Move over, Batman. A new group of “superhumans” has emerged — and they’re all 80-plus. A study published in Neurology has identified a rare group of older adults called “super movers” who appear to have a remarkable advantage: a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline, even when their brains show the same Alzheimer-related changes seen … Read more
Talk about a nightmare condition. Struggling to sleep is a common issue, with nearly 1 in 5 adults tossing and turning all night long. But trouble sleeping may be the least of your worries if you’re dealing with fatal familial insomnia (FFI), a rare and incurable, deadly genetic condition. Struggling to stay asleep is just … Read more
Pain is temporary, but a pain relief pill could have detrimental effects on the brain. Around 42% of Americans will experience dementia after the age of 55 — nearly the same amount of older adults with arthritis. But while many turn to a popular supplement to ease joint pain, new research suggests they could actually … Read more
New York Times bestselling author and founder of the popular Scary Mommy blog Jill Smokler died Monday of brain cancer. Smokler, a mom of three, was 48. She made a name for herself with unflinching honesty about the realities of marriage and parenting, and developed one of the biggest parenting blogs as the genre was … Read more
“My neighbor tiled my roof for free. He said it was on the house.” While that dad joke might elicit a heavy sigh from family members, experts say a silly pun can alter internal body chemistry and lower stress, potentially providing real health benefits. Dad jokes are uniquely distinguished by their structure, content and comedic devices, according … Read more
Walk this way at every age. Movement is essential for a long, healthy life, and walking has been growing in popularity as a simple way to boost heart rate, increase metabolism and lower the risk of disease. It’s not just how far you walk, though; the pace can also reveal important information about health and … Read more
Talk about a gut-brain connection. Scientists have long known about the link between our stomachs and our brains, warning that our diets and gut health have a large impact on mood and mental health. And a new study published Monday may have found a way to flush the brain fog and attention issues that accompany … Read more
Higher levels of vitamin C were linked to healthier brain structure in older adults, suggesting a potential role for nutrition in brain aging. That’s according to new research from Japan, published in the journal PLOS ONE. The observational study included 2,044 participants living in Hirosaki City, Japan, who were originally included in a study exploring dementia and … Read more
It’s easy to get caught up in tending to your weight or the look of your biceps — but don’t forget about gains for your brain. “The brain is a part of our body. The same things that create wellness within our body create wellness within our brain,” Dr. Randy D’Amico, director of the Brain … Read more
Don’t sleep on a few troubling behaviors that could increase your risk of developing dementia. Known risk factors for dementia include age, high blood pressure, hearing loss, smoking, high cholesterol, genetics and sleep — and a new study has found that a few key behaviors related to how we rest up can impact our brain … Read more
Sometimes, seeing isn’t believing. Across the country, Americans are losing weight faster than ever thanks to blockbuster obesity drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, with roughly one in eight US adults now turning to GLP-1s to slim down. But for some users, the dramatic physical changes come with an unexpected psychological twist. Users of GLP-1 drugs … Read more
Bionic brain rot? New research suggests that AI can compromise cognitive function and problem-solving abilities in as little as ten minutes. While the long-term effects of AI have yet to be established, a new study reveals that the technology can seriously impair brain performance in a relatively short period. The study evaluated the effects of … Read more
One spray could turn back the clock. Scientists have developed a therapy that they say could reverse brain aging, restoring memory and focus that’s typically lost over time. And just two doses showed improvements in cognitive function — a notable result, as new dementia cases are projected to double over the next four decades, reaching … Read more
For years, researchers have believed prolonged sitting could raise dementia risk — but new findings suggest the type of sitting may matter more than previously thought. The research, which was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in March, found that replacing mentally passive sedentary behavior with mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with … Read more
Clues to a degenerative disease could be showing up sooner than we realize. Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects people over the age of 65, but a couple of subtle signs could come up to two decades before. And both could provide insight into how and when the disease develops over our lifetimes. While many aren’t diagnosed … Read more
A woman’s “tingly” and numb face turned out to be a brain tumor – after it was revealed by an MRI for an unrelated back problem. Amy Seager, 38, experienced numbness and tingling on the left side of her face, as well as hearing loss in one of her ears. It wasn’t until she had … Read more
Vital clues about how well the brain is aging may already be at our fingertips. A new study out of Portugal found that the speed at which older adults are able to perform a basic, everyday task could be a powerful indicator of cognitive decline. The findings suggest it may one day serve as a … Read more
Too little, too much, or just right. Everyone can feel the effects of a bad night’s sleep, and how long you let your head hit the pillow plays an important role in how your brain ages. Scientists have now found that the amount of sleep you get each night doesn’t just result in brain fog … Read more
Something fishy may be going on with a daily pill trusted by millions of Americans. Across the country, older adults have embraced a popular supplement often touted as a way to support brain health and possibly even help ward off dementia. But new research is turning that idea on its head, suggesting people who regularly … Read more
What began as a daring scuba adventure in the Maldives ended in horror this week after five Italian tourists never resurfaced from a deep-water cave expedition. Officials are scrambling to determine what went wrong during the 160-foot dive, as theories swirl over whether powerful currents, rough weather, panic or even the terrifying effects of oxygen … Read more