Dementia is the leading cause of death in Australia. Yet despite its prevalence, little is known about whether rural and regional Australians are more likely to develop the condition than their city counterparts.

A recent study published in Current Pharmaceutical Analysis explores the potential of Aloe vera leaf compounds as dual inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), key enzymes in Alzheimer's disease. The research identifies Beta sitosterol as a promising candidate, showing strong binding affinities and stability in molecular docking simulations.

A new study led by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers one of the most comprehensive views yet of how brain cells interact in Alzheimer’s disease, mapping protein networks that reveal communication failures and point to new therapeutic opportunities. Published online in Cell on September 25, the study analyzed protein activity in brain tissue from nearly 200 individuals. The researchers discovered that disruptions in communication between neurons and supporting brain cells called glia—specifically astrocytes and microglia—are closely linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. One protein in particular, called AHNAK, was identified as a top driver of these harmful interactions.

 

A new research network co-led by researchers at Penn State seeks to detect the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias years before symptoms emerge so that brain-protecting treatments can be administered to reduce the personal and financial impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The network, named the Open Measures Network Initiative for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Research and Prevention, has been made possible by a $39 million grant from the National Institute on Aging. 

Neuroinflammation is linked to a host of detrimental brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. A collaborative research team from Houston Methodist and Rice University has developed a way to fight back with a tiny, bioengineered system to deliver anti-inflammatory proteins to specific targets in the brain.