Microplastics may be quietly damaging your brain and fueling Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Tiny plastic particles may be quietly threatening brain health. New research suggests microplastics—now widely found in food, water, and even household dust—could trigger inflammation and damage in the brain through multiple biological pathways. Scientists estimate adults may consume about 250 grams of these particles each year, and some can accumulate in organs including the brain.


http://dlvr.it/TRTd5x

Scientists turn brain cells into Alzheimer’s plaque cleaners

Scientists have developed a promising new approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease by turning ordinary brain cells into powerful plaque-clearing machines. Instead of requiring frequent antibody infusions like current therapies, the experimental treatment uses genetically engineered astrocytes — abundant support cells in the brain — that are equipped with a CAR “homing device” similar to those used in cancer immunotherapy.


http://dlvr.it/TRT6RN

Women and Caregiving: The Hidden Health, Work, and Financial Effects of Unpaid Care in Midlife

Caregiving underpins the U.S. senior care system, and most of that work happens informally, provided by unpaid family members who are filling...


The post Women and Caregiving: The Hidden Health, Work, and Financial Effects of Unpaid Care in Midlife appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TRSks2

Scientists discover the body’s hidden “off switch” for inflammation

A new human study has uncovered how the body naturally turns off inflammation. Researchers found that fat-derived molecules called epoxy-oxylipins rein in immune cells that can otherwise drive chronic disease. Using a drug to boost these molecules reduced pain faster and lowered harmful inflammatory cells. The discovery could pave the way for safer treatments for arthritis, heart disease, and other inflammation-related conditions.


http://dlvr.it/TRSdCH

A surprising blood protein pattern may reveal Alzheimer’s

A new study suggests Alzheimer’s disease may be detectable through subtle shape changes in proteins found in the blood. Researchers discovered that structural differences in three blood proteins closely track the progression of the disease. By analyzing these changes in more than 500 people, the team was able to distinguish healthy individuals from those with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s with impressive accuracy. The approach could help move diagnosis and treatment to earlier stages.


http://dlvr.it/TRRqW1