REM Sleep Disorder Could Be Early Warning Of Parkinson’s, Dementia That Develops Decades Later

American neurologists and sleep experts suggest in a recent study that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder could be an early sign of Parkinson's disease or dementia that develops up to 50 years later. You can read how neurologist and sleep specialist Dr Bradley F...

Child Abuse Education, Elderly Care, Nursing Students To Benefit From Grants

Texas-based Scott & White Healthcare has received three grants that provide education support to working nursing students, set up a senior health research center, and establish systems for treating child abuse and educating those who treat it. The three grants, totaling nearly $2 million, include: Nursing education...

Anti-Fraud Efforts Backed By AARP; Seniors Cautioned About Rebate Cons

AARP on Tuesday "threw its influence" behind a number of plans to reduce Medicare fraud, including the bipartisan Medicare Fraud Enforcement and Prevention Act, which would increase penalties on nabbed fraudsters and supply more claims data to enforcers, The Hill reports...

Senate Subcommittee Approves HHS Funding Bill, Other Health Care Bills Readied

CongressDaily: The Senate Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee approved a draft funding bill Tuesday for HHS, "moving a bill that would provide $170 billion in discretionary spending to related federal agencies, nearly $1 billion under the president's request...

States Continue Push For Extension Of Extra Medicaid Funds

News outlets report on state budget gaps and lobbying for extra Medicaid funds from the federal government. Bloomberg: "U.S. state governments project revenue will climb in the current fiscal year after they raised taxes and cut spending to close budget gaps of $84 billion, a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures found...

Mouse Model Shows Aging And Longevity Tied To Specific Brain Region

Researchers watched two groups of mice, both nearing the end of a two-day fast. One group was quietly huddled together, but the other group was active and alert. The difference? The second set of mice had been engineered so their brains produced more SIRT1, a protein known to play a role in aging and longevity...

Study: Weight Issues Move Up Need For Walkers, Canes, Other Devices

Obese older adults are more likely to use walkers, canes and other mobility devices at a younger age, and may run the risk of using them incorrectly, according to new research from Purdue University. "Baby Boomers are coming of age and obesity is an epidemic for this population as well," said Karis Pressler, a doctoral student in sociology and gerontology and the project's lead author...

Global Breakthrough In Treatment Of Dementia ‘Within Reach’ - Clinical Trial In Scotland Recruiting

A Glasgow-based medical research company is leading a worldwide sleep study which could radically reduce the symptoms associated with dementia. The groundbreaking trial, conducted by CPS Research, is the first of its kind to investigate the use of sleep hormone melatonin as an add on treatment for dementia. The study is already showing remarkable initial results in volunteers from Scotland...

Dementia and Death Risk Rises When Elderly Patients Experience Delirium

Review and analysis of previous research has associated an increased risk of death, dementia, and institutionalisation to delirium in elderly patients .

UK In Bottom Third Of Countries For Dementia Drug Usage

The UK ranks 11th out of 14 countries for dementia drug use rates according to a report published by the Department of Health. The paper 'Extent and causes of international variations in drug usage' by Professor Sir Mike Richards looked at the rates of drug usage per capita for a range of diseases and drug categories in 14 countries across the world. The UK's overall ranking was eighth...

Abbott’s Enhanced ARCHITECTPLUS Systems Helps Labs Manage Surging Testing Demand Due To Aging Population

As hospital and clinical laboratories endure increasingly intense pressures to do more with less, they now face another challenge - rising demand for medical tests driven by an aging U.S. population that is expected to swell to more than 70 million in the next 20 years, an increase of more than 80 percent from today...

Alzheimer’s Foundation Of America And Second Wind Dreams Forge Strategic Partnership

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), New York, NY, and Second Wind Dreams (SWD), Marietta, GA, announced that they have forged a strategic partnership that will utilize their combined expertise, program strengths and local membership bases to further raise the bar on care for the increasing number of individuals nationwide with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias...

1,500 Canadian Women To Take Part In 5-Year Breast Cancer Survivorship Study

Over the next five years, a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of researchers led by Dr. Kerry Courneya of the University of Alberta and Dr. Christine Friedenreich of Alberta Health Services will conduct a series of five large research projects to probe the impacts of physical activity on breast cancer thanks to a $2...

Seniors Demand World Class Care, Financial Security, Equality In Work And An End To Ageism, Australia

Older Australians are demanding commitments to world class care, financial security, support for mature age workers and an end to ageism from both sides of politics in the lead up to the federal election...

Seniors Understand Very Little About The Health Overhaul Law, Poll Finds

The Hill: "The majority of the nation's seniors have little understanding of what the Democrats' newly enacted healthcare law actually does, according to poll results released Monday...

Adherence To Recommended Exercise Improves Physical Function, Reduces Pain For OA Patients

Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip who adhere to the recommended home physical therapy exercises and physically active lifestyle experience more improvement in pain, physical function, and self-perceived effect according to a study from researchers in The Netherlands...

Low Social Interaction Harms Lifespan on a Par with Obesity, Smoking, Inactivity

A new study from the US suggests that social interaction should be considered an important factor for extending lifespan, on a par with other health and lifestyle factors, to the extent that low social interaction harms longevity as much as alcoholism and smoking, has more impact than lack of exercise, and is twice as harmful as obesity...

Link Between Obesity Rise And Disability Increase Among Elderly In Latin America And The Caribbean

Thanks to rising obesity rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, elderly people there are becoming more likely to suffer from disabilities, according to a paper recently published by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers in the American Journal of Epidemiology...

Advanced Imaging And Blood Screening Techniques To Detect Alzheimer’s Early

Australian scientists have developed advanced imaging and blood screening techniques that will contribute to early detection of Alzheimer's. DIVResearchers

Today’s OpEds: Health Reform And Long-Term Care; Health Care Incentives; Reasons For Optimism Or Repeal And Replace?

Reform Eases Long-Term Health Care Woes The San Francisco Chronicle Our system of long-term care does not provide adequate or coordinated human services and medical treatment for our growing aging population. ... Thanks to a provision of the new health care law known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program, tomorrow's continuum of care does not have to be so unforgiving...

Today’s OpEds: Health Reform And Long-Term Care; Health Care Incentives; Reasons For Optimism Or Repeal And Replace?

Reform Eases Long-Term Health Care Woes The San Francisco Chronicle Our system of long-term care does not provide adequate or coordinated human services and medical treatment for our growing aging population. ... Thanks to a provision of the new health care law known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program, tomorrow's continuum of care does not have to be so unforgiving...

Health Care Industry And Professionals Respond To Seniors’ Growing Health Needs

USA Today: "The explosive growth of the USA's older population is fueling a grass-roots 'village' movement in neighborhoods across the country to help people age in their own homes. More than 50 villages in a neighbor-helping-neighbor system have sprouted in the past decade from California and Colorado to Nebraska and Massachusetts...

