Antidementia Drugs Contribute to Longer Life

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Survival (life span) in people with Alzheimer's is recognized to be shorter than what is expected in cognitively normal seniors and is recognized to be influenced by several factors including age, disease severity, general debility, and gender. Approved antidementia drugs have been shown help with the symptoms of Alzheimer's but their influence on life span is not known.
At ICAD 2008, Susan Rountree, MD, of the Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, reported on a study of the persistent use of antidementia drugs and their influence on survival.
The researchers followed 641 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's at an academic medical clinic between 1989 and 2005. These individuals had been on drug therapy over the course of their Alzheimer's for variable amounts of time and the majority had used one or more of the commercially available antidementia drugs (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, tacrine, or memantine).
Total years on medication was divided by the total years of disease symptoms to determine a persistency score for each individual. Participants were divided into four groups (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th quartiles) ranging from the lowest to highest persistency scores and the researchers compared life span among the groups after adjustment for a variety of factors generally recognized to influence survival. The 1st quartile took drug less than 33 percent of the time, 2nd quartile = 34-55 percent of the time, 3rd quartile = 56-70 percent of the time, and the 4th quartile = 71-99 percent of the time.
Over the entire course of the study, 12 percent of participants never took any antidementia drugs. Fifty-three (53) percent of the participants died.
The researchers found an inverse and statistically significant relationship between the overall risk of death and the persistency of drug use. Those in the lowest persistency group (1st quartile) were 2.4 times more likely to die than those in the highest persistency group (4th quartile). Those with intermediate drug exposure had increased risk of death of 2.2 times (2nd quartile) and 1.5 times (3rd quartile) compared to the most persistent users. More persistent therapy was associated with a longer median survival time; the median survival between the lowest quartile group and the most persistent users was 3.12 years.
"In our study, people with Alzheimer's who took antidementia drugs more persistently lived longer than those who took the medications for shorter time intervals," Rountree said. "In an earlier study involving this group, we reported that persistency of treatment was also associated with long term cognitive and functional benefits. Persistent drug therapy appears to help Alzheimer's patients live longer and the mechanism may be related to overall improvement of cognition and function resulting from current symptomatic therapies." ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Med diet in decline on home turf

Populations around the Mediterranean are abandoning their traditional healthy diets, the FAO warns, as incomes increase and consumers opt for more meat, saturated fats and time-saving processed foods. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Risk Factors for Progression to Dementia

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In the general population, many risk factors and predictors for dementia have been identified. However, a combination of risk factors may give a more accurate prediction for dementia than each individual risk factor.
Sylvaine Artero, of INSERM, Montpellier, France; Pieter Jelle Visser, of the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands; and colleagues analyzed a pooled database constructed from nine European surveys of dementia risk factors, including a total of 16,261 participants over age 55 without dementia. Potential risk factors were evaluated at baseline and incident dementia was assessed over a follow up period of up to 15 years. Risk factors included cardiovascular disorders, endocrine disorders, depression, head trauma, intoxicants (including alcohol, smoking and drugs), physical and intellectual activities, performance in activities of daily living, Apolipoprotein E genotype, cognitive complaint, and cognitive test performance.
In total, 1,530 subjects (9%) progressed towards dementia. In order, the most predictive variables were: impairment in executive function (planning), memory problems (as measured on tests), subjective complaints about memory/cognitive failure, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype, use of psychotropic medication, severe head trauma, diabetes, stroke, and problems with language. In addition, problems with activities of daily living, smoking, no drinking, no use of hypertensive drugs, low education, and female gender all independently predicted dementia at follow-up.
"Cases of dementia in the general population can be best identified by a combination of socio-demographic, clinical and cognitive factors," said Artero. "Developing a better understanding of the factors that increase risk for Alzheimer's will help us to create more effective methods to prevent people from developing the disease." ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Soft drink formulation: hard work ahead

As soft drink makers face growing criticisms over the potential detrimental health impacts of some of their ingredients, BeverageDaily.com takes a look at how the industry is adapting to ever-changing market concerns in the first of a two part article. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Risk assessment and early detection of Alzheimer's

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Researchers have previously found elevated β-secretase (BACE1) activity in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's compared to healthy individuals. BACE1 is one of two enzymes involved in the pathological processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the production of toxic Aβ (beta amyloid, the main constituent of amyloid plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer's).
Professor Harald Hampel, of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and the University of Munich, Germany, Professor Yong Shen, of Sun Health Research Institute, USA, and colleagues investigated whether BACE1 assessed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be a feasible biomarker candidate for predicting Alzheimer's in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a transition stage between the cognitive changes of normal aging and the more serious problems caused by Alzheimer's.
The research had two parts. In the first part, the scientists measured BACE1 levels in CSF in 80 people with Alzheimer's, 59 people with MCI, and 69 healthy elderly controls (HC) at two independent, international research centers. MCI subjects showed highly increased levels of BACE1 activity when compared to HC and people with Alzheimer's. BACE1 activity was significantly correlated with Aβ level. A subsequent validation study replicated these initial findings in a new and independent set of 41 people with Alzheimer's, 46 with amnestic MCI and elderly HC.
In the second part, 47 MCI subjects were clinically followed up over two years to assess the predictive value of BACE1 in combination with other biomarker candidates for predicting the conversion from MCI to Alzheimer's. The additional candidates were abnormal brain proteins total tau and phosphorylated tau measured in CSF, and baseline performance on a large neuropsychological testing battery. Fifteen (15) MCI subjects converted to Alzheimer's after a mean follow-up interval of 2.3 years. Analysis showed that BACE1 protein levels and ApoE genotype (a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's) were the strongest predictors of conversion to Alzheimer's, after controlling for age and gender. The classification accuracy was 78%, the sensitivity was 80%, and the specificity was 77% for the combined model.
"These important findings pave the way for further rigorous assessment of BACE1 as an effective and accurate clinical diagnostic tool, which could significantly improve risk assessment and early detection of Alzheimer's," Hampel said. "We believe that BACE1 will be an excellent outcome biomarker to look at in ongoing clinical trials of anti-amyloid, disease modifying therapies. Furthermore, we are working on a blood-based diagnostic test for BACE1 as well."...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Omega-3s more effective for mental slowdown than Alzheimer’s: study

Brain benefits from regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be more pronounced in people with mild cognitive decline than people with mild Alzheimer’s: study. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Daily communication between people with Alzheimer's

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Over their years together, family members often develop assumptions and expectations about their conversational roles and responsibilities. With the onset and progression of Alzheimer's, the person with dementia becomes less able to speak as others have always expected him or her to. Impaired word finding is often the first, most noted difficulty. Shortened attention span and/or impaired recent memory results in the individual no longer being able to follow another speaker's retelling of the day's events. In an attempt to participate in the conversation, the person with dementia may say something that shows confusion or misunderstanding. He may initiate an unrelated topic because he cannot remember what had just been discussed. These responses are not normally anticipated and may leave caregivers in a momentary quandary as to how to continue conversations.
Jeanne Katzman, CPhil, CCC/SLP of the University of California Los Angeles, examined the effects of Alzheimer's on family conversation at dinnertime. Thirty (30) families in which one member had recent onset of Alzheimer's participated in the three-year study, which began in 2001. Each family had two videotaped dinner conversations which were later transcribed and analyzed for both verbal and gestural communication. The goal was to document ordinary family communication based on naturally occurring conversation and to analyze problematic sequences.
According to Katzman, responses of healthy family members to utterances of the Alzheimer's individual were found to follow certain predictable patterns. When a response was unexpected and disrupted the normal flow of conversation, healthy family members often were observed to continue their talk almost if the person with Alzheimer's had not spoken. The healthy family members tended to pause – a sign that the utterance was indeed heard – but did not respond verbally. In such sequences, the healthy speaker's lack of response framed the Alzheimer's individual as a non-participant.
Katzman found that other families responded to each problematic utterance. In extended, multigenerational families (n=7), a healthy family member might respond with an explanation of the utterance and then speak for the person with Alzheimer's. Conversations between families with only two members (n=21) organized problematic talk in a greater variety of ways. Responses often took the form of rewording; the healthy speaker suggested what the other wanted to say, expanded upon it, and brought the contribution of the family member with Alzheimer's to a close.
"This initial research leads to an improved understanding of daily communication between people with Alzheimer's and their families. This will be used to develop new training programs that focus on facilitating conversation between family members," said Katzman. "The goals are for caregivers to have the opportunity to adjust their conversation with the changing communicative and cognitive abilities of their loved ones and for people with Alzheimer's to experience healthier participation in family discussions." ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Europe approves new vegetarian omega-3 source

