Rapid Progress Toward Reliable Blood Tests for Alzheimer Disease

One of the most important advances in Alzheimer disease (AD) clinical research in the past 2 decades has been the development of biomarkers that detect amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles in vivo with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assays or positron emission tomography (PET). Coupled with imaging or fluid-based markers of brain structural and functional integrity, these biomarkers allow researchers to capture the 3 key features of AD: amyloid plaques, tau neurofibrillary tangles, and neurodegeneration in living people (Figure). One of the most important insights from biomarker studies in AD is the existence of a prolonged preclinical stage spanning 2 decades, during which plaques and tangles deposit in the brain without leading to cognitive symptoms or functional decline. Individuals with preclinical biomarker changes are at risk for cognitive decline and may thus be excellent candidates for early intervention with disease-modifying therapies. The “biomarker revolution” in AD has culminated in the National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer Association Research Framework, which reconceptualizes AD as a biologic entity that is defined entirely by amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration [AT(N)] biomarkers irrespective of clinical symptoms or functional decline.

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Menopause Symptoms Reduced by Cold Water Swimming

Cold water swimming significantly eases menopausal symptoms. Surveying 1114 women, with 785 experiencing menopause, researchers found improvements in anxiety, mood swings, low mood, and hot flushes among participants. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/9AqHsEa

UPI: Kids with psych disorders most likely to take dangerous viral challenges

The “choking game” — and other clearly ill-advised and dangerous internet challenges — leave many parents wondering what drives teens to take the bait and participate. Now, a new study suggests that an underlying psychological disorder may be one reason why some kids jump at online dares such as the “Bird Box” challenge, where people walk around blindfolded, and the Tide Pod challenge, daring people to eat laundry detergent. (January 28, 2019) Read the full article here from Brain Health Daily http://bit.ly/2DIWHbD

The emerging influential role of microglia in neurology

In her most catchily titled book, The Angel and the Assassin , Donna Jackson Nakazawa highlighed nerve cells which have hitherto been very little acknowledged – microglia . Long ignored as bit players in the big league of the nervous system, Nakazawa colourfully illustrated what many neuroscientists are beginning to realise: the small size of microglia belies their huge influence ; m icroglia are, after all, the defence force of the nervous system, protecting the brain from microbial invaders . In keeping with their small size, their role is to surreptitiously present the antigens of invading bugs to T cells , the toffs who actually carry out the final hatchet job . It is therefore not surprising that any dysfunction of microglia will come with significant clinical consequences . By GerryShaw – Own work , CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link The most important clinical fallout of dysfunctional microglia appears to be the emergence of dementia. It is indeed spec...

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