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Breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease research offer hope for the successful treatment – and elimination – of the disease. This was the finding of New Scientist journalist Graham Lawton, who reviewed the history and status of research on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, exciting new Alzheimer’s vaccine research holds promise for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
The Parsemus Foundation is an educational resource for the public and veterinarians about the importance of hormones for pets. Over the years, we have received increasing inquiries about hormone-sparing sterilization from pet parents, and seen more veterinarians offering vasectomy or hysterectomy. But the shift in practice has been slow — until now. With several influential veterinarians spreading the message about the importance of hormones to dogs, this topic has finally reached the mainstream.
The recombinant zoster vaccine known as SHINGRIX may also lower the risk of developing dementia, according to a new study. The vaccine prevents shingles, a painful viral infection, and is typically recommended for those 50 and older. Researchers in the U.K. published a study in Nature Medicine on July 25 that showed that among people diagnosed with dementia, those who received the recombinant zoster vaccine had more diagnosis-free time compared with those who received a different vaccine.
House cats live an average of 14 years, and it’s not uncommon for a cat to live more than 20 years. Older cats often develop cognitive decline resulting in dementia. It’s called “cognitive dysfunction syndrome” or CDS. This condition is similar in many ways to Alzheimer’s disease, including amyloid beta and tau protein accumulation. Some believe that environmental stressors from life as a house cat contribute to cognitive decline.
Recent research has revealed that eating ultra-processed foods affects brain health. Studies suggest that diets high in these foods could increase the risk of cognitive impairment and stroke. Ultra-processed foods include industrially prepared items like packaged snacks, ready-made meals, and sugary drinks. These foods are often convenient, but they carry hidden health dangers.
You may have heard that vaccines cause autism, but are you unsure where this idea came from? Are you — or someone you know — suspicious of the U.S. government response to COVID-19? If so, you’ll be interested in a two-part series of articles that John Parkinson wrote about the challenges of communicating medical information to the public and the ease with which medical misinformation spreads.
Many women approaching menopause are concerned about the safety of hormone therapy. That’s because in 2002, researchers reported that hormone replacement therapy — or HRT — was related to increased risk of breast cancer. However, experts now report that hormone therapy in early menopause is safe and beneficial.
Most intact male dogs will develop enlarged prostate glands. This condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is influenced by androgen hormones such as testosterone. BPH has few symptoms in the earlier stages of development. However, it can lead to serious health issues if left untreated, such as reproductive tract issues, constipation, and prostate infections. Researchers have outlined noninvasive methods to evaluate canine BPH in the early, subclinical, stages. Early detection allows early treatment and avoids the progression of the disease.
As life expectancy increases worldwide, more people are living with dementia. Even though the age-specific rate of dementia is falling in some high-income countries, the overall number of cases is still rising. This highlights the need for effective prevention strategies. The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care recently updated its findings, revealing 14 modifiable risk factors that can help reduce dementia cases. Their latest report emphasizes that targeting 14 risk factors can cut dementia cases by nearly half.
Low back pain is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide — especially older women. While the causes of low back pain can be varied, new research suggests that estrogen may play a role in its development and severity. A recent review published in Bone Research reported that estrogen receptors are present in the intervertebral discs and facet joints. These two key areas of the spine are often affected by low back pain. This suggests that estrogen may have a direct impact on the health of these tissues.
And if you don’t find a match there, this slightly more complex clinical trials finder includes studies sponsored by companies as well:
