scientists are at an inflection point in understanding gender and sex risks for Alzheimer's disease Photo: CBC News / Ken Townsend Premature menopause, which happens before the age of 40, and early menopause (between the ages of 40 and 44) are also key risk factors, said Dr. Walter Rocca, who studies the differences in the way men and women age at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. So these women should be treated appropriately to avoid these deficiency of hormones, said Rocca, who presented research on the topic at the AAIC conference. What that treatment looks like could vary widely, Rocca said, based on the patient, as well as the cost and availability of the drug. Some main treatment approaches include pills, patches, gels and creams containing the hormone estrogen, which has been shown to have neuroprotective effects but naturally declines during menopause. The risk of cognitive decline with early or premature menopause exists whether the menopause happened naturally, or caused by their ovaries being removed, says Einstein. She pointed to a study (new window) she co-authored, which analyzed data from over 34,000 women from the UK Biobank. Women who had their ovaries removed prior to the age of 50 will also have an increased risk of Alzheimer's, she said. More inclusive research Researchers are playing catch-up, when it comes to understanding women's risk for Alzheimer's, says Natasha Rajah, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Sex, Gender and Diversity in Brain Health, Memory and Aging at Toronto Metropolitan University. Not only have we not been included in the research, but even in the clinical trials, we're not represented, she said. It makes no sense when you think this disease affects more females than males. She's hoping to fill in some of those blanks. She's currently conducting the Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause study (BHAMM), which searches for early signs of the disease through brain scans and blood samples at mid-life. We're trying to understand whether or not menopause is a window at which some females might be showing early signs of Alzheimer's disease, she said. Enlarge image (new window) Scientists are playing catch up in understanding sex and gender-related risks for Alzheimer's disease, says Natasha Rajah, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Sex, Gender and Diversity in Brain Health, Memory and Aging at Toronto Metropolitan University. Photo: CBC News / Pelin Sidki If they are identifiable, those showing early signs of disease could get treatment or alter their lifestyles to better age, according to Rajah. There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but treatments include drugs (new window) that can help manage symptoms. Lifestyle changes, like physical exercise and a brain-healthy diet have also been shown to help (new window) brain health in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. She's also hoping to capture a more diverse population group in her research to better understand risk factors associated with race. Alzheimer's research in Western countries like the U.S. and Canada hasn't always been diverse, says Rajah. With the BHAMM study, we're trying to reach out to as many communities as possible because we want to be more representative in our research. Different choices Looking back, Cox says she now realizes surgically induced menopause was a risk factor for her mother, who had a full hysterectomy after having fibroids in her 30s. The knowledge has led her to make different choices for herself — like reducing stress and taking care of her mental health. She's also now aware of how her own hormones can interact with Alzheimer's risk. Enlarge image (new window) Sonia Elizabeth Cox died in late 2024, after a years-long battle with Alzheimer's. Angeleta Cox says she thinks of her mother every time she looks at the garden Sonia once lovingly tended. Photo: Submitted by Angeleta Cox When it came time for me to deal with my fibroids that I had, I chose not to have a full hysterectomy. She's also passing down the knowledge to her daughter — and sharing it with other members of the Black community who have been impacted by Alzheimer's, through the Pan African Dementia Association. She's hoping researchers will find out more about risk factors for women developing Alzheimer's — so fewer women and families have to live through what her mom did. When it impacts women, it impacts the entire family and the community, she said. Jennifer Yoon (new window) · CBC News · Senior Health Reporter Jennifer Yoon covers the latest health news for CBC News on television, radio and digital. You can reach her at
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MEDIA ADVISORY: Baycrest Experts Available During AAIC® 2025 in Toronto
