Trace Element Imbalances Tied to Dementia; Epilepsy Hinders Education; Navigating Brain Death Discussions
A study of National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center participants found that lower iron and higher selenium levels in plasma were each associated with an increased risk of dementia. Additional research linked alcohol use disorder to a higher risk of behavioral variant Alzheimer's disease and childhood-onset epilepsy to poorer educational outcomes. The roundup also covers a phase I trial of CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune neurologic conditions and an FDA warning about a recalled spinal cord stimulator.
Analyses of National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center data revealed that low iron and high selenium independently correlated with dementia risk. A Portuguese cross-sectional study linked alcohol use disorder to behavioral variant Alzheimer's, while a Danish cohort of over a million showed childhood-onset epilepsy reduced educational attainment.
A Chinese phase I trial of in vivo CD19 CAR T-cell therapy achieved complete B-cell depletion in 16 patients with refractory autoimmune conditions, including progressive MS. Separately, the FDA flagged 1,081 serious injuries tied to a recalled spinal cord stimulator's lead component, and a phase III myotonic dystrophy drug failed its primary endpoint.
These findings could reshape preventive neurology by prompting earlier screening for trace element imbalances, though causality remains unproven. The epilepsy-education link may drive targeted school support for affected children. Successful CAR T-cell therapy could offer new hope for refractory autoimmune conditions, while the stimulator recall highlights ongoing device safety concerns. Together, they may influence clinical guidelines and patient-physician conversations regarding risk, treatment, and end-of-life decisions.