Research identifies new steps in dementia progression

Research funded by Alzheimer's Society has identified new mechanisms behind the development of a form of frontotemporal dementia.




The research was undertaken by scientists at the University of York and was co-funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. It was published in The Journal of Cell Biology on 30 March 2015.

Frontotemporal dementia is one of the most common forms of early onset dementia and it typically starts in individuals in their fifties. It affects the ability to use and understand language in addition to a change in personality and a loss of inhibition in some social behaviours. This is caused by the loss of neurons in areas of the brain called the frontal and temporal lobes.

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Terry Pratchett Alzheimer's appeal raises £28,000 overnight

  
The internet has responded to news of the author’s death with Facebook posts, petitions, tributes from fans and colleagues, including Neil Gaiman and George RR Martin, and generous donations to his family’s chosen Alzheimer’s charity.

Fans left reeling by the death of Terry Pratchett have raised £28,000 for an Alzheimer’s charity, less than 24 hours after the beloved fantasy author succumbed to an infection complicated by the disease – and have also launched a hopeful petition to his lugubrious personification, Death, to “bring back Pratchett”.

Pratchett died at home on Thursday, aged 66, “with his cat sleeping on his bed, surrounded by his family”, said his publishers, Transworld. His publicist, Lynsey Dalladay, set up an appeal shortly afterwards, and by lunchtime on Friday more than 1,600 people had donated £28,053 to the charity The Research Institute for the Care of Older People (Rice).

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Dementia carers to be offered 'respite' and "psychological support"

David Cameron pledges that all people looking after dementia patients will be offered the opportunity take time off, education, training as well as professional psychological help.

More than half-a-million carers of people with dementia will be offered “respite” and “emotional and psychological support” under Government plans to ensure they can “have a life alongside” looking after their loved ones.

David Cameron has pledged that all people looking after dementia patients will be offered the opportunity take time off, education, training as well as professional psychological help.

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