Category Archives: Brain Function

Recently, two studies presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2019 showed a connection between sensory impairment and dementia risk. Both studies assessed the association between hearing and sight loss and cognitive decline. In 2017, a report was released that identified mid-life hearing loss as a significant risk factor for dementia. This report sparked the ...click here to read more

Many people know high intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great way to stay fit and strong, but new research suggests that it may also help prevent cognitive decline such as dementia. The study out of the University of Queensland found that high intensity interval exercise may be more effective than continuous exercise for increasing ...click here to read more

As those who suffer from cluster headaches know, sleep quality may be greatly reduced when an attack strikes. According to a new study published in Headache, sleep quality may be affected due to the occurrence of nocturnal headache attacks. Cluster headaches are a primary headache disorder that often affects those aged 20 to 40 years ...click here to read more

Mild cognitive impairment affects approximately 15 to 29 percent of people aged 65 or older, but a new study is helping to show what can lower the risk. Stimulating activities such as using a computer, crafting, playing games, and participating in social activities are linked to lower risk or delay of age-related memory loss. While ...click here to read more

A new study is indicating that a commonly prescribed classification of drugs may substantially increase dementia risk. The drugs, known as anticholinergics, are used to treat a variety of conditions like bladder problems, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. They work by inhibiting the chemical messenger acetylcholine, helping to relax or contract muscles. The discovery was made ...click here to read more

It might be strange to think about, but your health is a reflection of the life you’ve lived and the decisions you make every day. Most people don’t just wake up one day with heart disease, type-2 diabetes, or dementia—they are conditions that build over time. Your daily habits can play a massive role in ...click here to read more

John Hopkins Medicine researchers have recently reported that a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet could improve cognition in older adults. It was found that eating a diet similar to Atkins may improve brain function and memory. The study looked at 14 older adults with mild cognitive problems suggestive of early Alzheimer’s disease with an average age of ...click here to read more

Physicians regularly recommend lowering LDL cholesterol for heart disease prevention, but a new study shows how reducing it too much can be a risk for hemorrhagic stroke. It was found that participants with LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL had a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke. A Pen State-led study examined the relationship between low-density ...click here to read more

It’s possible that doctors could predict your future brain health by looking into your eyes. But this discovery can do more than help doctors predict the future: it might offer you another tool to keep your brain healthy in the future to prevent or delay dementia. Harvard University reports that a growing body of research ...click here to read more

The kind of day you have is greatly dependent on the sleep you had the night before. Good sleep allows you to wake up refreshed and ready to go. It’s a different story if your sleep’s been interrupted. In the short-term, bad sleep can lead to anxiety, irritation, and trouble focusing. In the long-term, it ...click here to read more

For those who have been diagnosed with diabetes, studies show that it can be a risk factor for many other health conditions, including stroke. But what if a simple blood test could predict their risk of experiencing a stroke in the future? According to new research published in the journal Stroke, this blood test may ...click here to read more

A brand-new study is showing just how much heart health impacts brain health. And the result is that the two seem absolutely inseparable. The largest and longest study of its kind—featuring nearly 8,000 people and lasting 15 years—showed that if heart health falters, thinking ability and memory do too. During the study, which featured healthy ...click here to read more

Researchers at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil, collaborating with colleagues at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom, have reported a discovery about how stress may affect heart rate and auditory attention. This new report shows that brain activity related to auditory perception parallels heart rate, which offers a new perspective for the ...click here to read more

Is there more to brushing your teeth than fresh breath and a bright smile? A new study is saying “yes” in a big way. Researchers from the University of Bergen have found that oral hygiene may have a significant role in cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s risk. They noted that having gum disease—known as gingivitis—is closely ...click here to read more