New Alzheimer’s Risk Gene; Autism Prevalence Rises; Tau Blood Test Excels

Genome-wide association studies showed that epigenetically regulated MGMT expression was associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, especially in women. (Alzheimer’s & Dementia)

Dementia prevention has shifted toward emphasizing modifiable risk factors as “we are changing how we understand the way dementia develops,” an expert said. (New York Times)

The estimated prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the U.S. was 3.14% among children and adolescents in 2019 and 2020, higher than estimates from earlier years, which ranged from 2.3% to 2.5%. (JAMA Pediatrics)

LDL cholesterol was linked with higher Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology burden independent of APOE status. (Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry)

Plasma p-tau217 was an accurate blood-based biomarker of tau and amyloid-beta pathological brain changes in people with Down syndrome, similar to findings in Alzheimer’s disease. (JAMA Neurology)

Gait training, physical activities, and hand-arm intensive therapy were strongly recommended as first-line treatments for all children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in new guidelines. (Neurology)

Post-traumatic stress disorder was associated with accelerated cognitive decline in middle-aged women. (JAMA Network Open)

Non-ambulant Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients treated with CAP-1002 had statistically significant clinical benefits in skeletal muscle function in the HOPE-2 open label extension study, Capricor Therapeutics announced.

Race and ethnicity, sex, depression, and concussion history helped identify risk for suicide attempts among children and teenagers in the U.S. (JAMA Network Open)

Nabiximols oromucosal spray (Sativex) did not meet its primary endpoint of change in lower limb muscle tone in a phase III trial of people with MS, Jazz Pharmaceuticals reported.

The FDA will reconvene its advisory committee for AMX0035, a proprietary combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol for ALS, on September 7, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals said.