https://ki.se RSS News Listing https://news.ki.se/air-pollution-may-increase-the-risk-of-als Prolonged exposure to air pollution can be linked to an elevated risk for serious neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and seems to speed up the pathological process, report researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The study is published in the journal JAMA Neurology. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:00:10 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-brain-imaging-technique-can-detect-early-frontotemporal-dementia A new international study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet demonstrates that it is possible to detect subtle changes in the brain and identify early signs of hereditary frontotemporal dementia using advanced brain imaging techniques. The study has recently been published in Molecular Psychiatry. Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:54:45 +0200 https://news.ki.se/goncalo-castelo-branco-wants-to-understand-what-lies-behind-ms His research shows molecular changes in brain cells when a person develops multiple sclerosis (MS). But it is still unclear whether these changes contribute to - or even protect against - the development of the disease. Gonçalo Castelo-Branco is open to the answer. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:39:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-mechanism-for-how-cells-handle-stress-discovered In a study published in Nature, researchers at Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab, among others, have identified a new mechanism for how cells deal with stress. This could have implications for treating certain hereditary, neurodegenerative diseases, but may also be relevant for future cancer treatment. Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:00:10 +0100 https://news.ki.se/eric-thelins-research-group-receives-donation The Committee for Research at Karolinska Institutet has, after a careful inventory, decided to award Eric Thelin's research group, active at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, SEK 730,000 from a donation bequeathed by Erik Gut. Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:02:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/reflections-on-neurotecheu-insights-from-supervisors-on-student-development Supervisors Michael Ratz and Kristiina Tammimies share how their students’ participation in NeurotechEU brought back tangible benefits and some exciting new possibilities. Mon, 04 Nov 2024 13:14:26 +0100 https://news.ki.se/alzheimers-drug-may-slow-down-cognitive-decline-in-dementia-with-lewy-bodies Dementia with Lewy bodies is a type of dementia that is similar to both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease but studies on long-term treatments are lacking. A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, highlights the potential cognitive benefits of cholinesterase inhibitor treatment. Fri, 23 Aug 2024 13:00:15 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-search-for-an-effective-treatment-for-glaucoma Pete Williams is one of few researchers in Sweden concentrating on glauComa. The goal is an effective treatment, something that stops the degenerative process in the nerve cells of the eye. Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:13:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-thesis-sheds-light-on-the-role-of-oxysterols-in-neurodegeneration Hi María Latorre Leal, doctoral student at the Division of Neurogeriatrics. On April 26 you will defend your thesis "The role of oxysterols in neurodegeneration : implications for cognitive function, maternal effects, and sex-specific differences". What is the main focus of the thesis? Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:37:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-in-international-collaboration-to-prevent-alzheimers-disease Karolinska Institutet is one of 24 partners in AD-RIDDLE, a collaborative project that aims to increase healthcare providers' ability to diagnose, prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. The project, supported by, among others, the EU's Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), started in January 2024 and will run for five years. Thu, 15 Feb 2024 16:14:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-a-natural-protein-can-help-fight-alzheimers-disease A new study published in Nature Communications gives insights into the underlying mechanisms of the formation of protein clumps in Alzheimer’s disease. The study, led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, could pave the way for new treatments for this devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Fri, 02 Feb 2024 10:17:28 +0100 https://news.ki.se/protein-activation-in-the-brain-may-protect-women-against-alzheimers A new study at the Karolinska Institutet suggests that activation of a certain brain protein can protect women from developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Thu, 25 Jan 2024 07:37:07 +0100 https://news.ki.se/high-biological-age-may-increase-the-risk-of-dementia-and-stroke People who have a higher biological age than their actual chronological age have a significantly increased risk of stroke and dementia, especially vascular dementia. These are the results of a study from Karolinska Institutet published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Mon, 06 Nov 2023 12:34:56 +0100 https://news.ki.se/the-iovino-laboratorys-research-highlighted-in-the-encephalitis-society-newsletter The Encephalitis Society is a worldwide international charity with the mission of building better futures by driving research, accelerating awareness, and saving lives. In the latest issue of their newsletter which has been running since 2003, the society has chosen to highlight the research performed in Federico Iovino's group. Fri, 09 Jun 2023 14:13:34 +0200 https://news.ki.se/stratneuro-awards-the-2023-bridging-grant-at-the-consolidator-level The StratNeuro Bridging Grant at the consolidator level is a funding initiative where StratNeuro awards outstanding researchers in the field of neuroscience at Karolinsk Institutet, who have not been awarded the KI consolidator grant or equivalent, giving them the opportunity to consolidate their research. Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:09:20 +0100 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-in-als-patients-can-predict-the-course-of-the-disease By measuring immune cells in the cerebrospinal fluid when diagnosing ALS, it is possible to predict how fast the disease may progress according to a study from Karolinska Institutet published in Nature Communications. Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:25:34 +0100 https://news.ki.se/repeated-serious-infections-linked-to-increased-risk-of-some-neurodegenerative-diseases Infections treated with specialty hospital care in early- and mid-life are associated with an increased subsequent risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, but not amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, published in PLOS Medicine. Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:57:59 +0200 https://news.ki.se/3d-imaging-helps-to-better-understand-the-early-stages-of-alzheimers-disease Using a novel 3D imaging technology, researchers at Karolinska Institutet, among others, have been able to comprehensively characterize a part of the brain that shows perhaps the earliest accumulation of tau protein, an important biomarker for the development of Alzheimer's disease. The results, published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica, may make it possible in the future to have a more precise neuropathological diagnosis of the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum at a very early stage. Wed, 31 Aug 2022 10:06:02 +0200 https://news.ki.se/repurposing-cancer-drug-to-treat-neuroinflammation The repurposing of FDA-approved drugs for alternative diseases is a faster way of bringing new treatments into the clinic. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have repurposed a cancer drug for treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. A novel drug carrier was also developed to facilitate drug delivery to target myeloid cells. These pre-clinical findings are described in a paper in the journal EMBO Reports. Fri, 03 Jun 2022 21:19:37 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-thesis-about-biomarkers-in-frontotemporal-dementia-ftd Hi Linn Öijerstedt, PhD student at the Division of Neurogeriatrics, NVS. On January 20 you will defend your thesis ”Biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia : findings from the GENFI study”, what's the main focus of the thesis? Thu, 13 Jan 2022 07:54:55 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-identifies-protein-important-for-motor-coordination-and-exercise-performance Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a protein that improves muscular metabolism, motor coordination and exercise performance in mice. The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, could be of therapeutic value for patients with muscle and neurological diseases, such as ALS. Wed, 29 Sep 2021 17:00:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-receives-38-million-sek-for-research-on-parkinsons-disease Professor Per Svenningsson at Karolinska Institutet receives funding for a five-year research project of 38 million SEK from Nordstjernan Holding AB and the Axel Johnson Group. The investment goes to fundamental research on the onset of Parkinson's disease and to clinical studies to improve treatment and slow down the course of the disease. Wed, 07 Jul 2021 08:35:56 +0200 https://news.ki.se/joana-pereira-new-research-group-leader Joana Pereira officially starts as research group leader today, June 1, although she has been managing her own group for a while now. Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:22:19 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-type-of-cell-contributes-to-increased-understanding-of-als The causes of the serious muscle disease ALS still remain unknown. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, among others, have examined a type of cell in the brain blood vessels that could explain the unpredictable disease origins and dynamics. The results indicate a hitherto unknown connection between the nervous and vascular systems. The study, published in Nature Medicine, has potential implications for earlier diagnoses and future treatments. Thu, 15 Apr 2021 17:00:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-research-on-mitochondrial-function-can-play-significant-part-in-serious-disease Disorders of the cells’ energy supply can cause a number of serious diseases, but also seem to be connected to ageing. More research is needed on mitochondrial function to find future treatments. A new study involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet shows how an important molecule inside the mitochondria affects their function in mice and fruit flies. The study, which is published in Science Advances, adds valuable knowledge on formerly relatively unexplored protein modifications. Fri, 19 Feb 2021 20:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/antioxidants-vitamin-c-and-vitamin-e-linked-to-lower-risk-of-parkinsons People who consume high levels of vitamin C and E in their diet may have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease than people who get only small amounts of these nutrients, according to a new study from University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy, and Karolinska Institutet. The study was published in Neurology. Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/gilberto-fisone-receives-grant-for-international-collaboration-within-personalised-medicine-for-neurodegenerative-diseases-jpnd Gilberto Fisone has been awarded a three-year research grant from the Swedish Research Council within the program Novel Imaging and Brain Stimulation Methods and Technologies (JPND) for a project entitled "Phage-based targeted neural stimulation in neurodegenerative diseases". Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:36:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-explains-the-process-that-exacerbates-ms People with multiple sclerosis (MS) gradually develop increasing functional impairment. