Alzheimer’s

Posted on Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis

How Brain Inflammation (in MS) Affects Behavior in Men and Women Differently

An Australian-first study has lifted the lid on how couples living with rheumatoid arthritis cope with the debilitating disease finding that those who cope with problems together had less psychological distress and better relationships.

For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), understanding how brain inflammation impacts behavior can provide insight into some of the common symptoms they experience. New research from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) sheds light on how inflammation in the hippocampus—a part of the brain critical for memory and emotions—affects motivation and behavior, with clear differences between males and females.

What’s the Connection Between Brain Inflammation and Behavior?

The hippocampus is central to memory, learning, and emotional regulation, but it’s also affected by inflammation in diseases like MS, Alzheimer’s, and depression. This inflammation, called neuroinflammation, often results in symptoms like:

  • Apathy
  • Struggles with daily activities
  • Changes in food preferences

Interestingly, these symptoms tend to be more severe in women than in men.

“While inflammation in the hippocampus isn’t the sole reason for behavior changes, it likely sets off a chain reaction in the brain that influences how we think and act,” explained Dr. Laura Bradfield, Director of the Brain and Behaviour Lab at UTS.

What Did the Study Find?

Using mice, researchers at UTS simulated neuroinflammation by introducing a bacterial toxin called lipopolysaccharide into the hippocampus. This toxin triggers an immune response in the brain, mimicking the inflammation seen in diseases like MS.

The findings were fascinating:

  • In both male and female mice, activity and movement levels increased.
  • Females showed more significant changes in food-seeking behaviour, suggesting inflammation affects their motivation differently.

The research also highlighted the role of microglia and astrocytes, two types of brain cells that interact with neurons during inflammation, showing how complex these changes are at a cellular level.

Why Do Women Experience Stronger Effects?

The study suggests that hormones like estrogen might play a role in how neuroinflammation affects the brain. These sex-specific differences could explain why women with MS often experience more severe cognitive and behavioural symptoms.

What Does This Mean for MS Patients?

For those living with MS, this research offers hope for more personalized treatments. By targeting hippocampal neuroinflammation, future therapies might alleviate symptoms like memory issues, apathy, and difficulty with daily tasks—potentially improving brain health, especially for women.

“These findings open the door to developing treatments that consider how men and women respond differently to brain inflammation,” said Dr. Kiruthika Ganesan, the study’s lead author.

What’s Next?

The researchers are calling for more studies to understand:

  • How hormones influence these sex-specific effects.
  • The long-term impact of neuroinflammation on brain health.

For now, the study serves as a reminder of how critical it is to consider sex-specific differences in developing therapies for MS and other neurological conditions.

By tailoring treatments to these differences, there’s potential to not only reduce symptoms but also improve overall quality of life for people with MS.

4o

Posted on Alzheimer's, Dementia

Skip the Screen, Pick Up a Book: Tips to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Reading book

Social or mentally stimulating activities such as reading or chatting with others benefit memory and thinking. Credit “Reading Book” by Negative Space is marked with CC0 1.0.

As you settle in for some well-earned relaxation this holiday season, choosing between binge-watching your favourite shows or diving into a good book could impact your long-term brain health. According to researchers at the University of South Australia, certain activities are much better than others for protecting your memory and thinking skills as you age.

A study involving 397 older adults (aged 60+) revealed that while physical activity is a well-known way to reduce dementia risk, your sedentary activity can also make a big difference. Some seated activities, like reading, chatting with friends, or crafting, promote mental stimulation and social engagement, which are beneficial for cognitive health. On the other hand, watching TV or playing video games can harm memory and thinking abilities.

Why It Matters

Dementia affects over 55 million people worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases every year. In Australia alone, about 411,100 people are living with dementia, and nearly two-thirds of them are women. Yet, experts estimate that 45% of dementia cases could be prevented by adopting healthier lifestyle habits.

Dr. Maddison Mellow, a researcher from UniSA, explains:

“Not all sedentary behaviors are equal. Activities that engage your mind and encourage social interaction – like reading or having a conversation – are much better for brain health than passive activities like watching TV or gaming.”

The Science of Sitting

Researchers suggest a hierarchy to how different sedentary activities affect your brain. Activities that challenge your mind or foster connections with others rank higher, offering more protection against cognitive decline.

