FDA Approves Combo Pill for Alzheimer’s Disease

FDA Approves Combo Pill for Alzheimer’s Disease: The FDA has approved a combination pill for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease in people already being treated with both drugs.

The pill, called Namzaric, combines memantine hydrochloride extended-release (Namenda) and donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept).

The two drugs are often prescribed together. About 70% of people on Namenda XR are also on Aricept, says David Nicholson, PhD, in a statement. He's the senior vice president of global brands R&D for drugmaker Actavis.

Study set for brain stimulation device to help restore memory - The Washington Post

Study set for brain stimulation device to help restore memory - The Washington Post: Has our reliance on iPhones and other instant-info devices harmed our memories? Michael Kahana, a University of Pennsylvania psychology professor who studies memory, says maybe: “We don’t know what the long-lasting impact of this technology will be on our brains and our ability to recall.” Kahana, 45, who has spent the past 20 years looking at how the brain creates memories, is leading an ambitious four-year Pentagon project to build a prosthetic memory device that can be implanted into human brains to help veterans with traumatic brain injuries. He spoke by telephone with The Post about what we can do to preserve or improve memory.

Sleep Apnea May Raise Risk for Dementia | Everyday Health

Sleep Apnea May Raise Risk for Dementia | Everyday Health: Older men who have breathing difficulties or spend less time in deep sleep may be at greater risk of brain changes that can precede dementia, a new study suggests.

Experts said the findings don't prove that breathing disorders, including sleep apnea, lead to dementia. But they add to evidence that poor sleep may play a role in some older adults' mental decline.