TORONTO, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ - From July 27 to 31, Toronto hosts the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® 2025 (AAIC®), the world's largest forum for dementia research. With Canada in the spotlight, Baycrest is recognized globally for its leadership in aging and brain health. Our scientists and experts are participating in the conference and available to support your coverage. This international gathering offers a timely opportunity to explore the growing impact of dementia on families, economies and health care systems, along with the latest advances in prevention, care, treatment and research. Dr. Howard ChertkowScientific Director, Baycrest's Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & WellnessScientific Director, Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)Dr. Chertkow is a member of the AAIC Scientific Program Committee and one of Canada's most respected dementia researchers. He is available to speak on topics including dementia detection, prevention, treatment and Canada's role in the global research landscape. More Baycrest Experts You Can Speak With Dr. Adriana Shnall, Program Director, Baycrest Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Caregiving, can speak to innovative tools supporting dementia caregivers, including those in rural and underserved communities. At AAIC, she is co-presenting on the use of virtual reality, AI and other strategies to better support families in community and long-term care settings. Dr. Allison Sekuler, President & Chief Scientist, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education is available to speak on the rising prevalence of dementia in Canada and its impact on individuals, families and the healthcare system. Dr. Nicole Anderson, Associate Scientific Director, Baycrest's Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & Wellness, can discuss the latest in dementia prevention research, including evidence that nearly half of all cases may be preventable. Baycrest combines world-class care with cutting-edge research to help shape the future of aging and brain health. If you are working on AAIC-related coverage or broader dementia stories, our experts are available for interviews throughout the conference. Throughout the week, we will share updates with media highlighting key topics, research developments and expert perspectives from Baycrest. Please contact Natasha Nacevski-Laird, Media Relations Specialist at Baycrest, to schedule an interview. About Baycrest At Baycrest, our vision is a world where every older person lives with purpose, fulfilment and dignity. Baycrest is a global leader in aging and brain health innovation, with over 105 years of expertise in seniors' care and cutting-edge research. Baycrest has been Designated with Exemplary Status by Accreditation Canada, and drives industry-leading care and safety outcomes. As the home of the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) powered by Baycrest, the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE) and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, Baycrest is at the forefront of dementia research. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest's training programs shape the future of care globally, while Baycrest Global Solutions extends its expertise to senior living and healthcare internationally. For more information, visit: SOURCE Baycrest View original content to download multimedia:
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Three factors will stall dementia and the aging process, according to new U.S. study
By 2050, over 1.7 million Canadians are projected to be living with dementia. This represents an increase of 187 per cent compared to 2020, when approximately 597,300 Canadians were living with dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada. Dementia describes the decline of mental ability, while Alzheimer's Disease is the medical term for the brain disease that commonly causes dementia. Researchers are now saying certain lifestyle changes can stave off mental decline. A new U.S. study sets out what Alzheimer's researchers are calling the strongest evidence yet regarding what is involved in slowing the aging process and improving cognition. It comes down to three key factors: a diet heavy on leafy greens, berries and grains, regular moderate exercise and ongoing social interaction. Regular cardiovascular monitoring is also a factor. Jessica Langbaum, senior director of research strategy at the Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix was not involved directly in the research but she presented the findings at an annual conference of experts in Toronto on Wednesday. The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the largest international meeting dedicated to advancing dementia science and clinical practice. This year's gathering brought together 8,000 scientists and clinicians from all over the world, with the goal of improving diagnosis, risk reduction and treatment. The study pulled together diet, exercise and socialization in one substantial, structured study of 2,100 people in their 60s and 70s at risk of developing dementia, showing that bad habits 'can really slow down memory and thinking' in adults at risk for cognitive impairment and dementia, Langbaum told the PBS New Hour in an interview on Wednesday evening. The subjects who participated in the study changed their habits, shifting from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one and improving their diet over a two-year period, resulting in cognitive function scores on par with people one or two years younger. That might not sound like much, but Langbaum says the results are significant evidence that change can occur without medication. 