Amyloid plaques and tau (or neurofibrillary tangles) are the typical pathological lesions present in the shrinking brains of patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease. These pathological changes can be observed under a microscope, but the severity of the changes varies throughout the brain. A recent study by Xu et al. (Scientific Reports, 9th June 2016) investigated [...]

Adequate exercise is essential to maintain not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mind. Physical exercise is beneficial for brain plasticity (the brain’s ability to change throughout life), increasing cognition and reducing the risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Although we know that physical exercise reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, we still [...]

Most people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease are affected by neuropsychiatric symptoms, primarily depression, sleeping issues, apathy and verbal and physical agitation. As the disease progresses, delusions, hallucinations and aggression become more common. These neuropsychiatric symptoms have a major impact on the patient’s (and their caregiver’s) quality of life, and often the disease progresses more [...]

One of the major changes observed in the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient is the accumulation of the beta-amyloid protein between the neurons. These toxic amyloid plaques prevent the essential synapses between the neurons and may also activate a damaging inflammatory response. Several groups have been unsuccessfully attempting to use antibodies to selectively target and [...]

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are among the most common medications for pain relief, lowering fever and reducing swelling. Most NSAIDs inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. These enzymes help with the formation of prostaglandins – the ‘pain’ molecules released from damaged tissue. There is increasing evidence that many NSAIDs [...]