A blood test can identify the protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s nearly 20 years before symptoms appear, a new study shows. A simple blood test could soon predict symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease decades before they appear. The study found that the blood test was even more sensitive at detecting
Aging
New research suggests that “Life’s Simple 7” steps for maintaining heart health may also be a useful tool for predicting dementia risk and preventing the neurological condition. Managing your blood pressure is one of the seven actionable steps people in their 50s can take to maintain their cardiovascular health. The lead author of the new
The elastic muscles of the vagina can stretch and return to their usual shape. During aging and after childbirth, the muscles around the vagina may become less strong. Despite the myths, sex does not have a lasting impact on vaginal tension. The pelvic floor muscles surround the vagina. These may weaken over time, which can
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a machine-learning model that could predict the rate of Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline for up to 2 years in the future. MIT researchers have developed a machine-learning model that they say could accurately predict cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide, yet scientists still do
Some researchers hope to find the secret of keeping old age at bay and enjoying eternal youth instead. However, a team of scientists from Southern California is looking for a different “recipe” — that of better aging. New research asks more questions about how cells age in the hope of finding a better way of
A wide-ranging review of 36 trials found that testosterone may have profound positive effects on sexual function and well-being in postmenopausal women. New research extols the benefits of testosterone for the sexual well-being of older women. This review, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, included blinded randomized controlled trials of testosterone treatment that had
A recent study has concluded that people with both higher-than-normal and lower-than-normal levels of hemoglobin have a higher risk of developing dementia as they age. A new paper looks at the link between hemoglobin and dementia risk. Hemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells. It is responsible for carrying life giving oxygen from
A large new study following thousands of participants found that older people who stop taking statins have a significantly increased risk of hospital admission due to cardiovascular problems. New research suggests that interrupting statin use may increase the risk of poor cardiovascular health in older people. Statins are a class of drugs that people take
In the race to gain a better understanding of the drivers behind Alzheimer’s disease, one research team looks to the link between the brain, the gut, and the liver. To understand Alzheimer’s, we must also look to organs other than the brain, a new study urges. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia,
In a small clinical study, researchers reported improvements in cognitive function in older adults who drank tart cherry juice every day for 12 weeks. However, the study received industry funding. Is tart cherry juice good for brain health? Cognitive health is the ability to think clearly, remember, and learn new things. Cognitive decline is a
The Endocrine Society have revised their clinical practice guideline on identifying adults at higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. New guidelines recommend that older adults should undergo regular screening for metabolic risk. The previous edition of the guideline was in 2008. The recent revision looks at metabolic risk in the light of
Binge drinking affects more than one-tenth of older adults in the United States, according to new research. New research finds that a large number of older adults regularly engage in binge drinking. Binge drinking can be harmful for older people because it increases the risk of injuries and falls and the chances of developing chronic
Exercise that builds muscle endurance, or resistance training, can help older adults to preserve their independence and quality of life. It can overcome the loss of muscle mass and strength, build resilience, ease the management of chronic conditions, and reduce physical vulnerability. A new position statement extols the benefits of resistance training for older adults
New research reveals that a particular group of lymphatic vessels plays a pivotal role in helping the brain dispose of waste. It also suggests that deterioration of these vessels through aging could contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. New findings into the brain’s clearance system may help us better understand aging-related neurological diseases. Until
A new study has identified an association between having a higher body mass and larger waist later in life, and a faster thickening of the cerebral cortex, which is a key characteristic of brain aging. Weight and waist circumference may be factors in brain aging, new research suggests. Having an unhealthy weight is a significant
Research conducted in a Chinese population has found an intriguing link between the consumption of chili peppers and a heightened risk of cognitive decline. Regularly eating a lot of hot peppers may increase a person’s risk of cognitive decline. Many populations around the world add spicy peppers to their local dishes to enhance the taste
Researchers have found that nilvadipine, a drug that doctors regularly use to treat hypertension, may help people with Alzheimer’s disease by increasing blood flow to the brain. New research suggests that a high blood pressure drug may slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. This progressive
New research suggests that many adults in the United States who take low dose aspirin daily to prevent heart disease could be at risk of harm. New research finds that more than 6 million U.S. adults take aspirin to prevent heart disease without a recommendation from their doctor. The individuals potentially at risk include older
A common class of drugs that doctors prescribe for a number of conditions — from bladder problems to Parkinson’s disease and depression — may increase a person’s risk of dementia, a large new study concludes. Some common drugs may increase dementia risk. New research by scientists from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom
Large-scale research suggests that drinking alcohol in older age may lower mortality risk. However, the scientists are cautious about potential biases in their own research and say that more research is necessary. Does moderate drinking in older age have any health benefits? A new study investigates. The debate around the potential health benefits of alcohol
A recent study concludes that social interaction might be more than just a pleasant pastime; it might help doctors predict an individual’s risk of cognitive decline and, perhaps, dementia. How does social interaction influence cognitive decline? Cognitive decline refers to a general reduction in mental abilities over time. It affects many people as they age
New research shows that a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease accurately detected levels of beta-amyloid protein in all stages of the condition, approaching “a level of accuracy that is usable in routine clinical care around the world.” Doctors could soon use a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. The brain changes that lead to the
Researchers found that using a computer, playing games, and participating in social activities may reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment. New research suggests that playing games, using a computer, and having a rich social life can keep mild cognitive impairment at bay. Our brains go through changes as we get older, and some people
Doctors use lasers and retinoic acid to treat skin damage. Scientists have now uncovered a common mechanism that links both, paving the way for new treatments. What links laser and retinoic acid treatment for sun damage? Skin damage, in the form of dark spots and wrinkles, naturally occurs as we age. Ultraviolet light from the
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A new study investigates the effect of leading a healthful lifestyle on people who have a genetic predisposition to developing dementia. Leading a healthful lifestyle can offset the genetic risk of dementia, according to a new study. Elżbieta Kuźma, Ph.D., and David Llewellyn, Ph.D., from the University of Exeter Medical School in the United Kingdom,
As women get older, they tend to have less sex. They may also find it less enjoyable than before. So far, studies have explained these tendencies by pointing the finger at physiological changes during and after menopause. What are the other factors? What prevents a woman from having sex or enjoying sex later in life?
New research suggests that having a family history of Alzheimer’s may impair cognition throughout a person’s lifetime, but it also identifies factors that could offset these adverse effects. The findings may enable people at risk to take active measures for delaying or even preventing this form of dementia. Having a first-degree relative, such as a