Alzheimer's and dementia news covering clinical trials, biomarkers, caregiving, policy, and neuroscience of cognitive decline.
The University of Exeter is directing the BRAINIAC Hub, a six-year, £20 million initiative funded by EPSRC and private partners. The project combines AI with brain imaging and biomarkers to detect dementia earlier, aiming to reduce diagnosis times and identify high-risk patients before symptoms manifest.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology president Nancy Ip received the Unesco-Equatorial Guinea International Prize in Paris on Friday. She was recognized for her work discovering biomarkers and creating blood tests that enable earlier diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia care educator Teepa Snow argues for reframing dementia as 'brain change' rather than decline, emphasizing neuroplasticity. She contends that caregivers should leverage remaining abilities and adapt communication strategies, such as avoiding written reminders, to better support individuals experiencing cognitive shifts.
STAT reports that ProMis Neurosciences CEO Neil Warma argues investor sell-offs following Acumen Pharmaceuticals' failed Alzheimer's trial were an unjustified overreaction. The commentary suggests that despite similar mechanisms, ProMis believes its own amyloid-targeting treatment remains viable, challenging the market's assumption that Acumen's failure predicts ProMis' fate.
PharmatrophiX and Circular Genomics have entered a strategic collaboration to advance blood-based circular RNA biomarkers for neurodegenerative drug development. The partnership will initially apply Circular Genomics' CircPath molecular profiling system to PharmatrophiX's LM11A-31 small molecule therapy for Alzheimer's disease, aiming to analyze pharmacodynamic responses alongside clinical metrics.
BBC News reports on Laura Sides' decision to undergo genetic testing for early-onset Alzheimer's after her father's diagnosis. The article details how knowing her status shaped her life choices, highlighting the ethical and emotional dilemmas faced by individuals at risk of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases.