Alzheimer's and Dementia Archives

Aug 12

Downtown Los Angeles covered in a layer of smog.

Study: Drug Protects Against Air Pollution-Related Alzheimer’s Signs in Mice

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Research

Mice that had been fed the drug GSM-15606 had lower levels of Aβ42, a longer form of the amyloid beta protein, a major component of the telltale plaques seen in human brains with Alzheimer’s.

Jul 24

The pathways in the brain highlighted are those most affected by concussion. Image/Benjamin Hacker et al.

Do You Have A Mild Concussion? New AI Might Aid Diagnosis

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Research

USC Viterbi undergraduate’s research with Andrei Irimia of USC Leonard Davis could help diagnose traumatic brain injury earlier.

Jun 26

Teamwork of doctor assembling a brain with heart jigsaw puzzle.

New Dementia Care Map Leverages Technology for Better Care

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Technology

Developed by USC Leonard Davis School innovation and age-tech instructor, the tool is a groundbreaking resource designed to transform dementia care.

Jun 20

Portrait of Michelle Keller with her title beside it, Assistance Professor of Gerontology

Assistant Professor Michelle Keller: Deprescribing and medication management for older adults

By Rachel Kang Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Podcast, Research

Michelle Keller is an assistant professor of gerontology and the Leonard and Sophie Davis Early Career Chair in Minority Aging at the USC Leonard Davis School. She spoke to us about her research focused on improving patient-clinician communication, medication management, and the identification of dementia in minority older adults. Here…

Mar 23

Study: Newly Discovered Beneficial Mutation in Mitochondrial DNA Appears to Help Alzheimer’s Gene Carriers Live Longer, Stay Sharper and Represents a New Direction in Drug Discovery

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Health and Wellness, Mitochondria, Research

Findings suggest the rare variant prevents Alzheimer’s onset by clearing away amyloid-beta buildup in long-lived carriers of APOE4, the gene most strongly associated with disease risk.

Mar 22

Neurons in Alzheimer's disease. 3D illustration showing amyloid plaques in brain tissue, neurofibrillary tangles and destruction of neuronal networks

Study: Neurotransmitters are Involved in Memory Aging in Different Ways

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Research

International collaboration of USC and Max Planck Institute for Human Development investigates the role of noradrenaline and dopamine in memory loss.

Mar 05

Portrait of Francesca Falzarano with her title beside it, Assistance Professor of Gerontology

Assistant Professor Francesca Falzarano: Improving the health and well-being of family caregivers

By USC Leonard Davis Communications Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Podcast

Francesca Falzarano is an assistant professor of gerontology at the USC Leonard Davis School. Her research is inspired by her personal experience as a caregiver to her parents and explores how to improve the mental health and well-being of family caregivers, including through the use of technology.

Jan 31

Aristotle statue located at Stageira of Greece (birthplace of the philosopher)

Did the ancient Greeks and Romans experience Alzheimer’s?

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Research

Medical texts from 2,500 years ago rarely mention severe memory loss, suggesting today’s widespread dementia stems from modern environments and lifestyles, a new USC analysis shows.

Jan 29

Study: Dementia Diagnoses Increased after Medicare Risk Adjustment

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Health and Wellness, Policy

Dementia diagnoses increased after Medicare Advantage (MA) began calculating plan payments to account for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, according to a recent USC study.

Jan 11