Category Archives: Brain Function

New research is suggesting that a positive outlook—or virtually any dose of positivity—can extend life. That means if you battle depression and negative emotions, you can still experience benefit if you remain hopeful in some areas from time to time. And for the eternal optimists out there, it could make a big difference in your ...click here to read more

Among aging minorities, depression has now been linked to an increased risk of chronic health conditions. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, more than 50 percent of Chinese-American senior immigrants that experience depression are likely to have an increased risk of disability and chronic health conditions. According ...click here to read more

Seniors who are looking to avoid dementia should aim to live an overall healthy lifestyle. This should include getting plenty of exercise, eating well, and not smoking. A new study published in the journal Nature Medicine found that over 6,300 adults aged 55 and older who had healthy lifestyle habits showed an overall lower risk ...click here to read more

A recent study is showing that women who experience mid-life stress have a higher likelihood of encountering memory loss later in life. In other words, listen up. Everybody goes through stress at some point—you might even be reading this to take your mind off something pressing. But it seems like failing to adequately deal with ...click here to read more

A surprising new study shows how patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may receive fewer treatments in hospitals after suffering from a heart attack. This new research is helping to spread the light on those with MCI who may be able to make informed decisions about their medical care. When most people hear about cognitive ...click here to read more

Do you nap a lot during the day? If you do, this is for you. A growing body of research is indicating a strong relationship between sleep quality and the likelihood of Alzheimer’s. And it seems like daytime naps offer plenty of insight. The association appears to be the more often you nap, the more ...click here to read more

It isn’t abnormal for the health of the family caregiver of someone with dementia to be overlooked, but new research shows that they are at a high risk of sleep disorders. Many times, the health of the caregiver goes to the wayside as the dementia patient is focused on, but these family members need to ...click here to read more

I get that at a certain point, you might not care as much about weight gain and heart health as you used to. This may be even truer if you’re on heart medication—for some, it serves as a type of safety net that says “eat what you want and don’t exercise.” But let’s look beyond ...click here to read more

In an aging population, mindfulness meditation could provide a way to reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). While there is currently no known way to prevent older adults with mild cognitive impairment from developing Alzheimer’s disease, meditation could help to prevent brain disease before it becomes a problem. According to a small pilot ...click here to read more

New research finds that gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can not only cause pain in the temporomandibular joint but also contribute to poor sleep and mental health. Many people are unaware of the far-reaching risk factors associated with GERD, and the study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) helps to show just how serious the condition ...click here to read more

Older adults who suffer from migraines may have more than throbbing pain to worry about, as new research finds that they may be more at risk for dementia. Researchers have made connections between migraines and dementia previously, but these past studies failed to adjust for common diagnosis of other illness or disease, therefore potentially showing ...click here to read more

Meatless Mondays, plant-based burgers, and vegetarian or vegan diets are big-time trends. And let’s face it, the more plants you eat, the healthier you will probably be. But does that mean you should cut out meat or animal-based products entirely? Probably not. Although participating in Meatless Mondays or eating a little less meat is likely ...click here to read more

Failed depression treatment is of real concern, but research now recommends physicians look at obstructive sleep apnea for a possible connection. While it is known that patients with obstructive sleep apnea tend to have a higher risk of depression, little was known about the relationships between the two, which is what lead investigators to look ...click here to read more

Could you imagine if stimulating certain points on your ear could lead to better sleep, improved mood, and a lower chance of age-related illness like heart disease and high blood pressure? According to some new research, it could be that easy. A study published in the journal Aging showed that “tickling” certain areas of the ...click here to read more