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Search Results (11,772)

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Keywords = Alzheimer Disease

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18 pages, 567 KB  
Review
Beyond Targeted Gene Panels: Whole-Exome Sequencing as a Strategic Platform for Precision Therapeutics in Alzheimer’s Disease
by Carlos Perezcano, Mariana Pérez-Coria and Ángel Ricardi-Mendoza
Life 2026, 16(9), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16091410 - 25 Aug 2026
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continues to be one of the greatest challenges in public health due to its multifactorial and heterogeneous nature, involving multiple physiological axes that encompass a large number of genetic, metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory interactions. In current clinical practice, medical specialties, [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continues to be one of the greatest challenges in public health due to its multifactorial and heterogeneous nature, involving multiple physiological axes that encompass a large number of genetic, metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory interactions. In current clinical practice, medical specialties, mainly neurology and psychiatry, still rely on targeted gene panels for genetic evaluation. Although these panels remain effective for certain predefined hypotheses, their restricted and predefined nature limits the detection of the broader spectrum of genetic variation that may contribute to the complex biological interactions underlying neurodegeneration. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is, from our clinic-based perspective, one of the most comprehensive genomic approaches currently available, since it allows the analysis of the ~19,500 protein-coding regions, and depending on the library approximately 5500 additional clinically relevant genomic loci, including splice sites, untranslated regions, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), pseudogenes, regulatory elements and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). It enables the identification of pathogenic variants and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) under the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) classification frameworks. It also expands biological interpretation to variants conventionally classified as benign, which, when interpreted collectively, may contribute to pathway-level contextualization within the hypothesis-generating theoretical framework proposed in this review without implying pathogenicity, causal inference, or immediate clinical actionability. Additionally, WES enables the identification of secondary and incidental findings that may provide clinically relevant information beyond the primary phenotype, thereby supporting preventive surveillance and clinical risk management. This review analyzes the use of WES as a strategic platform for personalized decision-making in contemporary practice given the multifactorial and heterogeneous complexity of AD. It also addresses the complexities and limitations of the ACMG/AMP recommendations for filtering and classification of variants, the lack of standardization between reports and platforms, and the need for physician training, which constitute a great challenge for the translation of data to therapeutic decision-making. While the clinical utility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) in genetic diagnosis and precision medicine is well established, this review additionally proposes a hypothesis-generating theoretical framework whereby variants conventionally classified as benign or of uncertain significance may contribute to pathway-level biological contextualization in Alzheimer’s disease. Full article
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24 pages, 10004 KB  
Review
The Oral–Brain Axis: A Unified Framework Linking Trigeminal Sensorimotor Dysfunction, Chronic Stress, Neuroinflammation, and Neurodegeneration
by Hiroki Toyoda
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7597; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177597 - 25 Aug 2026
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) develop over decades, yet their earliest pathogenic drivers remain poorly understood. Epidemiological and experimental animal studies suggest that disturbances in oral sensorimotor regulation, particularly within trigeminal proprioceptive pathways, may contribute to neural [...] Read more.