UK-based supplier Croda Health Care has won European Union Novel... http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness modify Alzheimer’s

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Exercise and physical fitness have been shown to moderate age-related regional brain volume changes in healthy older adults. However, little is known about the relationship of fitness to Alzheimer’s disease-related brain changes, particularly in areas that are predominantly affected early in the course of the disease, such as the hippocampus.
Robyn A. Honea, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas investigated the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and regional brain volume in healthy older adults and those with early Alzheimer’s using MRI and a new neuroimaging analysis technique called voxel-based morphometry.
Nondemented (n=56) and early-stage Alzheimer’s subjects (n=63) aged 60 and over had MRI scans and fitness assessments based on peak oxygen consumption during a treadmill test. The researchers found that people with early Alzheimer’s in the study, and not healthy elderly, had a significant relationship between the size of key brain areas associated with memory (hippocampal and parahippocampal volume) and cardiorespiratory fitness, such that those with better fitness ratings had less atrophy and those with worse fitness ratings had more atrophy.
"We found that, in early-stage Alzheimer’s, cardiorespiratory fitness is correlated with regional brain volumes in key areas affected by the disease," said Honea. "This suggests that maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness may positively modify Alzheimer’s-related brain atrophy."
"A previous study by our group looked at whole brain volumes and fitness, giving us a clue that there was some relationship. This is the first study to get an inside look into specifically where these changes occur in the brain – we're able to locate the changes associated with fitness to the actual memory region, the hippocampus, which is a key area for Alzheimer’s-related atrophy," Honea added. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Omega-3-rich fish linked to better hearts in Japan

Large intakes of omega-3 fatty acids from fish may explain... ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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The central role of amyloid-ß in the Alzheimer's risk

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The editors of Neurotherapeutics are pleased and proud to announce their July issue, devoted to "Novel Therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease." Neurotherapeutics (http://www.neurotherapeutics.org) is the journal of the American Society of Experimental NeuroTherapeutics (ASENT) www.asent.org. The issue coincides with the 2008 Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD), being held at McCormick Place, Chicago, July 26 to 31, 2008. Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D., of the Massachusetts General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease and Massachusetts General Hospital, is a Guest Editor. "In this issue of Neurotherapeutics, we have enlisted several experts in the field to review the most promising new therapeutics currently under development for the treatment and prevention of AD," Dr. Tanzi writes in the introductory editorial.

The eleven papers in the special issue highlight promising therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease, providing an update on efforts to develop treatments. Given the central role of amyloid ß peptide (Aß) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, cerebral accumulations of Aß are a major focus. The lead article in the issue looks at techniques for measuring the effects of disease-modifying therapies on cerebral Aß levels including the key question of whether they correlate with cognitive performance.

Clinical trials aimed at all of these therapeutic targets are underway. In his editorial, Dr. Tanzi expresses "cautious optimism and high hopes" that these trials may lead to new therapeutic approaches to Alzheimer's disease. He concludes, "With several active clinical trials and other promising drugs now headed toward the clinic, the hope is that we will soon have novel AD therapeutics that successfully slow or reverse disease progress in AD." ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Vitamin C-rich diet may slash diabetes risk

Increased blood levels of vitamin C may reduce the risk... ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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The membrane model to study of Alzheimer's

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Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and three collaborating institutions are using a new laboratory model of the membrane surrounding neurons in the brain to study how a protein long suspected of a role in early-stage Alzheimer's disease actually impairs a neuron's structure and function. The team's findings are reported in a new paper in the Biophysical Journal.

The brain's neurons transmit nerve impulses down a long stem that is surrounded by a two-layer membrane. In the neuron's normal, "rest" state, this membrane actively sorts sodium ions to the outside of the cell and potassium ions to the inside. To transmit a nerve impulse, an electrochemical change ripples down the membrane in advance of the impulse, making it temporarily more permeable and allowing the ions to swap places. That in turn changes the electrical potential across the membrane, allowing the impulse to pass. Afterwards, the membrane returns to rest and begins sorting the ions again.

Medical experts have hypothesized for years that small polypeptides called amyloid beta peptides somehow create a "leaky" membrane that disrupts this balanced back-and-forth switching of the electrical potential and, in turn, normal impulse transmission. Alzheimer's disease the progressive brain disorder that is the nation's sixth leading cause of death is believed to start with such breakdowns. As the disease progresses, amyloid beta peptides clump together to form plaques that further destroy nerve function.

Studying the beginnings of Alzheimer's is nearly impossible in humans because by the time the disease is diagnosed, most patients have moved into its later stages. Researchers at NIST have developed a laboratory model that recreates a simplified version of the nerve cell membrane, allowing the study of Alzheimer's disease mechanisms at the molecular level. A clever piece of molecular-level design, the system is built by first covering a silica surface with gold. Sulfur atoms, which bond well to gold, are then added to act as anchors to hold the bilayer membrane. The result is a stable, tethered membrane with an aqueous environment on both sides that accurately models the behavior of the nerve cell membrane.

A collaborative team of researchers from NIST, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of California-Irvine and the Biochemistry Institute (BCHI) in Vilnius, Lithuania, exposed the membrane model to different concentrations of a specific form of amyloid beta peptides comprised of soluble, tiny (5-6 nanometers, approximately twice the diameter of a DNA helix) chains. The researchers found increased cation movement across the normally strong barrier at the higher concentrations of the peptides. The data support the hypothesis that membrane "leakiness" is not due to a permanent hole being formed but rather to an aggregation of amyloid beta peptides in the membrane that allows cations to be passed from peptide to peptide across the bilayer, like a baton handed off by relay runners.

The researchers are continuing to use their model system to better understand the role amyloid beta peptides play in early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Future plans include investigating how amyloid beta peptide aggregates arrange themselves in the membrane, how the peptide aggregates affect or influence calcium channels (portals for calcium ion movement) in the membrane, and how the peptides interact with membranes constructed with other types of lipids. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Microdispersed cellulose shows heart benefits: animal study

A dietary supplement containing microdispersed oxidised cellulose may reduce cholesterol levels by about 20 per cent, according to a new study. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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The link between memory loss and auditory capability

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People who find it difficult to hear in complex situations with competing noise (such as one conversation among many) are also likely to suffer from mild memory impairment, according to a new study in the July issue of Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Central auditory processing dysfunction is the term that researchers use for this type of hearing disorder. The diagnosis, the authors write, "Is applied to persons whose hearing in quiet settings is normal or near normal yet who have substantial hearing difficulty in the presence of auditory stressors such as competing noise and other difficult listening situations." It is important for people to have central auditory testing in order to assess the hearing abilities of individuals. The authors add that, "Poor central auditory ability, per se, is not helped by amplification and requires alternative rehabilitation strategies." Earlier research has shown that people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia often demonstrate central auditory processing impairment.

