Research

Med Page Today: Brain Aging Markers Tied to Inflammatory Foods

May 16, 2022

New research is revealing how high inflammatory foods are connected brain aging markers and cerebral small vessel disease. Debora Melo van Lent, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, speaks to this research of a high inflammatory diet. To read the article, visit MedPageToday.com.



In the race to solve Alzheimer’s disease, scientists find more needles in the haystack

April 20, 2022

21 million. That’s the number of genetic variations in the human genome that researchers are sifting to identify patterns predisposing people to Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to international collaboration, more genetic variations for Alzheimer’s disease are known today than ever before. The list of gene variants recognized for late-onset Alzheimer’s grew from one in 2009 to […]



In the quest for a TBI therapy, astrocytes may be the bull’s-eye

February 11, 2022

Growing evidence suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. But to date, effective therapies aren’t available for preventing or treating TBI-induced disease. Scientists may be on to something, though. New studies from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), published […]


UT Health San Antonio, University Health perform region’s first surgery for Alzheimer’s disease

February 1, 2022

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) and clinical partner University Health are among 27 sites worldwide (18 in the U.S., one in Canada and eight in Germany) evaluating the effectiveness of a technique called deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. DBS is […]


Landmark national study resumes after COVID-enforced pause

January 24, 2022

After a 15-month-long COVID-19 stoppage, a landmark National Institutes of Health effort to detail the exact molecular mechanisms that explain exercise’s health and anti-aging benefits is again under way. The Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) will collect blood, fat and muscle samples before, during and after exercise from around 2,600 volunteers spread across […]



TPR: Latinos are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s. South Texas researchers want to find out why.

December 28, 2021

Statistical data shows “clustering” of Alzheimer’s cases in specific communities — not spread out evenly like other diseases. To read the full article, visit Texas Public Radio.




Researchers develop a method to detect toxic brain cells; this could be a step toward a new Alzheimer’s treatment

December 10, 2021

Emerging evidence suggests it may be possible to treat Alzheimer’s disease by targeting therapy at senescent cells in the brain. Today (Dec. 10) in the journal Nature Aging, a team from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Wake Forest School of Medicine reported the first method, based on computational analysis, to […]



Selected as NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

September 9, 2021

“Glenn would be so pleased that this prestigious NIH Center of Excellence has been awarded to help the families of our region and the state that he loved.” SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 9, 2021) — The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, working in close collaboration, were […]


Forbes: New research shines light on how COVID-19 can damage the brain

July 30, 2021

Forbes interviewed Gabriel A. de Erausquin, MD, PhD, M.Sc., neurologist and researcher at the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, regarding his research of adults 60 years and older and their cognitive issues after contracting COVID-19. The study also reviews the connection between loss of smell experienced with COVID-19 and in diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. […]


NPR: Doctors worry that memory problems after COVID-19 may set the stage for Alzheimer’s

July 27, 2021

Cassandra Hernandez, 38, contracted COVID-19 and began to experience memory and thinking problems. “I’m a nurse,” said Hernandez. “I work with surgeons and my memory was sharp.” A year after contracting COVID-19, Hernandez is still having problems with her memory. “We were at dinner and I forgot how to use a fork,” she said. Brain […]