Alzheimer's disease – TheNewsHub

Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, study says

Harsh — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:00:01 +0000

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Novo Nordisk‘s blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting its potential to delay or prevent the memory-robbing condition, according to a study released Thursday.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, was associated with a 40% to 70% lower risk of a first-time Alzheimer’s diagnosis in patients with Type 2 diabetes compared with seven other diabetes medications. That includes insulin and older so-called GLP-1 drugs similar to Ozempic, the research said.

Alzheimer’s disease is often diagnosed in the mild dementia stage, when a person has significant trouble with memory and thinking. Almost 7 million Americans have the condition, the fifth-leading cause of death for adults over 65, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. But the number of Alzheimer’s patients is projected to rise to almost 13 million in the U.S. by 2050.

There are no cures for Alzheimer’s, only drugs that treat the symptoms of the disease or slow the progression of the condition in people at the early stages of it. But a potential preventive treatment such as semaglutide may prove even more useful, said lead study co-author Dr. Rong Xu, a biomedical informatics professor at Case Western Reserve University.

That’s because by the time many patients are diagnosed with the disease, “it’s often too late for treatment,” Xu told CNBC. She added that many of the risk factors of Alzheimer’s, such as obesity, diabetes and smoking, are preventable and “modifiable.”

The results add to mounting evidence that GLP-1s, a popular class of obesity and diabetes medications, may offer health benefits beyond promoting weight loss and regulating blood sugar. That includes Ozempic, Novo Nordisk’s weight loss injection Wegovy, and drugs from Eli Lilly that work slightly differently.

Novo Nordisk and rival Eli Lilly have been studying their drugs as potential treatments for chronic conditions such as sleep apnea and fatty liver disease. Novo Nordisk, which did not fund the new Case Western study, is also examining semaglutide in a late-stage study on Alzheimer’s patients.

The new Case Western study released Thursday builds on other research released in July on a once-daily drug for diabetes and obesity called liraglutide, which Novo Nordisk sells under the brand names Saxenda and Victoza. In the liraglutide research, data from a midstage trial found that the drug may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by protecting patients’ brains.

In the study released Thursday, researchers from Case Western analyzed three years of electronic records of nearly 1 million U.S. patients with diabetes who did not have a prior Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The study was partly funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The study compared semaglutide with seven different diabetes medications, including insulin and a drug called metformin. It also includes other GLP-1s, such as liraglutide and a medication from Eli Lilly called dulaglutide.

Semaglutide was associated with a roughly 70% lower risk of first-time Alzheimer’s diagnosis compared with insulin, a nearly 60% lower risk compared with metformin and a 40% lower risk compared with other GLP-1s, according to the study. Semaglutide was also associated with significantly lower prescriptions for Alzheimer’s disease-related medications, the study said.

Similar reductions in risks were seen across patients in the trial, regardless of their gender, age group and whether they had obesity.

But the study has limitations since it relies on data from electronic health records. Xu called for more research, specifically clinical trials that randomly assign patients to receive semaglutide or other treatments, to confirm how much Ozempic and other GLP-1s can help prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease.

Xu and the team of researchers also plan to study whether GLP-1s can prevent Alzheimer’s in patients with obesity, but they want to wait one or two years for GLP-1s approved for weight loss to be on the market longer so there is more patient data for them to analyze. Wegovy won approval in the U.S. in 2021, while Eli Lilly’s weight loss injection Zepbound only entered the market last fall.

Loneliness increases risk of dementia by over 30 per cent, review of studies suggests

Aseem — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:30:13 +0000

NEW DELHI: Loneliness is a major risk factor that increases the risk of dementia by over 30 per cent, regardless of age or gender, a review of 21 long-term studies involving over six lakh participants worldwide has found. Loneliness, which involves one feeling dissatisfied with their social relationships, was also linked with symptoms preceding the stage of being diagnosed with dementia, such as cognitive impairment or decline.
Both conditions affect decision-making, memory and thought process. However, dementia’s symptoms are severe enough to interfere with one’s daily functioning.
The psychological state of feeling disconnected from society is now widely regarded as a risk factor for ill-health, even though studies have shown that loneliness cannot directly cause the disease.
“Dementia is spectrum, with neuropathological changes that start decades before clinical onset. It is important to continue studying the link of loneliness with different cognitive outcomes or symptoms across this spectrum,” Martina Luchetti, an assistant professor at Florida State University, and lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Mental Health, said.
Aspects of psychological wellbeing such as lacking purpose in life or feeling like there are fewer opportunities for personal growth were found to have noticeably declined three to six years before a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. The result was published in August in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
In this study, loneliness was found to increase overall risk of dementia by 30 per cent, risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 39 per cent, vascular dementia by 73 per cent and cognitive impairment by 15 per cent.
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by accumulation of proteins in brain, which is thought to cause cell death, while vascular dementia is caused by damage to brain’s blood vessels.
The findings can help identify sources of loneliness to support the well-being and cognitive health of ageing adults, Luchetti said.
The authors acknowledged that the study included subjects largely from the western world. They called for future research to look at data from other countries, including low-income ones, where cases of the ageing-related conditions are rising.
“We know there are rising cases of dementia in low-income countries. Future studies need to gather more data from those countries to evaluate what are the effects of loneliness in different national and cultural contexts,” Luchetti added.