To further study the link between memory loss and auditory capability, George A. Gates, M.D. (University of Washington, Seattle) and colleagues studied 313 individuals who were about 80 years old and who began participating in a dementia surveillance program in 1994. The sample consisted of 232 controls with no memory loss, 17 individuals diagnosed with dementia, and 64 individuals diagnosed with mild memory impairment but no dementia.

The researchers had the participants perform three tests in order to assess the state of their central auditory processing. One test contained nonsense sentences being read at the same time as an interesting narrative, and the other two tests contained separate sentences or numbers that were read into each ear at the same time. The authors note that, "These central auditory processing test paradigms evaluate how well an individual manages competing signals, a task that requires adequate short-term memory and the ability to shift attention rapidly."

The main finding of these tests was that the group with dementia and the group with mild memory impairment had significantly lower auditory processing test scores, on average, than the control group. After statistically controlling for factors such as age and hearing status, the link remained significant.

"Central auditory function was affected by even mild memory impairment," conclude the authors. "We recommend that central auditory testing be considered in the evaluation of older persons with hearing complaints as part of a comprehensive, individualized program to assist their needs in both the aural rehabilitative and the cognitive domains." ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Food better than supplements for omega-3, says ADA

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has said that a food-based approach to receiving adequate fatty acid levels is recommended, but careful supplementation is a feasible alternative if dietary intake falls short. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Vaccine cleared plaques but did not slow Alzheimer's

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A new study by researchers in the UK found that a promising vaccine designed to protect against the amyloid protein plaques that form in the brains of people who develop Alzheimer's was effective at clearing the plaques, but it did not stop the neurodegeneration associated with the disease, leading them to question current assumptions about the role that plaques play in the progression of Alzheimer's. According to the UK's Alzheimer's Society, 1 in 6 persons over 80 has dementia, and 1 in 3 older people ends their life with a form of dementia. 700,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, about half of them with Alzheimer's. By 2051, there will be 1.7 million people in the UK living with dementia. The Washington Post reports that the National Institutes of Health estimates there are 4.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, or 1 in 20 persons aged between 65 and 74. This figure becomes one in every 2 above the age of 85.

The study was conducted by Dr Clive Holmes at the Memory Assessment and Research Centre at Moorgreen Hospital in Southampton, UK, and colleagues, and is published in the 19th July issue of The Lancet, which this week is dedicated to dementia research. Holmes and colleagues looked at data from 80 Alzheimer's patients who were taking part in a trial of the experimental vaccine known as AN1792 that was designed to slow or reverse the disease by removing the protein amyloid plaques that form in the brain tissue. Animal experiments have suggested this would happen, and the animals treated with the vaccine did show signs of improved brain function after the plaques were removed.

Holmes said that a long term follow up of the patients treated with the vaccine showed not only that the plaques reduced, but virtually disappeared, reported the Washington Post. But unfortunately the researchers found no evidence that the patients benefited from the removal of the plaques. "Even those subjects with virtually complete removal continued to deteriorate and had severe end-stage dementia prior to their death," said Holmes in a statement reported by the Post. It would seem that the plaques are not the only reason the disease progresses, and that removing them in this way is not going to make a significant impact on patients with established Alzheimer's. Perhaps plaques are involved in early disease development, but once that reaches a certain point, something else takes over and plaques are then just a vestige of the earlier process, albeit still increasing with disease progression.

The researchers suggest that new approaches should not focus on removal of plaques, but on preventing them building up in the first place. Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research at UK's Alzheimer's Society, said: "It is encouraging that this drug successfully removes these plaques, but disappointing that these initial results suggest it did not slow the progression of the disease." "More detailed evaluations of the effects of this drug are now taking place and larger clinical trials are underway. We look forward to the outcomes to establish the effectiveness of this vaccine," she added. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Goji berries improve energy, happiness

Consuming goji berry juice for two weeks increases feelings of general well-being and improves gastrointestinal functions, according to a new industry-sponsored clinical trial. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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The anti-TNF-alpha treatment of Alzheimer's disease

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New research into the treatment of Alzheimer's disease reports improvement in language abilities using a novel immune-based approach. A video accompanying the research, published today in the open access journal BMC Neurology, documents rapid language improvement within minutes of using this new treatment. Building on previous work by the same authors, published in BioMed Central's Journal of Neuroinflammation, this study focuses on the effect of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) drug, etanercept, on measures of verbal ability.

TNF-alpha, a critical component of the brain's immune system, normally finely regulates the transmission of neural impulses in the brain. The authors hypothesize that elevated levels of TNF-alpha in Alzheimer's disease interfere with this regulation. To reduce elevated TNF-alpha, the authors utilized a unique perispinal delivery method to administer etanercept.

The new BMC Neurology article provides preliminary evidence that the disrupted neural communication seen in Alzheimer's disease may be reversible. According to the lead author of the study, Edward Tobinick, "There are limitations to the data presented; the clinical trial was open label, and not controlled. These caveats notwithstanding, the scientific rationale for the further investigation of anti-TNF-alpha treatment of Alzheimer's disease is compelling. In addition, family members, independent neurologists, and other independent observers have confirmed the clinical, cognitive, and behavioral improvement noted".

Disruption of language function, such as the ability to find words, is a common symptom in advancing Alzheimer's disease, and this BMC Neurology article is one of the first to suggest the possibility of a new therapeutic approach that may address these symptoms. The video is available here. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Muller quits 1 a Day yoghurt range in UK

The UK arm of German dairy giant Muller has canned its 1 a Day healthy yoghurt line after only 12 months, citing retailer disappointment with sales levels and downward pressure on its premiums as fundamental reasons. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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The effects of Dimebon on Alzheimer's disease

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A drug once approved as an antihistamine in Russia improved thinking processes and ability to function in patients with Alzheimer's disease in a study conducted there, said an expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The findings are published in the current issue of the journal The Lancet. "More research is needed, but we are encouraged by the effect the drug Dimebon had on Alzheimer's patients" said Dr. Rachelle Doody, professor of neurology at BCM and lead author of the study.

In the study, the authors noted that Dimebon is the first drug for Alzheimer's disease that demonstrated continued improvement in patients over a 12 month period. Other approved drugs do not have this effect. Half of the 183 patients in the Russian study received Dimebon; the other half were given a placebo or an inactive pill. Clinicians at the study sites then monitored the patients' progress over the next year on five different outcomes. All of those in the study had mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. "What we saw in the clinical trial is that people on the medication continued to improve over time," Doody said. "Those on placebo continued to decline."

Researchers believe the medication works by stabilizing mitochondria, the cellular components that produce energy, and possibly by inhibiting brain cell death. Researchers evaluated patients' thinking and memory ability, overall function, psychiatric and behavioral symptoms, and ability to perform daily activities. "Usually at this point in a drug's development, we are happy to see improvement in one of the outcome measures," Doody said. "We saw improvement in all five." Some participants complained of occasional dry mouth, but no one opted out of the study because of the side effects. "As we continue research, we hope to replicate these results," Doody said. "My belief is that this drug will turn out to be useful for Alzheimer's disease, regardless of the stage of the disease."

Doody said this is only the first study looking into the effects of Dimebon on Alzheimer's disease. She also noted that it involved only a relatively small population from one specific region of the world. The ongoing Phase 3 study will include several international locations including the United States. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Grapefruit pulp may boost bone health: study

The pulp of grapefruit may improve bone health and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, according to a new study with male rats. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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The implications for Alzheimer's prevention research

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Every aging baby boomer listens for the footsteps of Alzheimer's, and for good reason: It's estimated that 10 million American boomers will develop the disease. The need to develop preventative strategies, ideally long before Alzheimer's destructive, clinical symptoms appear, is critical.

