Published Monday, 13 October 2025 -Issue #5
3 Quick Bites: Last Week in Dementia News
Creative Experiences May Help Delay Brain Aging
Medical Xpress – 6 October 2025 • Read it here
Story
People who engage regularly in creative activities like painting, writing, crafting, or playing music may show slower signs of brain aging. The study of over 1400 people with brain scans from multiple countries, found that creative engagement was linked to better preservation of neural networks involved in memory and processing speed.
These benefits were most noticeable in older adults who kept up creative habits throughout their lives, but even people who started later showed some protective effects.
Why it matters
A lot of dementia research focuses on treatments and drugs, but this study puts the spotlight on what we can do in daily life. Creative activities might help keep the brain flexible and better connected, which may delay cognitive decline. This is especially relevant for caregivers and older adults looking for accessible ways to support brain health without relying on medical interventions.
My take
I like this one because it backs up what so many of us already try to do with loved ones, finding small, meaningful activities that keep their minds engaged. Both long-term passions and short-term learning can make a difference, so starting small is still beneficial.
It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new, and that creative engagement isn’t just a pastime, it may actually help keep the brain active and resilient and that applies to you too.
As caregivers, you’re often focused on the well-being of others, but your own brain health is just as important.
Nanotech Restores the Brain’s Barrier – Reverses Alzheimer’s in Mice
Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)- 7 October 2025 • Read it here
Story
Researchers used nanoparticles to repair the brain’s blood-brain barrier, helping clear toxic amyloid-beta proteins in mice. Within an hour, they saw a 50–60% reduction and months later, major behavioural recovery.
Why it matters
This shifts the focus from neurons to the brain’s vascular system, opening the door to new treatment directions. This approach tackles a root issue, impaired waste clearance, potentially halting or reversing cognitive decline. It highlights a promising new direction for therapies that could transform patient outcomes if proven effective in humans.
My take
While this research is still in animal models, it suggests future treatments might focus on brain vasculature to combat Alzheimer’s. A treatment that doesn’t just slow decline but visibly reverses cognitive impairment, in mice. But we must be cautious.
Everything in mice doesn’t translate. Human blood-brain barriers are far more complex, and safety, longevity, dosage, and side effects are unknown.
Project DECIDE II: Evaluating Advance Care Decision making within routine care
BMC Medical Ethics – 8 October 2025 • Read it here
Story
Project DECIDE II is testing how supported advance care decision-making for people with dementia can be built into routine dementia care. The idea is to embed decision support into routine dementia care. The goal: more valid advance care documents, greater patient autonomy, and reduced burden for proxies.
Why it matters
Advance care planning is essential in dementia care, but many people lose decision capacity before meaningful choices are made. This study’s approach emphasizes how decisions are made, using simplified language, guided discussion, supporting values clarification, not just having a form.
If effective, it could help make end-of-life preferences more reflective of the person’s wishes and reduce the emotional load on carers and proxies.
My take
I love that this trial focuses on decision support, not just paperwork. This study is important because it helps people with dementia keep some control over their own care, even as their memory or thinking gets worse.
For now, it’s a reminder to initiate those conversations early, with care and clarity, and advocate for approaches that centre on autonomy, not just checkboxes.
I hope you found something in here that helped breakdown the news.