The future just got brighter, thanks to the sunshine vitamin. Scientists in Ireland have added to a growing stack of research on the relationship between vitamin D levels in the blood and a possible lower risk of dementia. A 16-year study found that higher vitamin D intake during middle age could have something to do … Read more
It’s known as a “mini” stroke — but a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is no small thing. Though it typically lasts only a few minutes, this temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain can be an early sign that a full-blown, potentially disabling stroke is on the horizon. “A TIA can be a blessing … Read more
Add another downside of lighting up to the list. The risks of smoking are well-documented, from the fact that a single cigarette shortens your life to weed not actually helping anxiety or depression. And while each substance has different neurological effects, new research has found that both marijuana and tobacco physically affect the brain, resulting … Read more
Talk about a brain drain. Several diets have been shown to have brain-boosting effects, from the Mediterranean diet’s gut-brain connection to reduced blood pressure effects from the DASH diet. But one health food staple surprised researchers by being linked to faster cognitive decline, even despite being part of a popular and well-backed healthy diet. One … Read more
Some people don’t need to be in a children’s story to think everything is bigger or smaller. In the classic tale “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” Alice encounters situations where the size of objects, creatures, and even herself is distorted. However, while this phenomenon may have once only existed in fairy tales, the perception that you’re … Read more
Scientists hunting for treatments and cures for multiple sclerosis may have found an unlikely ally — the yak. The high-altitude, cold-hardy relative of the cow could be the key to a medical breakthrough, according to a March13 study published in the journal Neuron. At the center of it all is the myelin sheath — a … Read more
Couch potatoes, rejoice: lounging around might not be so bad — at least for your brain. While exercise is known to help lower dementia risk, new research suggests that even a small change in how you spend your time sitting could also make a difference. That’s welcome news for Americans, who spend an average of … Read more
Dementia is anything but fast — in fact, it’s often described as the “long goodbye.” Over 6 million Americans have the profoundly slow disease, which tends to take years, or even decades, to unfold. The largely irreversible condition gradually erodes personality, cognitive abilities and physical mobility. The good news is that there are lifestyle changes … Read more
Scientists have long been racking their brains to crack the mechanism behind Alzheimer’s disease progression. They may have finally found a crucial clue. A research team from Heidelberg University in Germany recently uncovered a hidden “switch” that acts like a death trigger for brain cells and plays a key role in cognitive decline. The study … Read more
Scientists may have sniffed out a breakthrough when detecting Alzheimer’s. The degenerative disease, which affects millions of Americans and gradually destroys memory, thinking skills and the capacity to perform basic tasks, is still notoriously difficult to detect, especially in its initial stages. But researchers have created a breakthrough nasal swab test that can pick up early signs, … Read more
A steak a day may keep the forgetfulness away. New research suggests that a meat-heavy diet may help ward off dementia, but don’t go switching to the carnivore diet just yet — this protein-packed advice is only for a select group of people with a genetic risk factor tied to Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists say the … Read more
A woman says a volleyball accident revealed a rare genetic condition that leaves her with 13 tumors. McKinnon Galloway, 33, found out she has neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) at the age of 16 — after a fall led to a routine concussion check. What started as two brain tumors quickly multiplied. McKinnon Galloway, 33, found … Read more
Something odd was happening to Arielle Hoffman. It was December 2016, and the aspiring actress was mid-shift at a Manhattan brunch spot when she was struck by a strange sensation. Moments later, she realized she’d wet herself — and a slice of time had disappeared. “It was almost as if somebody skipped ahead 30 seconds … Read more
Welcome to The Thin Line, the New York Post’s series about the darker side of GLP-1 drugs. Though GLP-1 agonists sold under brand names like Ozempic have helped millions of people lose weight, manage diabetes and improve other health conditions, they are not without risks. Check back for more stories about the lesser-known downsides of … Read more
Sacramento health officials sounded the alarm about a potential measles outbreak on Monday after more than 100 children were exposed to an unvaccinated child at an educational enrichment program. It’s far from the only community at risk. The US has already passed 1,000 confirmed cases this year, with infections “worse than expected” in Utah and … Read more
Six years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects are still visible — from widespread hybrid work schedules to declining student performance. Add another wrinkle to the list — new prescriptions for ADHD medicine have more than doubled since the start of the pandemic, especially among younger adults. ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is … Read more
Scientists have long searched for ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Chief among these strategies has been targeting amyloid beta, a toxic protein that forms plaque-like deposits when it accumulates abnormally in the brain. This accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Now, scientists say a smaller peptide, a “cousin” of amyloid beta, … Read more
Is she “crazy,” or is her gray matter just being compressed? Neuroscientists in Spain have found a connection between pregnancy hormones and fluctuating gray matter in the brain — which could help illuminate more about the postpartum period and attachments between mothers and newborns. A study done in association with the BeMother project found that … Read more
Sip at your own risk. A new study suggests that where you get your drinking water could increase your odds of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a devastating movement disorder with no cure. Even more concerning, the source linked to the highest risk is used widely across the country, especially in the southeastern and central … Read more
Talk about prenatal gains. A new study out of Japan shows that women who prioritize one common activity during pregnancy might be giving their babies a developmental advantage. After assessing nearly 40,000 mothers and children, the researchers found that babies raised by moms who were physically active before and during pregnancy were more likely to … Read more