In furthering the steps toward that goal, UCLA associate professor of neurology John Ringman and his colleagues confirm in the current issue of the journal Neurology that during Alzheimer's earliest stages, levels of specific proteins in the blood and spinal fluid begin to drop as the disease progresses, making them potentially useful as biomarkers to identify and track progression long before symptoms appear. Identifying patients at the clinically "silent" stage is a prerequisite for advancing the strategies needed to prevent the symptoms from appearing. The hope is that one day, screening for such biomarkers could take its place beside such routine tests as colonoscopies and mammograms as another common tool of preventive medicine.

Familial Alzheimer's and sporadic Alzheimer's are two of the basic types of the disease. The majority of Alzheimer's cases are sporadic and late-onset, developing after the age of 65; the causes of this disease type are not completely understood. Familial Alzheimer's (FAD) is a rare form of the disease caused by certain gene mutations that affects less than 2 percent of Alzheimer's patients. FAD is early-onset, meaning the disease develops before age 65, and it is inherited; all offspring in the same generation have a 50-50 chance of developing FAD if one of their parents had it. The markers the researchers tracked came from people with the FAD mutations.

"Since we knew that 50 percent of first-degree relatives will inherit the same rare mutations, we were able to study the biochemical changes occurring in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood as long as 30 years before the subjects were likely to develop the disease themselves," said Ringman, who is the assistant director of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research at UCLA. "This allowed us to identify markers that might be used to diagnose the disease prior to the development of overt symptoms, and also tells us a lot about the chain of events that cause the disease."

The study looked at several proteins that exist in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma in 21 FAD mutation carriers and compared them to noncarriers. Knowing that the extracellular plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's that form in the brain consist largely of a fibrous beta-amyloid protein called AB42, the researchers looked at that protein and found that it was elevated in the plasma of FAD mutation carriers, appearing long before the development of obvious dementia. The level then appears to drop as the disease progresses. In addition, the researchers showed that the ratio of AB42 to another protein, AB40, was reduced in the cerebrospinal fluid of FAD mutation carriers and, further, that the levels of two other proteins, called t-tau and p-tau181, were elevated prior to overt symptoms. "These results are worth highlighting because of the implications for Alzheimer's prevention research," Ringman said. "The presence of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease prior to any clinical symptoms suggests the pathology of Alzheimer's precedes the clinical symptoms and further demonstrates that it may be possible to detect those changes prior to the appearance of cognitive dysfunction."

The use of subjects at risk for autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease is both a strength and a weakness of the study, Ringman said. Using research subjects that are known to have a predisposition to Alzheimer's calls for caution. On the one hand, he said, "this population can be genetically defined so we can predict whether they will or will not develop the disease in the future with a high degree of certainty. However, these mutations are very rare, and some findings in this rare form of Alzheimer's disease may not generalize to more typical late-onset Alzheimer's disease." Nevertheless, he said, since the pathology of FAD is essentially identical to that of sporadic Alzheimer's, it is plausible that the preclinical changes in these proteins are common to all forms of the disease and bear more scrutiny. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Longer shelf life in a packet

Improved shelf life and better quality characteristics, particularly for dough-based products, refrigerated pizzas and sandwiches, are the... ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Dietary intake of calcium as a strategy to limit the risk of developing Alzheimer's

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Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have shown that mutations in two proteins associated with familial Alzheimer's disease disrupt the flow of calcium ions within neurons. The two proteins, called PS1 and PS2 (presenilin 1 and 2), interact with a calcium release channel in an intracellular cell compartment. Alzheimer's disease affects as many as 5 million Americans, 5 percent of whom have the familial form. The hallmark of the disease is the accumulation of tangles and plaques of amyloid beta protein in the brain. "The amyloid hypothesis has long been invoked to explain the cause of Alzheimer's" says Foskett. In the Neuron study, cells that carried the disease-causing mutated form of PS1 showed increased processing of amyloid beta that depended on the interaction of the PS proteins with the InsP3R. This observation links mis-regulation of calcium inside cells with the production of amyloid, a characteristic feature in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.

"The 'calcium dysregulation' hypothesis for inherited, early onset familial Alzheimer's disease has been suggested by previous research findings, but our current study identifies a molecular mechanism that makes this hypothesis very compelling," says lead author J. Kevin Foskett, PhD, Professor of Physiology. "Mutated PS1 and PS2 caused exaggerated cellular calcium signaling in cells through a calcium channel in the endoplasmic reticulum called the inositol trisphosphate receptor [InsP3R], suggesting that it or other proteins in this calcium signaling pathway could be targets for new Alzheimer's disease therapies." The study appeared in the June 26 issue of Neuron.

Current therapies for Alzheimer's include drugs that treat the symptoms of cognitive loss and dementia. Drugs that address the pathology of Alzheimer's are only experimental. For example, a vaccine that stimulates antibodies to amyloid beta is currently being investigated. But these new observations suggest that new approaches could be explored. The next steps are to find out if other mutations in PS1 and PS2 that cause Alzheimer's disease have a similar effect on calcium signaling in the brain, and to identify drugs that might inhibit the interaction between InsP3R and PS1 or PS2 specifically in the brain. "The significance of identifying the molecular mechanism and pathway of disrupted calcium signaling is that a number of novel treatment targets can now be developed and tested," says Foskett.

The central role of calcium signaling disruptions in Alzheimer's is strengthened by another study in which the Foskett laboratory was involved. This research was published in the June 27 issue of Cell. Investigators discovered a new gene that influences calcium regulation and amyloid beta levels in the brain. In this genetic study, a polymorphism in the gene CALHM1 significantly increased the risk of sporadic, late-onset Alzheimer's, the more common form of disease. The Foskett lab was responsible for showing that the Alzheimer's disease-associated polymorphism disrupts the gene's function in cellular calcium regulation. These investigations were led by a group from The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore in Manhasset, NY and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

"Calcium is the common denominator in our two studies, strongly suggesting that it plays an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease," notes Foskett. "However, our experiments have identified calcium inside cells as the important feature. No one should consider modifying their dietary intake of calcium as a strategy to limit the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, because the body very effectively regulates the amount of calcium absorbed from food and the levels in the blood and brain. And it is also very important for people who take calcium channel blockers, for cardiovascular problems for example, not to alter their medication regime as a response to our studies" ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Probiotics putsch into eastern Europe

Swedish probiotics specialist Probi has signed two deals to distribute probiotic supplements in eastern Europe, a region it believes possesses "huge potential". ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Cardio-fitness associates with reduced brain atrophy in Alzheimer 's

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A new US study found that increased cardiorespiratory fitness was linked to reduced brain atrophy in people with early stage Alzheimer's Disease, suggesting that either this directly caused the slow down in brain deterioration or some other unidentified disease related factor impacted both brain atrophy and cardio fitness.

This was the conclusion of Dr Jeffrey M. Burns, of the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, and colleagues, who published their work in the July 15th issue of the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, of which Burns is a member.

Burns said in a press statement: "People with early Alzheimer's disease who were less physically fit had four times more brain shrinkage when compared to normal older adults than those who were more physically fit, suggesting less brain shrinkage related to the Alzheimer's disease process in those with higher fitness levels."

Burns and colleagues set out to examine the link between cardiorespiratory fitness and brain atrophy and cognition in people in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease because earlier studies have suggested that physical fitness appears to slow the aging process, including age-related changes in the brain. "This is one of the first studies to explore the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and Alzheimer's disease," said Burns.

For the study, 64 people without dementia and 57 with early stage Alzheimer's had MRI scans and standard clinical and psychometric tests; all participants were over 60 years of age. The researchers measured peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), the standard measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, during a graded treadmill test and estimated brain atrophy from the normalized whole brain volume seen on the MRI scan. They also measured white and gray matter.