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) develop over decades, yet their earliest pathogenic drivers remain poorly understood. Epidemiological and experimental animal studies suggest that disturbances in oral sensorimotor regulation, particularly within trigeminal proprioceptive pathways, may contribute to neural dysfunction long before clinical symptoms emerge. The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MesV), the only primary sensory neuron population located entirely within the central nervous system (CNS), links oral proprioception with brainstem and forebrain networks. Chronic occlusal mismatch, impaired mastication, sleep bruxism, and sleep-disordered breathing may generate persistent sensorimotor prediction errors that destabilize MesV-centered circuits and subsequently recruit the locus coeruleus (LC), the brain’s principal noradrenergic stress nucleus. This review proposes an oral–brain axis model in which chronic MesV-related prediction error signaling engages LC-dependent stress systems, leading to neuroimmune activation, locus coeruleus–asparagine endopeptidase (LC-AEP) pathway engagement, and downstream proteinopathic processes. Sustained LC activity may facilitate microglial priming, reactive astrocytosis, and neuroinflammatory signaling, creating conditions that favor LC-AEP pathway activation and downstream tau pathology. Epidemiological studies associate tooth loss, reduced occlusal support, and impaired mastication with increased dementia risk, while experimental models of prodromal PD demonstrate early trigeminal sensory-processing abnormalities preceding motor symptoms. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that chronic disturbances in oral sensorimotor homeostasis may increase neurodegenerative vulnerability. This framework identifies potential biomarkers and preventive targets, suggesting that modulation of oral function and neuroimmune pathways may help reduce neurodegenerative risk before irreversible neuronal loss occurs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Neurobiological Diseases)
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20 pages, 1207 KB  
Article
From Sensory Deprivation to Psychosis: Environmental Mechanisms of Delirium in Dementia—An Eight-Year Retrospective Longitudinal Case Report and Narrative Review
by Paulina Teodorczyk and Anna Różańska-Walędziak
Healthcare 2026, 14(17), 2705; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14172705 - 25 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Delirium in patients with dementia is a multifactorial condition traditionally attributed to acute medical triggers. However, emerging evidence suggests that non-biological factors, including sensory deprivation and environmental instability, may contribute to delirium vulnerability, particularly in vulnerable populations. To explore the temporal [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Delirium in patients with dementia is a multifactorial condition traditionally attributed to acute medical triggers. However, emerging evidence suggests that non-biological factors, including sensory deprivation and environmental instability, may contribute to delirium vulnerability, particularly in vulnerable populations. To explore the temporal associations between non-biological and environmental factors, particularly sensory deprivation and recurrent delirium in a patient with advanced Alzheimer’s disease and progressive vision loss, a narrative review was conducted. Methods: A narrative review of the literature on delirium risk factors, differential diagnosis, and non-pharmacological interventions was conducted. A retrospective longitudinal case report of a patient with advanced Alzheimer’s disease and progressive visual impairment, based on an eight-year observation, was used to contextualize the literature findings. Results: The literature indicates that delirium arises from the interaction between predisposing factors, such as cognitive impairment and reduced cognitive reserve, and precipitating factors, including both biological and environmental stressors. Sensory deprivation, particularly visual impairment, may significantly disrupt orientation and increase reliance on internally generated perceptual content, predisposing to hallucinations and delusions. Environmental instability, such as changes in caregivers, disrupted routines, and overstimulation, may further exacerbate this vulnerability. Evidence suggests that these factors may contribute to delirium even in the absence of identifiable classical medical triggers. In the presented case, individualized non-pharmacological interventions based on structured routines, environmental predictability, and sensory-adapted engagement were associated with periods of improved behavioral stability. Conclusions: The present case supports the hypothesis that delirium in dementia may involve impaired environmental integration, particularly in the context of sensory deprivation, in addition to established biological mechanisms. Person-centered non-pharmacological strategies aimed at maintaining familiarity, environmental predictability, and appropriate sensory support may represent valuable components of delirium prevention and management. These hypothesis-generating observations require confirmation in prospective studies involving larger patient populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research on Psychosis in Older Adults)
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19 pages, 1119 KB  
Article
Plasma p-Tau217 and SPECT-Based eZIS in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Concordance Analysis with Validation in an Amyloid PET Sub-Cohort
by I-Lun Huang, Hiroshi Matsuda, Ya-Tang Pai and Ming-Chyi Pai
Diagnostics 2026, 16(17), 2702; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16172702 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
(1) Background/Objectives: Blood-based biomarkers have emerged as practical tools for identifying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Among them, plasma phosphorylated Tau217 (p-Tau217) demonstrates strong associations with cerebral amyloid deposition. In parallel, the easy Z-score Imaging System [...] Read more.
