Key Highlights
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A new gene therapy approach using a virus to deliver microRNAs successfully silenced a harmful retrovirus protein linked to ALS in mice, leading to fewer lost motor neurons and improved movement. This provides compelling evidence for a potential new treatment strategy for forms of ALS linked to this specific viral protein.
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Simple measurements of pupil dilation during cognitive tasks can reveal differences in attention and mental effort between healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This easy-to-administer measure could serve as a useful tool for tracking cognitive changes in aging and early neurodegenerative conditions.
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A systematic review found that patients with Alzheimer’s disease who take oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) do not appear to have a significantly higher risk of brain swelling or bleeding when also treated with new anti-amyloid antibody drugs. This challenges current safety warnings and could expand treatment access for patients who need both therapies.
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Researchers developed a blood test to detect specific autoantibodies linked to a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis after an Epstein-Barr virus infection. This diagnostic tool could help identify individuals at greater risk years before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier monitoring or preventive strategies.
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A study in guinea pigs found that behaviors and physiological traits linked to stress and anxiety vary significantly across the female reproductive (estrous) cycle and are repeatable over time. This highlights the importance of accounting for hormonal cycles in animal research on behavior and stress, which can improve the accuracy of models for human conditions.
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