Frontiers today announces the launch of a new interview series ‘Empowering proteomics and transcriptomics in Alzheimer’s drug discovery’. The series is hosted by Dr Ornit Chiba-Falek, Specialty Chief Editor of Frontiers in Molecular Medicine and Division Chief of Translational Brain Sciences in the Department of Neurology at Duke University, and Dr Ara Khachaturian, Executive Vice President of the Campaign to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.

Researchers at the Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have uncovered a two-step mechanism by which the brain regulates blood volume — a breakthrough with significant implications for how scientists understand and interpret functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

New research from Emory University reveals that even seemingly small lifestyle improvements decreased one’s risk of developing heart disease, and these decreases also translate to lower risk of subsequent conditions, such as cancer, dementia, type 2 diabetes, and eye, liver, and kidney diseases. The study also links heart health to vision, hearing, and dental health. The study analyzed more than 450 peer-reviewed studies, assessing the overall impact of implementing the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7™ metrics, a series of preventative measures, which include: not smoking, healthy eating, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.  Even a 1-point improvement on Life’s Simple 7™ scale, which ranges from 0-14 points, translates to critical health gains for the heart and other organs. 

Recent advances in glucose management are reshaping our understanding of cognitive decline and dementia prevention. Energy imbalance and glucose dysregulation are now recognized as central to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. Brain-specific insulin signaling disruptions due to dysglycemia impair natural protective mechanisms. These findings are leading to updated diabetes care practices that prioritize cognitive outcomes, marking a significant shift in how comorbid AD is addressed in aging populations.