Alzheimer's disease research

In this section, you will find information regarding the latest research on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

• Learn about research projects funded by our Alzheimer Society Research Program by searching our on-line database.
• Read about some promising and interesting research projects on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) website.

Recently in the news

Cholesterol increases risk of Alzheimer’s and heart disease
April 15, 2013
Researchers at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the University of Colorado School of Medicine have found that a single mechanism may underlie the damaging effect of cholesterol on the brain and on blood vessels.

Alzheimer’s mechanism explained, says Scripps study
April 15, 2013
A previously unknown cause of the brain damage from Alzheimer’s disease has been discovered by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute, according to a study published last week. Researchers not involved in the study say it may help guide development of drugs against the neurodegenerative disease

Researchers create next-generation Alzheimer’s disease model
April 9, 2013
A new genetically engineered lab rat that has the full array of brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease supports the idea that increases in a molecule called beta-amyloid in the brain causes the disease, according to a study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

New Gene linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk in blacks
April 9, 2013
A new gene has been identified that doubles an African American's risks for getting Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a new target to treat in the most common form of dementia, according to a report.

Study to find possible Alzheimer’s breakthrough
April 7, 2013
A new study is underway involving drugs that may prevent Alzheimer’s (video clip).

Rethinking Alzheimer’s diagnosis
April 3, 2013
An Australian study has shown that plaque, long considered to be the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, is one of the last events to occur in the Alzheimer’s brain.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s significantly improved with new treatment
April 2, 2013
The loss of interest and motivation in daily life experienced with Alzheimer's disease was successfully decreased in patients in a recent trial.

Early thinking problems may signal future dementia in Parkinson’s patients
March 25, 2013
People newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who have minor thinking problems may be on the way to early dementia, according to a new Norwegian study.

Scientists discover that DNA damage occurs as part of normal brain activity
March 24, 2013
Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered that a certain type of DNA damage long thought to be particularly detrimental to brain cells can actually be part of a regular, non-harmful process. The team further found that disruptions to this process occur in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease—and identified two therapeutic strategies that reduce these disruptions.

How olive oil stops Alzheimer’s
March 21, 2013
In a new report in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience, the researchers said they have determined a key component of olive oil helps remove abnormal proteins tied to Alzheimer’s from the brain.