Health Care Industry And Professionals Respond To Seniors’ Growing Health Needs

USA Today: "The explosive growth of the USA's older population is fueling a grass-roots 'village' movement in neighborhoods across the country to help people age in their own homes. More than 50 villages in a neighbor-helping-neighbor system have sprouted in the past decade from California and Colorado to Nebraska and Massachusetts...

Study Compares How Well Parents And Adult Children Get Along In Six Developed Nations, Finds More Conflict In US

Tolstoy wrote that every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, and a new study in the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family finds significant national differences in the degree of conflict between older parents and their adult children...

Elder Care Puts Strain On Adult Parent-Child Relationship

Relationships between elder and younger members of a family can be strained and positive and negative in nature, even when affection is shared. A new study from the Journal of Marriage and Family finds that long-term caretaking duties puts further strain on adult parent-child relationships...

Eisai Inc. And Pfizer Inc Announce U.S. FDA Approval For New Higher-Dose Aricept(R) 23 Mg Tablet For The Treatment Of Moderate-To-Severe AD

Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc [NYSE: PFE] announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new once-daily, higher-dose Aricept (donepezil HCl) 23 mg tablet for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aricept 23 mg tablet offers another dosing option for patients with moderate-to-severe AD, for whom few treatments are available...

Cells That Retain Their Waste Disposal Proteins Appear To Live Longer

US researchers studying yeast cells found that ageing cells able to retain a group of proteins that ferry compounds across cellular membranes and get rid of toxic waste have a longer lifespan in that they can produce more copies of themselves compared with cells that lose their waste disposal proteins; they also hope their finding may help us better understand stem cells and cancer cells...

More Education, Less Dementia Risk

A team of researchers from the UK and Finland has discovered why people who stay in education longer have a lower risk of developing dementia - a question that has puzzled scientists for the past decade...

Looking for Something to Do? How About Volunteering?

I'm a big believer in volunteering. In fact, my volunteer efforts led me to go back to school and change careers. You just never know where your inspiration will come from.

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Lifestyle Conditions Decline, But Dementia Deaths Increase In Australia

Lifestyle conditions like heart disease, cancer and stroke are on the decline in Australia, but dementia deaths are going up. "Lifestyle conditions are

Good News, Light And Moderate Physical Activity Reduces The Risk Of Early Death

A new study by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Cambridge University and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has found that even light or moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, can substantially reduced the risk of early death...

Hughston Clinic Orthopaedic Surgeon Wins Two National Awards

Hughston Clinic orthopaedic surgeon, Champ L. Baker Jr., M.D., FACS, received two prestigious national awards last weekend at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). Dr. Baker was honored with the Robert E. Leach, M.D,, "Mr. Sports Medicine" Award for his significant contributions to the world of sports medicine. He was also awarded the George D...

Survey Shows Need For Horse Safety Campaign

A recent UK HealthCare survey found that 60 percent of Kentucky horseback riding respondents did not wear any safety apparel the last time they went riding. "Many riders who have been injured say that they feel that those injuries were preventable," said Fernanda Camargo, DMV, Ph.D., equine extension professor at the University of Kentucky...

Text And Email Alerts Welcomed By Older Patients - British Psychological Society

Text and email alerts could help older patients remember appointments and medication instructions, ultimately reducing NHS costs and potentially improving their own recovery...

Australian Breakthrough In Alzheimer Research

Researchers at the University of Sydney claim they have identified the trigger for the Alzheimer degeneration. The discovery could open up new vistas of treatment.

Decreasing Time Spent Sitting Could Be Life-Saving

A new study from American Cancer Society researchers finds it's not just how much physical activity you get, but how much time you spend sitting that can affect your risk of death. Researchers say time spent sitting was independently associated with total mortality, regardless of physical activity level...

Decreasing Time Spent Sitting Could Be Life-Saving

A new study from American Cancer Society researchers finds it's not just how much physical activity you get, but how much time you spend sitting that can affect your risk of death. Researchers say time spent sitting was independently associated with total mortality, regardless of physical activity level...

New Partnership With Open-Access Journal Molecular Neurodegeneration Announced By American Health Assistance Foundation

The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF)has announced a new partnership with BioMed Central's open access journal, Molecular Neurodegeneration (MN) in which the publication will be the official open access journal of AHAF...

Anti-Ageing Gene Linked To Alzheimer’s

SIRT1, a gene associated with anti-ageing has been linked to the production of an Alzheimer's protein according to a study in Cell. Researchers at MIT found that SIRT1 appears to prevent production of damaging A-beta peptides that make up amyloid plaques which form in the brain of people with Alzheimer's...

More Homeowners Modify Houses To “Age In Place”

The Seattle Times/The Orlando Sentinel: "The new catch phrase among homeowners is 'aging in place.' Instead of selling their homes and moving into retirement villages or assisted-living quarters, a growing number of older Americans are modifying their homes to make them more user-friendly as they age...

Six Key Tips For Caregivers Navigating The System On Behalf Of Their Parents, Grandparents And Others

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 65 million people in the United States serve as informal caregivers, typically for family members, which equates to more than one out of every four people serving as unpaid caregivers. A caregiver is someone who provides assistance to another person who is ill, disabled or needs help with daily activities...

More Than Half Of All ACL Reconstructions Could Be Avoided

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common injuries to the knee, primarily affecting young people who practise sport and often treated with surgical reconstruction. A research group from Lund University has now shown that 60 per cent of these operations could be avoided, without negatively affecting treatment outcomes...

Shortness Of Breath: Old Age Or Asthma?

Mistaken for illnesses like bronchitis and emphysema, exacerbated by medications like aspirin, and overlooked by patients and doctors alike, asthma is a common and highly treatable condition in older adults. And while allergies tend to decrease with age, they also are frequently disregarded as a potential cause of misery for the elderly...

AMR Medics Offers Tips To Prevent Water Sport Accidents

With hot summer weather comes an increase in activity in area waters. Paramedics with American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance service offer the following tips to help boaters, swimmers and divers prevent water sport accidents. Preventing boating accidents The U.S...

WHO And The International Olympic Committee Sign Agreement To Improve Healthy Lifestyles

WHO and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are teaming up to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including physical activity, sports for all, Tobacco Free Olympic Games, and the prevention of childhood obesity...

Cholesterol and Depression Linked in the Elderly

It is well-documented that high cholesterol levels place them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Prior research has shown that particular

Severe State Budget Shortfalls Trigger Medicaid Program Cuts

The New York Times: "As states face severe budget shortfalls, many have cut home-care services for the elderly or the disabled, programs that have been shown to save states money in the long run because they keep people out of nursing homes...

Medicare Drug Benefit Appears To Help More Seniors With Heart Failure

Reuters: "The Medicare drug benefit may be helping more older Americans with heart failure get the medications recommended for controlling the disease, a new study finds...

Senate Panel To Focus On Problems At Continuing Care Retirement Communities With Large Fees

The Wall Street Journal: A Senate Committee will hold hearings Wednesday about "continuing-care retirement communities," which charge large up-front fees to care for seniors for life. "CCRCs offer a range of care - from independent-living apartments to skilled nursing facilities - that allows seniors to 'age in place...

