Latest news with #EuropeanAcademyofNeurology
UPI
4 hours ago
- Health
- UPI
Blood test may predict rapid brain decline in Alzheimer's patients
A common blood test can flag early Alzheimer's disease patients who are four times more likely to experience rapid brain decline, a new study says. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News A common blood test can flag early Alzheimer's disease patients who are four times more likely to experience rapid brain decline, a new study says. The test -- the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index -- assesses a person's level of insulin resistance and can estimate their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. But the test also can help determine which people newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's might experience a faster decline in brain function, researchers reported at the European Academy of Neurology's annual meeting. "Once mild cognitive impairment is diagnosed, families always ask how fast it will progress," lead investigator Dr. Bianca Gumina, a neurology resident at the University of Brescia's Brain Health Center in Italy, said in a news release. "Our data show that a simple metabolic marker available in every hospital laboratory can help identify more vulnerable subjects who may be suitable candidates for targeted therapy or specific intervention strategies," she added. Insulin resistance has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer's, but its role in how quickly the disease progresses has received less attention, researchers said in background notes. For the study, researchers reviewed medical records for 315 non-diabetic patients in cognitive decline, including 200 with confirmed Alzheimer's disease. All underwent the TyG index blood test and were followed for three years. The third of Alzheimer's patients with the highest levels of insulin resistance had a quadrupled risk of faster cognitive decline, when compared to those with the least insulin resistance, results show. "We were surprised to see the effect only in the Alzheimer's spectrum and not in other neurodegenerative diseases," Gumina noted. "It suggests a disease-specific vulnerability to metabolic stress during the prodromal window, when interventions may still change the trajectory." Insulin resistance is believed to advance Alzheimer's by impeding blood sugar uptake to neurons, promoting accumulation of toxic beta amyloid proteins, disrupting the blood-brain barrier and fueling inflammation, researchers said. This study found that high TyG-assessed insulin resistance was indeed associated with disruption to the blood-brain barrier, researchers said. However, insulin resistance did not appear to interact with a person's genetic risk for Alzheimer's, indicating that these are separate risk factors that might operate independently. Researchers now are investigating whether TyG levels track with imaging scans of Alzheimer's, as combining the two could aid earlier detection. "If targeting metabolism can delay progression, we will have a readily modifiable target that works alongside emerging disease-modifying drugs," Gumina said. She presented her findings Monday at the EAN meeting in Helsinki. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. More information The University of Washington has more on insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
THIS common condition may speed up Alzheimer's disease: Experts recommend a simple blood test to determine it
A recent study presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025 reveals that a blood test could predict rapid cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's patients. Researchers at the University of Brescia found insulin resistance, measured by the TyG index, significantly accelerates the disease's progression. Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia, is on the rise. About 57 million people had dementia worldwide in 2021, and the numbers are escalating. This progressive neurodegenerative disorder affects the quality of life, even impacting daily activities, and hence, early diagnosis is crucial. Researchers have now found that a simple blood test may soon help doctors predict which patients with early Alzheimer's disease are most at risk of rapid cognitive decline. They also found that a common condition related to metabolic disorders could dramatically accelerate the disease. The research was led by neurologists at the University of Brescia in Italy and was presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025. Common condition linked to accelerated Alzheimer's disease The common condition in question is insulin resistance . The researchers looked at the records of 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 with biologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease. All participants underwent a TyG index assessment and were followed clinically over three years. The researchers found that the patients in the highest third of the TyG index within the Mild Cognitive Impairment-AD subgroup declined significantly faster than those with lower readings, losing more than 2.5 points per year on the widely used Mini-Mental State Examination. The ratio for rapid progression was 4.08 (95% CI 1.06–15.73), which is a fourfold increase in risk. 'Once mild cognitive impairment is diagnosed, families always ask how fast it will progress. Our data show that a simple metabolic marker available in every hospital laboratory can help identify more vulnerable subjects who may be suitable candidates for targeted therapy or specific intervention strategies,' lead investigator Dr Bianca Gumina said in a statement. Impact of insulin resistance on Alzheimer's disease Though previous research has shown the association between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease , its role in how quickly the condition progresses has not been much explored. This recent study looked into insulin resistance's impact during the prodromal mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage, when patients follow highly variable trajectories. What is insulin resistance Insulin resistance is a condition where the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose (sugar) enter cells for energy. To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin, but over time, this can lead to elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions. The study The researchers used the TyG index, a simple and affordable way to measure insulin resistance, to see if metabolic problems could help predict how quickly cognitive decline happens after diagnosis. 'We were surprised to see the effect only in the Alzheimer's spectrum and not in other neurodegenerative diseases. It suggests a disease-specific vulnerability to metabolic stress during the prodromal window, when interventions may still change the trajectory', Dr Gumina added. Salman Khan Drops Health Bombshell on National TV The researchers at the University of Brescia, led by Professor Padovani and Professor Pilotto, found that high TyG was also associated with blood–brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. However, it showed no interaction with the APOE ε4 genotype, and hinted that metabolic and genetic risks may act through distinct pathways. 'If targeting metabolism can delay progression, we will have a readily modifiable target that works alongside emerging disease-modifying drugs', Dr Gumina concluded. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Korea Herald
18 hours ago
- Health
- Korea Herald
EAN Congress: Frequent nightmares triple risk of early death and accelerate ageing, major study finds
HELSINKI, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New research presented today at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 reveals that frequent nightmares are associated with significantly accelerated biological ageing and a more than threefold increase in the risk of premature death. This study is the first to show that nightmares independently predict faster biological ageing and earlier mortality – even after accounting for other health issues. Led by Dr Abidemi Otaiku of the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, the study analysed data from 2,429 children aged 8 to 10 and 183,012 adults aged 26 to 86 across six long-term population cohorts. Nightmare frequency in adults was self-reported at the start of the study, with participants followed for up to 19 years. For children, nightmare frequency was reported by their parents at the beginning of the study. Results showed that adults reporting weekly nightmares were more than three times as likely to die prematurely (before age 70) compared to those who rarely or never experienced nightmares. Children and adults with more frequent nightmares also exhibited faster biological ageing, which accounted for approximately 40% of the heightened mortality risk. Notably, weekly nightmares were found to be a stronger predictor of premature death than other established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet, and low physical activity. "Our sleeping brains cannot distinguish dreams from reality", Dr Otaiku explained. "That's why nightmares often wake us up sweating, gasping for breath, and with our hearts pounding – because our fight-or-flight response has been triggered. This stress reaction can be even more intense than anything we experience while awake." He continued, "Nightmares lead to prolonged elevations of cortisol, a stress hormone closely linked to faster cellular ageing. For those who frequently experience nightmares, this cumulative stress may significantly impact the ageing process. Additionally, nightmares disrupt both sleep quality and duration, impairing the body's essential overnight cellular restoration and repair. The combined effects of chronic stress and disrupted sleep likely contribute to the accelerated ageing of our cells and bodies." The association between frequent nightmares and accelerated ageing remained consistent across all ages, sexes, ethnicities, and mental health statuses, indicating a universal effect. Even monthly nightmares were linked to faster ageing and increased mortality compared to rare or no nightmares, emphasising the importance of reducing nightmare frequency across the population.