(1) Background/Objectives: Blood-based biomarkers have emerged as practical tools for identifying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Among them, plasma phosphorylated Tau217 (p-Tau217) demonstrates strong associations with cerebral amyloid deposition. In parallel, the easy Z-score Imaging System (eZIS), a quantitative brain perfusion SPECT analysis tool, has been widely used to detect characteristic AD-related hypoperfusion patterns. Although both measures reflect distinct AD processes, the relationship between plasma p-Tau217 and eZIS in MCI remains unclear. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included 62 patients with MCI who underwent plasma p-Tau217 testing and brain perfusion SPECT with eZIS analysis. Associations between plasma p-Tau217 and the three eZIS indices (severity, extent, and ratio) were evaluated. Exploratory subgroup analyses were performed using a previously reported plasma p-Tau217 threshold of 0.63 pg/mL. In addition, a validation sub-cohort of 21 participants who underwent plasma p-Tau217 testing, eZIS, and amyloid PET was analyzed to assess concordance with cerebral amyloid pathology. (3) Results: Among the three eZIS indices, severity demonstrated the highest sensitivity relative to elevated plasma p-Tau217 levels. However, all eZIS indices showed limited discriminative performance. Optimal eZIS cutoff values derived from the present cohort were higher than previously reported thresholds. In the amyloid PET-validated sub-cohort, plasma p-Tau217 demonstrated closer concordance with amyloid positivity than any individual eZIS parameter. The reduced performance of eZIS appeared to be associated with advanced age, substantial vascular burden, white matter lesions, and cerebral atrophy. (4) Conclusions: Plasma p-Tau217 showed a stronger association with cerebral amyloid pathology than eZIS indices in this elderly MCI cohort. Nevertheless, eZIS may provide complementary information regarding downstream neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular processes that are not directly captured by plasma biomarkers. This integrated approach highlights plasma p-Tau217 as a primary screening tool for amyloid pathology to guide disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), alongside eZIS for tracking follow-up mixed co-pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Radiomics for Medical Imaging: Second Edition)
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14 pages, 3455 KB  
Article
Weakly Supervised MRI-Based Classification of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Clinical Pseudo-Labels
by Rong Xiao, Tingwei Quan, Xinglong Wu, Guoping Xu and Shangbin Chen
NeuroSci 2026, 7(5), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurosci7050094 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) classification from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may benefit from weak supervision that uses clinically meaningful but imperfect supervisory signals. We evaluated a weakly supervised framework in which a multilayer perceptron (MLP) trained on age, sex, and Mini-Mental State Examination [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) classification from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may benefit from weak supervision that uses clinically meaningful but imperfect supervisory signals. We evaluated a weakly supervised framework in which a multilayer perceptron (MLP) trained on age, sex, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores generated clinical pseudo-labels to initialize a patch-based fully convolutional network (FCN). For 260 Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) training participants, subsequent refinement combined 80% of the preceding MRI-model probability with 20% of the participant’s ground-truth diagnostic label. This design preserves a dominant pseudo-label/self-training component while using partial diagnostic guidance to stabilize refinement. The FCN generated whole-brain probability maps, and selected voxel probabilities were classified by a second MLP. The framework was developed using ADNI (n = 417). Using ADNI validation data only, iteration 3 and a classification threshold of 0.5 were selected and then applied unchanged to the held-out ADNI test set and the external AIBL (n = 182), FHS (n = 102), and NACC (n = 265) cohorts. The selected model achieved F1 scores of 0.853 in ADNI, 0.707 in AIBL, 0.765 in FHS, and 0.807 in NACC. These results support the feasibility and cross-cohort transferability of clinical pseudo-label-based weak supervision for MRI classification. The framework is not intended to be label-free; rather, it provides a transparent strategy for integrating imperfect clinical pseudo-labels with partially weighted diagnostic guidance during training. Full article
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43 pages, 632 KB  
Systematic Review
Machine Learning and Deep Learning for EEG-Based Dementia Prediction: A Comprehensive Survey
by Oluwatoyin Kode, Michin Hong, Long Nguyen and Soo-Yeon Ji
J 2026, 9(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/j9030025 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Dementia-related disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), represent a growing global health challenge, increasing the need for early and reliable detection. Electroencephalography (EEG), a non-invasive and cost-effective neurophysiological modality, has emerged as a promising tool for identifying neural signatures associated with cognitive decline. Recent [...] Read more.
Dementia-related disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), represent a growing global health challenge, increasing the need for early and reliable detection. Electroencephalography (EEG), a non-invasive and cost-effective neurophysiological modality, has emerged as a promising tool for identifying neural signatures associated with cognitive decline. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) have enabled more effective analysis of complex EEG signals for automated dementia prediction. This survey provides a comprehensive synthesis of EEG-based dementia studies published between 2020 and 2025, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and related dementia disorders. Unlike previous reviews that emphasize multimodal approaches or specific methodologies, this work exclusively focuses on EEG and presents a systematic comparison of ML and DL approaches, preprocessing pipelines, feature extraction techniques, publicly available datasets, validation strategies, performance metrics, and explainable methods. We further examine current research trends, identify methodological limitations such as small dataset sizes, subject-level data leakage, class imbalance, inconsistent preprocessing protocols, and limited multicenter validation, and discuss their implications for model generalizability and clinical adoption. We conclude by outlining future research directions toward developing robust, interpretable, and scalable EEG-based dementia prediction systems suitable for real-world clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computer Science & Mathematics)
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20 pages, 3797 KB  
Article
Potential Ameliorative Effect of Aged Liubao Tea Aqueous Extract on D-Galactose-Induced Pathological Damage in an Alzheimer’s Disease Zebrafish Model
by Shini Zhang, Xiao-Li Luo, Hangxing Yang, Ganghua Huang, Jing Leng and Tao Yang
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(9), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19091336 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder for which effective treatments remain limited. Liubao tea, a distinctive post-fermented dark tea, develops unique aged and areca nut aromas through prolonged storage. However, comprehensive studies on its anti-Alzheimer’s disease effects are lacking. This [...] Read more.
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder for which effective treatments remain limited. Liubao tea, a distinctive post-fermented dark tea, develops unique aged and areca nut aromas through prolonged storage. However, comprehensive studies on its anti-Alzheimer’s disease effects are lacking. This study aimed to identify the bioactive constituents of Liubao tea with varying storage durations and aroma profiles, and to further evaluate its neuroprotective potential against Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Chromatography and spectrophotometry were employed to quantitatively determine the primary bioactive components in various Liubao tea samples. A D-galactose-induced Alzheimer’s disease zebrafish (Danio rerio) model was established to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of the aqueous extract of Liubao tea. Results: The contents of theabrownins, theaflavins, tea pigments, and catechins showed potential associations with the anti-AD capacity of Liubao tea. Variations in these bioactive components appeared to correlate with the neuroprotective activity. Conclusions: This study elucidates the anti-AD potential of aged Liubao tea and associates its characteristic constituents with neuroprotective effects. The findings provide essential theoretical support for developing Liubao tea as a promising natural product candidate worthy of further anti-AD research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
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31 pages, 5260 KB  
Review
Mechanistic Insights into the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Paradox in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Double-Edged Sword in Neurodegeneration
by Asma Aktar, Nowrin Ferdiousi, Md. Minhazur Rahman, Md. Sadman Hossain, Farhana Islam, Debendra Nath Roy and Kishor Mazumder
BioChem 2026, 6(3), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/biochem6030023 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly, is characterized by progressive cognitive loss, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition, and neurofibrillary tangle formation. Cerebral hypoxia has been reported as a complex modulator of AD pathology, with hypoxia-inducible [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly, is characterized by progressive cognitive loss, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition, and neurofibrillary tangle formation. Cerebral hypoxia has been reported as a complex modulator of AD pathology, with hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) emerging as a central molecular marker associated with neurodegeneration. This review aims to comprehensively report the roles of HIF-1 signaling in AD pathogenesis, emphasizing its neuroprotective and neurotoxic mechanisms along with demonstrating the therapeutic potential and challenges of translating this pathway for AD therapeutics. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar databases for articles published between January 2000 and December 2025 on the context. Results: Under mild hypoxic conditions, HIF-1 activation enhances neuronal survival through upregulation of glucose transporters, glycolytic enzymes, angiogenic factors, erythropoietin, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. In contrast, chronic hypoxia modulates HIF-1 into a pathogenic marker through transcriptional activation of β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase, facilitating amyloidogenic APP processing, along with tau hyperphosphorylation. Moreover, HIF-1 exacerbates neuroinflammation through microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. The cell-type-specific expression patterns of HIF-1α and the temporal dynamics of its activation regulate whether the pathway exerts neuroprotective or neurodegenerative effects. Conclusions: This review discusses the current understanding of HIF-1-mediated mechanistic insights in AD pathology and impacts of existing HIF-1 modulators on AD pathology, along with the therapeutic implications of targeting this pathway for translational application in AD therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in BioChem, 3rd Edition)
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39 pages, 14568 KB  
Review
Drosophila melanogaster Models for Natural Product Discovery: Cross-Disease Conserved Signaling Networks and a Generalizable Translational Pipeline
by Ying Li, Nana He, Mingxiang Chang and Yiwen Wang
Biology 2026, 15(17), 1447; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15171447 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster shares approximately 75% of human disease-related genes and possesses sophisticated genetic toolkits, including GAL4/UAS, CRISPR-Cas9, and RNA interference (RNAi), making it a rapid, cost-effective, and genetically tractable in vivo platform for natural products (NPs) discovery. This review systematically summarizes the modeling [...] Read more.
Drosophila melanogaster shares approximately 75% of human disease-related genes and possesses sophisticated genetic toolkits, including GAL4/UAS, CRISPR-Cas9, and RNA interference (RNAi), making it a rapid, cost-effective, and genetically tractable in vivo platform for natural products (NPs) discovery. This review systematically summarizes the modeling strategies, pathological mechanisms, and therapeutic applications of Drosophila models for six major human diseases, including type 2 diabetes, nephrolithiasis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Cross-disease analysis identifies five evolutionarily conserved signaling networks—IIS/PI3K/Akt/FOXO, JNK/JAK/STAT, Nrf2/Keap1, mTOR/TORC1, and IMD/Toll—as common molecular targets of bioactive NPs, providing a unified mechanistic framework for understanding their multi-target pharmacological activities and broad therapeutic potential. Critically, we propose a generalizable integrated stepwise pipeline: high-throughput fly screening of crude extracts, bioassay-guided isolation of active monomers, genetic mechanistic dissection via RNAi and mutant rescue, and layered validation in human cells and selective mammalian models. This pipeline addresses key challenges in NPs research, including the identification of bioactive constituents and mechanistic validation, while improving screening efficiency and translational potential. Overall, this review establishes a multi-disease-applicable framework linking disease modeling, conserved signaling mechanisms, and translational pharmacology, providing practical guidance for future mechanism-driven NP discovery and preclinical development using Drosophila. By leveraging Drosophila genetics to bridge evolutionary conservation and human pathology, this framework offers a powerful, paradigm-shifting strategy to accelerate mechanism-driven NP discovery and preclinical development. Full article
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27 pages, 6619 KB  
Article
Assessment of the Association of Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus with Alzheimer’s Disease in a Mouse Model
by Momoko Nakahara, Kota Kataoka, Takayuki Maruyama, Mohammad Nurhamim, Yixuan Zhang, Daiki Fukuhara, Yoko Uchida-Fukuhara, Md Monirul Islam, Manabu Morita, Takashi Saito and Daisuke Ekuni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177542 - 23 Aug 2026
Viewed by 259
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate how periodontitis and diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through microRNA (miRNA) using AD model mice. The experimental period was 8 weeks. Twenty-four male knock-in mice (B6-AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F/J) were divided into four [...] Read more.