New Links Between Cholesterol And Depression In The Elderly

Most people know that high cholesterol levels place them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Prior research has shown that particular types of strokes contribute to one's risk for depression, and that abnormal blood lipid levels can increase the risk of depression in the elderly...

Researchers Identify Factors That Lead To “Successful Aging”

What, exactly, does "successful aging" mean? For more than a half century, researchers and gerontologists have argued whether successful aging is better defined subjectively (how older adults view their own state of aging) or objectively (physical disease-related disability or mental decline). Answering this question is more than an academic exercise...

Age-Related Cognitive Decline Reversed By Brain Training

Specialized brain training targeted at the regions of a rat's brain that process sound reversed many aspects of normal, age-related cognitive decline and improved the health of the brain cells, according to a new study from researchers at University of California, San Francisco...

Aging Brains In Rats Benefit From Natural Substance NT-020, USF Study Finds

A combination of nutrients called NT-020 promoted adult neural stem cell proliferation in aged rats and boosted their memory performance, reported University of South Florida researchers studying natural therapeutic approaches to promoting the health of neurons in the aging brain...

Company Creates Cottages For Aging, Disabled Relatives; Report Examines Rising Costs For Elderly Health Care

The Washington Post: "On Monday, N2Care, a company formed by a Methodist minister in Salem, Va., showed off its first MedCottage, a 12-by-24-foot prototype filled with biometric technology that would allow a family and health-care providers to monitor the condition of an aging or disabled relative. ...

Levindale Doubles Behavioral Health Care Beds To Meet Community Need

Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, has officially opened its expanded Behavioral Health Unit. Doubling its capacity from 20 to 40 beds, the unit provides comprehensive care for geriatric patients who have both medical and behavioral health challenges that require 24-hour supervision...

Guided Care Improves Physician Satisfaction With Patient/Family Communications And Knowledge Of Patient Conditions

Physicians who provided Guided Care, a primary care enhancement program for patients with multiple chronic conditions, reported higher levels of satisfaction with their patient/family communications and their knowledge of their patients' clinical characteristics, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health...

Government Outlines Details Of How It Plans To Address Social Care Problems, UK

More details about how the government plans to address the problem of providing care and support for an ageing population were unveiled by Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley...

Case Western Reserve Awarded Nearly $500,000 From Susan G. Komen To Study Breast Cancer In Older Women

Cynthia Owusu, MD, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University and geriatric-oncologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, the School's primary affiliate, has received nearly $500,000 from Susan G. Komen For the Cure to fund a novel three-year study aimed at improving outcomes for older women with newly-diagnosed breast cancer...

International Health News: German Hospitals Worry Over End Of Compulsory Military Service; Britain Tops Study On End-Of-Life Care

The Wall Street Journal: German hospitals are worried that the end of compulsory military service could hurt their workforce as most young German men end up fulfilling their duties there and in other public-service venues. "Increasingly ... conscription's main impact has little to do with military training at all...

Responding To Access-To-Care Challenges: Ideas From A Rural Doctor, A Washington, D.C. Hospital

Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press reports on the struggles rural physicians face in providing care by focusing on Dr. Lloyd "Pat" McGinnis, a family medicine and geriatrics specialist who was "one of only five doctors in Spencer County, a rural area of Southwestern Indiana. ...

Loss Of Function Of The Aging Brain May Be The Result Of ‘Runaway’ Development

The brain undergoes rapid growth and development in the early years of life and then degenerates as we progress into old age, yet little is known about the biological processes that distinguish brain development and aging...

After Undergoing Tissue Transplant Surgery For Knee Damage Athletes Can Return To Sports

Athletes with bone and cartilage knee damage who are treated with transplanted tissue can return to sports after surgery, according to a study reported at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, held in Providence, R.I. The study (abstract 8970) overturns the widely held belief that patients who undergo this surgery do not return to athletics...

Prana’s Research Was Presented At International Conference On Alzheimer’s Disease On July 14

Prana Biotechnology Limited (NASDAQ: PRAN) (ASX: PBT), Head of Research, Assoc. Prof. Robert Cherny, presented new data on PBT2, the Company's lead compound in development for Alzheimer's Disease on July 14th at the prestigious International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in Honolulu...

Neuronetrix Showcases New Cognitive Testing Device At The Alzheimer’s Association Annual Meeting

This week at ICAD 2010, Neuronetrix for the first time publicly demonstrated their COGNISION™ System, an innovative platform which enables objective assessment of cognitive function. The demonstration focused on the COGNISION™ System's ability, using a non-invasive technology called event-related potentials (ERP), to accurately measure the cognitive performance of a patient's brain...

Kapahi To Receive GSA’s 2010 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging - has chosen Pankaj Kapahi, PhD, of the Buck Institute for Age Research as the 2010 recipient of the Nathan Shock New Investigator Award. The distinguished honor is given for outstanding contributions to new knowledge about aging through basic biological research...

Elite USA Athletes To Join More Than 5,000 Participants At Life Time Fitness Torchlight 5K

Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: LTM) today announced that eight elite USA athletes, including two national champions, will join a field of more than 5,000 participants for the 2010 Life Time Fitness Torchlight 5K in Downtown Minneapolis on July 21...

Independent Living Systems Partners With The National Council On Aging, Expands Benefits Screening Service To Thousands Of Seniors

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) today announced the addition of Independent Living Systems (ILS) as the newest partner to sponsor a Private Label version of BenefitsCheckUp, NCOA's online screening service for senior benefits...

Predicting Athletes At High-Risk For ACL Injury: Simple, Accurate In-Office Tool

Previously, determining athletes at high-risk for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries required expensive and complex laboratory-based motion analysis systems, such as those used in creating video games...

Study Says More Research Needed To Verify Effectiveness Of ACL And Knee Injury Prevention Programs

The jury is still out on the effectiveness of prevention programs for knee injuries in young athletes, according to a study presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. Better designed research studies are needed before it can be determined that ACL and knee injuries can be prevented with specialized training programs, the study noted...

Early ACL Surgery In Kids Would Save $30 Million & Prevent Thousands Of Secondary Injuries

Nearly $30 million a year would be saved in hospital charges if early rather than delayed ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction surgery was performed on pediatric patients, according to a study presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island...

Major League Pitchers 34 Percent More Likely To Be Injured Than Fielders According To New Study

Watch out if you are a Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher prior to the All-Star break. Pitchers are 34 percent more likely to be injured than fielders, according to a study presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting. The study looked into the epidemiology of MLB players' injuries from 2002 - 2008...

Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource Special Report On Deciphering Dementia: Many Disorders Can Cause Loss Of Brain Function

Occasional misplaced keys or forgotten names don't mark the beginning of dementia. All dementia isn't Alzheimer's disease. Some dementia symptoms can be reversed. Those facts and many more are covered in Deciphering Dementia, a supplemental Special Report to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource...

Brain Fitness Exercises Help Older Drivers Cut Accident Risk In Half - But Do They Believe It’s True?

