Aging

Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s mental function, which includes their ways of thinking and their behavior or level of consciousness. This change often affects memory and concentration. Medical professionals do not yet fully understand delirium, but it seems to have an association with older age, alcohol withdrawal, and certain medical conditions. In

New research shows that an innovative strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease has proven successful in neurons that derive from people living with the condition. Parkinson’s disease affects dopamine producing neurons, illustrated here. Dr. Dimitri Krainc, chair of neurology and director of the Center for Neurogenetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL,

Does dementia spread gradually and evenly in all directions across the brain, or can it “jump” from one brain area to another? New research helps to settle the question by examining the progression of frontotemporal dementia. Researchers have used MRI scans to improve their prediction of brain atrophy progression in a type of dementia. Frontotemporal

Peptides are smaller versions of proteins. Many health and cosmetic products contain different peptides for many uses, such as their potential anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, or muscle building properties. Recent research indicates that some types of peptides could have a beneficial role in slowing down the aging process, reducing inflammation, and destroying microbes. People may confuse peptides

A recent study found that scoring verbal memory tests according to sex can alter who receives a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by as much as 20%. New research assesses the differences in cognition between males and females after the age of 65. Evidence shows that females tend to have better verbal memory than

It is well-known that exercise is good for cardiac health, but older adults tend to fall through the cracks when it comes to rehabilitation programs. Now, a study has shown that these individuals have the most to gain. New research examines the effects of exercise on older adults in physical rehabilitation. Heart disease is the

One hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the massing of tangles of tau protein in the brain. Now, a new study in mice proposes that a type of brain immune cell called microglia drives the tissue damage that is linked to tau clumping. Could deactivating microglia be the key to treating Alzheimer’s disease? Brain scans of

New research finds that people who tend to walk more slowly at the age of 45 present with signs of premature accelerated aging, both physically and cognitively. New research suggests that a slower walking speed in midlife may be a marker of accelerated aging. Walking speed may be a powerful predictor of lifespan and health.

Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that plays an important role in brain and muscle function. Imbalances in acetylcholine are linked with chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter discovered. Imbalances in levels of acetylcholine play a role in some neurological conditions. People who have Alzheimer’s disease

An existing blood thinner — used to prevent the formation of blood clots in people at risk of stroke — could help delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study in a mouse model. Could a common blood thinner help people with Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of

The testicles, or balls, are oval-shaped glands that form part of the male anatomy. They sit inside a thin sack of skin called the scrotum. As a person ages, the scrotum loses elasticity, and the skin starts to sag. Certain medical conditions can also cause the skin to appear saggy. Skin loses its elasticity over

A new study has shown that the relationship between aging and cancer may be more intimate and complex than previously thought. In fact, some aspects of cellular aging may hinder the development of cancer. Although advancing age increases the risk of cancer, a recent study uncovers a more complex relationship. With a vast analysis of

Loose or sagging skin occurs when internal or external factors affect the key molecules that help keep the skin elastic, firm, and hydrated. Most people start to experience skin laxity, or loosening, between the ages of 35 and 40 years. Skin laxity that occurs with age is mostly due to a loss of collagen networks,

A global study on attitudes toward dementia has shown that two-thirds of people believe it to be a natural risk of getting older, which could be limiting the help that people seek. The vast majority of people believe that they will develop dementia and that they can do little about it, new research finds. Every

Although alcohol has been popular for millennia, and dementia is increasingly prevalent, scientists are yet to understand the relationship between the two. A recent study sets out for answers. A new study looks at the relationship between dementia, alcohol, genes, and cognitive impairment. With dementia predicted to affect 13.9 million adults in the United States

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, share a mechanism of brain cell damage that could offer a new target for treatment, according to new research in human cells and mice. A newly discovered mechanism of brain cell damage could hold the key to treating several neurodegenerative conditions. A recent Nature Neuroscience study describes how

People often pass pebble poop in small, hard, separate lumps. However, the stool can also appear as a solid piece that looks as though it consists of pebbles. Both types are a sign of constipation. Constipation is a common problem that most people experience from time to time. Chronic constipation can be painful, and it

Just as researchers look for factors that increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, they are also interested in finding out which factors may hasten the rate of cognitive decline in people who already have this condition. Fluctuating blood pressure could be one of them, a new study suggests. Could blood pressure influence the rate of

The causes of dementia can damage the brain in different ways. Is it possible that these differences may reveal themselves in the way that people walk? A new study that compared walking patterns in people with two types of dementia explored the question. New research suggests a person’s gait may offer clues into the type

Exercise is important for helping people with Parkinson’s disease achieve better balance and mobility, but it can be hard to keep it up. A Dutch study has yielded positive results with a novel home exercise computer gaming program. New research showcases the benefits of ‘exergaming’ for people living with Parkinson’s. For people with Parkinson’s disease,

An open-label clinical trial working with eight people with Alzheimer’s disease concluded that a new wearable device that emits electromagnetic impulses was able to significantly improve memory loss in seven of these participants within 2 months. An innovative wearable device can significantly reduce memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new clinical trial. Alzheimer’s

Researchers are well-aware of the benefits that exercising brings to the mind and body. But how long do these positive effects last, especially where the brain is concerned? And how frequently should we exercise? A new study suggests that a single bout of aerobic exercise can boost working memory for a short while. A large

Despite decades of research, Alzheimer’s disease still holds many mysteries. A recent study asks whether spontaneous changes to the chemistry of proteins might help explain the neurological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. A new study looks at the chemistry of Alzheimer’s-related proteins. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia; it currently affects an estimated 5.5

A proof-of-concept brain imaging study suggests that exercising four or five times a week may delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people who already have toxic buildups of beta-amyloid protein. Aerobic exercise could slow the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s, a small new study suggests. The new research is a 1-year randomized controlled trial led

Scientists have identified gene variants that appear able to alter the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by changing levels of a protein that is present in cerebrospinal fluid. A new study focuses on the variants of a single gene and their role in promoting Alzheimer’s. In a recent Science Translational Medicine paper, the international team describes

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys brain cells and affects a person’s memory, thoughts, and behaviors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer’s disease affected nearly 5.7 million adults living in the United States in 2016. Many people who have Alzheimer’s receive daily assistance and care from their family members,

Research shows that adults with mild cognitive impairment who practice mindfulness meditation could experience a boost in cognitive reserve. New research suggests that meditation can improve the brain health of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, NC, published a paper in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that

Scientists have trained an artificial intelligence tool to predict sex and estimate age from electrocardiogram readouts. They suggest that, with further development, the tool could soon be helping doctors to assess the overall health of their patients. One day, an AI-enhanced ECG could estimate a person’s overall health. An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG