Alzheimer’s/Dementia

A diet you’ll want to follow

A new diet designed to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease has far reaching benefits and has been ranked by US News & World Report as surprisingly easy to follow. Researchers reported significant benefits for those who made modest changes and, as an added bonus, the diet recommends drinking wine. Read More »

Calif group splits from Alzheimer’s Association

Following the fall 2015 restructuring of the national Alzheimer's Association, the Los Angeles chapter has decided to leave the national group and form its own association. Read More »

Lumosity to pay $2 million to settle disputes about brain training claims

Lumos Labs, the makers of the Lumosity brain training program, have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission on allegations the company deceived consumers with unfounded claims about cognitive and health benefits from playing its online and mobile games. Read More »

Poor sleep could be an Alzheimer’s disease risk factor

Deep sleep means a deep cleanse of brain toxins, including those that form Alzheimer's plaques. Researchers found a lack of sleep sped the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease plaques in mice, suggesting a possible link and potential new treatments that start with catching some zzz's. Read More »

A healthy attitude toward aging might keep you healthier

Researchers have found a correlation between negative views on aging and developing Alzheimer's disease. People who held negative views of aging were found to have greatest volume loss of the hippocampus, a part of the brain central to memory. They were also found to have a significantly greater number of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles than their peers with a positive outlook on aging. Read More »

Rock star goes abroad for Alzheimer’s stem cell treatment

Canadian music icon John Mann has early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and medications on the market haven't been effective. He will go to Mexico for experimental stem cell therapy. Read More »

Antidepressant restores protein levels in brain, improves memory

New research suggests accumulation of the tau protein hinders the brain's ability to clean out and replace cells. A drug already on the market was found to help flush out old cells and improve memory in mice, suggesting new therapies  for neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Read More »

Circadian rhythms and aging

Everyone has “internal timing genes” that regulate sleep and wake cycles and other body processes. New research shows older people might have an internal clock that younger people don’t. Could this provide a clue on sundowning? Read More »

Alzheimer’s research takes role in Clinton’s political platform

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton proposes massive funding for Alzheimer's research for the next 10 years. Read More »

Unprecedented $350 million federal funding increase for Alzheimer’s research

The fiscal year 2016 federal spending bill includes $350 million more for Alzheimer's disease research funding. It's the first time in 12 years the National Institutes of Health have seen a boost in funding. Read More »

Taking college classes might help ward off dementia

Researchers found older adults who took college courses saw an increase in their capacity to process information, make decisions, plan and retain memories. Age, gender, feelings of well-being or level of social connectedness did not affect their cognitive capacity. Read More »

Common prostate treatment increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy are nearly two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research findings. Read More »

3-D video games boost memory

The complexity and immersive experience of 3-D video games improved memory in non-gaming college students, researchers found. Such video games could be used to engage, stimulate and boost hippocampus functioning in seniors. Read More »

Gray-friendly states

Which states have the healthiest environments for seniors? Which regions are hotbeds of unhealthy habits? New data shows how healthy environments and the graying of America are dovetailing. Read More »

Ark. memory care center opens art gallery dedicated to Glen Campbell

The new memory-care-only community will include a gallery commemorating the Arkansas native country singer’s long and public battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

Celebrating the season with people with dementia

The holidays are a time of togetherness and traditions. That can pose additional challenges for people with dementia. Changing how the holidays are celebrated can help everyone enjoy the season. Read More »

SNF employee charged over resident video

A California CNA who allegedly took a video of a partially clothed resident and laughed at her as she and another assistant took her to the shower has been charged and fired. Read More »

Low levels of BRCA1 protein in brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease

New research suggests BRCA1 proteins, which repair damaged cells, facilitate normal learning and memory in neurons. Lower levels of BRCA1 proteins in the brain are associated with neurological disorders. Read More »

Researchers trace origins of Yarumal’s curse

Much research has been conducted on the residents of Yarumal, Colombia, which has the world’s largest population of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Now researchers have traced descendants to identify the origins of the rare gene mutation for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

Amyloid protein buildup could account for memory loss

Researchers have found the accumulation of vascular amyloid plaques along blood vessels could disrupt blood flow in the brain. They could also account for some of the neural degeneration and memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

Brookdale to expand memory care wings in Georgia facilities

Brookdale Senior Living is spending $9.5 million to expand beds and common areas at two Georgia facilities. The number of people in the state with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is expected to increase by nearly half by 2025. Read More »

PBA and antipsychotic meds in SNFs: No laughing matter

Nursing home residents with symptoms of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) are twice as likely to receive antipsychotic medications in off-label mode, a new study shows. Read More »

Understanding Parkinson’s disease psychosis

Educating caregivers and staff on the effects of Parkinson’s disease psychosis can help them react with understanding to a resident’s hallucinations and false claims. Read More »

Rising acuity, changing LTC needs in Canada

Caring for residents with growing complexities and chronic care requirements isn't an isolated event; Canadians are experiencing much the same trends, notes a new Ontario Long-Term Care Association report. Read More »

Leg strength associated with brain health in older women

Researchers found older women with strong legs had better cognition, suggesting leg power can be used to predict cognitive ageing in women.  Read More »

Person-centered care benchmarking survey under way

The LTC industry needs YOU! Be sure to contribute to this new national benchmarking survey on the current state of person-centered care delivery in long-term care. Read More »

Two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease cases attributed to 9 risk factors

A comprehensive review of past Alzheimer's disease research identifies nine strong risk factors. Some of those risks are modifiable, suggesting preventative treatments could reduce disease onset. Read More »

Music meets physical therapy

Music may soothe the soul, but a New York nursing home shows that combining music with physical therapy is very good for the body and the cognitively declining mind, too. Read More »

University of South Carolina establishes aging institute

The University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health received a $7 million endowment to focus on health concerns for young children and older adults. Read More »

Cancer drug may help treat advanced Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia

An FDA-approved drug for leukemia improved cognition, motor skills and non-motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia in a small phase 1 clinical trial. The drug, nilotinib, led to statistically significant changes in toxic proteins linked to disease progression. Read More »