Although there is a clinically proven brain fitness training tool that helps older adults reduce their likelihood of being in a car accident, according to a survey from The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), 74 percent of drivers are unaware of those benefits...

Four New Research Studies Describe Experimental Immunotherapies For Alzheimer’s

The primary therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease has been the beta amyloid peptide, which clusters outside cells in the brain to form sticky clumps known as plaques. Recently, more attention has been given to the tau protein, which aggregates inside the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's, forming neurofibrillary tangles...

Pillemer Wins Gerontological Society Of America’s 2010 M. Powell Lawton Award

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging - has chosen Karl Pillemer, PhD, of Cornell University as the 2010 recipient of the M. Powell Lawton Award...

SpectraSan 24™ Recently Attended National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Annual Trade Show

The week of June 21, the SpectraSan 24™ team attended the National Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Exposition held in Philadelphia, PA. This event is the premier event for athletic trainers worldwide...

Physicists Find Clues To The Origin And Evolution Of Wrinkles

As a sign of aging or in a suit, wrinkles are almost never welcome, but two papers in the current issue of Physical Review Letters offer some perspective on what determines their size and shape in soft materials. Jiangshui Huang and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst explore how wrinkles in a sheet adapt to an edge that prefers to be flat...

Heat Wave Mortality Differs Between Countries

Heat waves may cause increased mortality but, until now, there has been no single scientific definition for the occasional bursts of hot weather that can strike during the summer months...

Why A Low Calorie Diet Can Extend Lifespan — Even If Adopted Later In Life

New research being presented this week is giving scientists new insight into why a restricted diet can lead to a longer lifespan and reduced incidence of age-related diseases for a wide variety of animals...

AHRQ News And Numbers: Use Of Physical Restraint In Nursing Homes Cut By Half In 8 Years

The number of residents at nursing homes who were kept physically restrained dropped by more than half from 1999 to 2007, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. According to the federal agency, the percentage of nursing home residents who were kept physically restrained declined from 11 percent in 1999 to 5 percent in 2007...

Rescuing Fruit Flies From Alzheimer’s Disease

Investigators have found that fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) males -- in which the activity of an Alzheimer's disease protein is reduced by 50 percent -- show impairments in learning and memory as they age. What's more, the researchers were able to prevent the age-related deficits by treating the flies with drugs such as lithium, or by genetic manipulations that reduced nerve-cell signaling...

New Research Presented At Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, together with its collaborator on the Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program, Pfizer, presented new research this week at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (ICAD 2010) from two podium and four poster presentations...

Can A Minimal Psychological Intervention Help Chronically Ill Elderly Patients?

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led minimal psychological intervention (MPI) in chronically ill elderly persons with minor depression or mild-to-moderate major depression, and type II diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...

Researchers Find Dementia In Diabetics Differs From Dementia In Nondiabetics

Researchers from Mayo Clinic's Florida campus say that dementia in some diabetics appears to be caused often by vascular disease in the brain, and the dementia that develops in people without diabetes is more likely associated with deposition of the plaque seen in people with Alzheimer's disease...

Arthroscopic Treatment Of Common Hip Problem Allows Athletes To Return To Play

Athletes who undergo arthroscopic surgery for a mechanical disorder of the hip have a good chance of being able to return to their sport at a high level of competition, according to a study that will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, held July 15-18 in Providence, R.I...

SANUWAVE Health Announces European Launch Of OrthoPACE™ Regenerative Medicine Device For Orthopedic Indications

SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCBB: SNWV), an emerging medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of non-invasive, biological response activating devices in the regenerative medicine area, reports the European launch of the orthoPACE™ device intended for use in orthopedic, trauma and sports medicine indications following CE mark approval last month...

Major Alzheimer’s Risk Gene Causes Alterations In Shapes Of Brain Protein Deposits

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have used a newly discovered class of biomarkers to investigate the possibility that the shape of brain protein deposits is different in people with Alzheimer's who have the highest-risk gene type than in those with the condition who have a neutral risk gene type...

‘Quality of Death’ Needs Attention in Asia: Report

Asian countries, a study states, need to pay more attention to providing care for the dying, in view of the fact that living standards have improved a lot in the region.

Can Salsa Solve ‘Activity Gap’ In Elderly Latinos?

Can elderly Latinos who have limited mobility and face elevated risks of disability dance their way to better health? A University of Illinois at Chicago researcher wants to find out. David Xavier Marquez, assistant professor of kinesiology and nutrition, recruited 13 Latinos, all 55 or older and who have done little or no exercise the past year, into a 12-week dance class...

Scientists Urge Global Investment And Action Plan To Avert Impending Aging Crisis

Now that scientists have learned so much about aging through laboratory studies, it's time to translate those findings into medicines that can benefit our aging population. That was the message delivered by a panel of 10 preeminent aging experts that included Jan Vijg, Ph.D...

Alzheimer’s Gene Linked To Cognitive Impairment In Mid-Life

TOMM40, a gene previously linked to Alzheimer's Disease, has an important effect on learning and memory in middle-aged people according to research presented at the ICAD. Scientists carried out genetic tests and analysed the memory and learning of 726 middle-aged people without Alzheimer's disease...

Early Diagnosis For People With Dementia Can Reduce Costs

An early diagnosis of dementia followed by information and support reduces outpatient costs by almost 30 percent, claims new research presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. The project was led by the Geriatric Research Education and Clinic Centre at the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center...

Novel Chemical Could Detect Changes In Amyloid In Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists have developed a new approach to detecting amyloid, a protein in the brain of people with Alzheimer's disease. The research was presented at ICAD. In the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, amyloid forms into small clusters. Researchers believe there are a number of forms of the protein with different shapes or arrangements...

Visual Memory Improvement In Older Adults Following Brain Fitness Program

A commercial brain fitness program has been shown to improve memory in older adults, at least in the period soon after training. The findings are the first to show that practicing simple visual tasks can improve the accuracy of short-term, or "working" visual memory...

Researchers Find Dementia In Diabetics Differs From Dementia In Nondiabetics

Researchers from Mayo Clinic's Florida campus say that dementia in some diabetics appears to be caused often by vascular disease in the brain, and the dementia that develops in people without diabetes is more likely associated with deposition of the plaque seen in people with Alzheimer's disease...

New Research Advances From The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference On Alzheimer’s Disease 2010

This week, nearly 4,000 scientists from around the world gathered to report and discuss the latest advances in research on treatments, risk factors, and diagnosis for the health epidemic of the 21st century Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer's Association's 2010 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu...

Early Detection, Diagnosis & Care Management For People With Dementia May Reduce Healthcare Costs

Early detection, diagnosis and care management for people newly diagnosed with cognitive impairment and dementia reduces outpatient costs by almost 30 percent, according to new research reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu...

Updated Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Criteria To Include Earlier Stages And Biomarkers

Following recommendations by expert groups in the US, criteria for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, which have not changed in the last 25 years, will be updated to reflect scientific advances; the new guidelines will cover earlier stages and biomarkers of the disease...