The authors concluded that: "Increased cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with reduced brain atrophy in Alzheimer disease (AD)."

As the study was not designed to establish cause, they added that: "Cardiorespiratory fitness may moderate AD-related brain atrophy or a common underlying AD-related process may impact both brain atrophy and cardiorespiratory fitness. People with early Alzheimer's disease may be able to preserve their brain function for a longer period of time by exercising regularly and potentially reducing the amount of brain volume lost. Evidence shows decreasing brain volume is tied to poorer cognitive performance, so preserving more brain volume may translate into better cognitive performance," said Burns. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Vitamin K good for young bones, too: study

A child's vitamin K status could have important long-term implications on bone health, and higher levels could benefit children with arthritis, suggests a new study. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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The relationship between fitness and Alzheimer's

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Mild Alzheimer's disease patients with higher physical fitness had larger brains compared to mild Alzheimer's patients with lower physical fitness. According to a study published in the July 15, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, 121 people age 60 and older underwent fitness tests using a treadmill as well as brain scans to measure the white matter, gray matter and total volume of their brains. Of the group, 57 were in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease while the rest of the group did not have dementia.

"People with early Alzheimer's disease who were less physically fit had four times more brain shrinkage when compared to normal older adults than those who were more physically fit, suggesting less brain shrinkage related to the Alzheimer's disease process in those with higher fitness levels," said study author Jeffrey M. Burns, MD, of the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City and member of the American Academy of Neurology.

The results remained the same regardless of age, gender, severity of dementia, physical activity and frailty. There was no relationship between higher fitness levels and brain changes in the group of people without dementia. "People with early Alzheimer's disease may be able to preserve their brain function for a longer period of time by exercising regularly and potentially reducing the amount of brain volume lost. Evidence shows decreasing brain volume is tied to poorer cognitive performance, so preserving more brain volume may translate into better cognitive performance," Burns said.

"This is one of the first studies to explore the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and Alzheimer's disease," said Burns. Burns says people should be cautious when interpreting the study results because scientists only observed the standard measure of fitness at one point in time. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Science looks rosy for astaxanthin and stomach health

The pigment that gives salmon its pink colour may reduce the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn, says a new study. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Smoking increases risk of dementia

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Alzheimer's Society comment on a review of research studies investigating nicotine and dementia, which have been conducted over the last 5 years

'Nicotine has previously been shown to help treat Alzheimer's disease in animal studies. This new review brings together evidence to explain the processes behind this and which types of nerve cells nicotine effects in the brain. Although nicotine has therapeutic qualities, when it is absorbed through smoking the health risks outweigh the benefits. Smoking increases risk of vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia and is associated with a number of other health risks.

More research is now needed to find a safe and effective treatment for dementia, with the potential benefits of nicotine, but without the health risks.' ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Black tea extract may offer heart benefits

Extracts from black tea may reduce total cholesterol levels by nine per cent and LDL cholesterol levels by 12 per cent, according to a new study. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Computer helping older people with Alzheimer's

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Computer games offer an exciting and engaging way of helping older people with dementia keep their brain active and learn new skills.

This is the finding of Arlene Astell and her colleagues at the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee who will talk about the success of their project "Living in the moment" today, Thursday 3 July, at the at the 2008 Annual Conference for Psychology Specialists Working with Older People part of The British Psychological Society, being held at the University of York.

Poor memory and concentration make it difficult for people with dementia to function. "Living in the moment" is a project that has drawn on the principles of gaming development and the psychology of dementia to develop helpful and fun computer games for dementia sufferers. The presentation will include videos of the games being used by participants, who were involved at every stage of its development. The project demonstrated that people with dementia can learn new activities with appropriate prompting.

Arlene said: "Working together with people with dementia we have explored over 20 different games and activities in our efforts to find out what people enjoy. The people with a diagnosis of dementia were very helpful in telling us what they like and dislike and were very accommodating in trying out what ever we put in front of them. This project may be unique in working solely with people with dementia rather than involving family or professional caregivers and it clearly demonstrates that people with a diagnosis of dementia can participate fully and make their news known. Based on the feedback received we are now developing a gaming package designed to support and engage people with dementia in enjoyable and stimulating activities." ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Fish oil plus red yeast rice match statins for cholesterol cuts

A combination of fish oils, red yeast rice and other... ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

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The hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease is burdened with amyloid plaques and is one of the few locations where neurogenesis continues throughout adult life. To evaluate the impact of amyloid-beta deposition on neural stem cells, hippocampal neurogenesis was assessed using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and doublecortin staining in two amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mouse models. In 5-month-old APP23 mice prior to amyloid deposition, neurogenesis showed no robust difference relative to wild-type control mice, but 25-month-old amyloid-depositing APP23 mice showed significant increases in neurogenesis compared to controls. In contrast, 8-month-old amyloid-depositing APPPS1 mice revealed decreases in neurogenesis compared to controls. To study whether alterations in neurogenesis are the result of amyloid-induced changes at the level of neural stem cells, APPPS1 mice were crossed with mice expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) under a central nervous system-specific nestin promoter. Eight-month-old nestin-GFP x APPPS1 mice exhibited decreases in quiescent nestin-positive astrocyte-like stem cells, while transient amplifying progenitor cells did not change in number. Strikingly, both astrocyte-like and transient-amplifying progenitor cells revealed an aberrant morphologic reaction toward congophilic amyloid-deposits. A similar reaction toward the amyloid was no longer observed in doublecortin-positive immature neurons. Results provide evidence for a disruption of neural stem cell biology in an amyloidogenic environment and support findings that neurogenesis is differently affected among various transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. ...Am J Pathol. 2008 Jun;172(6):1520-8

Mini snack portions make you munch more, study

Weight-conscious consumers often opt for mini-versions of snacks and treats to stay trim, but it might actually... ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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PBT2 as a viable treatment for AD

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Scientists report a remarkable improvement in Alzheimer's transgenic mice following treatment with a new drug. The study provides the first demonstration that an ionophore, a compound that transports metal ions across cell membranes, can elicit rapid and pronounced improvement in neuropathology and cognitive function in mouse models of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Recent research has implicated dysregulation of metal ions in the brain, particularly copper and zinc, in the pathogenesis of AD and the damaging accumulation of amyloid beta (AB) protein that is characteristic of this devastating disease. The ionophore clioquinol (CQ), an 8-hydroxyquinoline, has been shown to increase intracellular copper and zinc levels and decrease AB levels in cultured cells and in the brains of transgenic (Tg) AD mice. However, further studies in mice and humans demonstrated that brain entry of CQ was quite limited.

Dr. Ashley I. Bush from the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria in Australia, with Dr. Paul A. Adlard and colleagues examined the therapeutic potential of PBT2, a second generation 8-hydroxyquinoline designed for easier synthesis, higher solubility and increased blood-brain barrier permeability, in two well established Tg mouse models of AD. The Tg mice examined in the study overexpress the precursor protein for AB and possess mutations that cause AD in humans. One of the Tg models also expresses the human presenilin deletion mutation that also causes AD. "Both types of Tg mice exhibit progressive spatial learning deficits that are accompanied by increasing AB levels and plaque formation. Demonstrating benefits of PBT2 treatment in the two separate models was both a stringency test, increasing confidence that PBT2 is more likely to show benefit in clinical trials, and also allowed us to determine whether specific forms of AB change in register with cognitive improvement in both strains. This is significant as cognitive loss in AD is not just a simple product of rising AB levels," explains Dr. Bush.

