Alzheimer's

Where Does Alzheimer's Treatment Go From Here?

12:35pm December 29, 2016

by Bret Stetka

The failure of an experimental drug that targets clumps of protein inside the brains of Alzheimer's patients called into question one of the leading theories about the cause of the dementia.

Daniels spent three years working on her project, Into Oblivion, which documents life inside a geriatric unit in France.

Life Inside The Alzheimer's Ward: A Hidden World Revealed

1:28pm December 01, 2016

by Meredith Rizzo

The dementia wing of a nursing home is foreign territory to most people. Photographer Maja Daniels spent three years documenting the lives of people with Alzheimer's in a hospital in France.

Education may help brains cope with cognitive decline, and treatments for high blood pressure and other health problems may decrease dementia risk.

Dementia Risk Declines, And Education May Be One Reason Why

11:50am November 22, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

The prevalence of Alzheimer's and other dementias declined by almost 3 percent from 2000 to 2012, a study finds. That could be a result of people getting more education, and better health overall.

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This image is from lab-grown brain tissue — a minibrain — infected by Zika virus (white) with neural stem cells in red and neuronal nuclei in green.

'Minibrains' Could Help Drug Discovery For Zika And For Alzheimer's

6:01pm November 13, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

Each lab-grown cluster of human cells fits on a pin's head, but contains some of the cell types and circuitry of a real brain. The structures already are offering insights into how Zika attacks.

The Old Town Museum in Aarhus, Denmark has created a "House of Memories" that's an exact replica of a 1950s apartment. It's intended for Alzheimer's patients, whose memories may be triggered by the sights, sounds and smells from the period, researchers sa

Denmark's 'House Of Memories' Re-Creates 1950s For Alzheimer's Patients

12:36pm September 13, 2016

by Sidsel Overgaard

The apartment in a museum is a detailed reconstruction of a 1950s home, with all its smells, sounds and textures. Psychologists say it can spark memories for people with dementia.

Seeing A Mother's Alzheimer's As A Time Of Healing And Magic

7:12am September 10, 2016

by Meredith Rizzo

Dana Walrath used her skills as an artist and medical anthropologist to chronicle her mother's final years with dementia. The process helped her see beyond the loss and embrace the moment.

Experimental drugs that clear clumps of proteins from the brains of Alzheimer's patients haven't panned out yet.

Test Of Experimental Alzheimer's Drug Finds Progress Against Brain Plaques

6:31pm August 31, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

Researchers have failed repeatedly in their efforts to slow or halt Alzheimer's disease. But there are hints that an experimental drug can do what previous medicines could not.

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Hiroyuko Yamamoto, a crossing guard in Matsudo, Japan, has been trained in how to recognize and gently approach people who are wandering, or have other signs of dementia, in ways that won't frighten them.

Japanese City Takes Community Approach To Dealing With Dementia

4:47pm August 23, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

Japan expects 7 million cases of dementia among its long-lived residents by 2025. It has started training pharmacists, bankers and postal workers in how to recognize the signs and be supportive.

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Parkinson's disease, smoking, certain head injuries and even normal aging can influence our sense of smell. But certain patterns of loss in the ability to identify odors seem pronounced in Alzheimer's, researchers say.

A Sniff Test For Alzheimer's Checks For The Ability To Identify Odors

4:25pm July 26, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

New research suggests it may be possible to spot people in the early stages of Alzheimer's by testing their ability to recognize fragrances. The goal is a quick and inexpensive screening test.

A lucky few stay healthy despite carrying genetic defects linked to serious diseases. What protects them?

Health & Safety

How Do 'Genetic Superheroes' Overcome Their Bad DNA?

6:36pm April 11, 2016

by Rob Stein

Why do some people get sick from genetic mutations and others don't? Scientists say clues may lie in a rare group of people who carry profound genetic defects but somehow don't fall ill.

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