New $26 Million Study Of Alzheimer’s Disease And Cognitive Decline

The University of Mississippi Medical Center and four collaborating academic medical centers have received $26 million from the National Institutes of Health to identify risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related forms of cognitive decline, said Dr. Thomas Mosley, UMMC professor of geriatric medicine and one of the new study's lead investigators...

Long Term Cognitive Impairment Of Aging Brain Caused By Medications

Drugs commonly taken for a variety of common medical conditions including insomnia, allergies, or incontinence negatively affect the brain causing long term cognitive impairment in older African-Americans, according to a study appearing in the July 13, 2010 print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology...

Therapy To Target Amyloid Also Reduces Tau In Alzheimer’s Disease

A potential new treatment for Alzheimer's may target not one but two hallmarks associated with the disease, claims new research presented at the International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD). Scientists have claimed a treatment called bapineuzumab reduces the amount of tau and amyloid - two important proteins in Alzheimer's - in people with the disease...

Stanford Nephrologist Says Regional Variations In Kidney Care Raise Questions About Spending

The type and intensity of treatment older Americans receive for kidney failure depends on the region where they receive care rather than on evidence-based practice guidelines and patient preferences, according to a study to be published in the July 14 Journal of the American Medical Association...

Alzheimer’s Disease May Increase Risk Of Anemia And Seizures

Having Alzheimer's disease may increase the risk of getting other potentially disabling health conditions, including seizures and anemia, according to new research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu, HI...

For Terminal Dementia Patients With Pneumonia, Antibiotics Improve Survival and Not Comfort

A new study by scientists at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife says the use of antibiotics to treat pneumonia in patients with terminal

Older Patients Are Less Likely To Receive Home Treatment As New Study Reveals Significant Quality Of Life Benefits, UK

Older patients who need kidney dialysis are less likely to receive home treatment that could substantially improve their quality of life compared with hospital dialysis, according to the findings of a UK study1...

Tart Cherry Juice May Be A Natural Solution For Insomnia

Drinking tart cherry juice daily could help reduce the severity of insomnia and time spent awake after going to sleep, according to a new study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food1. A team of University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester and VA Center of Canandaigua researchers conducted a pilot study on the sleep habits of 15 older adults...

Low Testosterone Levels Could Make Elders Frail

Even after sex life runs out, testosterones could be important for men. A new study indicates a link between low levels of testosterone and frailty. Published

RCOG Release: Information For Women On Post-Operative Recovery Launched

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) launches its series of patient information leaflets aimed specifically at women recovering from gynaecological surgery, to help them plan for a return to fitness, including work...

New Research Links Obesity Gene To Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia - Alzheimer’s Society Comment

A gene known to be linked to obesity may also be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden presented their findings at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD). The study involved 1,003 people over 75 without dementia...

Alzheimer’s Society’s Response To Government White Paper, UK

The Government has announced new measures to give doctors and patients more control of NHS services. The White Paper announcement to give GPs more powers could be effective if there is a high level of accountability, says the Alzheimer's Society...

How to be Mentally Healthy in Old Age

Hard exercise and a good, hot cup of coffee or tea keep the brain alert in the elderly, reveals research. In two separate studies, US scientists found

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Display A Diversity Of Grieving

New research from the University of Michigan reveals racial and ethnic differences in the emotional attitudes of caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients...

Seniors Face Unexpected Medical Bills Amid Disputes Between Hospitals And Medicare Auditors

Bloomberg Businessweek: "Elderly patients caught between U.S. hospitals and Medicare auditors pushing to cut costs are increasingly facing tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills. ...

Study Finds Antibiotics Improve Survival But Not Comfort For Terminal Dementia Patients With Pneumonia

A new study by scientists at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife says the use of antibiotics to treat pneumonia in patients with terminal dementia presents a "doubled-edged" sword for health-care providers and family members, finding that antibiotics may prolong survival for these patients, but do not improve their comfort...

Alzheimer’s Association Launches TrialMatch(TM) -First-Of-Its-Kind Clinical Trial Matching Service In Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer's Association announced the launch of Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch(TM), a confidential and free interactive tool that provides comprehensive clinical trial information and an individualized trial matching service for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The Internet (www.alz...

An Obesity Gene, Known As FTO, Also May Increase Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia

A gene known as FTO, which appears to be correlated with obesity in humans, may also increase risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, according to new research presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu, HI...

Larger Head Size May Protect Against Alzheimer’s Symptoms

New research shows that people with Alzheimer's disease who have large heads have better memory and thinking skills than those with the disease who have smaller heads, even when they have the same amount of brain cell death due to the disease. The research is published in the July 13, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology...

Apathy And Depression Predict Progression From Mild Cognitive Impairment To Dementia

A new Mayo Clinic study found that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual's progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities, to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia...

Being Obese, Weight Gain During And After Middle Age Associated With Increased Risk Of Diabetes Among Older Adults

For individuals 65 years of age and older, obesity, excess body fat around the waist and gaining weight after the age of 50 are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, according to a study in the June 23/30 issue of JAMA. "Incidence of diabetes in the United States has doubled in the past 15 years, and is highest among adults 65 to 79 years of age. Approximately 70 percent of U.S...

Is Your Hospital Overusing Scans?

Patients across the country are being unnecessarily exposed to radiation because of the overuse of scanning technologies, including CT scans, MRIs and X-rays.

This information comes from Hospital Compare, a website from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that tracks data provided by hospitals across the U.S. This data includes how hospitals treat adult patients who have had heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, or are having surgery.

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Four Researchers Given Lifetime Achievement Awards By The Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer's Association recognized four scientists for their extraordinary achievements in advancing Alzheimer research at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu, Hawaii...

News Roundup: NYC Program To Help Poor, Elderly With Insurance Gets Cut; Colo. Promotes Wellness Programs For Small Businesses

The New York Times: "A program that for a decade helped New York City's poor and elderly navigate their way through insurance problems - and that became a model for a similar federal program - has become a casualty of city budget cuts, an administrator of the program said on Thursday. The $4 million program sent ombudsmen to 25 social service agencies across the city. ...

Large-Scale, Long-Term Studies Support Roles Of Physical Activity And Diet In Dementia And Cognitive Decline

Evidence from three long-term, large-scale studies supports the association of physical activity and certain dietary elements (tea, vitamin D) with possibly maintaining cognitive ability and reducing dementia risk in older adults, according to new research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu, HI...

In Sport It’s All In The Center Of Gravity

In the record books, the swiftest sprinters tend to be of West African ancestry and the faster swimmers tend to be white. A study of the winning times by elite athletes over the past 100 years reveals two distinct trends: not only are these athletes getting faster over time, but there is a clear divide between racers in terms of body type and race...

Growing Length Of Hospice Stays In Nursing Homes Linked To Medicare Policy

Researchers at Brown University have found that the length of an average Medicare-certified hospice stay in a nursing home has doubled during the last 10 years. The study, which will appear in the August issue of The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, evaluated hospice use in U.S. nursing homes between 1999 and 2006. It found the typical treatment time has increased from 46 to 93 days...