The purpose of the present study was to investigate how periodontitis and diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through microRNA (miRNA) using AD model mice. The experimental period was 8 weeks. Twenty-four male knock-in mice (B6-AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F/J) were divided into four groups: control group fed a normal diet (C), DM group fed a high-fat/sucrose diet (DM), periodontitis (P) group, and DM + periodontitis (DM+P) group. Memory performance was compared using the Y-maze test. Next-generation sequencing was performed on brain samples, and fold changes in miRNA expression were calculated by comparing the DM+P and C groups. Integrated miRNA–mRNA analysis identified putative miRNA-targeted mRNAs, and protein expression of the top candidate gene was assessed. Memory function in the DM+P group was significantly lower than in the C group. Among the seven mRNAs identified by the integrated analysis, Neurod1 showed the greatest decrease in expression, and it was predicted to be regulated by miR-693-3p. Neurod1 protein expression in the hippocampus was significantly lower in the DM+P group than the C group. Our results suggest that the combined exposure to periodontitis and DM was associated with AD-like pathological changes and identified the miR-693-3p/Neurod1 pair as a candidate regulatory axis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)
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18 pages, 553 KB  
Systematic Review
Association Between Respiratory Vaccines and Risk of Cognitive Impairment, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Scoping Review
by Fernando M. Runzer-Colmenares, Nelson Luis Cahuapaza-Gutierrez, Cielo Cinthya Calderon-Hernandez and Camila Marjory Hilares-Jorge
Vaccines 2026, 14(9), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14090726 - 22 Aug 2026
Viewed by 157
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Neurocognitive disorders represent a growing burden among older adults. Although respiratory vaccines have demonstrated efficacy and safety in preventing acute respiratory events, their potential impact on the development of chronic neurocognitive disorders, such as cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Neurocognitive disorders represent a growing burden among older adults. Although respiratory vaccines have demonstrated efficacy and safety in preventing acute respiratory events, their potential impact on the development of chronic neurocognitive disorders, such as cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), has not been extensively explored. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize and analyze the available evidence on the association between respiratory vaccination and the risk of developing cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases through 15 June 2026. Studies involving older adults (≥60 years), irrespective of their baseline neurocognitive status, were included. Observational studies (cohort and case–control studies) were considered. Editorials, narrative reviews, and other non-original articles were excluded. Results: Eighteen studies were included, with cohort studies being the predominant design. Four main categories of respiratory vaccines were evaluated: influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal vaccines, in relation to the risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, and AD. Influenza vaccination was associated with a lower risk of dementia and AD, with a potential dose–response relationship observed, whereby a greater number of vaccinations was associated with a greater reduction in risk. Pneumococcal vaccination was also associated with a lower risk of dementia and AD, particularly among individuals who received a greater number of vaccine doses. In contrast, the evidence regarding COVID-19 and RSV vaccines was limited and yielded heterogeneous findings. Conclusions: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination maybe associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. However, the evidence regarding COVID-19 and RSV vaccines remains limited, and additional studies are needed to clarify their impact on the risk of developing neurocognitive disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination for Patients with Respiratory Diseases)
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44 pages, 3948 KB  
Review
Glutathione Biology in Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms, Pathophysiological Roles, and Therapeutic Perspectives
by Grażyna Gromadzka, Magdalena Kąkol, Magdalena Klimkiewicz and Maria Bendykowska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(16), 7507; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27167507 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 144
Abstract
Glutathione is an abundant intracellular low-molecular-weight thiol that contributes importantly to cellular redox homeostasis. Besides its well-established role in the antioxidant defense of the cell, glutathione regulates mitochondrial function, metabolism of toxicants, protein thiol oxidation/reduction, redox signaling, and immunity. Disturbances in glutathione metabolism [...] Read more.
