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Alzheimer's

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What we put in our mouths and how we care for them matters for our cognitive health too.

What your mouth has to do with your risk of dementia

New research suggests that our oral microbiome might predict cognitive decline before symptoms start.

  • Sarah Berry

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Young carer Charlie Dunn Rice with brother Thomas (Spider-Man costume), sister Ava and mum Kate Dunn.

‘A privilege’: What 15-year-old Charlie and other young carers want you to know

There are more than 390,000 carers under 25 in Australia, but their work often goes unnoticed, and advocates say more support is needed.

  • Lauren Ironmonger
Scientists have made progress in better understanding the human brain.

Want to know how you’ll die? Increasingly, the chances are it will be dementia

In 1974, there were just 338 deaths attributed to dementia. By 2023 that number had seen a near 5000 per cent increase.

  • Shane Wright
Scientists have made progress in better understanding the human brain.

The good news about Alzheimer’s: There’s progress

Patients and doctors used to think there wasn’t much that could be done after an Alzheimer’s diagnoses. Things are changing.

  • Laurie McGinley
Australia leading causes of death.

How we die in Australia

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for Australians since the 1960s. It’s about to be overtaken.

  • Shane Wright
MRI brain scans showing 10 different dementia types.

Diagnosing dementia is complicated. An algorithm could change that

Scientists in the US and Australia are using artificial intelligence to keep up with an estimated 78 million dementia cases by 2030.

  • Angus Thomson
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Regular scans will be needed to monitor the brains of those taking the new Alzheimer’s drug Leqembie.

First new Alzheimer’s drugs in 20 years to bring hope for early-stage patients

Experts say two drugs expected to arrive in Australia soon have helped slow cognitive decline in trials and may be a key to widespread prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

  • Wendy Tuohy
St Kilda GP Dr Nick Carr wants Victoria’s assisted dying laws brought into line with other states. But not everyone agrees.

Cherryl Barassi’s doctor says he should be allowed to raise assisted dying with patients

Dr Nick Carr said Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying laws need to be brought into line with other states, which allow doctors to raise the issue.

  • Broede Carmody
Keri Kitay and her mother, Terry.

Just because she’s gone, doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate our mother today

When we were faced with our first Mother’s Day without Mom’s physical presence, we started a new tradition: my dad, brothers and I went to the cemetery to visit her.

  • Keri Kitay
Scientists hope a swab of saliva or drop of blood could reveal your risk of thousands of diseases. But is that a crystal ball worth looking in to?

The genetic ‘crystal ball’: Would you want to know which disease will kill you?

Your risk of cancer, heart attack and Alzheimer’s could be revealed with a swab of saliva. But the burgeoning DNA technology has significant flaws.

  • Angus Dalton

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/alzheimers-5ua