PBT2 was shown to be a superior ionophore when compared to CQ and the researchers went on to test AB levels and cognitive outcomes after oral treatment with PBT2. "We found that oral treatment with PBT2 induced a dramatic improvement in learning and memory in both Tg models of AD, accompanied by a marked inhibition of AD-like neuropathology. These outcomes were rapid, with reduction of soluble interstitial AB occurring within hours, and significant cognitive benefits seen within days of first administration of the compound," says Dr. Bush. These results encourage further testing of compounds that target synaptic metals as a possible treatment of AD. Further, recent clinical trials in AD patients taking oral PBT2 have been promising and support PBT2 as a viable treatment for AD. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Colour and health driving rise of betalains

The potent antioxidant activity of pigments from beet and cactus pears may be the key to their potential, suggests a new review from Brazil. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Dietary supplements to tackling Alzheimer's-restoring the synapses

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A dietary cocktail that includes a type of omega-3 fatty acid can improve memory and learning in gerbils, according to the latest study from MIT researchers that points to a possible beverage-based treatment for Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.

The combination of supplements, which contains three compounds normally found in the bloodstream, is now being tested in Alzheimer's patients. The cocktail has previously been shown to promote growth of new brain connections in rodents. "It may be possible to use this treatment to partially restore brain function in people with diseases that decrease the number of brain neurons, including, for example, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, strokes and brain injuries. Of course, such speculations have to be tested in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials," said Richard Wurtman, Cecil H. Green Distinguished Professor of Neuropharmacology and senior author of a paper on the new work.

The researchers found that normal gerbils treated with the mixture-a combination of DHA (a type of omega-3 fatty acid), uridine and choline-performed significantly better on learning and memory tests than untreated gerbils. Wurtman developed the treatment as a new approach to tackling Alzheimer's-restoring the synapses, or connections between brain cells, that leads to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. Synapses, where information is passed between neurons, play a critical role in learning and memory. Wurtman's laboratory has previously shown that the cocktail treatment improves those functions in rats with cognitive impairments.

The three dietary supplements under investigation are precursors to the fatty molecules that make up cell membranes, including the membranes of brain cells, which form synapses. In the FASEB study, Wurtman and his colleagues found that gerbils that received all three supplements had up to 70 percent more phosphatides (a type of molecule that forms cell membranes) than control mice, suggesting that new synapses are forming. "The improvements in cognition observed in normal gerbils in this study and in rats with impaired cognition, in a previous study, correlate perfectly with the evidence of increased brain synapses, as shown biochemically and anatomically," said Wurtman. "This suggests that treating the animals with the experimental mixture affects behavior by increasing the number of synapses in important brain regions.

Some of the gerbils in the studies received all three compounds and some received only two. The improvements in apparent synapse growth and cognitive ability were greatest in the rats given all three. Omega-3 fatty acids are not produced in the body but are found in a variety of sources, including fish, eggs, flaxseed and meat from grass-fed animals. Choline can be synthesized in the body and obtained through the diet; it is found in meats, nuts and eggs. Uridine cannot be obtained from food sources, but is a component of human breast milk and can be produced in the body. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Study may allay folic acid concerns

Concerns over folic acid promoting embryos in the womb with genotypes that increase the risk of disease in the offspring may be unfounded, according to new research. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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An oral vaccine against Alzheimer's

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The humble tomato could be a suitable carrier for an oral vaccine against Alzheimer's disease, according to HyunSoon Kim from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) in Korea and colleagues from Digital Biotech Inc. and the Department of Biological Science at Wonkwang University. Although their research1, just published online in Springer's journal Biotechnology Letters, is still in the early stages, it is a promising first step towards finding an edible vaccine against the neurodegenerative disease.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and it progresses over a long period of time. It is thought to be caused by the accumulation of human beta-amyloid, a toxic insoluble fibrous protein in the brain, which leads to the death of neurons. Reducing the accumulation of beta-amyloid may inhibit the degeneration of the nervous system and therefore prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. One approach is to stimulate the immune system to reduce beta-amyloid in the brain. Kim and colleagues' aim was to develop a plant-derived vaccine against Alzheimer's disease, since beta-amyloid is toxic to animal cells. Tomatoes are an attractive candidate as a vaccine carrier because they can be eaten without heat treatment, which reduces the risk of destroying the immune stimulation potential of the foreign protein. The researchers inserted the beta-amyloid gene into the tomato genome and measured the immune responses to the tomato-derived toxic protein in a group of 15-month-old mice. They immunized the mice orally with the transgenic tomato plants once a week for three weeks, and also gave the mice a booster seven weeks after the first tomato feed. Blood analyses showed a strong immune response after the booster, with the production of antibodies to the human foreign protein.

The authors conclude: "Although we did not reveal a reduction of existing plaques in the brain of mice challenged with tomato-derived beta-amyloid…this study represents a unique approach in which transgenic plants expressing beta-amyloid protein are used to produce a vaccine." The team is currently looking at strategies to increase the potency of the tomato-based vaccine, because fresh tomatoes contain only 0.7% protein and levels of foreign protein are even lower. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Nutrient cocktail may boost memory and learning: study

A combination of omega-3 fatty acids with the uridine and choline improved memory and learning in gerbils, and may have benefits for Alzheimer patients, suggests new research.

...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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High blood pressure doubles the risk of Alzheimer's

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People with high blood pressure are up to six hundred per cent more likely to develop dementia according to new research, released by Alzheimer's Society during Dementia Awareness Week (6- 12 July 2008). High blood pressure led to a six fold increase in vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia in the UK, according to the research.

High blood pressure, which affects one in three adults in the UK, also doubles the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and increases risk of stroke, which damages the brain and can trigger dementia. High blood pressure restricts oxygen to the brain but the symptoms often go unnoticed and a quarter of people are not aware they have it. Alzheimer's Society estimates that tackling the problem in midlife could reduce the number of deaths from dementia by up to 15, 000 people a year.

Neil Hunt, chief executive, Alzheimer's Society says, 'People fear dementia more than any other condition in later life; it is a devastating disease that robs people of their lives. Everyone should get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly and receive effective treatment if they are at risk. Having a low salt diet, maintaining a healthy weight and regulating your alcohol intake can also help tackle high blood pressure. This Dementia Awareness Week we are telling people to 'Be Headstrong' and reduce your risk of dementia.

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research, Alzheimer's Society says, 'Treating people's high blood pressure to best practice standards is vital. Only half of people over 65 receive effective treatment, yet we know treatment works. In the US a combination of public awareness campaigns and rigorous treatment has reduced cardio-vascular disease by up to 60%. By working together, we can take the same steps towards reducing the risk of dementia in the UK.'

This study pulls together all research on high blood pressure as a risk for vascular dementia and forms part of a larger review by the Alzheimer's Society of factors that increase the risk of dementia. The charity's top tips to reduce risk of dementia are:
- Get active - Eat a balanced diet - Keep a healthy weight - Watch your blood pressure and cholesterol - Don't smoke ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Fish oil plus red yeast rice match statins for cholesterol cuts

A combination of fish oils, red yeast rice and other lifestyle changes reduced cholesterol levels by the same amount as a daily statin pill, according to new research. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Superfoods increase risk of memory loss

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People who eat high levels of some soy products, including tofu and other so-called superfoods, may be at an increased risk of memory loss.

Loughborough and Oxford scientists, funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust, worked with Indonesian colleagues to investigate the effects of high soy consumption in 719 elderly Indonesians living in urban and rural regions of Java. The researchers' findings, to be published in Dementias and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders later this month, include evidence that a high consumption of tofu is associated with worse memory, particularly among the over 68s.

