Media
Navigating the Nootropic Craze
Read about the growing trend of nootropic supplements endorsed by celebrities like Joe Rogan and Bella Hadid. Amid their popularity, Dr. Richard Isaacson from the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida urges caution, citing instances of unexpected health issues. Learn more about the complexities and risks of cognitive enhancement by reading the full article linked here.
Combating Dementia
The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Florida (IND Florida) is currently conducting research on how to utilize blood tests to evaluate levels of amyloid, tau, and other crucial biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative conditions. Through a comprehensive examination, participants receive personalized insights into genetic, behavioral, and lifestyle risks for cognitive decline. Preliminary findings suggest that certain blood-based biomarkers hold promise in detecting Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions even before symptoms arise. While IND Florida’s research cohort is currently closed to new participants, we invite you to subscribe to our updates. Simply fill out a brief survey to support our future efforts and stay informed about upcoming opportunities.
Cognitive Well-being Insights
Discover groundbreaking research on preventable factors contributing to young-onset dementia. Dr. Richard Isaacson offers his insight, advocating for lifestyle changes to enhance brain health at any age. Dive into expert tips on diet, exercise, social connection, and personalized risk management strategies. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how to safeguard your cognitive well-being.
UK Biobank Reveals Modifiable Risks for Young-Onset Dementia
Findings from a UK Biobank study unveil various risk factors for young-onset dementia, or as Dr. Richard Isaacson terms it, earlier-onset Alzheimer’s disease, challenging the idea of a solely genetic basis. Dr. Isaacson highlights the importance of addressing modifiable factors like alcohol use, urging proactive measures for those under 65 to prevent cognitive decline. Uncover the groundbreaking insights in this transformative study.
Alzheimer's transmission in recipients of discontinued medical treatment
A study suggests a link between early-onset dementia symptoms in adults and past treatment with human growth hormone derived from cadavers. The study, examining cases from 1959 to 1985, reveals a potential transmission of Alzheimer’s through contaminated hormones. Though extremely rare, it prompts a review of medical procedures to prevent future cases. The public should not worry, as the implicated treatment is no longer in use, but the study raises intriguing scientific questions about protein transmission in brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Advancements in Alzheimer's Detection
A groundbreaking study suggests that a simple blood test could detect Alzheimer’s early, possibly even before individuals realize they have the disease. This transformative development prompts the question: Can early detection significantly impact the course of Alzheimer’s?
New blood test screening for Alzheimer's
New research reveals that a basic blood test screening for Alzheimer’s disease may be on the verge of becoming a reality. Testing for a protein called phosphorylated tau (p-tau) showed high accuracy, up to 96% for identifying elevated beta-amyloid levels and up to 97% for tau. The study, using the ALZpath pTau217 assay, found the blood test to be as accurate as advanced methods like brain scans and spinal taps. With potential for commercial availability in the near future, this blood test could offer a cost-effective and accessible means of early Alzheimer’s detection, crucial for timely interventions and patient management.
Are your dietary choices fueling Alzheimer's progression?
Dr. Isaacson joins Jim Kwik to discuss the role of diet in Alzheimer’s prevention and shares insights on delaying cognitive decline. Discover how you can slow down cognitive decline through diet by tuning in to the complete podcast here.
The Benefits of Pets for those 50+ Living Alone
Embracing pet ownership can be a joyful and beneficial experience for individuals over 50 living alone, potentially boosting cognitive health and overall well-being. While pets offer companionship and alleviate stress, it’s essential to consider individual circumstances.
Strategies to Minimize Your Risk of Early-Onset Dementia
New research reveals that early-onset dementia isn’t just influenced by genetics but is also tied to lifestyle elements such as depression, social isolation, and overall health. Exploring proactive steps can significantly reduce these risks. This evolving understanding paves the way for effective strategies to address the increasing incidence of early-onset dementia.
Personalized Brain Health Assessment & Research Participation Opportunity
A groundbreaking study introduces the Brain Care Score (BCS), a 21-point tool assessing 12 modifiable health factors related to physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional well-being. Published in Frontiers in Neurology, the research reveals that individuals with higher BCS have a reduced risk of dementia and stroke. Dr. Richard Isaacson, Director of Research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, emphasizes the tool’s significance, especially for those over 40 with family history of Alzheimer’s. With dementia preventability estimated at 40%, the BCS offers a roadmap for risk reduction, promoting holistic health practices for overall cognitive well-being. Isaacson invites individuals to participate in a forthcoming National Institutes of Health-funded study. Prospective participants can register at YourBrainStudy.org.
Association between abdominal fat and brain inflammation
Addressing the intricate connection between inflammation from abdominal fat and early-stage Alzheimer’s, Dr. Richard Isaacson, a pioneering neurologist at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Florida, sheds light on groundbreaking research. Isaacson underscores that as abdominal size increases, the memory centers in the brain shrink, while brain imaging now reveals a marker of neuroinflammation linked to visceral fat. A study uncovers that individuals in their 40s and 50s with more hidden belly fat exhibit higher levels of the Alzheimer’s-related protein amyloid.
