Published Monday, 27 October 2025 -Issue #7
3 Quick Bites: Last Week in Dementia News
Dementia Linked to Problems with the Brain’s Waste Clearance System
University of Cambridge – 23 October 2025 • Read it here
Story
Researchers at University of Cambridge found found that problems with the brain’s waste clearance system, called the glymphatic system, can predict dementia risk. Using MRI scans from 40,000 UK Biobank adults, researchers identified markers of poor cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) movement, which cleans toxins from the brain, linking it to higher dementia chances over a decade. Issues like high blood pressure and small vessel disease in the brain worsen this system, contributing to toxin buildup seen in Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
Why it matters
This adds more evidence to the idea that dementia isn’t just about what builds up in the brain, but also about what fails to clear out. If the brain can’t remove waste properly, harmful proteins can accumulate faster. It’s also a reminder of why good sleep and vascular health matter, since both are linked to how well this system works.
My take
I think this is a powerful reminder that dementia risk is about more than memory. Poor waste clearance could be one of the early warning signs or even a potential treatment target in future. It’s early research, so it doesn’t offer direct steps for families now, but it reinforces why everyday habits like supporting sleep, hydration, and circulation are worth paying attention to.
Predicting Caregiver Stress Before It Gets Too Heavy
BMC Nursing – 22 October 2025 • Read it here
Story
Researchers in China created a tool to spot dementia caregivers who may be at risk of high stress. Looking at 485 caregivers, they found six main red flags: little social support, low confidence, long hours caring, low income, not working, and extra health issues for the person with dementia. The tool was very accurate in identifying those most at risk.
Why it matters
Caregivers often face high emotional and mental-health burdens, but tools to predict who is at greatest risk are limited. This work offers a practical approach to identify caregivers needing extra support, so interventions could be targeted and timely. It shifts the focus from reacting to distress to anticipating it.
Alzheimer’s Disrupts Circadian Rhythms of Plaque-Clearing Brain Cells
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis – 23 October 2025 • Read it here
Story
Researchers found that in mice modelling early Alzheimer’s, brain cells that clear toxic proteins (microglia and astrocytes) have their gene-activity rhythms thrown off. Hundreds of genes that normally wake up and rest in sync with the body’s internal clock shifted when amyloid plaques built up, making these “cleanup” cells less efficient over the day-night cycle. The gene changes affected processes like waste-clearance and inflammation.
Why it matters
The findings highlight a new angle: Alzheimer’s isn’t just about plaques forming, but also about when and how the brain’s “clean-up crew” works. Disrupted circadian rhythms may make clearing toxins harder, which ties in with why we see sleep problems early on in dementia and why poor sleep may speed decline.
My take
Still early research in mice, not yet shown in humans. It suggests one more reason why sleep, regular routines, and good vascular health matter for brain health. For caregivers, it reinforces the value of preserving sleep hygiene and consistent daily rhythms for loved ones with dementia.
My take
It’s great early research and could be a useful tool but identifying caregiver stress is important, but it’s only half the work. Without proper support services behind it, we’re just naming the problem, not solving it.
I hope you found something in here that helped breakdown the news. Thanks for reading!