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
EAN Congress: Frequent nightmares triple risk of early death and accelerate ageing, major study finds
HELSINKI, June 23, 2025 /CNW/ -- New research presented today at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 reveals that frequent nightmares are associated with significantly accelerated biological ageing and a more than threefold increase in the risk of premature death. This study is the first to show that nightmares independently predict faster biological ageing and earlier mortality – even after accounting for other health issues. Led by Dr Abidemi Otaiku of the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, the study analysed data from 2,429 children aged 8 to 10 and 183,012 adults aged 26 to 86 across six long-term population cohorts. Nightmare frequency in adults was self-reported at the start of the study, with participants followed for up to 19 years. For children, nightmare frequency was reported by their parents at the beginning of the study. Results showed that adults reporting weekly nightmares were more than three times as likely to die prematurely (before age 70) compared to those who rarely or never experienced nightmares. Children and adults with more frequent nightmares also exhibited faster biological ageing, which accounted for approximately 40% of the heightened mortality risk. Notably, weekly nightmares were found to be a stronger predictor of premature death than other established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet, and low physical activity. "Our sleeping brains cannot distinguish dreams from reality", Dr Otaiku explained. "That's why nightmares often wake us up sweating, gasping for breath, and with our hearts pounding – because our fight-or-flight response has been triggered. This stress reaction can be even more intense than anything we experience while awake." He continued, "Nightmares lead to prolonged elevations of cortisol, a stress hormone closely linked to faster cellular ageing. For those who frequently experience nightmares, this cumulative stress may significantly impact the ageing process. Additionally, nightmares disrupt both sleep quality and duration, impairing the body's essential overnight cellular restoration and repair. The combined effects of chronic stress and disrupted sleep likely contribute to the accelerated ageing of our cells and bodies." The association between frequent nightmares and accelerated ageing remained consistent across all ages, sexes, ethnicities, and mental health statuses, indicating a universal effect. Even monthly nightmares were linked to faster ageing and increased mortality compared to rare or no nightmares, emphasising the importance of reducing nightmare frequency across the population.
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Vanqua Bio to Present at Upcoming Scientific Conferences
CHICAGO, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vanqua Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced that the company will present interim Phase 1 data for its lead clinical program, VQ-101, at two upcoming scientific conferences – the GBA1 Meeting 2025, which will take place in Montreal, Canada June 5-7, 2025 and the European Academy of Neurology, taking place in Helsinki, Finland June 21-24, 2025. Vanqua Bio GBA1 Conference Presentation Information: Title: VQ-101, A Small Molecule Allosteric Activator of Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) Demonstrates Robust And Sustained Target Engagement In Humans Session date and time: June 5th 11:00am EDT Presenter: Dr. Dan Ysselstein, Head of Biology Vanqua Bio EAN Conference ePresentation Information: Title: The allosteric activator of glucocerebrosidase, VQ-101, shows sustained activation of lysosomal GCase in humans Session date and time: June 23rd 2:30pm EEST Presenter: Dr. Maurizio Facheris, CMO About VQ-101 VQ-101 is a novel, orally administered, fully CNS-penetrant allosteric activator of glucocerebrosidase (GCase). VQ-101 is initially being investigated in GBA-Parkinson's (GBA-PD) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD). By restoring GCase activity to healthy levels, VQ-101 aims to address the underlying genetic mechanism of disease in GBA-PD and slow or stop the progression of disease. Initial Phase 1 results with VQ-101 demonstrated sustained lysosomal GCase activation in healthy volunteers by more than 75%. In preclinical studies in patient derived neurons, 50%+ GCase activation resulted in significant blockage of the accumulation of alpha synuclein, the pathogenic hallmark of PD. A Phase 1b study in patients with PD, with and without GBA mutations, is ongoing. About Vanqua Bio Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Chicago, Vanqua Bio is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing next-generation medicines that have the potential to transform the lives of patients with neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. Our technology platform utilizes human genetics and patient-derived CNS cells to identify, validate, and clinically translate novel disease pathways associated with lysosomal dysfunction or aberrant activation of the innate immune system. Initially, we are targeting glucocerebrosidase (GCase) as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). Additional programs address overactivation of the innate immune system in peripheral and central inflammatory disorders, including renal, dermatologic and neurodegenerative diseases. For more information, go to [email protected]