Glutathione is an abundant intracellular low-molecular-weight thiol that contributes importantly to cellular redox homeostasis. Besides its well-established role in the antioxidant defense of the cell, glutathione regulates mitochondrial function, metabolism of toxicants, protein thiol oxidation/reduction, redox signaling, and immunity. Disturbances in glutathione metabolism have been shown to play a role in various diseases; however, it has become clear that changes in glutathione metabolism are a part of a complex, multifactorial process. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms governing glutathione synthesis, recycling, compartmentalization, and biological functions, with particular emphasis on redox signaling, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Nrf2/Keap1) pathway, and reversible protein S-glutathionylation. We further examine how disturbances in glutathione homeostasis interact with mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, metabolic stress, and impaired cellular signaling in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Wilson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We also evaluate current translational interventions targeting restoration of glutathione balance through glutathione supplementation, precursor supplementation, pharmacological modulation of endogenous antioxidant mechanisms, dietary interventions, and changes in lifestyle. Despite the fact that many interventions have been promising at the mechanistic and experimental level, there are still insufficient clinical data because of the problems associated with glutathione availability, tissue specificity, disease variability, and a lack of sufficiently powered clinical trials. The conclusion of this review is that glutathione should not be viewed as a universal therapeutic target; instead, glutathione should be perceived as an important factor contributing to cellular resilience and able to help other disease-specific interventions. Future progress in glutathione-based interventions will likely depend on integrating redox biomarkers, patient stratification, and precision medicine strategies to identify individuals most likely to benefit from targeted modulation of glutathione homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection New Advances in Molecular Toxicology)
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15 pages, 5720 KB  
Article
Olfactory Bulb and Gyrus Rectus Volumes in Alzheimer’s Disease: Associations with Eating Disturbances
by Feride Fatma Görgülü and Orhan Görgülü
Medicina 2026, 62(8), 1615; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62081615 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 155
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction is an early non-cognitive feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The volumetric behavior of olfactory and related frontal structures and their link to eating disturbances remains unclear; we therefore compared olfactory bulb (OB) and gyrus rectus (GR) volumes [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction is an early non-cognitive feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The volumetric behavior of olfactory and related frontal structures and their link to eating disturbances remains unclear; we therefore compared olfactory bulb (OB) and gyrus rectus (GR) volumes between patients with AD and controls and examined their relationship with eating disturbances and their diagnostic value. Materials and Methods: In this single-center, retrospective, case–control study, 135 patients with AD and 49 age-matched controls underwent 3-Tesla MRI. Right, left, and total OB and GR volumes were measured. Groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test; age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed; and OB and GR volumes were compared according to eating disturbance status in patients with AD, with adjustment for age and sex. p-Values were corrected for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate procedure. Results: All OB and GR volumes were significantly lower in patients with AD compared to controls (all p < 0.001), with the total OB volume nearly half that of the controls. Among patients with AD, all OB volumes were significantly lower in those with eating disturbances (all p < 0.001) and remained independently associated after adjustment for age and sex, whereas none of the GR volumes was significantly associated with eating disturbance status after adjustment. In adjusted models, every volumetric measure was independently associated with AD (all p < 0.001). The total OB volume showed the best diagnostic performance (AUC 0.940; sensitivity 0.82; specificity 0.98), while GR volumes performed less well (AUC 0.78–0.84). Conclusions: AD is associated with marked OB and GR atrophy. OB volume was associated with eating disturbances and discriminated AD from controls with high accuracy, supporting OB volumetry as an accessible candidate imaging marker that warrants prospective validation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neurology)
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26 pages, 2932 KB  
Review
Beyond the Central Nervous System: Uncovering Memantine’s Modulatory Role in the Peripheral Nervous System
by Kyriaki Papadopoulou, Sophia Tsokkou, Ioannis Konstantinidis, Pavlos Pavlidis, Chrysanthi Sardeli, Dimitrios Kouvelas, Soultana Meditskou-Efthymiadou, Antonia Sioga and Theodora Papamitsou
Medicines 2026, 13(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines13030025 - 21 Aug 2026
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Abstract
Background: Memantine, an uncompetitive and voltage-dependent N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is clinically established for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease. Its pharmacodynamic profile, low-to-moderate affinity, rapid open-channel block, and strong voltage dependency allows selective inhibition of pathological NMDA overactivation while preserving physiological neurotransmission. Increasing evidence shows [...] Read more.