Discovery That Sirtuin1 May Boost Memory And Learning Ability Could Lead To New Drugs To Fight Alzheimer’s, Other Neurological Diseases

The same molecular mechanism that increases life span through calorie restriction may help boost memory and brainpower, researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory report in the July 11 issue of Nature...

Early Alzheimer’s Identification Method Discovered By New UC Davis Study

Abnormal brain images combined with examination of the composition of the fluid that surrounds the spine may offer the earliest signs identifying healthy older adults at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, well before cognitive problems emerge, a study by researchers at UC Davis has found...

Researcher Developing Novel Therapy For Alzheimer’s Disease

A University of Oklahoma researcher is developing a novel therapy for Alzheimer's disease using "biopharmaceutical proteases" to attack the toxic plaque that builds up in the brain of an Alzheimer's patient - an approach that he predicts will be lower in cost and higher in effectiveness than current therapies. Peter J...

GOP Questions Berwick’s Ties To Industry

The Hill reports that Republicans are charging the Obama administration with evading questions on Dr. Donald Berwick's ties to the health care industry. President Barack Obama used a recess appointment this week to install Berwick as head of the agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid after key Republicans had raised concerns about Berwick's views. "The memo from a staffer for Sen...

Second Round Of Checks To Close Medicare Doughnut Hole Sent Out

The New York Times Prescriptions Blog: "The Obama administration is sending $250 checks to more than 300,000 older Americans who paid higher drug costs in the Medicare coverage gap known as the 'doughnut hole,' officials announced Thursday. The one-time, tax-free checks are the first tangible benefit of the health care package that became law this year...

Potential Alzheimer’s Treatment: A Chemical To Make Brain Cells Grow

Scientists have identified a chemical that makes new neurons grow. The substance works specifically in a part of the brain that is integral to learning and memory...

Fibrocell Science, Inc. Completes Enrollment And First Treatment Visits For Histology Study Of Azficel-T

Fibrocell Science, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: FCSC), a biotechnology company focused on the development of autologous cell therapies for aesthetic, medical and scientific applications, announced the completion of enrollment of and first treatment visits for participants in its histology study (IT-H-001) of azficel-T. An autologous cell therapy, azficel-T is currently under review by the U.S...

Electronic Health Records Prime Clinicians To Provide Progressive Care To Older Adults

In 20 years, approximately 72 million older adults will reside in the United States, almost double the current number, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. Potential issues are compounded by the projected shortage of health care workers needed to provide elder care...

Death Risk Cut in Elderly With Painkillers Like Ibuprofen

A new study's results reveal that common painkillers such as ibuprofen may help reduce death risk among the elderly. The research found that the

Gerontologist Robert Butler Dead At 83

News outlets remember Pulitzer-prize winning gerontologist Dr. Robert N. Butler, who died Sunday at the age of 83. Butler was "a psychiatrist whose painful youthful realization that death is inevitable prompted him to challenge and ultimately reform the treatment of the elderly through research, public policy and a Pulitzer Prize-winning book," The New York Times reports...

Researchers Identify A Drug That Makes Neurons Grow

Scientists have identified a drug that makes new neurons grow and improves their chance of survival according to an article published in the journal Cell. Researchers initially infused 1,000 different chemicals into the brains of mice to see their effects. They then identified eight potential chemicals before focussing their attention on P7C3...

MPs And Peers Must Unite To Prevent Social Care System ‘Breaking At The Seams’, UK

Baroness Sally Greengross called on the government to act with urgency to mend the crumbling social care system after being elected Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia. In her first act as Chairman, the crossbench peer spoke of the need for the government to push on with plans for a commission on social care...

Weight Loss From Higher-Protein Diets Effective But May Lower Bone Density In Postmenopausal Women

Overweight and moderately obese postmenopausal women using diets based on higher protein intake also need to be aware of potential bone loss, according to new research from Purdue University...

New Clue Into Cellular Aging Identified By Biologists

The ability to combat some age-related diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, may rest with scientists unlocking clues about the molecular and cellular processes governing aging. The underlying theory is that if the healthy portion of an individual's life span can be extended, it may delay the onset of certain age-related diseases...

High Vitamin E Levels in Blood Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

High levels of several vitamin E components in the blood are associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in advanced age, according to a Swedish study.

Breaching The Blood/Brain Barrier To Improve Treatment For Neurodegenerative Diseases

The University of South Florida's Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair has been granted a patent for a cell transplantation procedure combining human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) cells and a sugar-alcohol compound called "mannitol" that may make a big difference in treating life-threatening neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multi...

Risk Of Alzheimer’s Reduced By High Blood Levels Of Vitamin E

High levels of several vitamin E components in the blood are associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in advanced age, suggesting that vitamin E may help prevent cognitive deterioration in elderly people. This is the conclusion reached in a Swedish study published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease...

Emotional Flatness Can Be Mistaken For Depression In Alzheimer’s Patients

Watching a loved one struggle with Alzheimer's disease can be a painful process, but for the patient, the experience may be a muted one. Alzheimer's patients can appear withdrawn and apathetic, symptoms often attributed to memory problems or difficulty finding the words to communicate...

Your Genes May Be More Important Than Antioxidants In Slowing The Body’s Aging Process

Don't put down the red wine and vitamins just yet, but if you're taking antioxidants because you hope to live longer, consider this: a new study published in the June 2010 issue of the journal Genetics casts doubt on the theory that oxidative stress to our tissues shortens lifespan...

Can Aspirin Prolong A Healthy Life?

In an effort to extend the length of a disability-free life for older adults, researchers from Rush University Medical Center are partnering with colleagues from across the U.S. and Australia in the largest international trial ever sponsored by the National Institute on Aging...

QR Pharma To Present Positive Results Of Posiphen(R) In A Clinical Mechanism Of Action Study At The International Congress On Alzheimer’s Disease 2010

QR Pharma, Inc., a developer of novel drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), announced today that it has been accepted to present a poster on clinical data from its recent mechanism of action study in mild cognitive impaired (MCI) patients at the International Congress on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD 2010)...

Sun Pharma Announces Launch Of Generic Exelon(R) In US

Sun Pharma announced launch of generic Exelon®, rivastigmine tartrate capsules for the US market. Earlier, USFDA had granted final approval for the Company's ANDA to market these products. These generic rivastigmine capsules are therapeutically equivalent of Novartis Exelon® Capsules and include four strengths: 1.5 mg (base), 3 mg (base), 4.5 mg (base) and 6 mg (base)...

Please Don’t Squeeze The Handles: Newly Patented Electronic Braking System Prevents Slips On Walkers

Rolling walkers - which help senior citizens maintain mobility and an active lifestyle - have just become safer and easier to use. Cornell University biomedical engineering students working with Weill Cornell Medical College affiliated psychiatrist Dr...

