The news this week that new blood test technology can reliably detect Alzheimer’s disease was met with excitement — but one dementia specialist is warning that the accuracy of these tests varies. “Some of the blood tests are accurate and some are not, and doctors don’t know which tests to use,” explained Dr. Suzanne Schindler, an … Read more
WASHINGTON — New blood tests could help doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease faster and more accurately, researchers reported Sunday – but some appear to work far better than others. It’s tricky to tell if memory problems are caused by Alzheimer’s. That requires confirming one of the disease’s hallmark signs — buildup of a sticky protein called beta-amyloid — with a … Read more
These simple suggestions may give you peace of mind. 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number is projected to grow to 14 million by 2060. In honor of World Brain Day on Monday, Georgia-based neurosurgeon Betsy Grunch shared her 10 recommendations for lowering your risk of … Read more
Maybe all that weightlifting hasn’t been in vein. Obesity has long been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease because it can cause inflammation that harms the brain, among other reasons. Now, researchers say that focusing on belly and arm fat can lower your risk of developing these debilitating diseases. “Targeted interventions to reduce [belly] … Read more
More than 55 million people around the world are living with dementia, an umbrella term used to describe several progressive disorders that affect memory and cognition. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for half to 75% of cases. Race, ethnicity and family history are considered to be significant dementia risk factors … Read more
If we’re lucky, we age. If we’re active, we may be able to avoid getting old. Increasing our physical strength and flexibility while improving posture and balance can pave the way for aging well and maintaining independence in our later years. “From the age of just 35 onwards, we lose bone density and muscle mass; … Read more
Ozempic has been hailed as a game-changing weight loss wonder drug, but its superpowers seem to extend well beyond treating Type 2 diabetes. Canadian endocrinologist Daniel J. Drucker — a diabetes treatment pioneer whose work paved the way for Ozempic — is sharing what’s next for this class of drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone, … Read more
Personalized prognoses for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease soon may only be a click away. Researchers at Amsterdam University Medical Center say they have developed a prototype app based on their model that forecasts an Alzheimer’s patient’s projected mental decline over five years. The model is inspired by details gathered from nearly 1,000 patients with … Read more
“The Notebook” star Gena Rowlands, 94, has Alzheimer’s disease. Her son Nick Cassavetes, who directed the beloved 2004 rom-com, revealed his mom’s diagnosis to Entertainment Weekly on Tuesday. Rowlands’ character in the film had dementia. She played the older version of Rachel McAdams’ Allie. James Garner and Gena Rowlands star in “The Notebook.” ©New Line … Read more
Variety may be the spice of life, but spices themselves hold the key to a healthier, longer life. More than just a dash of flavor, spices provide much-needed benefits to the brain, improving memory recall, focus, energy levels and cognitive function. Dr. Brandon Crawford, a neurologist specializing in brain health, offered up his spicy insights … Read more
Experiencing depressive symptoms as a young adult and beyond may lead to worse thinking and memory skills in middle age, a study published Wednesday finds. 3,117 participants were evaluated for depressive symptoms every five years for 20 years. They completed a questionnaire about their appetite, sleep, ability to concentrate and feelings of worthlessness, sadness or … Read more
Outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday voted unanimously that the benefits of Eli Lilly’s (LLY.N), opens new tab experimental Alzheimer’s treatment donanemab outweighed its risks, and agreed that trial data showed it was effective in patients with an early stage of the memory-robbing disease. The vote clears the way for a final … Read more
The key to keeping your wits about you as you age may lie in shut-eye during midlife. A study found that people over 60 who didn’t get enough slow-wave sleep — the third stage in the human sleep cycle — were at a higher risk of developing dementia. Slow-wave sleep (SWS) — known as N3, … Read more
Are pomegranates the next brain food? The link between diet and dementia has been well-documented, and now researchers at the University of Copenhagen and the U.S. National Institute on Aging have found that eating more pomegranates, strawberries and walnuts could help improve memory among Alzheimer’s patients. Those foods contain a substance called urolithin A, a compound created … Read more
Whether it’s failing to get enough rest or indulging in unhealthy foods, Americans are deeply resistant to what’s good for us. Case in point — we’ve long been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, a metabolic boost that provides the cornerstone of nutrition. Yet, according to the American Journal of … Read more
UK scientists say they have developed a “first-of-its-kind” test that can predict the onset of dementia up to nine years before an official diagnosis is made. The model — touted as more than 80% accurate — relies on scans of a network within the brain that is more active during periods of quiet rest. The … Read more
Forget the Fountain of Youth. Tech titans, crypto bosses, AI researchers, investors, and so-called “immortalists” are showing support for “longevity escape velocity,” the controversial theory that people could live indefinitely by extending their remaining life expectancy faster than time passes. “Now that doesn’t guarantee you living forever,” computer scientist and futurist Ray Kurzweil explained in … Read more
Two Alzheimer’s sufferers are publicly claiming to have beaten back the deadly disease — merely by adopting simple but strict changes in lifestyle. A new CNN documentary, “The Last Alzheimer’s Patient,” features Cici Zerbe, who reported feeling “much better” after switching to a plant-based diet and adopting a serious exercise and wellness routine. Zerbe, who … Read more
A recent study suggests that older folks who are unfussy about what they eat have better cognitive function than their picky peers. According to Nature Mental Health, a U.K. Biobank study analyzed the food likes and dislikes of nearly 182,000 older Brits, but rather than focusing on the effects of a specific diet, the team … Read more
Here’s some food for thought — literally. Teens who eat a junk-food diet consisting of sugar and high fat could suffer from long-lasting brain damage — specifically memory impairment, according to a recent study done on rats from the University of Southern California. Researchers fed rats a high-fat diet, then ran them through a series … Read more