Laboratory studies may provide new therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease The National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded NYU Dentistry a $3.1 million grant to study the nexus of periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease. Periodontitis is chronic inflammation of the gums that can lead to inflammation throughout the body and … Read more
Recent studies have shown that a protein present in the gingival epithelium (the part of the gums that surrounds the teeth) may have antimicrobial properties, in particular against the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). In addition to playing a significant role in periodontal disease, this bacterium may also be linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as … Read more
A good night’s sleep plays an essential role in regulating brain health by removing the waste material and toxins that accumulate. Although many things can disturb sleep, one of the most common causes is snoring or other breathing issues that cause obstructive sleep apnea. A team of researchers from Center for BrainHealth at The University … Read more
Increases in “bad” bacteria and decreases in “good” bacteria in gums associated with amyloid beta Older adults with more harmful than healthy bacteria in their gums are more likely to have evidence for amyloid beta—a key biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease—in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), according to new research from NYU College of Dentistry and Weill … Read more
A recent study has periodontists, experts in the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of periodontal disease, encouraging patients to maintain gum health in an effort to reduce their Alzheimer’s disease risk. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, uncovered a potential link between P. gingivalis, the bacteria associated with periodontal disease (commonly known as gum … Read more
Long-term exposure to periodontal disease bacteria causes inflammation and degeneration of brain neurons in mice that is similar to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in humans, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The findings, which are published in PLOS ONE, suggest that periodontal disease, a common but preventable … Read more
From Medscape News Today – by Megan Brooks September 13, 2011 — In a pilot study, a nasal spray form of insulin, used daily for 4 months, stabilized or improved cognition, function, and cerebral glucose metabolism in adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). “Taken together, these results … Read more
By Angela Haupt – The first new diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease in nearly 30 years expand the definition to include patients with earlier stage symptoms, emphasizing that the disorder begins wreaking havoc on the brain years before it can be detected. The recommendations, issued today by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s … Read more
It is common knowledge that as the average life span becomes longer, dementia becomes more common. Swedish scientist Laura Fratiglioni has shown that everyone can minimize his or her risk of being affected. Factors from blood pressure and weight to the degree of physical and mental activity can influence cognitive functioning as one gets older. The … Read more
2011-12-12 06:23:57