A single symptom affects a high proportion of patients with all forms of dementia. In fact, it's been described as the most common neuropsychiatric symptom of dementia, with a bigger impact on function than memory loss. Apathy – meaning a lack of motivation or loss of initiative – can be an early warning sign and [...]
Although you’re well aware of your five senses – hearing, vision, touch, taste and smell – you have a sixth sense that you may never have heard of. (And no, movie fans, it’s not “seeing dead people!”) This sixth sense is not a movie plot gimmick, much less supernatural, but a very real and essential [...]
Encouraging words can have powerful effects. For instance, halftime inspirational pep talks by sports coaches are famous for getting athletes to improve their performance. But now medical researchers have found that other types of words can help you alter your own physiology and brain function. They can make you measurably stronger and less susceptible to [...]
It's been a major concern for the last 60 years. But as yet, we still don't know whether surgery harms the brain. And I’m not just talking about brain operations – I mean any kind of surgery. Most of the concern focuses on anesthesia and its effects. Previous studies have been inconsistent. Some report negative [...]
As if they weren’t troublesome enough, migraines – those crippling, high-octane headaches – may also raise your risk of cognitive decline. Canadian researchers have found a link between migraines and dementia. But don’t panic just yet. Let’s first get a better understanding of this painful enemy and then unpack the findings of the newest study1. [...]
What's good for the heart is good for the brain. If we want to stay mentally sharp, we need to give the cardiovascular system a regular workout. Generally, aerobic exercise is the go-to option: walking, running, biking, swimming, etc. But aerobic exercise is not the only kind you need. For a healthy brain, you need [...]
Almost two out of three Americans with Alzheimer's disease are women, yet we only have some dubious theories to explain why. Is it caused by genetics? Differences in brain anatomy? Hormones? All of the above? Scientists aren’t sure. But another possibility has emerged. Aging affects a woman's stress response differently from a man's. This in [...]
Some of the most powerful nutrients yet discovered for ensuring a sharper, stronger memory are made naturally by your own body. I’m talking about nutrients like enzymes and vitamin D. Recently, scientists uncovered another naturally occurring nutrient that could eventually be accepted as a potent brain-saver. In fact, it looks to be a powerful new [...]
The advice from sleep experts couldn't be clearer. If you have trouble sleeping, seek help. Ignoring the problem increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. But seek out natural sleep aids. A visit to the doctor's office too often means a prescription for sleeping pills. Even if the [...]
"When you are just getting out and interacting with people, you are using your brain a lot." So says Claudia Kawas, Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine. She strongly suggests we speak to as many people outside of our own households as often as we can. There's a lot of evidence to [...]