Dad with dementia's miracle at daughter's wedding

Diksha — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 09:30:00 +0000

A wedding video is going viral on social media and we can’t stop holding our tears back. The heart touching video is of a father and daughter. The video has been viewed over 6 million times in less than a day!
The video posted by TheFigen_ is about a daughter who is moved to tears when her dad recognises her on her wedding day. In the video we see the dad, who is old and fragile, suddenly remembering the daughter and complimenting her that she looks pretty.The father and daughter hug each other and we can see the daughter holding back her tears.
“A father with dementia recognized his daughter on her wedding day,” the video has been captioned on social media.
“God gave him a miracle on his daughter’s wedding day….Emotional moment,” writes one user; “It’s these little moments of lucidity that can really brighten a person’s life. Alzheimers and dementia are terrifying diseases,” writes another.
Watch the video here:

Dementia in older adults is a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is caused by damage to brain cells, leading to difficulty in recalling events, recognizing people, or managing daily tasks. Common forms include Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Early signs of dementia include frequent forgetfulness, confusion about time and place, or difficulty finding words.

Forgetfulness in older adults, however, can also be a normal part of aging. With age, occasional memory lapses such as misplacing items or forgetting names can occur but do not usually affect daily life. Distinguishing between normal forgetfulness and dementia is key. If memory issues interfere with daily tasks, it’s important to consult a doctor, as early diagnosis can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Old age brings with it a decline in the normal functioning of the body. Sometimes many of the symptoms overlap making it difficult for the elderly to carry on with their regular work. In such cases, an organization like ASLI or Association of Senior Living India can be of great help. Organizations play a crucial role in caring for the elderly by providing structured support, resources, and services. They offer home care, medical assistance, social activities, and emotional support to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Through specialized programs, organizations ensure that seniors receive proper healthcare, nutrition, and companionship, reducing isolation and promoting mental well-being.

Organizations also educate caregivers, offering training and respite care, allowing families to better support their elderly loved ones. They advocate for policies and infrastructure that cater to the aging population, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and dignified environment for seniors.

Common foods that help us live longer

Diksha — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:33:55 +0000

The research on phytoene, a carotenoid included in common foods, has shown promise thanks to studies from the Universities of Kent and Seville. This study demonstrates how the dietary ingredient phytoene increases the life of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and lessens the impact of some common issues associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This has offered hope for disease prevention and a healthier ageing process.

The lifespan-extending properties of phytoene

The research has revealed that the carotenoid phytoene increased the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans (a type of roundworm) by 10 to 18.6%. Phytoene is naturally found in food ingredients like tomatoes, carrots, apricots, and red peppers. The study focused on testing pure phytoene and extracts derived from microalgae, both of which showed significant benefits in greatly improving longevity.
This finding is important because Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism frequently used in biomedical research. Its cellular mechanisms are similar to those of humans which makes it an excellent subject for ageing and disease studies.

Reducing alzheimer’s disease paralysis

It has also been discovered that phytoene lessens the paralysis caused on by Alzheimer’s. The study demonstrated a 30–40% reduction in the proteotoxic effects of amyloid plaques, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The results offer an important advancement in the treatment of Alzheimer’s because these plaques usually cause neuron loss and paralysis in models of the illness.
While these are preliminary findings, the research team expressed optimism in determining the precise mechanisms behind phytoene’s protective benefits. This may open the door to new medications meant to slow the evolution of Alzheimer’s in people.

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Role of phytoene in disease prevention

Because phytoene may have some health benefits, researchers have been examining it for a long time. Phytoene has been investigated for its ability to defend against UV radiation, in addition to its latest discoveries about ageing and Alzheimer’s disease. This carotenoid is found in many tissues, including the epidermis, and is well absorbed by the organism.
The team of researchers at the University of Seville is also investigating the application of phytoene in nutrition, cosmetics, and agriculture as part of a sustainable approach to health. According to their research, phytoene can majorly help lower the risk of ageing-related disorders. because of this reason, it has become a valuable and adaptable substance for potential future medical advancements.
The researchers are particularly interested in understanding the biological mechanisms that enable phytoene to improve longevity and protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
While more research is needed to confirm its effects in humans, phytoene’s promising role in prolonging life and combating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s could lead to significant advances in disease prevention.