Contributed by Bryce Mander, PhD Getty Images Our colleagues at UCSF recently published findings in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia examining how tau pathology in different brain diseases – Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal degeneration – impacts brain cells that are in charge of keeping us awake. This study reported several important findings: In all three diseases, there was a reduction in brain cells that help promote cortical arousal. In all three diseases, tau pathology was quite substantial in several of the wake-promoting cells in the brainstem region. Tau pathology in the brainstem in Alzheimer’s disease was associated with…

Contributed by Joshua D. Grill, PhD A recent article in the New York Times highlights an important set of conundrums regarding amyloid imaging for Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid imaging can detect with relative certainty whether beta amyloid plaques, which are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, are accumulating in a person’s brain. Conundrum #1: Amyloid scans are not covered by insurance for people with cognitive problems. Research led by our friend Dr. Gil Rabinovici at UCSF has demonstrated that amyloid imaging can and does yield important guidance to clinical care. It can change diagnoses and instruct prescribing decisions (more on this >).…

iStock Recent stories, including one this week by Washington Post, have highlighted the possible impact of anticholinergic medications on dementia. Some studies note that these medications may have negative side effects that mimic dementia in older adults. Others show a possible increase in dementia risk when taking strong anticholinergics long-term. However, more research is needed to understand this potential link. It's important to speak with your doctor about all your medications regularly, discussing potential benefits, risks, and interactions, to help manage your health over time. To learn more about medications and Alzheimer's disease, view UCI MIND's recent Facebook LIVE episode with…