A very common virus may do more than cause cold sores. Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz have discovered how herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, can fundamentally change how the brain’s immune cells respond to infection, revealing a potentially important connection between viral infection, chronic inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Urban residents with more greenery within 100 metres of their homes have a lower risk of developing dementia over time. This is the finding of a new study from Stockholm University and Karolinska Institute, which followed nearly 3,000 older adults for 16 years. Published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the study highlights the importance of greenspace in the immediate surroundings of the home for sustainable urban planning that supports brain health.

Alzheimer’s disease may not be a single, uniform condition, but a complex disorder shaped by different combinations of cognitive symptoms, brain changes, biology, genetics, and risk factors. Researchers propose using advanced computational modelling to bring these different layers together and build a more complete profile of each patient. The approach could eventually support more personalized diagnosis, better patient stratification, and treatments tailored to the processes driving disease in each individual.

A Michigan Medicine study found major disparities in access to new Alzheimer’s drugs, with Black and Hispanic patients less likely to receive treatment, though adherence was similar once therapy began.