'And so, it's showing that we can change the trajectory of aging,' she said. There were two groups in the study. In one, lifestyle changes were structurally prescribed. In the other, the changes were self-directed. The results for the prescribed group were much better, but Langbaum says both groups showed improvement. The biggest challenge that study participants faced was sustaining a new exercise regime. Langbaum recommends people find something that they enjoy doing. 'If (you're) frustrated by it, (you're) just going to give up. But do something that you enjoy. Better yet, do it with somebody else or others around you because socialization is key, and lastly, something that you can adhere to, if you can schedule it. It's something that you can stay committed to.' Regarding nutrition she notes: 'We say what's good for the heart is good for the brain, so a nice balanced … nutritious diet with … those leafy greens, low in saturated fats, all of those things.' The American Alzheimer's Association spent close to US$50 million on the study. The National Institutes of Health spent even more to ensure many of the participants underwent brain scans, blood tests and sleep studies aimed at provide additional information down the road. Meanwhile, Langbaum expresses concern that structured intervention may not be sustainable in most communities. 'I think that's really the next stage of the research is, how do we make this scalable in communities so that people can implement these things into their daily lives?' The American Alzheimer's Association is planning to spend another US$40 million on implementing the lessons of the study. Langbaum says that will come with a change in the mindsets of doctors. They 'should be treating lifestyle interventions as they would a drug,' she told NPR. That would mean prescribing improved exercise and eating regimens and getting insurers to cover those prescriptions, she added. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Anavex's blarcasemine nets win in Phase IIb/III Alzheimer's extension study
In another potential win for patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, Anavex Life Science's precision medicine blarcasemine has met its primary endpoints in a late-stage trial. Announced at the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), results of the Phase IIb/III ATTENTION-AD (NCT04314934) extension study revealed that blarcasemine, dubbed internally as Anavex 2-73, improved patients' cognitive function by 36.3%, as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive 13-item (ADAS-COG13) scale. The oral autophagy reactivator also improved daily functioning by 27.6% according to the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) scale, highlighting the drug's capacity to stave off symptoms of Alzheimer's in the disease's early stages. Like other Alzheimer's-targeting disease modifying therapies (DMTs) on the market, blarcasemine worked best in patients who began taking the drug early, with early initiation offering patients 19.5 months of 'time saved'. The 'time saved' concept describes the period in which a drug can stave off disease progression and allow patients to maintain both functionality and independence. Alzheimer's market competition heats up In recent years, the once stagnant Alzheimer's market has been ignited — primarily driven by the approvals of key anti-amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies (Aβ mAbs) such as Biogen & Eisai's Leqembi (lecanemab) and Eli Lilly's Kisunla (donanemab), which were given FDA greenlights in 2023 and 2024, respectively. This has driven the market's value significantly, with a forecast from GlobalData, parent company of Clinical Trials Arena, estimating it will be worth $19.3bn in the 8 major markets (8MM includes the US, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan and China) by 2033. According to a report by Globaldata, these therapies are set to dominate the Alzheimer's market, with Kisunla and Leqembi forecasted to rake in $2bn and $3.5bn, respectively, in the 8MMs. However, neurology analyst at GlobalData, Phillipa Salter noted that anti-Aβ mAbs have been difficult to integrate into clinical practice due to 'their association with significant side effects, including amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA).' 'They are also only modestly effective, so having alternative treatment options that don't target amyloid will be welcomed in the AD space,' Salter commented. Salter added: 'Significant opportunity therefore exists for Anavex 2-73 with its convenient oral dosing and favourable safety profile.' Instead of targeting and breaking down tau and beta amyloid (Aβ) plaques like Kisunla and Leqembi, Anavex 2-73 works to restore cellular autophagy — a natural process which becomes faulty in early Alzheimer's disease pathology before plaques begin to form. By targeting a mechanism involved in the very early stages of Alzheimer's, blarcasemine differentiates itself from rival therapies at market. "Anavex's blarcasemine nets win in Phase IIb/III Alzheimer's extension study" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