Potential Applications For Gait Analysis Technology

People recovering from injuries, the elderly and even athletes could one day benefit from a gait analysis technology being developed by a team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The patented system uses electrical signature analysis to measure, interpret and record the current drawn by a treadmill as a patient walks...

Alzheimer’s Society Comment On Study Claiming Vitamin E Could Reduce Risk Of Developing Dementia

High levels of vitamin E in the blood could be linked with a decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease in older age a new study has suggested. The research published in the Journal of Alzheimer's disease claims people with high levels of several Vitamin E compounds have a 45-54 per cent lower risk of developing dementia...

Levels Of The Protein Clusterin In The Blood Could Be Linked To Development And Severity Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's Society comment on new findings that higher concentrations of the protein clusterin in the blood could be associated with the development, severity and progression of Alzheimer's disease. New research published in Archives of Psychiatry identified the protein in a small study of 95 people...

USPSTF To Update Osteoporosis Guidelines With Recos For Screening Men And Women At Low Risk For Fracture

In 2002, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended bone density screening for women 65 years or older and women aged 60 to 64 at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures. At the time, the Task Force made no recommendations for or against screening men or women in other patient populations...

New Study Shows Impact Of Program Allowing Patients To Document Wishes For End-of-Life Treatment

A new study has found that nursing home patients participating in a program enabling them to record their wishes for end-of-life treatment are far less likely to receive unwanted hospitalization and medical interventions than are other patients...

Depression May Be A Risk Factor And Not An Early Sign Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Depression is commonly reported in people with Alzheimer's disease and its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, with several studies suggesting having a history of major depression may nearly double your risk of developing dementia later in life. However, it has been unclear if depression is a symptom of the disease or a potential cause of the disease...

Study Finds Much Internet-Based Sports Medicine Information Is Incorrect Or Incomplete

The quality of online information about the most common sports medicine diagnoses varies widely, according to a study published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). Therefore, patients who use the Internet to help make medical decisions need to know that the web may not be giving the whole picture...

Spanish Health Survey Finds Women Live Longer But In Worse Condition

Although women have a longer life expectancy, they experience a much greater prevalence of disability in old age than men do. This is the main conclusion of the study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Women's Health. "We focused on a socioeconomic position factor such as educational level and health factors such as limitations to daily activity...

Seniors And People With Disabilities Will Pay Steep Price For Medicare’s “Competitive” Bidding Program For Home Medical Equipment

Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on home medical equipment and services will pay a steep price under Medicare's controversial and mislabeled "competitive" bidding program for durable medical equipment. The U.S...

Researchers Explore Novel Protein As Potential Target In Alzheimer’s Treatment

A South Dakota State University researcher and his colleagues elsewhere have discovered a previously unreported mitochondrial protein that interacts with a protein known to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. The discovery adds to what is known about the memory-inhibiting disease as researchers continue to search for ways to treat it...

Childhood Malnutrition Could Weaken Brain Function In Elderly

Malnutrition early in life appears to diminish brain function in older adulthood, according to a study led by a Michigan State University researcher that has implications for many poor, developing nations...

The Potential Of Nutrition To Save Sight

While 20/20 vision is a symbol of visual acuity, between now and the year 2020, more and more people will experience some extent of vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other sight-robbing diseases...

Brain Stem Cells Need Their Rest, Too

Stem cells in the brain remain dormant until called upon to divide and make more neurons. However, little has been known about the molecular guards that keep them quiet...

Eisai Announces Results Of Phase III Study Of Dacogen(R) (Decitabine) For Injection In Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Eisai Inc. announced preliminary results from a randomized Phase III clinical trial of Dacogen® (decitabine) for Injection versus either a low-dose chemotherapy agent or supportive care in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a life-threatening cancer of the blood that generally occurs in older adults. The primary endpoint of this study was overall survival...

Vitamin D Deficiency Tied to Metabolic Syndrome in Seniors

A new study has linked lack of vitamin D to metabolic syndrome in elderly people. "Because the metabolic syndrome increases the risk of diabetes and

AMA Puts The Case To Productivity Commission For Better Access To Medical Services In Aged Care, Australia

An AMA delegation of geriatricians, psychiatrists, general practitioners, and rehabilitation and palliative care specialists will today make a presentation to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Caring for Older Australians in Canberra...

Genes Predict Exceptional Longevity

US scientists studying the genes of a large group of centenarians found 150 unique DNA sequences predicted exceptional longevity with 77 per cent accuracy, and showed that 19 clusters of the sequences or "genetic signatures" had strong links with different age-related diseases: but perhaps most remarkably they found that these genetic signatures predicted longevity mo...

Higher Testosterone May Raise Risk Of Heart Disease In Elderly Men

A large U.S. multicenter study shows that older men with higher testosterone levels are more likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease in the future. The results were presented at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego...

New PBT2 Data In 2010 Hot Topics Session At International Conference On Alzheimer’s Disease

Prana Biotechnology Limited (NASDAQ: PRAN) (ASX: PBT) announced that its Head of Research, Assoc. Prof. Robert Cherny, will present new data on PBT2, the Company's lead compound in development for Alzheimer's disease, at the Hot Topics Therapeutics/Intervention session on July 14th at the International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in Honolulu...

Low Vitamin D Linked To The Metabolic Syndrome In Elderly People

A new study adds to the mounting evidence that older adults commonly have low vitamin D levels and that vitamin D inadequacy may be a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects one in four adults. The results were presented at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego...

New Strategy Developed By UM School Of Medicine That May Improve Cognition

For the first time, scientists have linked a brain compound called kynurenic acid to cognition, possibly opening doors for new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases, according to a new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine...

Tests Could Help Predict Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Alzheimer's Society comment on research suggesting specific brain scans and memory tests could indicate whether people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will go on to develop Alzheimer's disease...

Physical Activity In Teens Reduces Risk Of Cognitive Impairment In Later Life

Women who are physically active at any point over the life course (teenage, age 30, age 50, late life) have lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage physical activity appears to be most important. This is the key finding of a study of over nine thousand women published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society...

Lawmakers Urge Swifter Launch Of Home Health Care Demo

Democratic lawmakers are pushing the Obama administration to launch a Medicare home health demonstration project as soon as possible. "The so-called Independence at Home (IAH) program, included as part of the Democrats' new health reform law, is scheduled to take effect no later than Jan. 1, 2012, but Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass...

Health Reform’s Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Accepting Applications; Other Overhaul Initiatives Get Attention

The Hill: HHS announced Tuesday that it "has begun accepting applications for the early retiree reinsurance program created by the new health law. The law sets aside $5 billion that businesses, unions and state and local governments can use to cover the healthcare costs of their retirees - and their spouses and dependents -who are older than 55 but don't yet qualify for Medicare...

New Study Identifies Best Tests For Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease

New research has identified the memory and brain scan tests that appear to predict best whether a person with cognitive problems might develop Alzheimer's disease. The research is published in the June 30, 2010, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology...

