Can a puzzle a day keep Alzheimer's away? - Los Angeles Times

Can a puzzle a day keep Alzheimer's away? - Los Angeles Times: "Brain exercises have long been touted as a way to ward off dementia and other costs of aging. An Orlando Sentinel report takes a look at the brain fitness clubs popping up to serve seniors, testing them with puzzles, engaging them with video games and providing them an opportunity to interact with their peers.
What we know about the brain has evolved over the last several decades, the article points out. The brain was once seen as a precious collection of irreplaceable cells, potentially lost forever after a bump to the head or a few too many drinks. Now, scientists realize the brain is constantly rewiring itself and can even grow new cells."

5 things to know about Alzheimer’s - Fall River, MA - The Herald News

5 things to know about Alzheimer’s - Fall River, MA - The Herald News: "Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death in America, yet answers about what causes it and how it can be stopped remain elusive, says Beth Kallmyer, a senior director for the Chicago-based Alzheimer’s Association. Here are five things you should know about the disease.
What happens
Alzheimer’s destroys brain cells, which is what leads to memory loss and disorder in thought processes. It’s a progressive disease and ultimately fatal, Kallmyer says. By 2050, it’s anticipated it will affect 16 million Americans."

Parsing of precursor protein gives clues to Alzheimer’s - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Parsing of precursor protein gives clues to Alzheimer’s - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star: "HOUSTON, Texas — As researchers try to understand how a particular protein sets the stage for the toxic plaques that wreak havoc on the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, they face a dilemma.

This protein, called the amyloid precursor protein, not only begins the damaging process that results in Alzheimer’s, it also has a critical biological function in brain development and in the synapse (the junction between nerve cells or nerve and muscle cells). To figure out how this protein causes Alzheimer’s, they must figure out what parts of this precursor protein are necessary for normal development and activity and which contribute to disease."

U.S. researchers identify new target for Alzheimer's disease

U.S. researchers identify new target for Alzheimer's disease: "WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Neurological researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have found a new therapeutic target that can potentially lead to a new way to prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The target called neutral sphingomyelinase is a protein that when activated, can cause a chain of reactions in the cell leading to neuronal death and memory loss.
Results from the study funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer's Association will be published Wednesday in the Journal of Neuroscience."

15-minute test diagnoses Alzheimer's with a pencil | abc7chicago.com

15-minute test diagnoses Alzheimer's with a pencil abc7chicago.com: "According to the 2010 report on Alzheimer's Facts and Figures, an estimated 60 to 80 percent of patients with Alzheimer's disease suffer from dementia.
Where are your keys? How do you get to the store? What's your child's name? More than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease struggle with these questions daily. And because a new person is diagnosed every 70 seconds, it's critical to catch it early.
There's a new, free test to test your memory and help doctors get you started on the right treatment.
Like mother, like daughter. Two women share an incredible bond:"

Compounds Developed That Could Prevent Alzheimer's Disease | AHN

Compounds Developed That Could Prevent Alzheimer's Disease AHN: "U.S. scientists have synthesized hundreds of new compounds that may be able to reduce the production of a peptide that leads to Alzheimer’s disease.

The findings, by a team of scientists led by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, may lead to medications given to patients showing early signs of the cognitive disease"

Vitamin B Slows Brain Shrinkage in Study That May Aid Alzheimer's Research - Bloomberg

Vitamin B Slows Brain Shrinkage in Study That May Aid Alzheimer's Research - Bloomberg: "Taking vitamin B slowed the rate at which the brain shrank in elderly people who had trouble remembering things, Oxford University scientists found in a study that may guide further research into Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamins B6 and B12, as well as folic acid, lower the levels of an amino acid called homocysteine that is linked to brain-cell damage similar to that seen in Alzheimer’s. Those with the highest levels of homocysteine in their blood showed the most benefit, according to the study published today in PLoS One, a publication of the Public Library of Science, a non- profit organization based in San Francisco."

For the intellectually active, Alzheimer's diagnosis begins a steep slide - Los Angeles Times

For the intellectually active, Alzheimer's diagnosis begins a steep slide - Los Angeles Times: "The vaunted protection that intellectually active adults get from Alzheimer’s disease has a dark downside, a study released Wednesday has found. Once dementia symptoms become evident and Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed in such patients, their mental decline can come with frightening speed."

For the intellectually active, Alzheimer's diagnosis begins a steep slide - Los Angeles Times

For the intellectually active, Alzheimer's diagnosis begins a steep slide - Los Angeles Times: "The vaunted protection that intellectually active adults get from Alzheimer’s disease has a dark downside, a study released Wednesday has found. Once dementia symptoms become evident and Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed in such patients, their mental decline can come with frightening speed."