neurodegeneration

Variants in the DHDDS gene cause a severe neurodegenerative condition, characterized by tremors, seizures, coordination and learning difficulties, usually manifesting in early childhood. This Parkinson's-like condition is extremely rare, and until recently, parents were told that there was nothing that could be done to slow down its progression.

Monash University researchers have found in laboratory experiments that a drug which delivers copper to the brain significantly reduces toxic Alzheimer's proteins and improves long-term spatial memory.

A Nature Metabolism study identifies brain hyperglycosylation as a metabolic driver of Alzheimer’s disease, with increased N-glycan biosynthesis seen in human AD tissue and mouse models. Reducing glycosylation improved memory in AD mice, while glucosamine worsened memory deficits in 5xFAD mice and was associated with poorer outcomes in dementia patients.

Glucosamine is a popular arthritis remedy, but it may be dangerous for those with early memory loss. New research indicates this sugar molecule disrupts brain chemistry, accelerating both Alzheimer's disease progression and mortality rates.

When we fall asleep, our brains don’t just shut off; they get to work. One of their primary jobs is memory consolidation—sorting through the events of the day and filing them into long-term storage. The brain does this by spontaneously “reactivating” or replaying memories. Recent memories are consolidated during sleep by spontaneous reactivation. However, whether […]

A new study suggests that reproducing a crucial sleep-like brain pattern in awake animals may help preserve memory and learning abilities. What if part of the brain could get some of the benefits of sleep without the rest of the brain ever going offline? A new NIH-funded study suggests that may be possible. Researchers found [...]

People with depression often describe feeling stuck. Now, researchers have found a physical basis for this sensation, mapping an altered energy landscape that traps the brain in maladaptive loops and restricts cognitive flexibility.

Scientists found a concerning Alzheimer’s link involving glucosamine, a joint supplement used by millions. A widely used supplement marketed for joint pain relief may be linked to faster progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research from University of Florida scientists. The study found that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who reported taking glucosamine [...]

Millions of people take glucosamine every day in the hope of reducing joint pain and maintaining mobility as they age. The supplement has long been marketed as a natural way to support joint health, particularly for people with osteoarthritis. Because it is sold over the counter and does not require a prescription, many consumers assume […] The post Could a Popular Joint Supplement Increase Alzhe…

Though protein clumps associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s were discovered more than a century ago, researchers remain largely unable to prevent them from forming or eliminate them from the brain. And though a variety of therapies have taken aim at tau tangles, beta-amyloid plaques and Lewy bodies, among other notorious aggregates, none have been very […]

Protective headgear scored a moment in the international spotlight as Mexico's Raul Jimenez netted his first World Cup goal during Thursday's opener in Guadalajara, Mexico. The striker has worn a custom headband on the pitch since recovering from a life-threatening skull fracture and brain bleed, the result of a head collision with an opposing player, during an English Premier League match in 202…

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting millions of people worldwide. It gradually damages brain cells, leading to memory loss, confusion, difficulty with daily activities, and changes in thinking and behavior. As populations continue to age, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades, […] The post Simple Blood Test C…

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil have discovered a new strategy that may protect neurons and other brain cells involved in Parkinson's disease in the future.

Researchers discovered that mutations linked to blood cancers may help trigger Alzheimer’s disease by creating overly inflammatory immune cells in the brain. The unexpected finding could lead to new blood-based screening methods and potential treatments borrowed from cancer medicine.

A common treatment for mental health problems may have been fundamentally misunderstood, and could find a new use in preventing dementia

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate whether treadmill exercise alleviates motor dysfunction in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) by modulating the excitability of striatal medium spiny neurons expressing dopamine type 2 receptors (D2-MSNs).MethodsA unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injection was performed in the right striatum of D2-Cre mice to establish a hemi-lesioned P…

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, Published online: 12 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41401-026-01808-7 Amyloid-beta fibrils as active contributors to synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease

Synaptic failure is one of the earliest and most significant contributors to the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), preceding extensive neuronal loss. Although amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of tau protein characterize the disease, memory impairment primarily results from the gradual deterioration of synaptic communications. This decline is caused by a co…