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. She proposed a meeting of APPGs concerned with older people, disability and carers issues to discuss the problem and create an influential voice on the matter…

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. P7C3 was particularly successful in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is used for learning and memory. Generating nerve cells to replace those damaged during Alzheimer’s may be a new avenue of treatment…

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. The study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm looked at the Vitamin E levels of 232 people without dementia aged 80 or over. They then carried out follow up studies six years later. They found 57 of the participants had developed dementia..

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. The research is reported in June 2010 in the European Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 31…

Jeremy Hughes, currently Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, has been appointed as the new chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society. He takes up his appointment in November. Making the announcement this morning, Alastair Balls, chair of Alzheimer’s Society said, ‘This is a critical time for the Society as we implement government sponsored dementia strategies. Jeremy will provide the insight, leadership, campaigning skills, commitment and energy to drive this forward successfully…

In diverse neurodegenerative diseases ranging from Parkinson’s to Alzheimer’s, researchers have long noted accumulations of a little-understood neuronal protein called α-synuclein. Pathological and genetic evidence strongly suggested that excessive a-synuclein played a role in the evolution of these diseases, but it was unclear how too much a-synuclein culminated in synaptic damage and neurodegeneration…

Early reports today suggest that the government is to halt plans to roll-out the Independent Safeguarding scheme (ISA) until a comprehensive review has been carried out. The scheme, which would require anyone wanting to work with children or vulnerable adults to be vetted, was due to be introduced next month. Existing checks will remain in place. Alzheimer’s Society comment: ‘People with dementia are some of the most vulnerable members of society. It is therefore essential that effective systems are in place to ensure they are not at risk of neglect and abuse…

Researchers of the University of Granada have developed a new computer program that allows early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease through processed images. This new system has enhanced successful early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease up to 90%, which is an important progress within this area of study. The study was conducted by professor Ignacio Alvarez Illán, a member of SIPBA (Signal Processing and Biomedical Applications) TIC-010 of the University of Granada, and supervised by professors Juan Manuel Gorriz Saez, Javier Ramírez Perez de Inestrosa and Carlos Garcia Puntonet…

The majority of Australians (58%) are worried about their brain health and the threat of age-related degenerative brain disease, according to a new survey. The national survey was commissioned by leading medical research institute Neuroscience Research Australia and polled 1000 Australians aged 18 to over 75. “More and more Australians are witnessing the debilitating effects of brain diseases like dementia,” said Professor Peter Schofield, Executive Director of Neuroscience Research Australia…

Researchers have discovered that education not only delays the early symptoms of dementia, but can also slow down the development of the disease a finding that could result in faster diagnosis and treatment of dementia, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Previous studies have shown that education offers some degree of protection against the symptoms of disorders of the brain…