“We already know that physical activity is essential for reducing dementia risk,” Dr. Mellow says. “But our study highlights that even swapping out one sedentary behaviour for another – choosing reading over TV, for example – can provide cognitive benefits.”

Healthy Habits for the Holidays

If holiday traditions include endless Christmas movies or TV marathons, Dr. Mellow suggests simple tweaks to support brain health:

  • Break It Up: Insert short bursts of physical activity – like a walk around the house or some light stretching – between episodes.
  • Swap Smartly: Add mentally stimulating activities, such as reading, writing, or chatting with loved ones, into your downtime.
  • Start Small: Even five-minute swaps can make a difference, like putting down the remote for a book or crossword puzzle.

As Dr. Mellow explains:

“The key is to balance enjoyable movement with cognitive or socially engaging activities. Building these habits gradually can have long-term benefits for your brain and overall health.”

A New Approach to Screen Time

While the familiar advice to “move more, sit less” still holds, this research offers a fresh perspective: not all sitting is bad. Choosing activities stimulating your mind can help you maintain cognitive health, even during restful moments.

So, this holiday season, consider mixing a brisk walk or a book into your cosy movie nights. Your brain will thank you for it!

4o

Posted on Alzheimer's, Autism

Autism and nitric oxide: Professor Haitham Amal unveils breakthrough

Haitham Amal, BScPharm, PhD

Haitham Amal and his dedicated team at their lab in Jerusalem. Credit Haitham Amal, BScPharm, PhD

The complex relationship between nitric oxide and brain-related conditions is the focal point of the latest interview featured in Genomic Press, published on November 12, 2024, in *Brain Medicine*. Professor Haitham Amal, the head of the Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, discusses his groundbreaking research and the personal motivations that drive him.

“During my time at MIT, meeting families and autistic children inspired me to focus on a single goal: to help develop biological diagnostics and autism therapy, ” says Professor Amal. This transformative experience shaped his research trajectory, leading to significant discoveries about the role of nitric oxide in neurological conditions. Professor Amal was the first to identify that nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in autism.

Professor Amal’s innovative study of brain conditions integrates proteomics and systems biology. His research has revealed critical connections between autism and Alzheimer’s disease, indicating shared molecular mechanisms that could transform treatment strategies for both conditions.

“As a pharmacologist and neuroscientist, my specialized knowledge of how drugs affect the brain is crucial for my goal of developing treatments for neurological disorders,” explains Professor Amal. His work has already resulted in founding two biotechnology companies: Point6 Bio Ltd, which focuses on diagnostics for autism, and NeuroNOS Ltd, dedicated to developing therapeutics based on nitric oxide synthase inhibitors for autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain cancers.

The interview raises intriguing questions about the future of neurological treatment:

• Could targeting nitric oxide pathways provide a unified approach to treating neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders?

• How might early biological diagnostics transform autism intervention strategies?

• What role will personalized medicine play in addressing individual variations in brain disorders?

Professor Amal’s journey from studying cannabis’s effects on cognition to becoming a leading figure in neurological research demonstrates the unexpected paths that can lead to scientific breakthroughs. His commitment to conducting experiments on both sexes equally and interest in ageing mechanisms suggests a comprehensive approach to brain research that could yield additional insights.

Posted on Alzheimer's, Dementia, Diabetes, Parkinson's Disease

Some diabetes drugs tied to lower risk of dementia, Parkinson’s disease

A randomized, controlled trial led by Mass General Brigham researchers demonstrates that cognitive behavioral therapy can significantly reduce the impact of fibromyalgia pain

A study suggests that a certain class of drugs used to treat diabetes may be linked to a reduced risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

The study examined SGLT2 inhibitors, also known as gliflozins, which lower blood sugar by prompting the kidneys to excrete sugar through urine.

“We are aware that neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease are becoming more prevalent as the population ages. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of cognitive impairment. It is encouraging to see that this category of drugs may offer some protection against dementia and Parkinson’s disease,” stated study author Minyoung Lee, MD, PhD, from Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea.

The retrospective study examined individuals with type 2 diabetes who initiated diabetes medication from 2014 to 2019 in South Korea. Individuals using SGLT2 inhibitors were compared with those using other oral diabetes drugs, ensuring that the two groups had similar ages, other health conditions, and diabetes-related complications. The researchers then monitored the participants to determine whether they developed dementia or Parkinson’s disease. The individuals taking SGLT2 inhibitors were monitored for an average of two years, while those taking the other drugs were monitored for an average of four years.

