Aging

Exercise is important for helping people with Parkinson’s disease achieve better balance and mobility, but it can be hard to keep it up. A Dutch study has yielded positive results with a novel home exercise computer gaming program. New research showcases the benefits of ‘exergaming’ for people living with Parkinson’s. For people with Parkinson’s disease,

An open-label clinical trial working with eight people with Alzheimer’s disease concluded that a new wearable device that emits electromagnetic impulses was able to significantly improve memory loss in seven of these participants within 2 months. An innovative wearable device can significantly reduce memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new clinical trial. Alzheimer’s

A proof-of-concept brain imaging study suggests that exercising four or five times a week may delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people who already have toxic buildups of beta-amyloid protein. Aerobic exercise could slow the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s, a small new study suggests. The new research is a 1-year randomized controlled trial led

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys brain cells and affects a person’s memory, thoughts, and behaviors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer’s disease affected nearly 5.7 million adults living in the United States in 2016. Many people who have Alzheimer’s receive daily assistance and care from their family members,

A new study finds that hearing devices benefit older adults in multiple ways, from physical safety to brain health. A recent study investigates the wide ranging impacts of wearing hearing aids. Almost 1 in 4 people in the United States aged 65–74 have disabling hearing loss. In people over 75, the figure is 1 in

Perceived stress may detrimentally impact oral health which, in turn, may lead to cognitive decline among specific elderly communities, according to two new studies. New research finds connections between oral health in older adults and cognitive function. Oral health can be a surprisingly good indicator of a person’s well-being. Not only can oral diseases reduce

In a small clinical trial, scientists were looking for a means to restore the thymus — the gland that forms and releases key immune cells. By doing so, they actually managed to reverse various aspects of biological aging. A three-pronged intervention demonstrates it may be possible to reverse biological aging. The thymus gland, located between

Muscle fatigue is a symptom that makes it harder to move as normal. Some people experience a dull aching in the muscles. They may also feel constantly tired and lack the energy to perform everyday tasks. Exercise is a common cause of muscle fatigue. Some health conditions can also prompt muscle fatigue, including muscle dystrophy.

New research examines the associations between migraine and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as related forms of dementia. The study finds that migraine is “a significant risk factor” for Alzheimer’s and all‐cause dementia. Could a history of migraine increase dementia risk? New research suggests so. According to the American Migraine Association, about 36 million people of

Raspberry ketone, sometimes called rheosmin or frambinone, is the compound that gives raspberries their distinct smell. Some people claim that it also offers health benefits, but there is not yet enough research to confirm this belief. Raspberry ketone supplements have gained popularity on the health food scene as a weight loss aid, despite the lack

Fish oil is available as a supplement that manufacturers produce from fish. However, the benefits of fish oil are not always clear, and it may have unexpected side effects. Certain fish and the oil from them contain healthful fats that health experts recommend people regularly consume in their diets. The omega-3 fatty acids from fatty

Scientists have trained an artificial intelligence tool to predict sex and estimate age from electrocardiogram readouts. They suggest that, with further development, the tool could soon be helping doctors to assess the overall health of their patients. One day, an AI-enhanced ECG could estimate a person’s overall health. An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG

A new study followed adults from their mid-30s into their early 70s. It shows an association between blood pressure changes in early adulthood and midlife and brain changes at the endpoint of the study. At what age should we start monitoring people’s blood pressure? High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a risk factor for cardiovascular

Researchers are well-aware of the benefits that exercising brings to the mind and body. But how long do these positive effects last, especially where the brain is concerned? And how frequently should we exercise? A new study suggests that a single bout of aerobic exercise can boost working memory for a short while. A large

New research finds that eye tracking tests can accurately detect people who have a form of mild cognitive impairment that predisposes them to Alzheimer’s disease. The direction of a person’s gaze can be a telltale sign of cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease often evolves from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a small decline in memory and

New research finds that individuals with higher optimism tend to live longer and also have greater odds of living 85 years and more. Optimism may boost longevity, new research finds. A recent PNAS paper describes how the researchers assessed the link between higher optimism and longer lifespan, with a particular focus on the chances of

Research shows that adults with mild cognitive impairment who practice mindfulness meditation could experience a boost in cognitive reserve. New research suggests that meditation can improve the brain health of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, NC, published a paper in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that

The ability to predict how long someone is likely to live would help doctors tailor treatment plans. A new study looking at biomarkers in the blood concludes that more accurately estimating mortality might soon be possible. Researchers analyze blood in the search for markers of mortality risk. As it stands, doctors can predict mortality within

Research clearly shows that increasing physical activity, regardless of intensity, relates to a significantly lower risk of dying. Even light exercise, such as walking, can make a difference. Even taking a simple walk can make a difference to a person’s longevity. Researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing data from published research that had involved

Appetite stimulants are medications, supplements, or other substances that increase a person’s feeling of hunger. An appetite stimulant is also known as an orexigenic. Some manufacturers specifically market their medications to increase appetite. Others simply have this as a side effect. Vitamins, minerals, and herbs may also act as orexigenics, as can lifestyle and dietary

Scientists have identified gene variants that appear able to alter the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by changing levels of a protein that is present in cerebrospinal fluid. A new study focuses on the variants of a single gene and their role in promoting Alzheimer’s. In a recent Science Translational Medicine paper, the international team describes

Despite decades of research, Alzheimer’s disease still holds many mysteries. A recent study asks whether spontaneous changes to the chemistry of proteins might help explain the neurological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. A new study looks at the chemistry of Alzheimer’s-related proteins. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia; it currently affects an estimated 5.5

Researchers are growing increasingly interested in the relationship between blood pressure and dementia. The most recent study investigates how patterns of change in blood pressure over the decades might influence risk. What can blood pressure fluctuations tell us about dementia risk? As the United States population ages, dementia incidence rises in tandem. Today, around 5

Extreme daytime sleepiness is often a top symptom of Alzheimer’s disease but what, exactly, causes it? New research finally brings us an answer. A specific type of protein may cause daytime sleepiness in people with Alzheimer’s, according to a recent study. Many people with Alzheimer’s disease have a tendency to sleep a lot during the

New research has found a correlation between taking osteoporosis drugs and a lower risk of premature mortality. However, many people ignore their doctor’s advice when it comes to taking medication for bone health, the investigators note. Researchers have found an association between taking drugs for osteoporosis and a significantly lower death risk. Osteoporosis is an

Most people have occasional lapses in memory, such as forgetting a new acquaintance’s name or misplacing the car keys. Most of the time, this is simply a sign that a person is a bit too busy or is preoccupied. On the other hand, having a consistently poor memory can be problematic for someone. Many factors

New research compares intensive blood pressure control with standard blood pressure management and finds that the former correlates with a lower chance of developing white matter lesions later in life. Managing your blood pressure ‘intensively’ may prevent brain damage later in life, new research suggests. Numerous large, cohort studies have linked midlife hypertension to mild

Researchers already knew that men and postmenopausal women have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than premenopausal women. Now, a recent study in mice concludes that estrogen may be responsible. The authors also hope that estrogen might form the basis of future treatments. Why does Parkinson’s affect more men than women? The answer may