Lead researcher, Professor Eef Hogervorst of Loughborough University, said, "Soy consumption is on the increase in the West and is often promoted as a 'superfood'. Soy products are rich in micronutrients called phytoestrogens, but it is not entirely clear what their effect on the ageing brain is. "They have similar effects to oestrogen which may offer neuroprotection to the middle-aged and young but not to over 65s for whom it could heighten risk of dementia and lower memory function."

Intriguingly, the researchers also found that consuming tempe, a fermented soy product made from whole soy bean, is associated with better memory. Prof Hogervorst said the beneficial effect of tempe might be related to its high levels of folate, which is known to reduce dementia risk. "It may be that that the interaction between high levels of both folate and phytoestrogens protects against cognitive impairment." He said future studies would investigate how folate or folic acid combined with phytoestrogens protects against memory dysfunction in the elderly. Prof Hogervorst cautioned that the effects of tempe and tofu were most apparent in elderly Javanese people, so it is not clear how the findings relate to soy intake among all ethnic groups. An earlier study found that older Japanese American men were also at increased risk of dementia with high tofu consumption.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust said, "This study adds to our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Further research is needed to understand the full potential, and risks, of these 'superfoods'. "This kind of research into the causes of Alzheimer's could lead scientists to new ways of preventing this devastating disease. As over half a million people have Alzheimer's in the UK today, there is a desperate need to find a new prevention or cure." ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Evidence lacking for polyphenols' brain benefits: expert

Years of research lie ahead before science can confidently support the apparent benefits of polyphenols for brain health, according to a new review from Canada. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Apotential new therapeutic approach for AD

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Microglia are the immune cells of the brain, they are activated in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and mouse models of AD, and they express the innate immune receptor toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). The present study investigated role of this receptor in the progression of AD-like pathologies. Here authors show that amyloid beta (A beta) stimulates TLR2 expression in a small proportion of microglia. They then generated triple transgenic mice that are deficient in TLR2 from mice that harbor a mutant human presenelin 1 and a chimeric mouse/human amyloid precursor protein (APP) genes. TLR2 deficiency accelerated spatial and contextual memory impairments, which correlated with increased levels of A beta(1-42) and transforming growth factor beta1 in the brain. NMDA receptors 1 and 2A expression levels were also lower in the hippocampus of APP-TLR2(-/-) mice. Gene therapy in cells of the bone marrow using lentivirus constructs expressing TLR2 rescued the cognitive impairment of APP-TLR2(-/-) mice. Indeed, lenti-green fluorescent protein/TLR2 treatment had beneficial effects by restoring the memory consolidation process disrupted by TLR2 deficiency in APP mice. These data suggest that TLR2 acts as an endogenous receptor for the clearance of toxic A beta by bone-marrow-derived immune cells. The cognitive decline is markedly accelerated in a context of TLR2 deficiency. Upregulating this innate immune receptor may then be considered as a potential new powerful therapeutic approach for AD. ...J Neurosci. 2008 May 28

Probio takes Gelkaps in hand in omega-3 push

Norwegian omega-3 specialist Probio has acquired microencapsulation specialist, Gelkaps, as it bids to become one of Europe's major omega-3 players.. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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European Alzheimer's Plan

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At a joint press conference with Commission President Barroso on 2 July 2008 highlighting the priorities of the French Presidency, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the commitment of the French Presidency to the development of a European Alzheimer's Plan. He stressed that the French Presidency would be working with all its partners to find concrete solutions for this scourge which affects millions of Europeans. Commission President Barroso supported the French initiative to discuss the fight against Alzheimer's disease with all 27 Member States and gave his commitment to finding answers to the day-to-day preoccupations of Europeans.

Maurice O'Connell, chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, welcomed the interventions of both European leaders: "I am delighted to see that the French Presidency is the first EU Presidency to give Alzheimer's disease such a high priority. Alzheimer Europe has called for dementia to be made a European priority and has specificially called for the development of a European Alzheimer's Plan. To receive the backing of the acting President of the European Council will give our campaign an incredible boost. We look forward to working with the French Presidency to find solutions for the 6.1 million people with dementia in the European Union." ...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ethical investment can build stability, says Treatt

Companies that want to source ingredients ethically should consider investing in less-stable parts of the world, according... ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Women with a higher education less likely to have dementia

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Women over 90 are significantly more likely to have dementia than men of the same age, according UC Irvine researchers involved with the 90+ Study, one of the nation's largest studies of dementia and other health factors in the fastest-growing age demographic.

The researchers reviewed an analysis of 911 people enrolled in the 90+ Study. Of those, 45 percent of the women had dementia, as opposed to 28 percent of the men. The analysis did not determine when the subjects first experienced dementia. Dementia, a progressive brain dysfunction, leads to a gradually increasing restriction of daily activities. The most well-known type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, cognitive disorientation and behavioral changes. Dementia affects not only patients but also those surrounding them, as most patients require long-term care.

The 90-plus age group, or the "oldest old," is the fastest growing segment of the population, according to the U.S. Census. While there are currently nearly 2 million nonagenarians in the U.S. alone, that number is projected to increase to 10 to 12 million by the middle of the century, raising concerns that the current health care system may not be able to accommodate this population. "Our findings show that more will need to be done to provide adequate resources to care for the increasing number of very old people with dementia," said Maria Corrada, a UC Irvine epidemiologist and study corresponding author.

Research has shown that dementia prevalence for both men and women increases from age 65 to 85. The frequency of dementia increases with age from less than 2 percent for the 65-69-year-olds, to 5 percent for the 75-79-year-olds and to more than 20 percent for the 85-89-year-olds. The UC Irvine study, conducted in Laguna Woods, Calif., is among the few to look at dementia in people over age 90. It found that the likelihood of having dementia doubled every five years in women after reaching 90, but not in men. The results also showed that women with a higher education appeared to be as much as 45 percent less likely to have dementia compared to women with less education.

With women comprising three-quarters of the 90-plus population, the study raises questions why these women nonagenarians are more likely to have dementia than men. "Our findings provide valuable information toward further inquiries into dementia, such as if oldest-old men can live as long with dementia as oldest-old women do, or whether in this age group women develop dementia at a higher rate than men," Corrada said. ...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Snacks players must embrace health and wellness to beat obesity

Only a true health and wellness vision can enable global... ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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An enzyme inhibitor that evolve into new drugs to treat Alzheimer's

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Scientists in the UK and Canada have made a significant step forward in the search for new drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease.

An ageing population means that neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease, is one of the major health problems in the developed world. But researchers at the University of York and Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, have designed an enzyme inhibitor which could 'trick' the brain and so help to halt neurodegeneration.

One of the causes of neurodegeneration is a modification to the protein 'tau', which helps to maintain the stability of neurones in the brain, causing them to form aggregates termed 'tangles'. These diseases, or 'tauopathies' are believed to be caused by a form of the protein tau which has been excessively modified with phosphate. By studying the chemistry and structure of relevant enzymes, the research teams at York, led by Professor Gideon Davies, and Simon Fraser, led by Professor David Vocadlo, have designed an enzyme inhibitor that prevents the phosphorylation of tau in animal models. They have effectively tricked the brain's own enzymes into installing a sugar on to tau in place of the detrimental phosphates.