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now found a possible explanation for the progressive course of the disease in mice and how it can be reversed. The study, which is published in Science Immunology, can prove valuable to future treatments. Fri, 16 Oct 2020 20:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/changing-the-image-of-als Much of Fang Fang’s research concerns ALS. Although her background is in epidemiology, she likes to integrate other types of research. In her view, multidisciplinary collaboration is key to understand and, in the long run, to cure the disease. Tue, 13 Oct 2020 12:02:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/brain-imaging-can-predict-alzheimers-related-memory-loss Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have imaged tau protein in the brains of living patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The amount and spread of tau proved a predictor of future memory loss. Brain imaging for measuring tau can be useful both for improving diagnosis and for developing more effective treatments, say the researchers. The study is published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Fri, 03 Jul 2020 06:00:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/personality-stress-and-risk-of-parkinsons-disease The focus of Johanna Sieurin's thesis was to investigate the relationship of personality and stress with subsequent risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Tue, 12 May 2020 11:40:38 +0200 https://news.ki.se/brain-study-contributes-to-increased-understanding-of-endocrine-diseases Many nerve cells in the brain region hypothalamus have unexpected origins and go through complex development programs, where millions of neurons assemble into a precisely knit network by birth. That is according to a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Medical University of Vienna published in the journal Nature. The findings may further our understanding of hormonal diseases and their origins, according to the researchers. Wed, 06 May 2020 17:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-thesis-about-how-we-quantify-neurodegeneration-evident-on-medical-images Gustav Mårtensson, PhD-student at the Division of Clinical Geriatrics. On May 15, 2020 you will defend your thesis "Quantifying neurodegeneration from medical images with machine learning and graph theory", what's the main focus of the thesis? Mon, 27 Apr 2020 11:37:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/simple-tool-shows-life-expectancy-after-dementia-diagnosis Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and from the Netherlands have developed a simple tool that shows the survival probability of a person with dementia disease over three years. This, they hope, will facilitate dialogue with the most seriously affected and help doctors and others plan the necessary care. The study is published today in the scientific journal Neurology. Mon, 16 Dec 2019 22:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-clues-to-the-link-between-als-and-type-2-diabetes Patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) often suffer from type 2 diabetes. This phenomenon has since long remained mechanistically enigmatic. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a molecular mechanism linking these two diseases. The study is published in the scientific journal PNAS. Mon, 09 Dec 2019 21:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/thesis-on-association-between-neuroinflammation-and-als-and-ms On Friday December 18, Elisa Longinetti will defend her thesis "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis associated neuroinflammation: nationwide epidemiological studies on etiology, comorbidities, and treatment" Tue, 03 Dec 2019 15:59:44 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ms-linked-to-variant-of-common-herpes-virus-through-new-method Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new method to separate between two different types of a common herpes virus (HHV-6) that has been linked to multiple sclerosis. By analyzing antibodies in the blood against the most divergent proteins of herpesvirus 6A and 6B, the researchers were able to show that MS-patients carry the herpesvirus 6A to a greater extent than healthy individuals. The findings, published in Frontiers in Immunology, point to a role for HHV-6A in MS development. Tue, 26 Nov 2019 07:35:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/low-iq-family-history-tied-to-treatment-resistant-schizophrenia Those with a family history of schizophrenia and men with lower IQ are more likely to struggle with treatment resistant schizophrenia than others with the mental disorder, according to a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The researchers say the findings could be important in efforts to design novel drug treatments that improve cognition. Tue, 12 Nov 2019 02:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/depressed-ms-patients-suffer-debilitating-symptoms-earlier People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who also have depression are more likely to suffer debilitating symptoms early than people with MS who are not depressed, according to a study at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden that is published in the journal Neurology. The findings highlight the need for early recognition and treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with MS. Fri, 08 Nov 2019 22:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/walking-ability-cognitive-function-key-for-people-with-ms-to-participate-in-social-life People with multiple sclerosis who can walk at a relatively normal speed and effectively process information are more likely to continue to participate in social activities, according to a new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal. The findings highlight the importance of integrating motor and cognitive rehabilitation in the care of patients with MS. Mon, 21 Oct 2019 09:50:17 +0200 https://news.ki.se/close-to-135-million-in-kaw-project-funding Four research projects at Karolinska Institutet receive funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) in the project call of 2019. In all, researchers at KI are awarded close to SEK 135 million over a five-year period for studies into MS, mitochondrial disease, and vaccine against rheumatism. Tue, 01 Oct 2019 10:40:02 +0200 https://news.ki.se/major-genome-map-of-ms Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have taken part in the largest study to date on the genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, which is published today in the journal Science, corroborates earlier studies and provides new clues as to what causes this neurological disease. The resulting map will prove a vital resource for future researchers and could one day lead to new, more potent drugs. Thu, 26 Sep 2019 20:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/discovery-concerning-the-nervous-system-overturns-a-previous-theory It appears that when our nervous system is developing, only the most viable neurons survive, while immature neurons are weeded out and die. This is shown in a ground-breaking discovery by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The results indicate that the long-standing neurotrophic theory, which states that chance determines which cells will form the nervous system, needs to be revised. Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/they-are-the-2019-wallenberg-scholars Three researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been appointed Wallenberg Scholar in 2019: Ernest Arenas, Sten Linnarsson, and Randal S. Johnson. The researchers – among the foremost in their field in Sweden – receive SEK 18 million each from the Wallenberg Foundations in the form of a five-year grant for free research. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 09:10:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-insights-about-the-role-of-myelin-producing-cells-in-ms Subpopulations of oligodendrocytes, myelin-producing cells in the brain that are targeted by the immune system in multiple sclerosis (MS), are altered in MS and might therefore have additional roles in the disease than previously described. The results are published in the journal Nature, in a study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and University of Edinburgh in the UK. Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:00:49 +0100 https://news.ki.se/old-cells-repair-damage-in-the-brains-of-ms-patients A new study shows that there is a very limited regeneration of cells in the brain of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). These findings underline the importance of treating MS at an early stage of the disease progression, when the affected cells can repair the damage as they are not replaced by new ones. The results are published in the journal Nature by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University. Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:00:19 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-method-for-studying-als-more-effectively Wed, 12 Dec 2018 07:00:48 +0100 https://news.ki.se/researchers-hope-to-be-able-to-replace-dysfunctional-brain-cells Mon, 19 Nov 2018 15:23:45 +0100 https://news.ki.se/prestigious-grant-for-research-on-als Wed, 15 Aug 2018 15:07:23 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-disease-model-to-facilitate-development-of-als-and-ms-drugs Mon, 16 Apr 2018 17:03:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/calcium-transfer-may-open-up-to-new-ways-of-treating-alzheimers-disease Fri, 02 Feb 2018 13:52:40 +0100 https://news.ki.se/proteomics-analyses-could-present-new-opportunities-to-diagnose-and-treat-dementias Tue, 09 Jan 2018 09:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/medical-nutrition-drink-may-affect-development-of-early-alzheimers Tue, 07 Nov 2017 13:53:32 +0100 https://news.ki.se/mechanisms-behind-sensory-deficits-in-parkinsons-disease Although Parkinson’s disease is often associated with motor symptoms such as stiffness, poor balance and trembling, the first symptoms are often sensory and include a reduced sense of touch and smell. In a study on mice, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now been able to identify neural circuits and mechanisms behind this loss of sensory perception. The study, which is published in the scientific journal Neuron, may open avenues to methods of earlier diagnosis. Thu, 18 May 2017 08:15:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/conversion-of-brain-cells-offers-hope-for-parkinsons-patients Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have made significant progress in the search for new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. By manipulating the gene expression of non-neuronal cells in the brain, they were able to produce new dopamine neurons. The study, performed on mice and human cells, is published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. Tue, 11 Apr 2017 06:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/biological-effects-and-therapeutic-potential-of-ngf-in-alzheimers Thu, 23 Feb 2017 16:26:23 +0100 https://news.ki.se/nerve-insulating-cells-more-diverse-than-previously-thought Thu, 09 Jun 2016 20:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/resistant-neurons-point-the-way-to-protective-factors-in-als The growth factor IGF-2 can prevent the death of human nerve cells in the incurable disease ALS, according to a study by researchers at Sweden´s Karolinska Institutet and the University of Milan in Italy. The study, which is published in the journal Scientific Reports, demonstrates that degeneration-resistant oculomotor neurons can be used as a tool to identify factors able to prevent the degeneration of vulnerable neurons caused by this deadly disease. Mon, 16 May 2016 11:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/older-rheumatoid-arthritis-drug-is-more-effective-against-ms-than-newer-costlier-drug Fri, 15 Apr 2016 12:52:46 +0200 https://news.ki.se/high-daily-coffee-consumption-may-lower-risk-of-multiple-sclerosis Fri, 04 Mar 2016 11:08:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-knowledge-on-why-patients-with-type-2-diabetes-present-smelling-problems In a study in type 2 diabetic rats, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet have identified alterations in specific nerve cells that are important for odor identification. The findings might explain why type 2 diabetic patients often experience smelling problems and potentially open up a new research field to develop preventive therapies against neurodegenerative diseases in type 2 diabetic patients. Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:12:33 +0100 https://news.ki.se/smoking-associated-with-accelerated-disease-progression-in-ms Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:15:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-molecular-test-can-reveal-biological-age Tue, 08 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/key-factor-in-the-neural-death-that-causes-parkinsons-identified Tue, 28 Apr 2015 13:00:20 +0200 https://news.ki.se/medium-amount-of-physical-activity-can-lower-risk-of-parkinsons Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:15:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/exercise-can-improve-memory-in-60-year-olds Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/rare-disease-costs-millions-to-society-each-year Thu, 03 Jul 2014 08:34:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-neurons-in-diseased-brain-region Fri, 21 Feb 2014 08:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/modest-familial-risks-for-multiple-sclerosis Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/another-48-genetic-variants-associated-with-ms Sun, 29 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/midlife-overweight-may-increase-risk-of-dementia Tue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/dopamine-controls-formation-of-new-brain-cells Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/newly-discovered-role-for-enzyme-in-neurodegenerative-diseases Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/unique-case-study-on-alzheimers-disease Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100