Aging

The first large-scale cohort study of its kind looked at the link between waist circumference in later life and the risk of dementia in a population of older Asian adults. Share on PinterestCould waist size predict dementia risk in older adults? Physicians, healthcare professionals, and medical researchers tend to use body mass index (BMI) to

For the first time, a new study has observed that cerebrospinal fluid washes in and out of the brain in waves during sleep, helping clear out waste. Cerebrospinal fluid helps clear toxic waste from the brain during sleep. Recently, Medical News Today reported on a study that found that specialized immune cells are more active

A new study of older adults in a Japanese town has found that those whose blood contained higher levels of trans fats were more likely to develop dementia than those with lower levels. Sweet pastry can be a rich source of trans fats, which may raise the risk of dementia in some people, according to

New research suggests that a diet high in salt may promote cognitive decline by destabilizing levels of the protein tau. Excessive levels of tau are a hallmark of dementia. Share on PinterestAvoiding excessive salt intake could stave off dementia. Dr. Giuseppe Faraco, an assistant professor of research in neuroscience in the Feil Family Brain and

Biogen, a multinational biotechnology company, and Eisai, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, are planning to file for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an Alzheimer’s drug that had mixed results in clinical trials. Can this controversial medication offer fresh hope to millions of people worldwide? A multinational biotech company will push for the regulation of

Apraxia is an effect of neurological disease. It makes people unable to carry out everyday movements and gestures. For example, a person with apraxia may be unable to tie their shoelaces or button up a shirt. People with apraxia of speech find it challenging to talk and express themselves through speech. In this article, learn

When cells in the human body age incorrectly, this can sometimes make it easier for cancer to develop or spread. For this reason, scientists are looking for new drugs able to act on processes that relate to cell aging. But could an existing drug come in handy? Share on PinterestResearchers believe an existing heart drug

Studies have shown that there is a link between cardiovascular health and brain health, but it is unclear whether genetic or environmental factors are most important in determining them both. A new study in twins suggests that nurture, rather than nature, may be decisive. Share on PinterestNurture may be more important than genetic factors in

For the first time, scientists have shown that brain activity has a significant influence on human life span. In a new study, they demonstrate how neural activity is higher in individuals with shorter life spans and lower in those who live longer lives. Neuronal activity is lower in people who live longer, according to new

Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s mental function, which includes their ways of thinking and their behavior or level of consciousness. This change often affects memory and concentration. Medical professionals do not yet fully understand delirium, but it seems to have an association with older age, alcohol withdrawal, and certain medical conditions. In

New research shows that an innovative strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease has proven successful in neurons that derive from people living with the condition. Parkinson’s disease affects dopamine producing neurons, illustrated here. Dr. Dimitri Krainc, chair of neurology and director of the Center for Neurogenetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL,

Does dementia spread gradually and evenly in all directions across the brain, or can it “jump” from one brain area to another? New research helps to settle the question by examining the progression of frontotemporal dementia. Researchers have used MRI scans to improve their prediction of brain atrophy progression in a type of dementia. Frontotemporal

Peptides are smaller versions of proteins. Many health and cosmetic products contain different peptides for many uses, such as their potential anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, or muscle building properties. Recent research indicates that some types of peptides could have a beneficial role in slowing down the aging process, reducing inflammation, and destroying microbes. People may confuse peptides

A recent study found that scoring verbal memory tests according to sex can alter who receives a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by as much as 20%. New research assesses the differences in cognition between males and females after the age of 65. Evidence shows that females tend to have better verbal memory than

It is well-known that exercise is good for cardiac health, but older adults tend to fall through the cracks when it comes to rehabilitation programs. Now, a study has shown that these individuals have the most to gain. New research examines the effects of exercise on older adults in physical rehabilitation. Heart disease is the

New research finds that people who tend to walk more slowly at the age of 45 present with signs of premature accelerated aging, both physically and cognitively. New research suggests that a slower walking speed in midlife may be a marker of accelerated aging. Walking speed may be a powerful predictor of lifespan and health.

One hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the massing of tangles of tau protein in the brain. Now, a new study in mice proposes that a type of brain immune cell called microglia drives the tissue damage that is linked to tau clumping. Could deactivating microglia be the key to treating Alzheimer’s disease? Brain scans of

Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that plays an important role in brain and muscle function. Imbalances in acetylcholine are linked with chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter discovered. Imbalances in levels of acetylcholine play a role in some neurological conditions. People who have Alzheimer’s disease

An existing blood thinner — used to prevent the formation of blood clots in people at risk of stroke — could help delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study in a mouse model. Could a common blood thinner help people with Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of

The testicles, or balls, are oval-shaped glands that form part of the male anatomy. They sit inside a thin sack of skin called the scrotum. As a person ages, the scrotum loses elasticity, and the skin starts to sag. Certain medical conditions can also cause the skin to appear saggy. Skin loses its elasticity over

A new study has shown that the relationship between aging and cancer may be more intimate and complex than previously thought. In fact, some aspects of cellular aging may hinder the development of cancer. Although advancing age increases the risk of cancer, a recent study uncovers a more complex relationship. With a vast analysis of

Loose or sagging skin occurs when internal or external factors affect the key molecules that help keep the skin elastic, firm, and hydrated. Most people start to experience skin laxity, or loosening, between the ages of 35 and 40 years. Skin laxity that occurs with age is mostly due to a loss of collagen networks,

A global study on attitudes toward dementia has shown that two-thirds of people believe it to be a natural risk of getting older, which could be limiting the help that people seek. The vast majority of people believe that they will develop dementia and that they can do little about it, new research finds. Every

Although alcohol has been popular for millennia, and dementia is increasingly prevalent, scientists are yet to understand the relationship between the two. A recent study sets out for answers. A new study looks at the relationship between dementia, alcohol, genes, and cognitive impairment. With dementia predicted to affect 13.9 million adults in the United States

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, share a mechanism of brain cell damage that could offer a new target for treatment, according to new research in human cells and mice. A newly discovered mechanism of brain cell damage could hold the key to treating several neurodegenerative conditions. A recent Nature Neuroscience study describes how

Just as researchers look for factors that increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, they are also interested in finding out which factors may hasten the rate of cognitive decline in people who already have this condition. Fluctuating blood pressure could be one of them, a new study suggests. Could blood pressure influence the rate of

People often pass pebble poop in small, hard, separate lumps. However, the stool can also appear as a solid piece that looks as though it consists of pebbles. Both types are a sign of constipation. Constipation is a common problem that most people experience from time to time. Chronic constipation can be painful, and it

The causes of dementia can damage the brain in different ways. Is it possible that these differences may reveal themselves in the way that people walk? A new study that compared walking patterns in people with two types of dementia explored the question. New research suggests a person’s gait may offer clues into the type