Those Pounds Around Your Waistline Can Hurt Your Brain
For quite a while now, researchers have known that the extra pounds most of us carry around our waistlines can contribute to harmful inflammation that increases the risk for heart disease and cancer. But now the most recent investigations into this type of fat also [...]
Memory-Sharpening Benefits of a Beginner’s Mind
When was the last time you tried something new that was totally out of your comfort zone? Perhaps it was flailing around the pickleball court with a friend. Or that ceramics class you took, even though you’re a self-described “non-creative.” Whatever the new pursuit, there’s [...]
New Algorithm Might Predict Alzheimer’s
According to researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, they've come up with an algorithm that can predict Alzheimer’s disease and its progress. The researchers use brain scans to determine your Alzheimer’s risk and, if the disease has already begun, how [...]
Brain-Penetrating Beam of Light Can Diagnose Early Alzheimer’s
In breakthrough research, scientists have, for the first time, diagnosed a neurodegenerative condition in living patients using a non-invasive technique. The condition, of course, is Alzheimer's. And unlike the blood tests that are under development to identify proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease in a patient’s [...]
Is There a Connection Between Chronic Pain and Dementia?
Chronic pain affects a quarter to a third of older adults and your risk rises with age. While those medical facts may not surprise you, this one might: Chronic pain occurs even more frequently in patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Why is [...]
Does Improved Air Quality Reduce the Risk of Dementia?
Vehicle exhaust was cut dramatically. Dust particles flying from construction sites ceased. Star gazers enjoyed a clear view of the constellations and, at long last, fresh air wafted through open windows in cities around the world. The first pandemic lockdown brought into sharp focus just [...]
Does Coffee Cause Alzheimer’s Disease?
We Americans love our coffee. It's the most popular hot beverage in the U.S. with double the number of drinkers compared with tea. It’s not surprising, really. Coffee not only picks you up at the start of the day and provides a much-needed lift after [...]
Does Television Really “Rot” Your Brain?
For decades, parents everywhere have told their children that watching too much television will rot their brains (in a manner of speaking, of course). And if you’re of a certain age, you’ll recall your folks calling it the “boob tube.” Ever wonder why? The word [...]
Revolutionary Two Minute Test Can Diagnose Alzheimer’s Earlier
By the time people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, they may have had the disease for up to twenty years. During that time, the disease can damage cells and tissues in the brain that are hard, if not impossible, to restore to health. So, there's [...]
How Listening Can Save Your Memory
Do you have a valued friend or family member who always has time to lend an ear? Well, count yourself lucky. Not only is it heartwarming to feel heard, but those of us who have a good sounding board may also fare better cognitively as [...]
Why Doctors Miss Early-Onset Dementia And the Surprising Symptom That’s a Dead Giveaway…
While Alzheimer’s disease is certainly the best-known type of dementia, there are others to be aware of. One is called frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as early-onset dementia because it’s usually diagnosed in middle age, between the ages of 45 and 65. While FTD is [...]
Want to Improve Your Memory? Do This at Night…
One of the easiest and most important things you can do to improve your memory and protect against dementia is to go to bed at a regular time every night and sleep well. If you’re a long-time reader of this newsletter, then you’ve likely heard [...]
Does COVID Trigger Alzheimer’s Disease?
Medical researchers have long been worried about the effects of the coronavirus on the brain and cognitive function. Concern began when people often lost their sense of taste and smell after getting infected with the coronavirus. And since those senses involve brain cell and sensory [...]
Perfume Ingredient Offers Hope for a Parkinson’s Cure
It's unlikely you've ever heard of farnesol. But you've probably smelled or tasted it, because it's a compound found in essential oils and is used in candles and incense, perfumes, air fresheners, soaps, and food flavors. Farnesol also has many medicinal uses. And thanks to [...]
Cocktail Party Effect Could be an Early Sign of Dementia
People who struggle to hear their companions chattering in a bustling restaurant are in good company. Difficulty hearing speech when there's background noise is a common problem for those with age-related hearing loss. And, while there's a plethora of studies that assess whether hearing loss [...]
Surprising Hope Amid Rising Dementia Cases
There's good news and bad news about dementia. The distressing part is that a brand-new study reveals the number of dementia cases is about to rise dramatically – tripling by the year 2050. But the good news is it could've been a lot worse, and [...]
Dust Off Your Favorite Board Game and Save Your Memory
Just as challenging the body with weight-bearing exercise makes bones stronger and helps to slow bone loss with aging, challenging the brain with cognitive exercise can make it more resilient and help delay the onset of Alzheimer's. But how much of an effect does it [...]
These Bright Colors Lower Your Risk of Cognitive Decline
Plants are full of pigments that produce the vibrant colors that attract our attention in the fruit and vegetable aisle. This rainbow of hues does more than please the eye. When we eat them they also have numerous health benefits for both the body and [...]
Beat Depression by Staying up All Night
Many people who suffer with depression also have problems with their circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. As a result, they also have insomnia. Now a novel five-day sleep therapy promises to bring about fast and lasting relief for insomnia and depression. This therapy is less [...]
Can Your Brain Get Better with Age?
By now, we’ve all heard plenty about the things that can go wrong with the aging brain – chief among them, memory loss and the fact that your risk for Alzheimer’s disease climbs with every passing year. But there’s good news about brain aging that [...]
