Your brain stopped making new cells at age 13, study claims

By Susan Scutti, CNN

Updated 1520 GMT (2320 HKT) March 8, 2018

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Photos: Neurodegenerative diseases: The latest stories from CNN

College freshman Indrani Das hit headlines in 2017 for her research into brain cells and preventing the damaging side effects that occur when the brain heals. For people with brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, her findings could one day help them live a better life.

Scroll through to discover more of CNN's coverage of neurodegenerative disease research.

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A study published February 2018 stated that walking while counting backwards was an accurate way to differentiate between idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (a condition that affects elderly mobility, which may sometimes be reversed with early treatment) from a form of dementia called progressive supranuclear palsy. The two are often confused by doctors, but a pressure-sensitive carpet and detailed study of a patient's gait demonstrated key differences between the two conditions. <a href="https://cnn.com/2018/02/21/health/walk-test-for-dementia-study/index.html"><strong>Read more</strong></a>

Photos: Neurodegenerative diseases: The latest stories from CNN

A simple walking test to diagnose form of dementia – A study published February 2018 stated that walking while counting backwards was an accurate way to differentiate between idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (a condition that affects elderly mobility, which may sometimes be reversed with early treatment) from a form of dementia called progressive supranuclear palsy. The two are often confused by doctors, but a pressure-sensitive carpet and detailed study of a patient's gait demonstrated key differences between the two conditions. Read more

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A February 2018 study looked at over one million adults diagnosed with dementia released from French hospitals between 2008 and 2013. It found a diagnosis of alcohol-use disorders ("the chronic harmful use of alcohol or alcohol dependence") among 16.5% of male subjects and 4% of female subjects with dementia -- more than twice the levels of those without dementia. There was a particularly strong association for those with early-onset dementia. <a href="https://cnn.com/2018/02/20/health/alcohol-disorder-dementia-risk-study/index.html"><strong>Read more</strong></a>

Photos: Neurodegenerative diseases: The latest stories from CNN

Excessive alcohol consumption linked to early-onset dementia – A February 2018 study looked at over one million adults diagnosed with dementia released from French hospitals between 2008 and 2013. It found a diagnosis of alcohol-use disorders ("the chronic harmful use of alcohol or alcohol dependence") among 16.5% of male subjects and 4% of female subjects with dementia -- more than twice the levels of those without dementia. There was a particularly strong association for those with early-onset dementia. Read more

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A study released in <a href="https://cnn.com/2018/02/01/health/alzheimers-blood-test-study-intl/index.html">February 2018</a> claims scientists in Australia and Japan have developed a new blood test to detect the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The noninvasive test was developed to detect the presence of the toxic protein amyloid beta, known to be present in people affected by the disease, and did so with 90% accuracy, according to the paper. <a href="https://cnn.com/2018/02/01/health/alzheimers-blood-test-study-intl/index.html"><strong>Read more</strong></a>

Photos: Neurodegenerative diseases: The latest stories from CNN

Tests suggests protein linked to Alzheimer's – A study released in February 2018 claims scientists in Australia and Japan have developed a new blood test to detect the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The noninvasive test was developed to detect the presence of the toxic protein amyloid beta, known to be present in people affected by the disease, and did so with 90% accuracy, according to the paper. Read more

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In December 2017 an experimental drug was shown to reduce levels of the toxic protein that causes Huntington's disease, an inherited disorder in which mutated proteins damage nerve cells in the brain. The new drug, Ionis-HTTRx, was shown to be safe for humans in a trial of 46 patients and was described as a "potential game-changer." <a href="https://cnn.com/2017/12/11/health/huntingtons-disease-drug-trial-study/index.html"><strong>Read more</strong></a>

Photos: Neurodegenerative diseases: The latest stories from CNN

New drug trial shows promise in fight against Huntington's – In December 2017 an experimental drug was shown to reduce levels of the toxic protein that causes Huntington's disease, an inherited disorder in which mutated proteins damage nerve cells in the brain. The new drug, Ionis-HTTRx, was shown to be safe for humans in a trial of 46 patients and was described as a "potential game-changer." Read more

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In November 2017, tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates announced a $50 million investment in the Dementia Discovery Fund, a research partnership focused on what drives brain disease. "Several of the men in my family have this disease (Alzheimer's)," Gates told CNN's Dr Sanjay Gupta. "I've seen how tough it is. That's not my sole motivation, but it certainly drew me in." <a href="https://cnn.com/2017/11/13/health/bill-gates-announcement-alzheimers/index.html"><strong>Read more</strong></a>

Photos: Neurodegenerative diseases: The latest stories from CNN

Bill Gates steps into the Alzheimer's fight – In November 2017, tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates ann