A research team led by Associate Professor Ayako Okado-Matsumoto from the Toho University’s Department of Biology, has made an important breakthrough in understanding Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), in collaboration with Professor Ryuji Sakakibara from the Department of Neurology, Sakura Medical Center, and Professors Hitoshi Nukada and Soroku Yagihashi from the Department of Exploratory Medicine on Nature, Life and Man, Toho University The teamdiscovered something remarkable about a specific protein in patient’s blood. The researchers found that people with DLB have significantly lower amount of a protein called α-synuclein (alpha synuclein) in their red blood cells compared to healthy people and those with other brain diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. α-synuclein is a protein that becomes problematic when it builds up abnormally in brain cells, contributing to various neurological conditions.

RMPY-008 delivers a structured digital protocol that combines evidence-based psychological interventions with neuroscience-informed sensory modulation. In a randomized controlled study of 103 participants aged 50-65, RMPY-008:

Reduced depression and anxiety scores and improved resilience and well-being;

Decreased levels of key pro-inflammatory immune mediators: TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, IL-12, IFN-γ, and MCP-1, indicating a potential coordinated immune response. These immune markers are known to play roles in mood disorders and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease;

Strengthened resting-state connectivity in the fronto-limbic network, especially the insula and prefrontal cortex-areas central to emotion regulation and immune modulation;

Showed a significant correlation between brain connectivity changes and immune changes - a significant association between increased resting state functional connectivity of the right insula seed and medial prefrontal cortex and reduced IL-23, IL-17 and TNF-α pro-inflammatory cytokine levels;

Showed a significant correlation between brain connectivity changes and psychological improvements - significant association between resting state functional connectivity of the right insula seed and key prefrontal areas (mPFC, ACC, and dlPFC) and improvement in depression, well-being and resilience scores;

Exhibited sustained clinical benefit - the trial also included a three-week follow-up period, during which benefits were sustained with only twice-weekly use;

Achieved high adherence and engagement - participants using the app showed 94% adherence, and more than 90% completed over 80% of daily sessions.

A new study led by scientists from BGI Genomics' Institute of Intelligent Medical Research (IIMR) has identified early biomarkers and disease neurons associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology.