Three subgroups of patients are at increased risk for suicide following a diagnosis of dementia ― a finding that paves the way for more targeted suicide risk assessment and intervention, new research suggests. In a large population-based, case-control study, results showed an increased risk for suicide among those with younger-onset dementia, defined as being diagnosed … Read more
Consuming higher levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is associated with larger hippocampal volumes and better abstract reasoning in healthy middle-aged adults, new research shows. Dr Claudia Satizabal The results suggest the brain-boosting benefits of omega-3 PUFAs begin in midlife, lead study author Claudia L. Satizabal, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Population Health Sciences, … Read more
Too much sleep and time in bed (TIB) may raise the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), new research suggests. Results from a population-based study of almost 2000 older adults, all of whom were free of dementia at baseline, showed that risk for dementia was 69% higher in those who slept more than … Read more
The Medicare and Medicaid programs spent more than $18 billion over 3 years on medications for which there was no proof of a significant clinical benefit, a new federal report shows. On Tuesday, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services released an initial take on its ongoing … Read more
Medicare Part B premiums will dip in 2023 due to a setback for Biogen Inc.’s Alzheimer’s disease medicine, which drew tight payment restrictions because of concerns about its safety and effectiveness. The standard monthly Part B premium will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 from the 2022 rate, the Centers for Medicare and … Read more
A prognosis prediction model may help clinicians accurately predict death among older adults with dementia. The tool, which covers six measures ― age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and physical fitness ― may help clinicians better frame discussions about treatment and end-of-life decisions with patients, according to the researchers, whose research was published September 26 … Read more
Lecanemab (Eisai/Biogen), an investigational amyloid-clearing monoclonal antibody, reduced cognitive decline by 27% compared to placebo and decreased amyloid levels in the brain of adults enrolled in a phase 3 trial. The Clarity AD trial included 1795 adults with early AD and confirmed amyloid pathology in the brain. Treatment consisted of lecanemab 10 mg/kg biweekly or … Read more
Nightmares in healthy middle-aged and older adults may be an independent risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, particularly in men, new research suggests. Results from a large cohort study showed that healthy middle-aged adults who had bad dreams at least once a week were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline over the … Read more
Patients in early- and mid-life who contract with infections that require hospitalization appear to be at increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) at a relatively young age, new research suggests. Investigators in Sweden analyzed data from several large national registries, and compared individuals diagnosed with AD, PD, and … Read more
COVID-19 has been linked to a significantly increased risk for new-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a new study suggests. The study of more than 6 million people aged 65 years or older found a 50%-80% risk for AD in the year after COVID-19; the risk was especially high for women older than 85 years. However, the … Read more