Among the 358,862 participants with an average age of 58, 6,837 people developed dementia or Parkinson’s disease during the study. For Alzheimer’s disease, the incidence rate for people taking SGLT2 inhibitors was 39.7 cases per 10,000 person-years, compared to 63.7 cases for those taking other diabetes drugs. Person-years represent both the number of people in the study and the amount of time each person spends in the study. For vascular dementia, which is dementia caused by vascular disease, the incidence rate for people taking the SGLT2 drugs was 10.6 cases per 10,000, compared to 18.7 for those taking the other drugs. For Parkinson’s disease, the incidence rate for those taking the SGLT2 drugs was 9.3 cases per 10,000, compared to 13.7 for those taking the other drugs. After researchers adjusted for other factors that could affect the risk of dementia or Parkinson’s disease, such as complications from diabetes and medications, they found that SGLT2 inhibitor use was associated with a 20% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and a 20% reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease. Those taking the drugs had a 30% reduced risk of developing vascular dementia.

Posted on Alzheimer's, Dementia, Diabetes

“Diabetes drugs may help prevent dementia.”

Metformin highly effective in targeting diabetes and some cancers but potentially dangerous with others

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, which are used to treat type 2 diabetes, may have the potential to prevent dementia, offering increased benefits with prolonged use, according to a large study from Korea published by The BMJ.

As this study was observational, the researchers note that the effect size could have been overestimated. They say randomised controlled trials are now necessary to confirm these findings.

According to the World Health Organization, the global number of people with dementia is expected to reach 78 million by 2030, and there is an association between type 2 diabetes and a higher risk of developing dementia.

A recent study of individuals over 65 with type 2 diabetes suggested a lower risk of dementia associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors compared to another type of diabetes drug, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. However, the impacts on younger individuals and specific types of dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia) are still not fully understood.

Researchers used the Korea National Health Insurance Service database to identify 110,885 pairs of adults aged 40-69 with type 2 diabetes. The adults were free of dementia and began taking either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a DPP-4 inhibitor between 2013 and 2021.

All participants (with an average age of 62; 56% of whom were men) were matched by age, sex, use of the diabetes drug metformin, and baseline cardiovascular risk. They were followed up for an average of 670 days to determine the development of dementia.

Potentially influential factors, such as personal characteristics, income level, underlying risk factors for dementia, other conditions, and related medication use, were also considered.

During the follow-up period, a total of 1,172 participants who had been newly diagnosed with dementia were identified.

Dementia rates per 100 person-years were 0.22 for those using SGLT-2 inhibitors and 0.35 for those using DPP-4 inhibitors. This corresponds to a 35% reduced risk of dementia associated with the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors compared with DPP-4 inhibitors.

The researchers also found a 39% reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and a 52% reduced risk for vascular dementia associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors compared with DPP-4 inhibitors.

What’s more, the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors seemed more pronounced with longer treatment duration. A 48% reduced risk of dementia was seen for more than two years of treatment versus a 43% reduced risk for two years or less.

“This study is observational, so no definite conclusions can be made about cause and effect. The authors also mention that specific details about health behaviors (such as smoking and alcohol consumption) and the duration of type 2 diabetes were not fully available.”

However, the researchers emphasize that this was a significant study based on nationally representative data, which included relatively younger individuals with type 2 diabetes, and the results were highly consistent across subgroups.

As such, they say SGLT-2 inhibitors might prevent dementia, providing greater benefits with longer treatment, and they call for randomised controlled trials to confirm these findings.

Researchers from Taiwan stated in a connected editorial that this study presents encouraging results with significant implications for clinical practice and public health.

They agree that further trials are needed to confirm these findings, and suggest that studies are also needed “to explore the underlying mechanisms of any neuroprotective effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors.”

As no cure currently exists for dementia and few effective treatment options are available, strategies that can potentially prevent onset are critically important, they write. 

The substantial socioeconomic and public health burdens associated with both dementia and type 2 diabetes highlight the need for regular updates to clinical guidelines and healthcare policies. These updates should incorporate the latest evidence on the potential benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors, including the reduced risk of dementia.