Intranasal Insulin for Mild Cognitive Impairment: Enhancing Social Skills, Memory, Grey Matter Volume (2024 Case Report)

Extended intra-nasal insulin (INI) treatment in an insulin-resistant early Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patient improved grey matter volume, reduced beta-amyloid levels, and enhanced cognitive and pragmatic capacities, suggesting potential to slow neurodegenerative disease progression. Highlights: Grey Matter Volume: After 9 months of INI treatment, the patient experienced an increase in grey matter volume. Beta-Amyloid Levels: …

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Peptide PHDP5 May Reverse Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimers Disease (2024 Research)

TLDR: Researchers demonstrated that intranasal administration of the peptide FITC-PHDP5-CPP reverses early cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice, showing potential as a treatment for AD-associated cognitive decline. Highlights: PHDP5, derived from the pleckstrin homology domain of dynamin 1, inhibits the interaction between dynamin and microtubules, rescuing synaptic dysfunction caused by tau accumulation. The …

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Improving Addiction Treatment by Targeting Cognitive Deficits

People struggling with substance use disorders often have difficulties with memory, attention, planning, and decision-making. New research explores how these cognitive deficits relate to treatment outcomes and whether targeting them could improve addiction recovery. Key Facts: Cognitive deficits are common in people with substance use disorders, especially relating to memory, attention, self-control, and reward-based decision-making. …

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Neurotoxicity of Pesticides: Brain Damage & Atrophy from Exposure

Pesticides are chemicals commonly used worldwide to control unwanted organisms and disease vectors. However, research shows that chronic pesticide exposure may impair brain health and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Key facts: Pesticides like organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, and mitochondrial complex I inhibitors can damage neurons and brain cell function through mechanisms like …

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Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) for Alzheimers Disease: Benefits for APOE e4(-) Patients?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a growing global health concern, but current drug therapies have shown limited effectiveness for symptom management and disease modification. Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) have emerged as a potential nutritional therapy, but evidence remains inconclusive. Key Facts: MCTs may provide an alternative brain fuel source and reduce AD biomarkers like amyloid-beta. Small …

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New Alzheimer’s Drug Aducanumab Promising But “ARIA” Side Effects Require Careful Monitoring

A new drug recently approved for Alzheimer’s disease aims to treat the underlying cause of the condition by removing amyloid plaques in the brain. Though promising, the drug called aducanumab also comes with potential side effects that require careful monitoring. Key facts: Aducanumab is the first drug that targets and removes amyloid plaques, sticky buildups …

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Chronic Stress & Drug Abuse: Overlapping Epigenetic Effects in the Brain

Experiencing chronic stress or taking addictive drugs like cocaine can change your brain and behavior in similar ways, making you prone to anxiety or addiction. Key Facts: Chronic stress and chronic drug abuse both impair the striatum, which can make people become rigid in their thinking and unable to update information. This can promote anxiety, …

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Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Levels & Alzheimer’s Disease Risk: Findings from a Large Genetics Study

A new large genetics study has discovered new clues into how levels of a protein called apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in the blood may influence a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Key facts: Researchers found 9 new genetic variants that influence ApoE levels in the blood. Some raise levels, while others lower levels. People with …

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Predicting Long-COVID Brain Fog: Blood Biomarkers Offer Clues

A new study published in Nature Medicine has identified two biological profiles, based on routine blood tests during COVID-19 hospitalization, that can predict patients’ risk of developing post-COVID brain fog months later. Key Facts: The study analyzed data from over 1,800 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the UK. It linked certain patterns of blood biomarkers during …

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