Background: Memantine, an uncompetitive and voltage-dependent N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is clinically established for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease. Its pharmacodynamic profile, low-to-moderate affinity, rapid open-channel block, and strong voltage dependency allows selective inhibition of pathological NMDA overactivation while preserving physiological neurotransmission. Increasing evidence shows that these same mechanistic principles operate in the peripheral nervous system, where NMDA receptors contribute to excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and maladaptive nociceptive signaling. Purpose: To synthesize emerging preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrating memantine’s modulatory and neuroprotective actions in peripheral neurons and glia and to outline implications for drug repurposing across neurology, pain medicine, oncology, supportive care, and ophthalmology. Methodology: A narrative integration of mechanistic studies, in vivo preclinical models, and heterogeneous clinical trials evaluating memantine’s effects on peripheral sensory neurons, autonomic neurons, Schwann cells, retinal ganglion cells, and neuromuscular junction physiology. Evidence was examined across conditions involving excitotoxicity, oxidative injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptotic signaling, neuroinflammation, and neuropathic pain amplification. Results: Memantine consistently attenuates peripheral excitotoxic calcium influx, suppresses NOX-2–mediated ROS generation, stabilizes mitochondrial membrane potential, modulates Bax/Bcl-2 signaling, and reduces neuroinflammatory cytokine activity. It also inhibits dorsal horn wind-up selectively under neuropathic conditions. These convergent mechanisms yield protective effects across chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), diabetic neuropathy, traumatic nerve injury, phantom limb pain, retinal ganglion cell excitotoxicity, and organophosphate-induced neuromuscular toxicity. Clinical evidence includes improved multimodal neuropathy outcomes in diabetic neuropathy when combined with gabapentin, reduced phantom limb pain prevalence and intensity at six months, and a five-fold reduction in post-mastectomy neuropathic pain with pre-emptive administration. Conclusions: Memantine should be conceptually reframed as a system-wide neuroprotective agent with substantial translational potential beyond the CNS. Priorities for future development include NR2B-selective peripheral NMDA antagonists, peripherally restricted formulations, single-cell transcriptomic mapping of peripheral NMDA receptor subtypes, and adequately powered PNS-specific randomized trials. Full article
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25 pages, 4773 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Evaluation of Peonidin: Antioxidant and Multi-Enzyme Inhibitory Abilities with Molecular Docking Insights
by Hasan Karageçili, Emrah Yerlikaya, Adem Ertürk, Kübra Aslan, Hülya Akıncıoglu and İlhami Gülçin
Molecules 2026, 31(16), 2931; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31162931 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 220
Abstract
Anthocyanins are water-soluble plant pigments. They give many plants, fruits, vegetables, and cereal kernels their red, purple, and blue colors. This research aims to reveal the biological properties of peonidin as an anthocyanin. To comprehend the antioxidant capabilities of peonidin, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical [...] Read more.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble plant pigments. They give many plants, fruits, vegetables, and cereal kernels their red, purple, and blue colors. This research aims to reveal the biological properties of peonidin as an anthocyanin. To comprehend the antioxidant capabilities of peonidin, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS•+), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride radical (DMPD•+), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging, Fe3+-2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ), and Cu2+ reducing assays were recorded. The IC50 values for peonidin against ABTS•+, DMPD•+ and DPPH scavenging capabilities were determined to compare with standard antioxidants. ABTS•+ radical scavenging activity of peonidin had an IC50 value of 15.40 μg/mL, while the IC50 values for BHA, BHT, Trolox, and α-Tocopherol were 12.82, 11.78, 12.67, and 10.83 μg/mL, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity of peonidin had an IC50 value of 41.63 μg/mL, while the IC50 values for BHA, BHT, Trolox, and α-Tocopherol were 8.45, 23.10, 6.30, and 18.73 μg/mL, respectively. Enzyme inhibition was studied to investigate the effects of peonidin. The Ki values of peonidin were 114.33, 63.02, 2.99, 9.76, and 15.14 nM toward hCA I, hCA II, AChE, BChE, and α-glycosidase enzymes, respectively. Furthermore, peonidin’s interactions with target enzymes BChE, hCA I, hCA II, AChE, and α-glycosidase were investigated by molecular docking. The results suggest that antioxidant-rich peonidin is a plant-based compound with potential use in the treatment of glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactives and Functional Ingredients in Foods, 3rd Edition)
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