The enzyme inhibitor, termed a 'thiazoline', developed by Professor Vocadlo and Professor Davies is not yet a drug, but it is a major breakthrough in finding compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier to elicit beneficial effects that prevent the onset of tauopathies. Professor Davies, of the Department of Chemistry at York, said: "We hope that the work will evolve into new drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease, although that is still many years off. The work highlights the synergy of studying the chemistry of enzymes in living cells." ...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lycopene as effective as statins for artery health: rabbit study

Supplements of the lycopene, the carotenoid that give tomatoes their red colour, may be as effective as statins to reduce the formation of plaques in the arteries that cause atherosclerosis, says a new study with rabbits. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Everyday Cognition: detecting tool of developing dementia

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As more adults age into the high-risk period for cognitive impairment, clinicians need simple and reliable methods to identify where they may have problems in everyday life that reveal underlying changes in the brain. A new, carefully validated questionnaire called Everyday Cognition (ECog), when filled out by someone who knows an older adult well, can sensitively evaluate the performance of everyday activities that reflect basic mental functioning, according to a report in the July issue of Neuropsychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

Keeping track of things, sorting the mail, following a conversation, shopping for a few things without a list, finding the car in a parking lot - activities such as these, if compromised, could signal the risk for or presence of disease. The quick and easy identification of mild functional problems in older adults could be extremely useful in primary-care settings, where dementia and its early warning signs are frequently missed.

Seven academic and Veterans Administration psychologists, led by co-authors Sarah Tomaszewski Farias, PhD, and Dan Mungas, PhD, of the University of California, Davis, teamed up to develop and validate this new 39-question screening tool. The authors also interviewed neurologists, nurses, neuropsychologists and other professionals who work with people with dementia. Building on their insights, Farias and her colleagues generated items describing everyday function in seven key cognitive domains: memory, language, semantic (factual) knowledge, visuospatial abilities, planning, organization and divided attention. Through pilot studies, they narrowed an initial list of 138 items to the 39 items used in the validation study.

To validate the instrument, the new rating scales were completed by reliable informants, people who lived with or knew the patients well. They knew them on average for nearly 45 years and were with them for an average of 75 hours a week. About half the informants were spouses; 41 percent were adult children; the rest were other family members or friends. The average informant was nearly 62 years old and nearly three in four were women. The authors relied on informants rather than patients because people with dementia lose awareness of their problems. The authors also relied on observation by informants rather than by clinicians because performance assessments, such as watching someone make a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, can be artificial and time-consuming. At the same time, the authors sought to improve on previous informant-based measures, which have been unable to detect mild impairment or track change over time - a "must" for progressive disorders.

The ECog was shown to be valid in several ways. First, its results appeared to measure the same things as established tests, a sign of convergent validity. Second, its results "agreed" with participants' medical diagnoses, a sign of external validity. By differentiating among people with normal cognition, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and dementia, the ECog was sensitive to the early functional changes present in MCI. Thus, the authors believe, the ECog shows great promise as a useful screening measure for detecting individuals at increased risk for developing dementia. What's more, its results do not appear to be strongly influenced by the role of education, as is the case in other cognitive tests.

The ECog's results even differentiated between people diagnosed with mild impairment in memory only and those mildly impaired in several areas. This sensitivity could help with differential diagnosis of underlying brain disease. Because the ECog is sensitive to early functional problems, the researchers hope that it will shed light on how functional problems emerge and, over time, lead to obvious disability. More immediately, the ECog can help clinicians to diagnose cognitive impairment more effectively and to better understand the "limits, care needs and interventions appropriate to individuals." For example, making more lists, relying more on calendars and timers, learning memory techniques for new names, or organizing household papers in a new way might enable independent functioning for a longer length of time. ...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Artichoke can lower cholesterol levels, say researchers

UK research has found artichoke leaf extract (ALE) can reduce cholesterol levels in healthy adults due to its hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant properties. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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HDL cholesterol to be important for memory

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Low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) - the "good" cholesterol - in middle age may increase the risk of memory loss and lead to dementia later in life, researchers reported in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association. "Memory problems are key in the diagnosis of dementia," said Archana Singh-Manoux, Ph.D., lead author of the study and Senior Research Fellow with the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM, France) and the University College London in England. "We found that a low level of HDL may be a risk factor for memory loss in late midlife. This suggests that low HDL cholesterol might also be a risk factor for dementia."

Researchers defined low HDL as less than 40 mg/dL and high HDL as 60 mg/dL or higher. The team compared blood-fat and memory data collected in phases 5 (1995) and 7 (2002) of Whitehall II, when the average ages of the study members were 55 and 61 years, respectively. Researchers measured lipid concentrations in blood samples collected after an eight-hour fast, or at least four hours after a light, fat-free breakfast. They assessed short-term verbal memory using 20 one- or two-syllable words read aloud at two-second intervals. Study participants then had two minutes to write down as many of the words as they could remember.

Main findings are:
At age 55, participants with low HDL cholesterol showed a 27 percent increased risk of memory loss when compared to those with high HDL.

At age 60, participants with low HDL had a 53 percent increased risk of memory loss compared to the high HDL group.

During the five years between phases 5 and 7, study members with decreasing HDL had a 61 percent increased risk of decline in their ability to remember words versus those with high HDL.

Men and women did not differ significantly in the link between lipids and memory loss, so researchers combined data from both sexes for analysis.

Total cholesterol and triglycerides did not show a link with memory decline.

Using statin drugs to raise HDL and/or lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) showed no association with memory loss.

HDL cholesterol, which at high levels decreases the risk of heart attacks, serves several vital biological functions. It helps clear excess cholesterol from the blood; assists nerve-cell synapses to mature; and helps control the formation of beta-amyloid, the major component of the protein plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Dementia most often occurs in people 65 years or older, the fastest growing age group in the industrialized world. The precise mechanism linking HDL cholesterol to dementia remains unclear. "But it is possible that HDL cholesterol prevents formation of beta-amyloid," Singh-Manoux said. "HDL could also affect memory through its influence on atherosclerotic disease and stroke, or vascular injury. Finally, HDL cholesterol may influence memory through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. "Many previous investigations into the association between lipids and memory in the elderly have focused on total or LDL cholesterol because of their status as proven risk factors for cardiovascular disease," Singh-Manoux said. "Our results show HDL cholesterol to be important for memory. Thus, physicians and patients should be encouraged to monitor levels of HDL cholesterol."

To raise HDL and lower LDL cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends exercising regularly; eliminating trans fats from the diet; reducing the intake of all fats, especially saturated fats; and consuming monounsaturated fats, such as olive, canola and peanut oils. Statins can also improve HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, when they pose a heart risk. ...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

France approves beta-glucan claim

A beta-glucan health cholesterol-lowering health claim has been approved in France, making it only the second disease reduction claim permitted in a country notorious for conservative food laws. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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Enhancing neprilysin production might has a potential

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Research in fruit flies has shown that enhancing the production of a protein called neprilysin can reduce the formation of plaques and neuron death associated with Alzheimer's, at the expense of reducing the flies' lifespan. The buildup of amyloid-beta protein plaques within the brain is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's, and one that is believed to contribute to disease progression. Normally, special enzymes chew up and clear these plaques, and deficiencies in these enzymes are one potential disease cause.

In fact, one major amyloid degrader called neprilysin (NEP) decreases naturally with age and may be the reason the elderly are more at risk for Alzheimer's. Enhancing NEP production might therefore be an attractive therapy, and studies in mice have suggested it has potential. However, no studies have really looked into possible adverse effects of over-activating NEP (after all, nature probably turns it off for a reason). In this study, research groups did just that, using transgenic fruit flies expressing human NEP and/or amlyoid-beta protein. On the positive side, NEP expression did reduce plaque deposits and neuron damage in the flies as expected; on the other hand, NEP also reduced the activity of important neural proteins called CREB proteins and shortened the average lifespan of the flies (normal flies live about 60 days) by about 10 days (although NEP-flies did live longer than those only expressing amyloid protein).

This study illustrates the care that must be taken when considering Alzheimer's treatments, and that it's critical to better understand normal aging when dealing with Alzheimer's or other age-related conditions. ...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Almonds demonstrate prebiotic potential

Almonds are known for their high vitamin E and mineral content and cholesterol-reducing and diabetes-combating potential but new research indicates they have a prebiotic effect.

...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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