In women with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, individualized hormone replacement therapy may help protect against cognitive decline
Emphasizing the need for individualized care in hormone replacement therapy, Dr. Isaacson affirms, “While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, when tailored to the right woman, at the appropriate dose, and for the correct duration, hormone replacement therapy can be a powerful tool to reduce cognitive decline and slow down Alzheimer’s pathology.” Dr. Isaacson underscores the critical role of initiating this therapy during menopausal symptoms in one’s 40s and 50s. Stressing a tailored approach, he recognizes the therapy’s potential in curbing cognitive decline. The Institute, a leader in neurodegenerative research, underscores the significance of continual monitoring for optimal outcomes. This breakthrough aligns with their dedication to understanding and addressing factors influencing brain health, marking a pivotal advancement in combating age-related cognitive disorders.
Getting less slow-wave sleep as you age may increase your risk of dementia
In a recent CNN interview, Dr. Richard Isaacson, at The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida, underscores the pivotal importance of slow-wave sleep in maintaining optimal brain health. This sleep stage aids in removing beta-amyloid protein, associated with Alzheimer’s, making it essential for restoration. A study involving 346 participants revealed that chronic declines in slow-wave sleep correlated with a 27% higher dementia risk, escalating to a 32% risk for Alzheimer’s. Dr. Isaacson underscores the importance of monitoring sleep quality alongside duration, suggesting tracking devices. While not definitive, the study hints at a potential modifiable risk factor for dementia, highlighting the significance of prioritizing good sleep habits and regular exercise.
Abdominal Health linked to Brain Health
Read more about the vital connection between obesity, dementia, and the quest for brain health, as a new study links abdominal fat to brain atrophy. Furthermore, Dr. Kellyann Niotis, a researcher at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, discusses why Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects women. You can also check out the full article by clicking here.
Emma Heming Willis Interviews Dr. Richard Isaacson on the Importance of Brain Health
Emma Heming Willis interviews Dr. Richard Isaacson as he highlights why he believes the cure to dementia is prevention. Dr. Isaacson passionately emphasizes the need for proactive strategies. In turn, Willis expresses her gratitude towards Dr. Isaacson, crediting him as the one who first introduced her to the transformative concept of “brain health.” This introduction has profoundly impacted her approach to self-care and overall well-being, offering her a fresh outlook on how she manages and nurtures her health.
U.S. FDA fully approves Alzheimer's drug
In a recent CNN segment, Dr. Richard Isaacson provides insights on Leqembi, the pioneering drug for Alzheimer’s. This remarkable medication has gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first-ever treatment scientifically validated to significantly slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating condition impacting memory and cognition.
Alzheimer's Awareness Segment
What’s being done to detect signs of Alzheimer’s early on? Listen along as CBS interviews team members of IND Florida as they discuss new treatments and advancements in the field.
Alzheimer's researchers: Simple eye exam may bring brain health into focus
Researchers at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Florida clinic are starting to use retinal patterns to identify people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. This work was made possible by philanthropic support of Aces for Alzheimer’s.
Opinion: Why aren’t doctors telling patients these simple ways to reduce the risk of dementia?
A new clinical trial of the experimental Alzheimer’s drug donanemab has produced promising results, with drugmaker Eli Lilly announcing last week that its phase 3 study showed the medication slowed cognitive decline by an impressive 35% compared with the placebo.
Sleep apnea, lack of deep sleep linked to damage in brain, study says
Uncontrolled sleep apnea — a disorder in which people stop breathing for 10 seconds or more at a time multiple times a night — may harm future brain health, a new study found.
Access to New Alzheimer’s Drugs Might Depend on Where You Live
The rollout of long-awaited Alzheimer’s treatments looks set to start as a case of the haves and the have-nots.
Alzheimer’s first signs may appear in your eyes, study finds
The eyes are more than a window to the soul — they’re also a reflection of a person’s cognitive health.
Master Mind: Optimizing Brain Health at SXSW
Unlock Your Brain’s Potential: Join Dr. Kellyann Niotis as she shares expert insights on boosting brain health, reducing risks of neurodegenerative disorders, and enhancing memory and emotional intelligence.
Mediterranean and MIND diets reduced signs of Alzheimer's in brain tissue, study finds
People who consumed foods from the plant-based Mediterranean and brain-focused MIND diets had fewer of the hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s — sticky beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain — when autopsied, a new study found.
Laxative use may be linked to dementia risk, study says
Researchers say they’ve found a possible link between regular laxative use and a person’s risk of dementia, but experts note that the research is very early and should be interpreted with caution.
Dementia risk rises if you live with chronic pain, study says
Chronic pain, such as arthritis, cancer or back pain, lasting for over three months, raises the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, a new study found.
Study presents unexpected — and complicated — findings on link between alcohol and dementia
Keeping alcohol consumption to one or two drinks a day lessened the odds of developing dementia, according to a study of nearly 4 million South Koreans.
New Alzheimer’s Drug Leqembi Will Be Out of Reach for Most Patients
Keeping alcohol consumption to one or two drinks a day lessened the odds of developing dementia, according to a study of nearly 4 million South Koreans.
Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab receives accelerated approval amid safety concerns
The US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval Friday for the Alzheimer’s disease drug lecanemab, one of the first experimental dementia drugs to appear to slow the progression of cognitive decline.