Alzheimer’s Group Resources

The cognitive change checklist (3CL): cross-validation of a measure of change in everyday cognition

In this study we examined further the reliability, validity, and efficacy of the 3CL in distinguishing among groups of normal individuals, those with cognitive complaints, amnestic and non-amnestic MCI cases, and early-stage demented individuals.Scale validation study.Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterOne hundred and twenty-five individuals who completed extensive evaluations as part of a longitudinal study of cognitive change.Scale reliabilities were found to be well within guidelines to support their use in the clinical assessment of change in global and specific cognitive domains. The factor structure of the 3CL was found to be highly similar to that originally reported. Validation support was obtained from correlational analyses that showed significant scale relationships with neuroco...

Request for Proposals Frontotemporal Dementia Drug Discovery Program

The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD) seek to accelerate and support drug discovery for FTD and related dementias through this Request for Proposals (RFP). Research investigating the pathologic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related disorders has advanced recently, creating new potential targets for drug discovery. Examples of programs appropriate for this RFP include, but are not limited to:• Target validation studies• Development and testing of novel high throughput screening assays• Medicinal chemistry on lead compounds• Identification and in vitro testing of potentially disease modifying lead compounds• Testing of lead compounds in a relevant animal mo...

Eisai and Pfizer Decide not to Appeal NICE Decision and Call for an Expedited Review of Guidance for Alzheimer’s Disease

NICE Commit to Reviewing Existing Guidance 'As Soon As Possible' LONDON, July 1 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- On June 11, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) announced that, following consultation with stakeholders on the economic mo... Biopharmaceuticals, NeurologyEisai, Pfizer, Aricept, donepezil, Alzheimer's disease (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Perspectives: 4 Alzheimer’s caregivers share their stories

Four Alzheimer's caregivers share their stories and tips in this roundtable discussion from ABC News.

Hormone may affect neurological disease risk in women

Fluctuating hormone levels make women more vulnerable to ADHD, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia at certain times of life.

Panel urges U.S. to compare Alzheimer’s, ADHD therapies

An Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee is urging the U.S. government to fund studies to compare treatment options for ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions.

Statins may ward off Alzheimer’s

Patients who take a cholesterol-lowing statin may be protected against Alzheimer's disease, a new study has found.

Fit Body, Fit Mind? Your Workout Makes You Smarter (preview)

As everybody knows, if you do not work out, your muscles get flaccid. What most people don’t realize, however, is that your brain also stays in better shape when you exercise. And not just challenging your noggin by, for example, learning a new language, doing difficult crosswords or taking on other intellectually stimulating tasks. As researchers are finding, physical exercise is critical to vigorous mental health, too.

Surprised? Although the idea of exercising cognitive machinery by performing mentally demanding activities--popularly termed the “use it or lose it” hypothesis--is better known, a review of dozens of studies shows that maintaining a mental edge requires more than that. Other things you do--including participating in activities that make you think, getting regular exercise, staying socially engaged and even having a positive attitude--have a meaningful influence on how effective your cognitive functioning will be in old age.

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Eisai and Pfizer Decide not to Appeal NICE Decision and Call for an Expedited Review of Guidance for Alzheimer’s Disease

- NICE Commit to Reviewing Existing Guidance 'As Soon As Possible' LONDON, July 1/PRNewswire/ -- On June 11, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) announced that, following consultation with stakeholders on the economic... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

Review paper Genetic and environmental factors for hyperhomocysteinaemia and its clinical implications in Parkinson’s disease

Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) plasma levels are caused by genetic and environmental factors. Polymorphisms of Hcy metabolizing enzyme genes may result in its plasma increase. Experimental and clinical studies have shown the possible role of hyperhomocysteinaemia in pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease and vascular disorders. The results of clinical studies in PD generally do not support the theoretical hypotheses, and animal studies remain controversial. A major environmental factor responsible for Hcy increase in PD seems to be levodopa therapy. Its metabolism results in Hcy increase and may be reduced with folate and vitamins B6, B12 supplementation or inhibi-tion of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity. Therefore, the potential harmful role of ...