Gene variant protecting against Alzheimer’s disease decreases plasma beta-amyloid levels The APP gene variant protecting against Alzheimer’s disease significantly decreases plasma beta-amyloid levels in a population cohort. This is a very significant discovery, as many on-going drug trials in the field of Alzheimer’s disease focus on decreasing beta-amyloid levels in the brain tissue. According to…
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Genetic modifier for Huntington’s disease progression identified Researchers have developed a novel measure of disease progression for Huntington’s disease, which enabled them to identify a genetic modifier associated with how rapidly the disease progresses. Genetic modifier for Huntington’s disease progression identified Source: Science Daily Mind & Brain
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People who go to bed late have less control over OCD symptoms A late bedtime is associated with lower perceived control of obsessive thoughts, according to new research. People who go to bed late have less control over OCD symptoms Source: Science Daily Mind & Brain
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What percentage of ALS is genetic? Up to 90 percent of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) report that they have no family history of the disease. Now, new research has found approximately 17 percent of such ALS cases may be caused by a gene mutation, according to a study. What percentage of ALS is…
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Elevated rate of autism symptoms found in children with Tourette syndrome Around one in five children with Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements and vocalizations, met criteria for autism, a study shows. But this prevalence may be more a reflection of similarity in symptoms than actual autism, according to the study’s researchers. …
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Serotonin improves sociability in mouse model of autism Scientists have linked early serotonin deficiency to several symptoms that occur in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study examined serotonin levels, brain circuitry, and behavior in a mouse model of ASD. Experiments showed that increasing serotonergic activity in the brain during early development led to more balanced…
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Genes, ozone, and autism Exposure to ozone in the environment puts individuals with high levels of genetic variation at an even higher risk for developing autism than would be expected just by adding the two risk factors together, a new analysis shows. The study is the first to look at the combined effects of genome-wide…
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Alzheimer’s disease study links brain health, physical activity People at risk for Alzheimer’s disease who do more moderate-intensity physical activity, but not light-intensity physical activity, are more likely to have healthy patterns of glucose metabolism in their brain, according to a new study. Alzheimer’s disease study links brain health, physical activity Source: Science Daily Healthy…
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Alzheimer’s gene associated with failure to adapt to cognitive challenge in healthy adults Healthy adults carrying the gene APOE4 — the strongest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) — may struggle to adapt their brain activity to increasing cognitive demands as they get older, according to a study. Alzheimer’s gene associated with failure…
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Greater muscle strength, better cognitive function for older people Greater muscle strength is associated with better cognitive function in ageing men and women, according to a new study. The association of extensively measured upper and lower body muscle strength with cognitive function was observed, but handgrip strength was not associated with cognitive function. Greater muscle…
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