Cody Carroll was a healthy toddler when he started struggling with recurring ear infections and hearing loss at the age of two. He was given hearing aids. But his mother, Georgia Nonas, was concerned when she noticed other issues. Cody had started to speak, but then became mute. While Cody was diagnosed with autism, his … 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
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
DEAR ABBY: I have a next-door neighbor who is retired and takes care of his wife, who has dementia. He’s a nice enough person, but he has no personal boundaries. He is intrusive and knocks on my door while I’m working two to three days per week. My work area is close to the door, … Read more
Age is the greatest known risk factor for dementia — though it seems to go beyond the number of candles on the birthday cake. New research out of the UK reports that biological age, the age of our organs, tissues and cells, plays a major role in dementia risk. “Our findings suggest that biological aging … Read more
Don’t sleep on good sleep. Recent research suggests skipping shuteye can cause issues that are shockingly similar to those found in Alzheimer’s disease patients. A team of researchers from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria analyzed sleep-centric medical studies published over the last quarter century to better understand how a lack of sleep affects the … Read more
Incredible, edible, scientifically credible? A humble food, once thought to be bad for the heart, has now been linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. For decades, eggs have been divisive, with protein proponents praising ova and cholesterol-conscious maligning them. Now, new research in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that those who routinely eat eggs … Read more
Pinkies up for brain health! A TikTok demonstrating “pinky time” has gone viral with the promise that this simple daily digit exercise can stave off cognitive decline. In the clip, creator Daniela Paez-Pumar films herself and friends as they wrap their middle and pointer fingers together, touch their ring fingers to their thumbs and move … Read more
A glimpse into the future may already be flowing through our veins. In a major breakthrough, researchers have developed a simple blood test that may one day help doctors predict how fast early-onset dementia will progress. “[It] can give us a window into how aggressively the disease is likely to behave — and that’s information … Read more
It’s well-known that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are not good for overall health — but new research has uncovered further evidence that this diet could negatively impact the brain. The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia by the Alzheimer’s Association, revealed that UPFs are linked to more than 30 adverse health outcomes, including several dementia risk … Read more
Boy, is it tough to get men to go to the doctor. Research shows that most men would rather do just about anything else. This is a major problem because everyone needs regular check-ups and preventive screenings to address silent conditions and improve long-term health outcomes. Let’s keep it simple — here are the two … Read more
It’s time to iron out the details of your brain health. New findings show that a condition that affects 10% of US adults over 65 is likely increasing their risk of dementia by more than half. The good news, though, is that the condition is mostly treatable. A significant percentage of adults over 65 are … Read more
We’ve long been told that vegetarianism can improve heart health, nutrient intake and digestion while lowering the risk of chronic disease and certain cancers — but some plant-based diets may do more harm than good. Case in point: A new study in the scientific journal Neurology finds that high-quality, vitamin-rich plant-based diets go a long … Read more
Taking care of your health never gets old. As we age, it’s important to maintain healthy habits — including proper nutrition, regular exercise and quality sleep — and to follow recommended preventive care, such as cancer screenings and vaccines. Keeping it simple, here are the two key things women should do each decade to stay … Read more
We’ve been told that many things increase our risk of dementia — genetics, too much alcohol, not enough exercise, improper nutrition, high blood pressure, the risks go on and on. Neuroscientist Vivienne Ming wants to add one more item to the list — artificial intelligence. Scientists have already sounded the alarm that US dementia cases could … Read more
An estimated 42% of Americans over the age of 55 are expected to develop dementia at some point, but there’s a bright side to that dark statistic. Researchers from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health are adding to growing evidence that one particular personality trait can lower the risk of dementia — … Read more
AGE before beauty. The latest hyperfixation among longevity experts appears to be Advanced Glycation End products (conveniently abbreviated as AGEs), the result of a chemical reaction between proteins and sugars. Just as a chef caramelizes onions in a pan, new science shows that sugars are “caramelizing” our insides, prematurely aging us and potentially contributing to … Read more
This might make you think twice about skipping your annual shot. A new study suggests older Americans who get a high-dose version of a common vaccine may face a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia than those who stick with the standard jab. The protective effect appears strongest in women — who are about twice … Read more
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
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