Category Archives: Brain Function

New research from the Oregon Research Institute (ORI) and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) suggests there may be a link between prescription drugs for pain, sleep, and frailty in adults aged 65 and older. This study is the first to demonstrate the significant links between the frailty and the drugs, including analgesics and sedatives. Frailty consists ...click here to read more

It’s rich in antioxidants, water, and is associated with improved cognitive function, lower risk for neurodegenerative diseases, better mood, and anti-inflammatory effects. But is coffee healthy? It depends on who you are and what your overall lifestyle looks like. Like any other food or “superfood,” the benefits of coffee are purely contextual. In some cases, ...click here to read more

Adults with cerebral palsy could be at higher risk for experiencing mental health disorders, according to a new study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. This new research highlights the need for increased awareness of mental health disorders among adults with cerebral palsy. Most research on cerebral palsy tends to focus on childhood, ...click here to read more

Women who experience chronic stress during pregnancy may be more at risk for postpartum depression, according to new research. It has been found that chronic stress during pregnancy can trigger an immune response in the brain that has the potential to alter brain functions. This can contribute to postpartum depression. The Ohio State University researchers ...click here to read more

Women experiencing night sweats due to menopause may be more vulnerable to cognitive dysfunction, according to a new study. Experts have found a link between sleep duration due to night sweats and prefrontal cortex deficits. The study presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) annual meeting found that women with a history of breast ...click here to read more

A game of Trivial Pursuit may do more for your brain that offering an ego boost. If you’re concerned about memory loss as you age—and let’s be real, who isn’t —keep reading. Some brand-new research is showing that people that play board games, cards, bingo, and other non-digital games—even crosswords—are more likely to maintain cognitive ...click here to read more

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest and is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression, which can affect both individuals and society as a whole. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for depression, and it ...click here to read more

Deep sleep could have a more significant impact on brain health than previously thought, according to a new study. Researchers say they have found that the deep stages of sleep may give the brain a chance to wash itself free of potentially toxic substances. During sleep, the “slow wave” activity of nerve cells makes room ...click here to read more

Do you know what kills me? When I have a busy day where I’ve learned a lot and follow it up with a crappy sleep. Not only does it guarantee mistakes the next day, but it wipes away my newly acquired knowledge. It’s like some of the words and ideas remain, but there appears to ...click here to read more

What’s better than the relationship with a good friend that engages in a constant stream of trash talk? Not much. There’s one friend I’ve got who I’ve been dealing it to for decades—and he to me—and a new study suggests he might be on to something. Here’s the synopsis: he’s from a small town and ...click here to read more

To help keep memory sharp, follow a heart-healthy diet and an aerobic exercise program. This is the recommendation after a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that healthy lifestyle behaviors can help to slow the development of cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND). Cognitive impairment without dementia, or mild cognitive impairment, ...click here to read more

Adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet may be an effective way to boost brain health and lower dementia risk. This new information comes from a study conducted by scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Extra virgin olive oil is a superfood that is rich in cell-promoting antioxidants. It ...click here to read more

Are you familiar with the Blue Zone? If not, it is a selection of regions around the globe where residents live unusually long and have minimal risk for disease. They are healthier than most people, and it is believed a large part of that has to do with the foods they eat. It is important ...click here to read more

Dementia is on the minds of Americans, and it is causing a substantial amount of fear. A recent study suggested that nearly half of Americans in their 50s and 60s believed they are at least “somewhat likely” to develop the condition in the future. That’s a pretty scary outlook, especially when many aren’t considering what ...click here to read more