Exercise Is Good For Cancer Patients And Survivors Say Experts

A panel of US experts, including specialists in cancer, exercise training, fitness and obesity are urging cancer patients and survivors to avoid inactivity, even while undergoing treatment, as more and more research shows that continuing to exercise has a significant impact on their physical functioning and quality of life...

When Parents Live Longer, Children Could Escape Dementia

When parents live longer, children could escape dementia and the Alzheimer's disease, it has been found. Carol A. Derby, Department of Neurology, Albert

Testosterone Gel Increases Risk Of Heart Attacks And High Blood Pressure In Older Men - Treatment Phase Of Clinical Trial Stopped

According to a trial in older men using testosterone gel treatment, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, using testosterone gel results in a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and high blood pressure (hypertension) compared to a placebo. The trial was stopped because of these adverse events...

Study Shows Age Doesn’t Necessarily Affect Decisions

Many people believe that getting older means losing a mental edge, leading to poor decision-making. But a new study from North Carolina State University shows that when it comes to making intuitive decisions - using your "gut instincts" - older adults fare as well as their juniors...

Geriatric Population Soars While NIH Devotes Modest Resources To Aging Research

The New York Times: "With a nudge from the new health care law and pressure from Medicare, hospitals, doctors and nurses are struggling to prepare for explosive growth in the numbers of high-risk elderly patients. More than 40 percent of adult patients in acute care hospital beds are 65 or older. Seventy million Americans will have turned 65 by 2030...

High Doses Of Caffeine Directly Increase Muscle Power And Endurance During Relatively Low-Intensity Activity

New research shows increased muscle performance in sub-maximal activities, which in humans can range from everyday activities to running a marathon. With no current regulations in place, the scientists from Coventry University believe their findings may have implications for the use of caffeine in sport to improve performance...

Ovarian Transplantation Restores Fertility To Old Mice And Also Lengthens Their Lives

Scientists have discovered that when they transplant ovaries from young mice into aging female mice, not only does the procedure make the mice fertile again, but also it rejuvenates their behaviour and increases their lifespan...

Tai Chi And Qigong Show Significant Health Benefits

An across-the-board review of the health effects of Qigong and Tai Chi finds these practices offer many physical and mental health advantages with benefits for the heart, immune system and overall quality of life...

WHO Launches Global Network Of Age-friendly Cities

WHO launches the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities as part of a broader response to the rapid ageing of populations. Populations in almost every corner of the world are growing older. The greatest changes are occurring in less-developed countries. By 2050, it is estimated that 80% of the expected 2 billion people aged 60 years or over will live in low or middle income countries...

Tray Bleaching To Improve The Oral Health Of The Elderly, Special-Needs Patients

A tooth-bleaching agent may improve the oral health of elderly and special-needs patients, say dentists at the Medical College of Georgia and Western University of Health Sciences. Standard oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, can be difficult or impossible for patients with mental challenges or impaired manual dexterity...

First Accurate Peak Heart Rate For Women Offered By New Formula

Women who measure their peak heart rates for exercise will need to do some new math as will physicians giving stress tests to patients. A new formula based on a large study from Northwestern Medicine provides a more accurate estimate of the peak heart rate a healthy woman should attain during exercise. It also will more accurately predict the risk of heart-related death during a stress test...

Minister Brady Launches Open Week ‘Keeping Active And Enjoying Life’ Organised By The National Rehabilitation Hospital, Ireland

Aine Brady, T.D., Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, yesterday officially launched an Open Week entitled 'Keeping Active and Enjoying Life' organised by the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in partnership with Ability Matters in Waterford...

Inner Workings Of The Brain Probed By Virus ‘Explorers’

Imagine an exceedingly complex circuit board. Wires often split -- seemingly at random -- and connect in strange and unexpected ways. This is how Princeton University researchers developing a new method for studying brain connectivity see the brain...

New Study Uncovers Key To How We Learn And Remember

New research led by the University of Leicester and published in a prestigious international scientific journal has revealed for the first time the mechanism by which memories are formed. The study in the Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology found one of the key proteins involved in the process of memory and learning...

Teaching Hospital Offers Good End-of-life Care

Teaching hospital offers high quality end-of-life care to patients, but there is a need to improve support and comfort for patients who are critically ill.

People Are Spending More Of Their Final Days In Hospitals; Milwaukee Hospital Reports Success With Treatment Guidelines

The Associated Press: "Americans increasingly are treated to death, spending more time in hospitals in their final days, trying last-ditch treatments that often buy only weeks of time, and racking up bills that have made medical care a leading cause of bankruptcies...

Failed ACL Repairs: More Common Than You May Think

Nick Van Erp, active in soccer since elementary school and lacrosse since junior high, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a spring lacrosse game his freshman year of high school. His injury, caused by stepping into a pothole and hyper-extending his knee, required surgical repair, ending his season prematurely and the remainder of his high school sports career...

Older Adults Watch More TV Than Younger People, Enjoy It Less

We usually scold our children and teenagers for watching too much TV. It turns out that their grandmas and grandpas spend even more of their time watching TV, and it is not good for them either, according to researchers at the Stein Institute for Research on Aging and Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine...

Getting Better With Age: Friendships, Family Relationships

Part of what makes those relationships so golden during the golden years is that people of all ages are more likely to forgive and respect one's elders, according to research from Purdue University...

Memory Problems Not The Only Predictor Of Later Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment is often seen as a transition stage between the cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious problems of Alzheimer's disease...

Alzheimer’s Imaging Study Identifies Changes In Brain’s White Matter

Scientists at the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine have identified changes in the brains of normal individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's disease that could prove important for early detection of the disease...

Fung Wins GSA’s 2010 Baltes Foundation Award

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging - has chosen Helene Fung, PhD, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong as the 2010 recipient of the Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation Award in Behavioral and Social Gerontology...

Link Between Vitamin D And Mental Agility In Elders

At a time when consumer interest in health-enhancing foods is high, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists have contributed to a limited but growing body of evidence of a link between vitamin D and cognitive function. Cognitive function is measured by the level at which the brain is able to manage and use available information for activities of daily life...

News From The American Journal Of Pathology, July 2010

The following highlights summarize research articles that are published in the July 2010 issue of The American Journal of Pathology. Immune Cells and Atherosclerosis Dr. Einar Eriksson and colleagues at the Karolinska Hosptial, Stockholm, Sweden demonstrate that neutrophils may contribute to atherosclerosis...

ENS 2010: Dementia Study: New Insights Into Changes In The Brain Offer The Possibility Of Targeted Early Diagnosis And Prevention

The development of vascular dementia, the most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's dementia, may soon be able to be diagnosed before the first appearance of cognitive symptoms, and could be stopped or at least slowed down by targeted preventative measures...

Hallmark Alzheimer’s Disease Changes Found In Retinas Of Humans And Imaged In Live Animals

The nerve cell-damaging plaque that builds up in the brain with Alzheimer's disease also builds up in the retinas of the eyes - and it shows up there earlier, leading to the prospect that noninvasive optical imaging of the eyes could lead to earlier diagnosis, intervention and monitoring of the disease, according to new research...

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